Passive continental margins (PCM) are long-term and large-scale geo-archives of earth processes related to mantle dynamics (Plume – Plate mode), continental break-up, creation of sedimentary basins, long-term landscape evolution, changes in ocean circulation and their effect on climate. PCM thus store the information related to the exogene and endogene cycle (Plate Tectonic Theory) of planet Earth. PCM are also of paramount economic importance for hydrocarbon resources. This interdisciplinary session seeks contributions from geological and geophysical observations, as well as from geodynamic or geomaterials modelling, to link observations to theoretical predictions, addressing the interplay of deep mantle – asthenosphere – lithosphere – surface – climate processes in pre-break-up to passive margin systems and adjacent continents. We solicit thermochronological studies contributing to onshore – offshore feed-back processes, studies related to magmatic activities in pre-break-up to passive margins, seismic studies of the lithosphere, asthenosphere and mantle, basin modelling, as well as geodynamic modelling related in particular to mantle dynamics and its surface expression in the form of Dynamic Topography. Emphasis is given to the North and South Atlantic system and adjacent continents, but contributions on other PCM are welcome. The session addresses the complex intertwined endogene – exogene feedback cycles that acted from the birth to the rise of plumes prior to the breakup of continents. We also encourage scientists concerned with the long-term evolution of fracture zones at passive continental margins and
adjacent continents to present their data.