Banded Iron Formations（BIFs） are chemical sediments, ubiquitously distributed in the Precambrian supracrustal belts; thus their trace element compositions are helpful for deciphering geochemical evolution on the Ear...Banded Iron Formations（BIFs） are chemical sediments, ubiquitously distributed in the Precambrian supracrustal belts; thus their trace element compositions are helpful for deciphering geochemical evolution on the Earth through time. However, it is necessary to elucidate factors controlling the whole-rock compositions in order to decode the ancient seawater compositions because their compositions are highly variable. We analyzed major and trace element contents of the BIFs in the 3.8-3.7 Ga Isua supracrustal belt（ISB）, southern West Greenland. The BIFs are petrographically classified into four types：Black-,Gray-, Green-and White-types, respectively. The Green-type BIFs contain more amphiboles, and are significantly enriched in Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, heavy rare earth element（HREE） and U contents. However,their bulk compositions are not suitable for estimate of seawater composition because the enrichment was caused by secondary mobility of metamorphic Mg, Ca and Si-rich fluid, involvement of carbonate minerals and silicate minerals of olivine and pyroxene and/or later silicification or contamination of volcanic and clastic materials. The White-type BIFs are predominant in quartz, and have lower transition element and REE contents. The Gray-type BIFs contain both quartz and magnetite. The Black-type BIFs are dominated by magnetite, and contain moderate to high transition element and REE contents. But,positive correlations of V, Ni, Zn and U contents with Zr contents suggest that involvement of detrital,volcanic and exhalative materials influences on their contents. The evidence for significant influence of the materials on the transition element contents such as Ni in the BIFs indicates the transition element contents in the Archean ocean were much lower than previously estimated. We reconstructed secular variations of V,Co, Zn and U contents of BIFs through time, which show Ni and Co contents decreased whereas V, Zn and U contents increased through time. Especially, the Ni and Co contents drastically decreased in the Mesoarchean rather than around the Great Oxidation Event. On the other hand, the V,Zn and U contents progressively increased from the Mesoarchean to the Proterozoic. Stratigraphical trends of the BIFs show increase in Y/Ho ratios and decrease in positive Eu anomaly upwards, respectively. The stratigraphic changes indicate that a ratio of hydrothermal fluid to seawater component gradually decrease through the deposition, and support the Eoarchean plate tectonics, analogous to the their stratigraphic variations of seafloor metalliferous sediments at present and in the Mesoarchean.展开更多
Estimates of early atmosphere compositions from metamorphosed banded iron formations(BIFs)including the well-studied ≥3.7 BIFs of the Isua supracrustal belt(Greenland)are dependent on knowledge of primary versus seco...Estimates of early atmosphere compositions from metamorphosed banded iron formations(BIFs)including the well-studied ≥3.7 BIFs of the Isua supracrustal belt(Greenland)are dependent on knowledge of primary versus secondary Fe-mineralogical assemblages.Using new observations from locally well preserved domains,we interpret that a previously assumed primary redox indicator mineral,magnetite,is secondary after sedimentary Fe-clays(probably greenalite)±carbonates.Within ~3.7 Ga Isua BIF,pre-tectonic nodules of quartz+Fe-rich amphibole±calcite reside in a finegrained(≤100 μm)quartz+magnetite matrix.We interpret the Isua nodule amphibole as the metamorphosed equivalent of primary Fe-rich clays,armoured from diagenetic oxidative reactions by early silica concretion.Additionally,in another low strain lacunae,~3.76 Ga BIF layering is not solid magnetite but instead fine-grained magnetite+quartz aggregates.These magnetite+quartz aggregates are interpreted as the metamorphosed equivalent of Fe-clay-rich layers that were oxidised during diagenesis,because they were not armoured by early silicification.In almost all Isua BIF exposures,this evidence has been destroyed by strong ductile deformation.The Fe-clays likely formed by abiotic reactions between aqueous Fe^(2+)and silica.These clays along with silica±carbonate were deposited below an oceanic Fe-chemocline as the sedimentary precursors of BIF.Breakdown of the clays on the sea floor may have been by anaerobic oxidation of Fe^(2+),a mechanism compatible with iron isotopic data previously published on these rocks.The new determinations of the primary redoxsensitive Fe-mineralogy of BIF significantly revise estimates of early Earth atmospheric oxygen and CO_2 content,with formation of protolith Fe-rich clays and carbonates compatible with an anoxic Eoarchean atmosphere with much higher CO_2 levels than previously estimated for Isua and in the present-day atmosphere.展开更多
