Composition and evolution of the continental crust:Retrospect and prospect

Until the middle of the 20th century,the continental crust was considered to be dominantly granitic.This hypothesis was revised after the Second World War when several new studies led to the realization that the continental crust is dominantly made of metamorphic rocks.Magmatic rocks were emplaced at peak metamorphic conditions in domains,which can be defined by geophysical discontinuities.Low to medium-grade metamorphic rocks constitute the upper crust,granitic migmatites and intrusive granites occur in the middle crust,and the lower crust,situated between the Conrad and Moho discontinuities,comprises charnockites and granulites.The continental crust acquired its final structure during metamorphic episodes associated with mantle upwelling,which mostly occurred in supercontinents prior to their disruption,during which the base of the crust experienced ultrahigh temperatures(>1000℃,ultrahigh temperature granulite-facies metamorphism).Heat is provided by underplating of mantle-derived mafic magmas,as well as by a massive influx of low H_(2)O activity mantle fluids,i.e.high-density CO_(2) and highsalinity brines.These fluids are initially stored in ultrahigh temperature domains,and subsequently infiltrate the lower crust,where they generate anhydrous granulite mineral assemblages.The brines can reach upper crustal levels,possibly even the surface,along major shear zones,where granitoids are generated through brine streaming in addition to those formed by dehydration melting in upper crustal levels.

Classification and Source Materials of Continental Crust Transformation Series Granitoids in South China

The granitoids of the continental crust transformation series in South China may be divided into threetypes: (1) synorogenic migmatic and magmatic type. (2) anorogenic continental crust anatexis type, and (3)syncollision type. Based on the results of Sr and Nd isotopic determinations, the source material compositionof the three types of granitoids is calculated with crust-mantle binary mixing simulation. The calculations indi-cate that the granitoids of the first type consist of 78.6-89.7% upper crust endmember materials and15.0-10.3% depleted mantle endmember materials, the granitoids of the second type are composed of 63.7%upper crust endmember materials and 36.3% depleted mantle endmember materials, and those of the third type100% upper crust endmember materials. Hence. the source material composition of the granitoids of all thethree types is dominated by upper crust endmembers.

Generation and preservation of continental crust in the Grenville Orogeny

Detrital zircons from modern sediments display an episodic temporal distribution of U-Pb crystallization ages forming a series of ＇peaks＇ and ＇troughs＇. The peaks are interpreted to represent either periods of enhanced generation of granitic magma perhaps associated with mantle overturn and superplume events, or preferential preservation of continental crust during global collisional orogenesis. The close association of those peaks with the assembly of supercontinents implies a causal relationship between collisional orogenesis and the presence of zircon age peaks. Here these two end-member models （episodic periodicity of increased magmatism versus selective preservation during collisional orogenesis） are assessed using U-Pb, Hf, and 0 analysis of detrital zircons from sedimentary successions deposited during the - 1.3-1.1 Ga accretionary, -1.1-0.9 Ga collisional, and 〈 0.9 Ga extensional collapse phases of the Grenville orogenic cycle in Labrador and Scotland. The pre-collisional, accretionary stage provides a baseline of continental crust present prior to orogenesis and is dominated by Archean and Paleoproterozoic age peaks associated with pre-1300 Ma Laurentian geology. Strata deposited during the Grenville Orogeny display similar Archean and Paleoproterozoic detrital populations along with a series of broad muted peaks from - 1500 to 1100 Ma. However, post-collisional sedimentary successions display a dominant age peak between 1085 and 985 Ma, similar to that observed in modern North American river sediments. Zircons within the post-orogenic sedimentary successions have progressively lower EHf and higher -lSO values from - 1800 to - 1200 Ma whereupon they have higher EHf and -3180 within the dominant 1085-985 Ma age peak. Furthermore, the Lu-Hf isotopic profile of the Grenville-related age peak is consistent with significant assimilation and contamination by older crustal material, The timing of this dominant age peak coincides with the peak of metamorphism and magmatism associated with the Grenville Orogeny, which is a typical collisional orogenic belt. The change from broad muted age peaks in the syn-orogenic strata to a single peak in the post-orogenic sedimentary successions and in the modern river sediments implies a significant shift in provenance following continental collision. This temporal change in provenance highlights that the source（s）, from which detrital zircons within syn-orogenic strata were derived, was no longer available during the later stages of the accretionary and collisional stages of the orogenic cycle. This may reflect some combination of tectonic burial, erosion, or possibly recycling into the mantle by tectonic erosion of the source（s）. During continental collision, the incorporated continental crust is isolated from crustal recycling processes operative at subduction margins. This tectonic isolation combined with sedimentary recycling likely controls the presence of the isotopic signature associated with the Grenville Orogeny in the modern Mississippi and Appalachian river sed- iments. These results imply that zircon age peaks, which developed in conjunction with supercontinents, are the product of selective crustal preservation resulting from collisional orogenesis.

