From Kenorland to modern continents: tectonics and metallogeny

Abstract

There are three stages in tectonic evolution of the Earth: (1) nucleation — from origin of protocratons to their assembly into Supercontinent Kenorland (2.7–2.5 Ga); (2) cratonization — from breakup of Kenorland (2.45 Ga) to the assembly of Columbia (1.85 Ga) and its reorganization into Rodinia (1.0–0.72 Ga); (3) modern plate tectonics — from breakup of Rodinia at 720 Ma until present. Analysis of time-space reorganizations of Archean granulite-gneiss terranes, which correspond to continental lithospheric keels, reveals five groups of protocratons (Nena, Ur, Congo-Sahara, NAsia and Atlantica) that remained almost intact during long time intervals.
 After the breakup of Kenorland, the continental crust rotated counter-clockwise. NAsia and Atlantica the least rotated and drifted relative to Nena, however the latter was rotated by 180°. Congo-Sahara, Ur and Kalahari were the most rotated. The assembly and breakup of the supercontinents clearly correlates with secular changes in dominant types of base, precious and ferrous metal deposits, as well as formation and emplacement of diamonds.