The Archean continental crusts account for ca.20% of the present volume,but the thermal history of the Earths＇ mantle suggests much more continental crusts were formed in the early Archean.Because the Archean contine...The Archean continental crusts account for ca.20% of the present volume,but the thermal history of the Earths＇ mantle suggests much more continental crusts were formed in the early Archean.Because the Archean continental crust underwent severe metamorphism,it is important to avoid influence by the later thermal events.We carried out a comprehensive geochronological work of Cathodoluminescence（CL） observation and U-Pb dating of zircons from orthogneisses and supracrustal rocks over the Saglek Block to obtain their protolith ages.The zircons were classified into three domains of core,mantle and rims,and the cores were further classified into three groups of inherited,altered and zoned cores based on the zonation on the CL images.We estimated the protolith ages from Pb-Pb ages of the zoned-cores of zircons with low U contents.We made a detailed sketch of a small outcrop in St.John＇s Harbour South（SJHS） area,and classified the orthogneisses and mafic enclaves into seven generations based on the geologic occurrence.The first and second generations comprise mafic rocks and lack magmatic zircons.We conducted CL imaging and U-Pb dating of zircons from the third,sixth and seventh generation of the orthogneisses to estimate the protolith ages at 3902 L 25,3892 ± 33 and 3897 ± 33 Ma for each,supporting the presence of the over 3.9 Ca Iqaluk Gneiss.The geological occurrence that the mafic rocks occur as enclaves within the 3.9 Ga Iqaluk Gneiss indicates that they are the oldest supracrustal rocks in the world.Our geochronological and geological studies show the Uivak Gneiss is quite varied in lithology and age from 3.6 to 〉3.9 Ga,and tentatively classified into six groups based on their ages.The oldest Uivak Gneiss components including the Iqaluk Gneiss are present around the SJHS area,and the orthogneisses become young as it is away.The lines of evidence of overprinting of younger granitoid on older granitoid in small outcrops and geological-map scale as well as presence of inherited zircons even in the oldest suite suggests that crustal reworking played an important role on erasing the ancient crusts.展开更多
始太古代及形成时代更古老的岩石十分稀少,任何新的发现都是对最早期陆壳形成演化研究的重要贡献。本文首次报道了华北克拉通冀东地区~3.8 Ga TTG岩石的年龄和地球化学组成。样品J2012为花岗闪长质片麻岩,J2013为侵入花岗闪长质片麻岩...始太古代及形成时代更古老的岩石十分稀少,任何新的发现都是对最早期陆壳形成演化研究的重要贡献。本文首次报道了华北克拉通冀东地区~3.8 Ga TTG岩石的年龄和地球化学组成。样品J2012为花岗闪长质片麻岩,J2013为侵入花岗闪长质片麻岩的花岗闪长岩脉,也遭受变质变形。两者的岩浆锆石年龄分别为3785±8 Ma和3773±6 Ma。尽管岩石的常量元素组成和形成时代类似,但稀土模式明显不同。样品J2012的TREE(稀土总量)和(La/Yb)n比值分别为139.2×10^(-6)和8.44,组成特征与北美4.03 Ga Acasta片麻岩类似,岩浆作用发生在相对低压的条件下,岩浆作用过程中无石榴子石参与而有斜长石存在。样品J2013的TREE和(La/Yb)n比值分别为163.5×10^(-6)和51.16。轻重稀土强烈分异要求花岗闪长岩形成于石榴子石稳定和斜长石不稳定的高压条件下。研究表明,冀东地区在~3.8 Ga时TTG岩浆作用就显示出多样性,支持了古太古代早期—冥古宙陆壳基底广泛存在的认识。根据始太古代岩石类型和组成特征等综合对比,认为鞍本和冀东是华北克拉通2个不同的古陆核形成演化中心。展开更多
The dominant geodynamic processes that underpin the formation and evolution of Earth’s early crust remain enigmatic calling for new information from less studied ancient cratonic nuclei.Here,we present U-Pb ages and ...The dominant geodynamic processes that underpin the formation and evolution of Earth’s early crust remain enigmatic calling for new information from less studied ancient cratonic nuclei.Here,we present U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of detrital zircon grains from^2.9 Ga old quartzites and magmatic zircon from a 3.505 Ga old dacite from the Iron Ore Group of the Singhbhum craton,eastern India.The detrital zircon grains range in age between 3.95 Ga and 2.91 Ga.Together with the recently reported Hadean,Eoarchean xenocrystic(up to 4.24 Ga)and modem detritus zircon grains from the Singhbhum craton,our results suggest that the Eoarchean detrital zircons represent crust generated by recycling of Hadean felsic crust formed at^4.3-4.2 Ga and^3.95 Ga.We observe a prominent shift in Hf isotope compositions at^3.6-3.5 Ga towards super-chondritic values,which signify an increased role for depleted mantle and the relevance of plate tectonics.The Paleo-,Mesoarchean zircon Hf isotopic record in the craton indicates crust generation involving the role of both depleted and enriched mantle sources.We infer a short-lived suprasubduction setting around^3.6-3.5 Ga followed by mantle plume activity during the Paleo-,Mesoarchean crust formation in the Singhbhum craton.The Singhbhum craton provides an additional repository for Earth’s oldest materials.展开更多