Evolution of the 3.65-2.58 Ga Mairi Gneiss Complex,Brazil:Implications for growth of the continental crust in the São Francisco Craton

The composition and formation of the Earth’s primitive continental crust and mantle differentiation are key issues to understand and reconstruct the geodynamic terrestrial evolution,especially during the Archean.However,the scarcity of exposure to these rocks,the complexity of lithological relationships,and the high degree of superimposed deformation,especially with long-lived magmatism,make it difficult to study ancient rocks.Despite this complexity,exposures of the Archean Mairi Gneiss Complex basement unit in the São Francisco Craton offer important information about the evolution of South America’s primitive crust.Therefore,here we present field relationships,LA-ICP-SFMS zircon U-Pb ages,and LA-ICP-MCMS Lu-Hf isotope data for the recently identified Eoarchean to Neoarchean gneisses of the Mairi Complex.The Complex is composed of massive and banded gneisses with mafic members ranging from dioritic to tonalitic,and felsic members ranging from TTG(Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite)to granitic composition.Our new data point to several magmatic episodes in the formation of the Mairi Gneiss Complex:Eoarchean(ca.3.65–3.60 Ga),early Paleoarchean(ca.3.55–3.52 Ga),middle-late Paleoarchean(ca.3.49–3.33 Ga)and Neoarchean(ca.2.74–2.58 Ga),with no records of Mesoarchean rocks.Lu-Hf data unveiled a progressive evolution of mantle differentiation and crustal recycling over time.In the Eoarchean,rocks are probably formed by the interaction between the pre-existing crust and juvenile contribution from chondritic to weakly depleted mantle sources,whereas mantle depletion played a role in the Paleoarchean,followed by greater differentiation of the crust with thickening and recycling in the middle–late Paleoarchean.A different stage of crustal growth and recycling dominated the Neoarchean,probably owing to the thickening of the continental crust by collision,continental arc growth,and mantle differentiation.

Geochronology of the Guyang Granite-Greenstone Terrene and the Implications for Continental Crust Growth

The North China Craton （NCC） is the largest and oldest one among the worldwide cratons. It preserves important imprints of the Earth＇s early history, including crust formation, stabilization and reworking. The Yinshan Block （YB） constitutes the northwestern part of NCC, and contains extensive exposure of Archean rocks （Fig. 1）.

FORMATION OF THE CRUSTAL MELTING LAYER AND ITS RELATIONS TO THE DEFORMATION OF CONTINENTAL CRUST:AN EXAMPLEFROM SOUTHEAST CHINA

Unlike the magma intrusion model,the in- situ melting hypothesis advanced in the lastdecade regards the upper crustas a closed system,and granite as the resultof the materialswithin system changing from order (protolith) to disorder (melts) and to new order(granite) with the variations of entropy of the system.The various geological and geochemi-cal data from the Mesozoic granitesof southeast China are explained logically and systemical-ly by the hypothesis,concluding that they should be originated from the melting of pro-toliths.According to the hypothesis,melts generated from in- situ melting are of layer- likewithin the crustand batholithsare the protruding parts of the uppersurface of the layer (de-fined as the Melting Interface,MI for short) .On the basis the author tries to discuss thesource of heatfor the Mesozoic crustal melting in southeast China.

