Do the trace element compositions of detrital zircons require Hadean continental crust?

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2006 Do the trace element compositions of detrital zircons require Hadean continental crust? Laurence A. Coogan; Laurence A. Coogan 1School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, PO Box 3055 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard W. Hinton Richard W. Hinton 2School of Geosciences, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2006) 34 (8): 633–636. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22737.1 Article history received: 19 Feb 2006 rev-recd: 12 Mar 2006 accepted: 14 Mar 2006 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Laurence A. Coogan, Richard W. Hinton; Do the trace element compositions of detrital zircons require Hadean continental crust?. Geology 2006;; 34 (8): 633–636. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22737.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The trace element compositions of Hadean zircons have been used in two ways to argue for the existence of Hadean continental crust. One argument is based on low crystallization temperatures of Hadean zircons that have been determined using a novel geothermometer based on the Ti content of zircons in equilibrium with rutile. The second argument is based on using the trace element abundances in zircons to calculate their parental melt compositions, especially the rare earth elements. Here we demonstrate that zircons that grow from a melt formed by basalt differentiation at modern mid-ocean ridges cannot be unambiguously distinguished from Hadean zircons on either of these grounds. Thus, we conclude that the trace element compositions of Hadean zircons are permissive of models that do not include the generation of continental crust in the Hadean. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.