In a groundbreaking study, researchers have challenged the previous understanding of Earth’s crustal evolution by suggesting that mantle heat, not tectonic activity, played a crucial role in shaping the Earth’s crust 3 billion years ago. This new perspective on Earth’s early crustal evolution has significant implications for our understanding of the planet’s geological history.
Rarity of Cratons and New Evidence
Before this study, little was known about the nature and evolution of Earth’s continental crust before a few billion years ago due to the rarity of cratons, or stable swaths of the lithosphere more than 2-3 billion years old. However, the new research using zircons from China has provided evidence that mantle heat was the key factor in shaping the Earth’s crust during this period.