Eoarchean(3.6–4.0 Ga)tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite(TTG)are the major component of Earth’s oldest persevered continental crust,thereby holding the key to understanding how continental crust originated and when...Eoarchean(3.6–4.0 Ga)tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite(TTG)are the major component of Earth’s oldest persevered continental crust,thereby holding the key to understanding how continental crust originated and when plate tectonics started in the early Earth.TTGs are mostly generated by partial melting of hydrated mafic rocks at different depths(e.g.,Moyen and Martin,2012),but whether this requires subduction remains enigmatic(e.g.,Palin et al.,2016).Recent studies show that most early Archean TTGs formed at relatively low pressures(≤1.5 GPa)and do not require subduction(e.g.,Johnson et al.,2017).We have identified a suite of Eoarchean tonalitic gneisses dated at^3.7 Ga from the Tarim Craton,northwestern China(Ge et al.,2018).These rocks are probably the oldest high-pressure TTGs so far documented worldwide.Thermodynamic and trace element modelling demonstrates that the parent magma may have been generated by water-fluxed partial melting of moderately enriched arc-like basalts at 1.8–1.9 GPa and 800–830℃,indicating an apparent geothermal gradient(400–450℃GPa-1)typical for hot subduction zones.They also locally record geochemical evidence for magma interaction with a mantle wedge.Accordingly,we propose that these highpressure TTGs were generated by partial melting of a subducted proto-arc during arc accretion.Our model implies that modernstyle plate tectonics was operative,at least locally,at^3.7 Ga and was responsible for generating some of the oldest continental nuclei.展开更多
In the gneiss terrane on the south side of the Eoarchean Isua supracrustal belt,ultramafic rocks with relict abyssal peridotite mineralogy(Bennett et al.,2002;Friend et al.,2002;Nutman et al.,2007;Rollinson,2007;van d...In the gneiss terrane on the south side of the Eoarchean Isua supracrustal belt,ultramafic rocks with relict abyssal peridotite mineralogy(Bennett et al.,2002;Friend et al.,2002;Nutman et al.,2007;Rollinson,2007;van de Löcht et al.,2020),layered gabbros with cumulate ultramafic rocks,basalts and associated siliceous sedimentary rocks were tectonically-imbricated,prior to and during intrusion of ca.3800 Ma tonalites.Together with3800 Ma basalts in the Outer Arc Group of the nearby Isua supracrustal belt,the composition of all these mafic rocks(e.g.,Th-Hf-Nb systematics,high Th/Yb,Ba/Nb,Ba/Yb ratios and negative Nb and Ti anomalies)shows affinity with modern suprasubduction rocks whose genesis involved fluid fluxing of the upper mantle.However,the majority of these samples have Ba/Nb and Ba/Yb values less than in modern island arc magmas,but similar to many backarc basin magmas(e.g.,Pearce and Stern,2006).It is unknown whether these ca.3800 Ma mafic rocks are,(i)arc rocks where the Ba/Nb and Ba/Yb signatures reflect lower surficial Ba in Eoarchean oceanic settings,or(ii)in direct comparison with Phanerozoic suites,these signatures reflect a back-arc setting with interplay between fluid fluxing and decompressional melting.The tectonic intercalation of upper mantle with lower and upper crustal rocks,combined with the fluid-fluxing influences seen in chemistry of all the mafic rocks is best accommodated in a compressional Eoarchean convergent plate boundary setting within a mobile-lid regime.Thus stagnant lid scenarios of crust formation,if operative,must have co-existed or alternated with mobile-lid regimes by 3800 Ma.展开更多
基金partially supported by JSPS grants (No. 26220713) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
