According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, the TTG crust probably formed through slow burial, thickening and melting of precursor crust that resembled oceanic plateaus. This intracrustal mechanism of TTG formation refutes the long-standing theory that Archean TTGs formed in the Earth’s first subduction zones and marked the beginning of plate tectonics.
The results of the research have great implications for our understanding of the early history of the Earth and the evolution of the continents on our planet. The research also has potential applications in resource exploration, as TTG crust is often associated with precious mineral deposits.
The study’s findings are based on analysis of trace element data from a large collection of TTG samples from Archean cratonic fragments exposed worldwide. The researchers used these data to identify the specific set of trace elements preserved from the original magmas that formed the TTG crust. By tracking these elements, the researchers were able to trace the compositions of the melts back to their original state and source (most likely a type of gabbro).
Source: Ferra
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