The Weixi High-silica Granitoids in the Central Sanjiang Orogenic Belt,Southwest China:Implications for Growth of the Continental Crust

High-silica granitoids record the formation and evolution of the continental crust.A new intrusive complex has been recognized among silicic volcanic rocks of the Weixi arc,Southwest China.The intrusions consist of granites,granitic porphyries,and granodiorites.Zircon U-Pb age data indicate that the Weixi granitoids formed at 248-240 Ma and were coeval with silicic volcanic rocks of the Weixi arc.The Weixi granitoids are enriched in Rb,Th,and U,depleted in Ba,Sr,Nb,Ta,and Ti,and have high light/heavy rare earth element ratios and slightly negative Eu anomalies.The Weixi granitoids have negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(-9.8 to-7.8)and negative zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values(-12.02 to-5.11).The geochemical and isotopic features suggest the Weixi granitoids were derived by partial melting of ancient crustal material.The Weixi granitoids and silicic volcanic rocks were derived from the same magma by crystal accumulation and melt extraction,respectively,and they record the formation of a continental arc in the central Sanjiang orogenic belt.

Five-Stage Model of the Palaeozoic Crustal Evolution in Xinjiang

Abstract: The great majority of the Palaeozoic orogenic belts of Central Asia are of the intercontinental type, whose evolution always follows a five-stage model, i.e. the basal continental crust-extensional transitional crust-oceanic crust-convergent transitional crust-new continental crust model. The stage for the extensional transitional crust is a pretty long, independent and inevitable phase. The dismembering mechanism of the basal continental crust becoming an extensional continental crust is delineated by the simple shear model put forward by Wernike (1981). The continental margins on the sides of a gently dipping detachment zone and moving along it are asymmetric: one side is of the nonmagmatic type and the other of the magmatic type with a typical bimodal volcanic formation. In the latter case, however, they were often confused with island arcs. This paper discusses the five-stage process of the crustal evolution of some typical orogenic belts in Xinjiang.

Magnetic Petrology of Archean High-Grade Terrains: Window into Deep Crustal Structure and Geodynamic Processes

The major results about magnetic petrology of Archearn high grade terrains in the world are reviewed in this article, focusing on the relationship between rock magnetism and deformation, and metamorphism and intensity of magnetization of the lower continental crust. The important problems about the magnetic study of rocks for high grade terrains are advanced.

EVOLUTION OF THE CONTINENT CRUST AND URANIUM MINERALIZATION

Uranium is a typical lithophile element, having outstanding geo-chemical characteristics of association whith high SiO2, peraluminousand marginally peralkalic rocks. In evolution process of all geologicalhistory, uranium gathers without interruption in upper crust. Urani-um mineralization is closely realted with evolution characteristics of thecontinent crust.1. It was not until the continent crust evolved to certain maturedegree that uranium began metallization. The oldest uranium depositon the earth occurred in the Delanshiwa （Kapuwaer） district,

Relationship between radiogenic heat production in granitic rocks and emplacement age

