Abstract
Plate tectonics and mantle plumes are two of the most fundamental solid-Earth processes that have operated through much of Earth history. For the past 300 million years, mantle plumes are known to derive mostly from two large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) above the core-mantle boundary, referred to as the African and Pacific superplumes, but their possible connection with plate tectonics is debated. Here, we demonstrate that transition elements (Ni, Cr, and Fe/Mn) in basaltic rocks can be used to trace plume-related magmatism through Earth history. Our analysis indicates the presence of a direct relationship between the intensity of plume magmatism and the supercontinent cycle, suggesting a possible dynamic coupling between supercontinent and superplume events. In addition, our analysis shows a consistent sudden drop in MgO, Ni and Cr at ~3.2–3.0 billion years ago, possibly indicating an abrupt change in mantle temperature at the start of global plate tectonics.
Highlights
Plate tectonics and mantle plumes are two of the most fundamental solid-Earth processes that have operated through much of Earth history
Our analysis indicates the presence of a direct relationship between the intensity of plume magmatism and the supercontinent cycle, suggesting a possible dynamic coupling between supercontinent and superplume events
Where mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and arc-related basalts (ARBs) represent melts generated within the sub-oceanic and sub-arc upper mantle, respectively[14,15,16,17], plume basalts, such as oceanic island basalts (OIBs), oceanic flood basalts, and continental large igneous provinces (LIPs) commonly involve deeper mantle processes in which large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) may provide both additional heat and some melt materials[12,18,19]
Summary
Plate tectonics and mantle plumes are two of the most fundamental solid-Earth processes that have operated through much of Earth history. How long the LLSVPs have been present, how such LLSVPs interact with tectonic plates in Earth history, and whether they are fixed in the deep mantle[1,3,7] or part of a dynamic system associated with the supercontinent cycle since at least the Proterozoic[8,9,10,11], remain topics of debate. Basaltic magmatism can be used to probe mantle evolution throughout Earth history[12,13] Such mafic magmatism is mostly generated in three main tectonic settings: mantle plume, midocean ridge, and subduction zone (arc). Where mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and arc-related basalts (ARBs) represent melts generated within the sub-oceanic and sub-arc upper mantle, respectively[14,15,16,17], plume basalts, such as oceanic island basalts (OIBs), oceanic flood basalts, and continental large igneous provinces (LIPs) commonly involve deeper mantle processes in which LLSVPs may provide both additional heat and some melt materials[12,18,19]
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