Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoran Chen, Vadim Levin, Huaiyu Yuan
Summary: Using splitting in core-refracted teleseismic shear waves, anisotropic properties of the upper mantle beneath the Superior craton in eastern North America and the Yilgarn craton in Western Australia were investigated. Evidence of alignment between fast directions and absolute plate motion was found in North America, but not in Western Australia.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. R. A. Aitken, M. Fiorentini, M. Tesauro, N. Thebaud
Summary: Knowledge of the evolution of ancient cratonic lithospheres underpins our understanding of Precambrian Earth. The Yilgarn Craton has exceptionally well-preserved Archean geology, but geophysical models indicate that the lithospheric mantle has been extensively refertilised. Reconciling geological and geophysical data suggests two phases of lithosphere destabilisation driven by major magmatic events, with refertilisation occurring during supercontinent assembly.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Hanlin Liu, Joseph S. Byrnes, Maximiliano Bezada, Qingju Wu, Shunping Pei, Jing He
Summary: This study investigates the teleseismic P-wave attenuation beneath the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and the North China Craton using seismic data. The results show that high attenuation is observed beneath most of the volcanoes, suggesting that these volcanoes may tap melt from the ambient asthenosphere and occur where the lithosphere is thin. However, at the Xilinhot-Abaga volcanic site, low attenuation is observed, indicating that deep melting may be initiated by fluids from the subducted Pacific plate.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Cin-Ty Lee, Emily J. Chin
Summary: The formation of cratons during the mid-Archean to mid-Proterozoic period was favored, resulting in stable crustal shields with thick and cold mantle roots. These cratons have remained stable over time due to the high viscosity of the cratonic mantle, possibly influenced by dehydration during the formation process. Grain size may play a more significant role in controlling cratonic strength than the hydrogen content. The cratonic mantle, despite being wet and metasomatized, has achieved strength through the coarsening of grains and the passage of fluids.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tianze Liu, Emily J. Chin, Peter Shearer
Summary: This study reveals that mantle metasomatism is likely an important cause of mid-lithosphere discontinuities worldwide, which is significant for understanding the structure and evolution of cratonic lithospheres.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Z. J. Sudholz, A. L. Jaques, G. M. Yaxley, W. R. Taylor, K. Czarnota, M. W. Haynes, L. Frewer, R. R. Ramsay, P. J. Downes, S. A. Cooper
Summary: The lithology, geochemistry, and architecture of the continental lithospheric mantle (CLM) underlying the Kimberley Craton of north-western Australia has been studied, revealing a stable lithospheric structure and thermal state for at least 1,000 Ma. The CLM is layered with shallow and deep parts separated by a diopside-depleted and seismically slow mid-lithosphere discontinuity.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
S. Timmerman, J. R. Reimink, A. Vezinet, F. Nestola, K. Kublik, A. Banas, T. Stachel, R. A. Stern, Y. Luo, C. Sarkar, A. Ielpi, C. A. Currie, C. Mircea, V Jackson, D. G. Pearson
Summary: The formation of Earth's ancient crust and the development of cool, thick lithospheric mantle roots capable of hosting diamonds in the Archean era has long been debated. A recent discovery in Canada sheds new light on this topic, with the finding of a diamond-bearing quartz-pebble conglomerate from the northern Slave craton. The age of the diamonds, determined through detrital-zircon geochronology, suggests that they formed around 2.94 billion years ago and were deposited around 2.83 billion years ago. These diamonds provide insight into the thermal conditions of the mantle during the Mesoarchean era, indicating a relatively cool lithosphere compared to nearby Mesoarchean komatiites. This suggests that the early building blocks of cratons were small with deep cool roots, formed through slab-stacking, and were later juxtaposed with regions of thinner, hotter lithosphere. These initial structures later amalgamated and thickened through lateral accretion, forming the more uniformly thick cratonic lithosphere observed today.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Susan Ellis, Kelin Wang
Summary: This study investigates the stress levels in cold cratonic lithosphere and warm plate-boundary lithosphere using numerical models and finds that actual stress levels may deviate from theoretical predictions. The stress levels differ in different lithospheric regions due to seismicity and structure.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Fanchang Meng, Yinshuang Ai, Tao Xu, Ling Chen, Xin Wang, Long Li
Summary: The study investigated the spatial variations in the depths of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) and mid-lithosphere discontinuity (MLD) in the boundary region of the North China Craton (NCC) and Xing-Meng Orogenic Belt (XMOB). The results revealed complex lithospheric deformation and thinning, possibly related to partial melting induced by the subducting Paleo-Pacific plate and its stagnation during the Late Mesozoic.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Sinan Ozaydin, Kate Selway, William L. Griffin
Summary: The study shows that water content decreases with depth in the southwestern Kaapvaal Craton, broadly matching the distribution of metasomatism. While most water content measurements from xenolith samples agree with the models, discrepancies suggest a local metasomatic control over xenolith water contents.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
D. K. Chaubey, S. S. Rai, N. Mullick, R. Das
Summary: This study examines the erosion of lithosphere by mantle plumes in the Dharwar Craton in South India. By comparing kimberlite xenoliths with seismic data, the present-day lithosphere thickness is estimated to be 165 +/- 15 km, slightly lower than the thickness derived from the erupted kimberlite around 1100 Myr ago. The analysis suggests that the eastern Dharwar Craton's lithosphere has not been significantly altered by thermal influence despite the impact of three mantle plumes in the last 90 Myr.
PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
D. Groves, M. Santosh
Summary: Researching different types of mineral deposits with varying metal compositions has academic and economic benefits. These deposits, such as BIF-derived iron ores, IOCG deposits, and carbonatite-related REE-P-Nb-Cu ores, are often found at the margins of ancient cratons due to the buoyancy of thick lithosphere, which can preserve metal ores for long periods of time.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ehsan Barzgar, Fenglin Niu, Shunping Pei
Summary: Cratons formed through specific melting processes in the primitive mantle during the Archean. Each craton has a distinct evolution history, and some have lost their stability. By analyzing seismic properties, it was found that most cratons resemble the original residue from the primitive mantle, while the Eastern North China Craton (ENCC) shows systematic differences. The Ordos Block and the Wyoming Craton have maintained their Archean mantle lithosphere to some extent, while the Indian Craton has been partially modified.
SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Peter Bacik, Jana Fridrichova, Pavel Uher, Tomas Vaculovic, Valeria Bizovska, Radek Skoda, Julius Dekan, Marcel Miglierini, Iveta Malickova
Summary: This study investigates the relationships between crystal-chemical and genetic properties of beryl from rare-element granitic pegmatites in Namibia. The beryl samples can be divided into two groups based on their chemical compositions and exhibit different characteristics in terms of mineral content and structural features.
Article
Geology
Hesen Zhao, Qingfei Wang, David I. Groves, M. Santosh, Jili Zhang, Tao Fan
Summary: The poorly documented Daduhe gold belt in southwest China is an important metallogenic belt characterized by typical orogenic gold systems. This study reveals the regional metallogenic patterns of the belt, establishes a consistent genetic model, and demonstrates a common source of ore fluids and metals. The findings suggest a high prospectivity and a higher future gold endowment for the Daduhe belt.
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jan Vozar, Alan G. Jones, Joan Campanya, Chris Yeomans, Mark R. Muller, Riccardo Pasquali
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Hao Dong, Wenbo Wei, Sheng Jin, Gaofeng Ye, Alan G. Jones, Letian Zhang, Jian'en Jing, Chengliang Xie, Yaotian Yin
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2020)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kitso N. Matende, Estella Atekwana, Kevin Mickus, Mohamed G. Abdelsalam, Eliot A. Atekwana, Rob Evans, Victor N. Nyalugwe, Luelseged Emishaw
Summary: This study used aeromagnetic, satellite gravity, and ground gravity data to image the thermal and crustal structures beneath the LLL rift in southeastern Zambia. The results indicate the presence of a large magnetized body and a crust approximately 45 km thick beneath the rift. Analysis of ground gravity data suggests the presence of a large mafic body beneath the crust.
JOURNAL OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Aaron Micallef, Mark Person, Christian Berndt, Claudia Bertoni, Denis Cohen, Brandon Dugan, Rob Evans, Amir Haroon, Christian Hensen, Marion Jegen, Kerry Key, Henk Kooi, Volker Liebetrau, Johanna Lofi, Brian J. Mailloux, Renee Martin-Nagle, Holly A. Michael, Thomas Mueller, Mark Schmidt, Katrin Schwalenberg, Elizabeth Trembath-Reichert, Bradley Weymer, Yipeng Zhang, Ariel T. Thomas
Summary: Offshore freshened groundwater (OFG) has been documented in most continental margins worldwide, predominantly within 55 km of the coast and down to a water depth of 100 m. Factors influencing OFG distribution include topography-driven flow, salinization via haline convection, and permeability contrasts. Advances in geochemical measurements and seismic reflection profiling have improved our understanding of OFG, but key knowledge gaps remain regarding its extent, function, and emplacement timing. Future research using isotopic age tracers and joint inversion of electromagnetic and seismic data is essential for addressing these gaps and assessing the potential use of OFG as an unconventional source of water.
REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
H. F. Mark, J. A. Collins, D. Lizarralde, G. Hirth, J. B. Gaherty, R. L. Evans, M. D. Behn
Summary: This study presents new insights into seismic discontinuity and shear by investigating the upper mantle discontinuity structure at the NoMelt site in the central Pacific.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
F. Le Pape, A. G. Jones, M. W. Jessell, C. Hogg, L. Siebenaller, S. Perrouty, A. Toure, P. Ouiya, G. Boren
Summary: This study investigates the lithospheric structure of the West-African craton through analyzing and modeling magnetotelluric data, providing insights into the thermal signature and composition of the subcontinental lithosphere. The inferred deep structure suggests a present-day thermal lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary depth of at least 250 km below the Baoule-Mossi domain, with the lithosphere transitioning from cold and thick to thinner and more fertile below the Volta Basin. The amount of water in the lithosphere may be explained by Paleoproterozoic subduction processes, but later lithospheric enrichment cannot be ruled out.
PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Maureen D. Long, Lara S. Wagner, Scott D. King, Rob L. Evans, Sarah E. Mazza, Joseph S. Byrnes, Elizabeth A. Johnson, Eric Kirby, Maximiliano J. Bezada, Esteban Gazel, Scott R. Miller, John C. Aragon, Shangxin Liu
Summary: The article discusses the lithospheric evolution of the eastern margin of North America and the unusual properties of the Central Appalachian Mountains, providing evidence for lithospheric loss beneath the region and proposing possible mechanisms. Through various geophysical and geological methods, the study concludes that the lithosphere in this area is thin and has undergone past episodes of lithospheric loss involving mantle upwelling and partial melting.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Sarah Blake, Tiernan Henry, John Paul Moore, John Murray, Joan Campanya, Mark R. Muller, Alan G. Jones, Volker Rath, John Walsh
Summary: This study reveals a hydrogeological conceptual model of a low-enthalpy thermal spring in a fractured limestone setting in Ireland, investigating its source, circulation pathways, and temporal variation. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it is found that the thermal waters in the area continuously flow and reach their highest temperature and discharge during the winter, due to a structurally controlled hydrothermal circulation system influenced by climate change.
HYDROGEOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
C. Galley, P. Lelievre, A. Haroon, S. Graber, J. Jamieson, F. Szitkar, I Yeo, C. Farquharson, S. Petersen, R. Evans
Summary: Seafloor massive sulfide deposits are formed in remote environments, making it technically challenging and expensive to assess their size and composition through drilling. This study demonstrates the use of inverse modeling of geophysical data to enhance geological models and evaluate the resource potential of seafloor massive sulfide deposits. By utilizing magnetic and gravity data collected from the active mound at the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse hydrothermal vent field, this study was able to determine the thickness and tonnage of the massive sulfide mound through geophysics-based, noninvasive approaches.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
M. C. Manassero, J. C. Afonso, F. Zyserman, A. G. Jones, S. Zlotnik, I Fomin
Summary: The article introduces a novel joint probabilistic inversion scheme for large-scale lithospheric studies, combining 3D magnetotelluric and surface-wave dispersion data. The approach utilizes advanced strategies for fast solutions and algorithms to achieve efficient simulations, demonstrating feasibility, benefits, and performance for imaging the temperature and conductivity structures of the lithosphere.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Max Moorkamp, Sinan Ozaydin, Kate Selway, Alan G. Jones
Summary: The Southern African Magnetotelluric Experiment (SAMTEX) collected data at over 700 sites in southern Africa and presented the first 3D inversions of the full dataset. The study focused on comparing different inversion codes and subsets of data to assess the robustness of the 3D models. Results showed that all inversions imaged the main conductive and resistive features, but differences existed between the models.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. B. Russell, J. B. Gaherty, H. F. Mark, G. Hirth, L. N. Hansen, D. Lizarralde, J. A. Collins, R. L. Evans
Summary: Seismic anisotropy produced by aligned olivine in oceanic lithosphere provides insights into mid-ocean ridge dynamics. In this study, an in situ elastic tensor for oceanic lithosphere is estimated using observational data from the NoMelt experiment. The study compares the elastic model with petrofabric data to infer crystallographic orientations and strain accumulation in the lithosphere. The results reveal significant strain accumulation in the shallow mantle and provide evidence for a specific type of olivine lattice-preferred orientation.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ved Mittal, Maureen D. Long, Rob L. Evans, Joseph S. Byrnes, Maximiliano Bezada
Summary: The Central Appalachian Anomaly (CAA) is a region beneath eastern North America with abnormal seismic velocity, seismic attenuation, and electrical conductivity structure. Through the Mid-Atlantic Geophysical Integrative Collaboration (MAGIC) experiment, new observations from teleseismic earthquakes at MAGIC stations provide insights into the structure and properties of the upper mantle in the CAA region. These observations, combined with previous estimates of attenuation and conductivity, suggest that 1%-2% partial melt is necessary to explain the anomalies in velocity, attenuation, and electrical conductivity beneath the MAGIC array.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
B. F. W. Chase, M. J. Unsworth, E. A. Atekwana, R. L. Evans, J. Zhu
Summary: Magnetotelluric data were used to study the lithosphere structure of the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen (SOA). Inversion of the data revealed two low resistivity anomalies beneath the SOA. The cause of low resistivity anomalies is discussed in relation to the tectonic evolution of the region and recent laboratory experiments on rock conductivity.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bradley A. Weymer, Mark E. Everett, Amir Haroon, Marion Jegen-Kulcsar, Aaron Micallef, Christian Berndt, Holly A. Michael, Rob L. Evans, Vincent Post
Summary: This article highlights the lack of research on marine geological structures, especially regarding the topography and geology below the coastline. Studying this area is significant for understanding geological processes, hazards, and coastal aquifers.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)