Granites play a crucial role in the Earth's thermal regime and its evolution.Radiogenic heat production(RHP)by the decay of radioactive elements(U,Th,K)in granites is a significant parameter in estimating the thermal structure of the lithosphere.RHP variability of granites with their emplacement ages could provide insights for thermal modeling in different geological epochs.An aggregated RHP from 2877 globally-distributed granitic samples of continental crust are analyzed for this study;these sample cover the entire geological history.The average bulk RHP in all types of granitic rocks of all ages is 2.92±1.86μW/m^(3).The RHP tends to increase gradually with progressively younger geologic emplacement age,based on a statistical analysis of the data.However,the youngest granites do not necessarily have the highest RHP.The mean RHP in 181 representative Cenozoic Himalayan leucogranitesdwhich are the youngest granites found on Earth,is as low as 1.84μW/m^(3).This is probably related to the initial conditions of magma formation,magmatic source material,and differentiation processes in the HimalayaneTibetan plateau.By correcting the decay factor,variations of the RHP in the emplaced granitic rocks are obtained,indicating the changing levels of heat production and different thermal regimes on Earth in various geological epochs.The highest RHP in granitic rocks emplaced in the Archean and Early Proterozoic corresponds to two global-scale collisional events during supercontinent cycles,at 2.7 and 1.9 Ga respectively.RHPs of granites can be an important indicator in the study of Earth's thermal regime and its evolution.

Mobilization of Cu in the continental lower crust:A perspective from Cu isotopes

Recent studies have shown that Cu-rich sulfide accumulates in the lower continental crust and serves as a critical reservoir to balance Cu depletion in the upper crust.Recycling of Cu in the lower crust is also assumed to be a major metal source for non-arc setting porphyry Cu deposits.To test this hypothesis and further explore the behavior of Cu in the lower crust,we analyzed the elemental and Cu isotopic compositions of lower crustal rocks from different geological domains.The collected samples include hornblendites from the Kohistan arc,granulite xenoliths and hornblendites from the Gangdese arc,hornblendites and gabbros from the Laiyuan complex in the North China Craton,and hornblendite xenoliths from the western margin of the Yangtze Craton.These lower crustal rocks have experienced varying degrees of primary or secondary sulfide accumulation,with significantly varied Cu contents(11.2 to 145 ppm)andδδ^(65)(1.05‰to 1.40‰).Petrography and geochemistry reveal varying degrees of metasomatism and fluid interaction in these rocks,and based on this,they can be further divided into three groups:Group I includes the Gangdese granulites and Yunnan hornblendites,which perhaps experienced significant metasomatism.This suite of rocks shows enrichment ofδ^(65)(dδ^(65)=0.01‰to 1.40‰),positively correlated with metasomatism(dδ^(65)vs.Ce/Pb).We suggest the secondary sulfides which transformed from sulfates during the interaction between lower crust and arc magma are dominant in these rocks,so the feature of heavy isotope enrichment is inherited.Group II includes Laiyuan hornblendites and gabbros,derived from the same parental magma and emplaced at different depths(hornblendites,23.3–28.1 km;gabbros 8.4–11.1 km).The Cu isotopic compositions are strongly fractionated between these two kinds of rocks,with low dδ^(65)in the hornblendites(0.00‰to 0.28‰)and highly polarized dδ^(65)in the gabbros(1.05‰to 0.81‰).Geochemical indicators and mineral assemblages reveal that fluid interaction is most likely responsible for this feature.Primary sulfides were decomposed by fluids and reprecipitated at shallower depths.Since this process involves multiple redox reactions,the Cu isotopic composition in the shallowed emplaced gabbros was large fractionated.Group III includes the Gangdese hornblendites and Kohistan hornblendites which show negligible impacts of subduction-like metasomatism and fluid interaction.The Gangdese hornblendites show a homogeneous and unfractionated Cu isotopic composition(-0.09‰to 0.18‰)and Cu content(83.4 to 128 ppm),suggesting insignificant Cu migration and isotope fractionation.In contrast,the Cu isotopic composition of the Kohistan hornblendites is strongly fractionated(-0.36‰to 1.27‰).Geochemistry and modeling results suggest partial melting plays a role in the Cu isotope fractionation.The light Cu isotopes are preferentially distributed into sulfide melts and removed from the source region during partial melting of the lower crust,resulting in a decrease in Cu content and enrichment of heavy Cu isotopes in residues.Results suggest that partial melting and fluid interaction are two efficient mechanisms that encourage Cu migration in the lower crust.