文摘Banded Iron Formations（BIFs） are chemical sediments, ubiquitously distributed in the Precambrian supracrustal belts; thus their trace element compositions are helpful for deciphering geochemical evolution on the Earth through time. However, it is necessary to elucidate factors controlling the whole-rock compositions in order to decode the ancient seawater compositions because their compositions are highly variable. We analyzed major and trace element contents of the BIFs in the 3.8-3.7 Ga Isua supracrustal belt（ISB）, southern West Greenland. The BIFs are petrographically classified into four types：Black-,Gray-, Green-and White-types, respectively. The Green-type BIFs contain more amphiboles, and are significantly enriched in Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, heavy rare earth element（HREE） and U contents. However,their bulk compositions are not suitable for estimate of seawater composition because the enrichment was caused by secondary mobility of metamorphic Mg, Ca and Si-rich fluid, involvement of carbonate minerals and silicate minerals of olivine and pyroxene and/or later silicification or contamination of volcanic and clastic materials. The White-type BIFs are predominant in quartz, and have lower transition element and REE contents. The Gray-type BIFs contain both quartz and magnetite. The Black-type BIFs are dominated by magnetite, and contain moderate to high transition element and REE contents. But,positive correlations of V, Ni, Zn and U contents with Zr contents suggest that involvement of detrital,volcanic and exhalative materials influences on their contents. The evidence for significant influence of the materials on the transition element contents such as Ni in the BIFs indicates the transition element contents in the Archean ocean were much lower than previously estimated. We reconstructed secular variations of V,Co, Zn and U contents of BIFs through time, which show Ni and Co contents decreased whereas V, Zn and U contents increased through time. Especially, the Ni and Co contents drastically decreased in the Mesoarchean rather than around the Great Oxidation Event. On the other hand, the V,Zn and U contents progressively increased from the Mesoarchean to the Proterozoic. Stratigraphical trends of the BIFs show increase in Y/Ho ratios and decrease in positive Eu anomaly upwards, respectively. The stratigraphic changes indicate that a ratio of hydrothermal fluid to seawater component gradually decrease through the deposition, and support the Eoarchean plate tectonics, analogous to the their stratigraphic variations of seafloor metalliferous sediments at present and in the Mesoarchean.
基金supported by Australian Research Council(Grant No.DP120100273)the GeoQuEST Research Centre of the University of Wollongong,Australia
文摘Estimates of early atmosphere compositions from metamorphosed banded iron formations(BIFs)including the well-studied ≥3.7 BIFs of the Isua supracrustal belt(Greenland)are dependent on knowledge of primary versus secondary Fe-mineralogical assemblages.Using new observations from locally well preserved domains,we interpret that a previously assumed primary redox indicator mineral,magnetite,is secondary after sedimentary Fe-clays(probably greenalite)±carbonates.Within ~3.7 Ga Isua BIF,pre-tectonic nodules of quartz+Fe-rich amphibole±calcite reside in a finegrained(≤100 μm)quartz+magnetite matrix.We interpret the Isua nodule amphibole as the metamorphosed equivalent of primary Fe-rich clays,armoured from diagenetic oxidative reactions by early silica concretion.Additionally,in another low strain lacunae,~3.76 Ga BIF layering is not solid magnetite but instead fine-grained magnetite+quartz aggregates.These magnetite+quartz aggregates are interpreted as the metamorphosed equivalent of Fe-clay-rich layers that were oxidised during diagenesis,because they were not armoured by early silicification.In almost all Isua BIF exposures,this evidence has been destroyed by strong ductile deformation.The Fe-clays likely formed by abiotic reactions between aqueous Fe^(2+)and silica.These clays along with silica±carbonate were deposited below an oceanic Fe-chemocline as the sedimentary precursors of BIF.Breakdown of the clays on the sea floor may have been by anaerobic oxidation of Fe^(2+),a mechanism compatible with iron isotopic data previously published on these rocks.The new determinations of the primary redoxsensitive Fe-mineralogy of BIF significantly revise estimates of early Earth atmospheric oxygen and CO_2 content,with formation of protolith Fe-rich clays and carbonates compatible with an anoxic Eoarchean atmosphere with much higher CO_2 levels than previously estimated for Isua and in the present-day atmosphere.
