Abstract
The mantle that underlies Archean cratons is a poorly understood fundamental feature of Earth; consequently its genesis is an active topic of discussion and research. This ancient mantle has several unique characteristics, including low density relative to average mantle, concomitant melt-depleted compositions, highly magnesian olivine and consequently high seismic velocities. The buoyancy and rigidity of this type of mantle has allowed Archean lithosphere to remain stable and “float” in a way that keeps it mostly from being reworked back into the convecting mantle. The Karelian craton is one such ancient block of coupled crust and mantle that has survived since at least 3.5 Ga. Kimberlites and lamproites intruded into this region have carried fragments of the mantle and crust to the surface, providing unique information on the composition and structure of the lithosphere down to 250 km below the Earth’s surface. Due to the value of diamond, companies have undertaken exploration all over the world and provided materials for study of this otherwise inaccessible part of our planet.
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O’Brien, H., Lehtonen, M. (2012). Craton Mantle Formation and Structure of Eastern Finland Mantle: Evidence from Kimberlite-Derived Mantle Xenoliths, Xenocrysts and Diamonds. In: Haapala, I. (eds) From the Earth's Core to Outer Space. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, vol 137. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25550-2_5
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