Petrogenesis of early Paleozoic granitoids in the North Qinling Orogen,Central China:Implications for crustal evolution in an accretionary orogen

Accretionary orogens are sites of extensive continental crustal growth and modification.The mechanism by which mafic crust is transformed into silicic melts(i.e.,maturation of continental crust)is important for understanding the formation of the continental crust.The North Qinling Orogen(NQO)is a composite orogenic belt and contains an early Paleozoic accretion-dominated orogenic system,which is ideal for investigating continental crustal maturation.We obtained zircon and monazite U–Pb age and O isotope data,zircon Lu–Hf isotope data,and whole-rock major-and trace-element and Sr–Nd isotope data for early Paleozoic granitoids of the NQO.The granitoids are divided into three groups.Group 1 includes the Taiping tonalite(445±3 Ma),the Manziying syenogranite(445±2 Ma),and the Huoshenmiao granodiorite(436±2 Ma).The Taiping and Huoshenmiao plutons have relatively high SiO_(2)contents(68.64–71.67 wt.%)and Na_(2)O/K_(2)O ratios(1.15–4.19),with enrichments in Rb,Ba,Th,and U and depletions in Nb,Ta,P,and Ti,and they are geochemically similar to sodic arc magmas.The Manziying syenogranite is a peraluminous potassic granite with high K_(2)O contents(4.59–5.27 wt.%).Grantioids from Group 1 have similarly depleted Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic features(eHf[t]=+5.9 to+8.8;δ^(18)O=3.98‰–5.41‰),indicative of derivation via partial melting of oceanic arc crust,which suggests that partial melting of oceanic arc crust in a subduction system contributes to the generation of continental crust and causes its maturation.Group 2 consists of the Wuduoshan monzogranite(418±2 Ma)and the Sikeshu granodiorite(423±3 Ma).These plutons have relatively high SiO_(2)(65.59–72.06 wt.%),K_(2)O(3.26–4.79 wt.%),and Al2O3(14.65–16.12 wt.%)contents and Sr/Y(33–87)and(La/Yb)N(23–48)ratios.The Wuduoshan monzogranite has positive zircon eHf(t)(+0.4 to+3.1)and uniformδ^(18)O(6.38‰–8.07‰)values,but the Sikeshu granodiorite has more variable isotopic compositions(eHf[t]=-1.9 to+5.0;δ^(18)O=6.37‰–10.60‰).The Wuduoshan monzogranite and Sikeshu granodiorite have similar whole-rock Sr–Nd isotopic compositions to basement rocks of the NQO.These features indicate that the two plutons formed by partial melting of basement rocks(i.e.,subducted into the lower crust)of the North Qinling unit,along with juvenile crustal material.Group 3 is represented by the Xiaguan monzogranite,which formed at 434–430 Ma,and can be subdivided into heavy rare earth element(REE)-depleted and-enriched units.The former has high Sr/Y(56–98)and(La/Yb)_(N)(34–73)ratios and low MgO(0.13–0.24 wt.%),Cr(0.37–1.69 ppm),and Ni(0.32–1.09 ppm)contents,similar to adakites derived from metabasaltic sources.The heavy REE-enriched nature of the Xiaguan monzogranite may reflect modification of its source by melt or fluid.Our results show that partial melting of enriched oceanic arc crust contributed to crustal maturation in an accretionary orogen.The addition of evolved crustal material also facilitated this process;therefore,the basement rocks and crustal thickness should be considered when assessing crustal dynamics in an accretionary orogen.

From the Beginning of the World to the Beginning of Life on Earth

Hypersphere World-Universe Model (WUM) is, in fact, a Paradigm Shift in Cosmology [1]. In this paper, we provide seven Pillars of WUM: Medium of the World;Inter-Connectivity of Primary Cosmological Parameters;Creation of Matter;Multicomponent Dark Matter;Macroobjects;Volcanic Rotational Fission;Dark Matter Reactors. We describe the evolution of the World from the Beginning up to the birth of the Solar System and discuss the condition of the Early Earth before the beginning of life on it.