基金supported by JSPS grants(Nos.23253007 and 26220713)from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology of Japansupported by from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan and by the Mitsubishi Foundation
文摘The Archean continental crusts account for ca.20% of the present volume,but the thermal history of the Earths＇ mantle suggests much more continental crusts were formed in the early Archean.Because the Archean continental crust underwent severe metamorphism,it is important to avoid influence by the later thermal events.We carried out a comprehensive geochronological work of Cathodoluminescence（CL） observation and U-Pb dating of zircons from orthogneisses and supracrustal rocks over the Saglek Block to obtain their protolith ages.The zircons were classified into three domains of core,mantle and rims,and the cores were further classified into three groups of inherited,altered and zoned cores based on the zonation on the CL images.We estimated the protolith ages from Pb-Pb ages of the zoned-cores of zircons with low U contents.We made a detailed sketch of a small outcrop in St.John＇s Harbour South（SJHS） area,and classified the orthogneisses and mafic enclaves into seven generations based on the geologic occurrence.The first and second generations comprise mafic rocks and lack magmatic zircons.We conducted CL imaging and U-Pb dating of zircons from the third,sixth and seventh generation of the orthogneisses to estimate the protolith ages at 3902 L 25,3892 ± 33 and 3897 ± 33 Ma for each,supporting the presence of the over 3.9 Ca Iqaluk Gneiss.The geological occurrence that the mafic rocks occur as enclaves within the 3.9 Ga Iqaluk Gneiss indicates that they are the oldest supracrustal rocks in the world.Our geochronological and geological studies show the Uivak Gneiss is quite varied in lithology and age from 3.6 to 〉3.9 Ga,and tentatively classified into six groups based on their ages.The oldest Uivak Gneiss components including the Iqaluk Gneiss are present around the SJHS area,and the orthogneisses become young as it is away.The lines of evidence of overprinting of younger granitoid on older granitoid in small outcrops and geological-map scale as well as presence of inherited zircons even in the oldest suite suggests that crustal reworking played an important role on erasing the ancient crusts.
文摘始太古代及形成时代更古老的岩石十分稀少,任何新的发现都是对最早期陆壳形成演化研究的重要贡献。本文首次报道了华北克拉通冀东地区~3.8 Ga TTG岩石的年龄和地球化学组成。样品J2012为花岗闪长质片麻岩,J2013为侵入花岗闪长质片麻岩的花岗闪长岩脉,也遭受变质变形。两者的岩浆锆石年龄分别为3785±8 Ma和3773±6 Ma。尽管岩石的常量元素组成和形成时代类似,但稀土模式明显不同。样品J2012的TREE(稀土总量)和(La/Yb)n比值分别为139.2×10^(-6)和8.44,组成特征与北美4.03 Ga Acasta片麻岩类似,岩浆作用发生在相对低压的条件下,岩浆作用过程中无石榴子石参与而有斜长石存在。样品J2013的TREE和(La/Yb)n比值分别为163.5×10^(-6)和51.16。轻重稀土强烈分异要求花岗闪长岩形成于石榴子石稳定和斜长石不稳定的高压条件下。研究表明,冀东地区在~3.8 Ga时TTG岩浆作用就显示出多样性,支持了古太古代早期—冥古宙陆壳基底广泛存在的认识。根据始太古代岩石类型和组成特征等综合对比,认为鞍本和冀东是华北克拉通2个不同的古陆核形成演化中心。
基金Financial support from the Ministry of Earth Sci-ences,New Delhi for Excimer 193 nm LA system at CSIR-NGRI MoES/P.O.(Seismo)/1(245)/2014for the project on Singhbhum craton to S.D.,E.V.S.S.K.B.,B.S.and T.V.K(No.MoES/P.O.(Geosci)45/2015+1 种基金GAP-738-28EVB)part of the CSIR-NGRI projects INDEX(PSC0204) and GEOMET
文摘The dominant geodynamic processes that underpin the formation and evolution of Earth’s early crust remain enigmatic calling for new information from less studied ancient cratonic nuclei.Here,we present U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of detrital zircon grains from^2.9 Ga old quartzites and magmatic zircon from a 3.505 Ga old dacite from the Iron Ore Group of the Singhbhum craton,eastern India.The detrital zircon grains range in age between 3.95 Ga and 2.91 Ga.Together with the recently reported Hadean,Eoarchean xenocrystic(up to 4.24 Ga)and modem detritus zircon grains from the Singhbhum craton,our results suggest that the Eoarchean detrital zircons represent crust generated by recycling of Hadean felsic crust formed at^4.3-4.2 Ga and^3.95 Ga.We observe a prominent shift in Hf isotope compositions at^3.6-3.5 Ga towards super-chondritic values,which signify an increased role for depleted mantle and the relevance of plate tectonics.The Paleo-,Mesoarchean zircon Hf isotopic record in the craton indicates crust generation involving the role of both depleted and enriched mantle sources.We infer a short-lived suprasubduction setting around^3.6-3.5 Ga followed by mantle plume activity during the Paleo-,Mesoarchean crust formation in the Singhbhum craton.The Singhbhum craton provides an additional repository for Earth’s oldest materials.