1/3 of Antarctica is Not a Continent: Geophysical Evidence for West Antarctica as a Backarc System

Antarctica has traditionally been considered continental inside the coastline of ice and bedrock.In our recent study(Artemieva and Thybo,2020)we reconsider the conventional extent of this continent and demonstrate that 1/3 of Antarctica is not a continent.Here we present a brief summary of our results.

Geochronology and geochemistry of the W-Mo-ore-related granitic rocks from eastern Ningzhen,lower Yangtze river belt,eastern China

Here we present zircon U–Pb–Hf and wholerock major and trace element studies of eastern Ningzhen W-Mo-ore-related magmatic rocks,Yushan and Longwangshan granitic rocks,to constrain their form timing,magma sources,and tectonic settings.The results showed that the two plutons were formed in the Early Cretaceous with;Pb/;U ages of 107.8±1.2 and 105.2±1.5 Ma(;Pb/;U),respectively.The trapped/residual zircons are mainly distributed in 2.0–2.5 Ga.The two intrusions are characterized by high silicon(68.60–73.99%),high aluminum(13.56–15.02%),high Mg#(47–55),high Sr,Sr/Y,LaN/YN,and low Yb,falling into high Mg#adakitic rock region.The zirconεHf(t)values of the two intrusions range from-24.8 to-13.2,indicating an ancient continental crust in their magma sources.The average Ti-inzircon temperature is 689°C,slightly higher than those of other high-Mg adakitic rocks in the lower Yangtze River belt,but lower than those of high-Mg adakitic rocks in the Southern Tanlu Fault(STLF).Zircon Ce;/Ce;show low oxygen fugacity(LWS-1:3–400,average 92;sample ZYS-4:9–382,average 93).These geochemical features indicate a thickened lower continental crust in the Eastern Ningzhen region in a subduction setting.Comparing the geochemical characteristics of the eastern Ningzhen to the western Ningzhen and other areas in the Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(LYRMB)and the high-Mg ore-barren adakitic rocks of the STLF,we propose that the magmatic rocks from eastern Ningzhen may be mainly from a thickened lower continental crust that hybridized with a very small part of mantle sources,while the west Ningzhen magmatic rocks may have experienced a higher degree of mantle contaminations in their source.The metallogenic differences between the eastern(W–Mo)and western(Cu–Fe–Pb–Zn)parts of Ningzhen also indicate different proportions of crustal materials in their magma source.

Historical-Dynamic Integrative Classification of Basinogenesis and Ore-Forming Basins

Interesting classifications of basinogenesis and basins were proposed by many scientists. They classified basinogenesis and basins mainly from a single angle, either from a historical angle or from a dynamic angle . In order to more comprehensively understand them for more effectively guiding prospecting and exploration, the author integrates the two methods of analysis with each other and proposes an integrative classification .According to the historical - dynamic integrative classification,basinogenesis and basins can be.di-vided into three types :oceanic crust type ,embryo-continental (transitional )crust type and continental crust type .Oceanic crust type can be subdivided into mobile region type (mainly tenskmal )and stable region type . Embryo-continental type includes pre-geosynclinal type (divisible into several mobile region types and stable region types with tensional type predominating among mobile region types ) and ear ly-geosynclinal type (mainly tenskmal ) .Continental crust type includes late- geosynclinal (fold belt)type (compressional or tenskmal ),platform type (mainly sinking and rarely tenskmal subsidence-aulacogen)and geodepression (diwa )type (compressional , tenskmal or compresskmal-tenskmal ).

Zircon Trace Element Geochemistry and Ti-in-Zircon Thermometry of the Ngazi-Tina Pan-African Post-Collisional Granitoids, Adamawa Cameroon

In Cameroon, the Ngazi-Tina region belongs to the Adamawa-Yade domain of the Pan-African Central African Fold Belt (CAFB). It is composed of two petrographic types: quartz-monzonites (majority) and nepheline syenites. Two morphological types, prismatic and pyramidal, were recognized in the zircon grains samples. These zircon types display internal structures typical of magmatic zircons. Zircons separated from the Ngazi-Tina samples contain higher abundances of Hf (close to 8000 ppm) and moderate trace elements (Y, Th, U, Nb, Ta) and REE contents, suggesting a variable degree of magmatic evolution. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of zircons are characterized by LREE depletion relative to HREE with positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies, typical of magmatic zircons. The high Hf content together with high Ce/Ce*, Th/U, Zr/Hf ratios suggest magma crystallization under variable oxidation and oxygen fugacity. The application of Ti-in-zircon thermometer reveals crystallization temperatures ranging from 678°C to 811°C and 658°C to 768°C for quartz monzonites and nepheline syenites respectively. These features indicate probably a partial melting of continental crust as the source of these zircons grains and emplacement in the magmatic-arc setting.

Effects of Water on the Rheology of Dominant Minerals and Rocks in the Continental Lower Crust: A Review

As an important part of the continental lithosphere, the continental lower crust can influence and control many important geodynamic processes, which are of great significance to the evolution of the lithosphere. Extensive plastic deformation is common in continental lower crust. There have been many studies focusing on the rheology of the continental lower crust in the past few decades. This paper provides a review on the effects of water on the rheology of dominant minerals(clinopyroxene, plagioclase and garnet) and rocks in the continental lower crust. The water contents in continental lower crustal minerals and rocks are in general rich and very heterogenous from sample to sample and region to region. Water can significantly reduce the strength of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, garnet and lower crustal rocks. Water can also have a profound influence on fabric development and slip systems in lower crustal minerals. Quantitative experimental investigations and extensive natural studies of water effect on rheology are necessary to refine the classic lithosphere strength profile models and to address the existing controversy on strength of the continental lower crust.

Global distribution of geothermal gradients in sedimentary basins

The heat budget of sedimentary basins is determined by heat transfer across the lithosphereasthenosphere boundary and lithospheric heat sources,such that the tectonic evolution of their host continental and oceanic lithosphere ultimately impact the present-day heat flow and average geothermal gradients.Recent increase in availability of publicly-accessible geothermal gradient measurements across the world provides an opportunity to globally assess the dominant controls on the thermal regime of sedimentary basins.Thus,we compile a global dataset of152,000 unique data points with constrained bottomhole temperature measurements and assess the relationships between geothermal gradient and selected independent tectonic variables,including crustal and lithospheric thicknesses,crustal age,sediment thickness,and basin type.The results show that in both oceanic and continental settings,geothermal gradients exhibit a non-linear,systematic variation with the tectonic variables.We find that oceanic geothermal gradients decrease with increasing crustal age and lithospheric thickness.Geothermal gradients in the continents show no clear relationships with thermotectonic crustal age,but decrease with increasing crustal and lithospheric thicknesses.Gradients drop significantly at 1.5 km sediment-cover thickness,likely reflecting the effect of high sedimentation rates,but show a striking rise at>12 km thicknesses,potentially influenced by thinned lithosphere and thermal blanketing effects.The commonly-assumed‘normal’gradient of 25℃/km for continents is only valid for a narrow range(1.5–12.5 km)of sedimentary cover-thickness,and oceanic‘normal’gradient may be as high as 50–75℃/km for>20 Ma crustal age and>50 km-thick lithosphere.We show that,conditionally,crustal age may best predict average geothermal gradients in oceanic settings,and lithosphere thickness in continents.Further,we observe that tectonic basin types exhibit distinct ranges of gradients that reflect their prevalent tectonic and geodynamic origins.Despite the complexities of determining shallow-crustal thermal conductivities,the results provide insights that fingerprint distinct tectonic settings based on the broad distribution of their geothermal gradients.