基金supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of China(41672186 and 41502178)Jiangsu Province(BK20150577)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2015M570432)
文摘Eoarchean(3.6–4.0 Ga)tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite(TTG)are the major component of Earth’s oldest persevered continental crust,thereby holding the key to understanding how continental crust originated and when plate tectonics started in the early Earth.TTGs are mostly generated by partial melting of hydrated mafic rocks at different depths(e.g.,Moyen and Martin,2012),but whether this requires subduction remains enigmatic(e.g.,Palin et al.,2016).Recent studies show that most early Archean TTGs formed at relatively low pressures(≤1.5 GPa)and do not require subduction(e.g.,Johnson et al.,2017).We have identified a suite of Eoarchean tonalitic gneisses dated at^3.7 Ga from the Tarim Craton,northwestern China(Ge et al.,2018).These rocks are probably the oldest high-pressure TTGs so far documented worldwide.Thermodynamic and trace element modelling demonstrates that the parent magma may have been generated by water-fluxed partial melting of moderately enriched arc-like basalts at 1.8–1.9 GPa and 800–830℃,indicating an apparent geothermal gradient(400–450℃GPa-1)typical for hot subduction zones.They also locally record geochemical evidence for magma interaction with a mantle wedge.Accordingly,we propose that these highpressure TTGs were generated by partial melting of a subducted proto-arc during arc accretion.Our model implies that modernstyle plate tectonics was operative,at least locally,at^3.7 Ga and was responsible for generating some of the oldest continental nuclei.
基金the Isukasia terrane was supported by Australian Research Council grants DP120100273,DP170100715 and DP180103204。
文摘In the gneiss terrane on the south side of the Eoarchean Isua supracrustal belt,ultramafic rocks with relict abyssal peridotite mineralogy(Bennett et al.,2002;Friend et al.,2002;Nutman et al.,2007;Rollinson,2007;van de Löcht et al.,2020),layered gabbros with cumulate ultramafic rocks,basalts and associated siliceous sedimentary rocks were tectonically-imbricated,prior to and during intrusion of ca.3800 Ma tonalites.Together with3800 Ma basalts in the Outer Arc Group of the nearby Isua supracrustal belt,the composition of all these mafic rocks(e.g.,Th-Hf-Nb systematics,high Th/Yb,Ba/Nb,Ba/Yb ratios and negative Nb and Ti anomalies)shows affinity with modern suprasubduction rocks whose genesis involved fluid fluxing of the upper mantle.However,the majority of these samples have Ba/Nb and Ba/Yb values less than in modern island arc magmas,but similar to many backarc basin magmas(e.g.,Pearce and Stern,2006).It is unknown whether these ca.3800 Ma mafic rocks are,(i)arc rocks where the Ba/Nb and Ba/Yb signatures reflect lower surficial Ba in Eoarchean oceanic settings,or(ii)in direct comparison with Phanerozoic suites,these signatures reflect a back-arc setting with interplay between fluid fluxing and decompressional melting.The tectonic intercalation of upper mantle with lower and upper crustal rocks,combined with the fluid-fluxing influences seen in chemistry of all the mafic rocks is best accommodated in a compressional Eoarchean convergent plate boundary setting within a mobile-lid regime.Thus stagnant lid scenarios of crust formation,if operative,must have co-existed or alternated with mobile-lid regimes by 3800 Ma.
