Dynamic processes shape the Earth and other planets throughout their history. Geochemical observations place major constraints on dynamical processes that operated throughout Earth’s history while seismic imaging gives a snapshot of today’s mantle. Knowledge of physical properties and rheology from mineral physics is key to quantify processes in the mantle, and is undergoing constant advances (e.g. related to the iron spin transition or the thermal conductivity of the core). Magma ocean crystallisation established the initial conditions for subsequent long-term Earth evolution but is not well understood and typically not considered in models of long-term evolution. Modern-day plate tectonics may not have operated in the past; there is active debate about what tectonic mode(s) may have preceded it and their geological and geochemical signatures.

This session aims to provide a multidisciplinary view of the dynamics and evolution of the Earth, including its mantle, lithosphere, core and atmosphere. We welcome contributions that address aspects of this problem including geochemical observations and their interpretation, new mineral physics findings, geodynamical modelling, and seismological observations, on temporal scales ranging from the present day to billions of years, and on spatial scales ranging from microscopic mineralogical samples to global models. Contributions that take a multidisciplinary approach are particularly welcome.

Invited speaker: Matthew Jackson, Saskia Goes, Lorenzo Colli, Paula Koelemeijer

Earth’s continental crust is a unique phenomenon among the known solar objects and its formation is fundamentally entwined with the evolution of our planet. The withdrawal of large volumes of granitic magma from the deep continental crust and its emplacement at higher structural levels has enriched the upper crust in incompatible and heat-producing elements, leaving the lower crust relatively mafic and refractory.
However, the mechanisms of how continental crust is formed and recycled and how these processes changed over Earth history remain highly debated.
What has been the rate of generation and growth of the continental crust through time? What has been the contribution to crustal growth from continental flood basalt provinces? What caused the diversification of granitoid rocks in the late Archean? What is the role of fractional crystallization in making intermediated to felsic rocks and the continental crust?
We invite abstracts that use geochemical methods to discuss questions related to the formation and evolution of the continental crust in the modern and in the past. Preference will be given to studies that address these topics by applying novel isotope systematics, a petrochronological approach and innovative techniques.

Solicited speaker: Oliver Jagoutz, MIT

The nature of Earth’s lithospheric mantle is largely constrained from the petrological and geochemical studies of xenoliths. They are complemented by studies of orogenic peridotites and ophiolites, which show the space relationships among various mantle rock kinds, missing in xenoliths. Mantle xenoliths from cratonic regions are distinctly different from those occurring in younger non-cratonic areas. Percolation of melts and fluids through the lithospheric mantle significantly modifies its petrological and geochemical features, which is recorded in mantle xenoliths brought to the surface by oceanic and continental volcanism. Basalts and other mantle-derived magmas provide us another opportunity to study the chemical and physical properties the mantle. These various kinds of information, when assembled together and coupled with experiments and geophysical data, enable the understanding of upper mantle dynamics.
This session’s research focus lies on mineralogical, petrological and geochemical studies of mantle xenoliths, orogenic and ophiolitic peridotites and other mantle derived rocks. We strongly encourage the contributions on petrology and geochemistry of mantle xenoliths and other mantle rocks, experimental studies, the examples and models of mantle processes and its evolution in space and time.

Public information:
12 scientists declared that they will participate in the GMPV4.4 chat planned on Wednesday, 6 May, from 14.00 to 15.45. We plan that after short introduction from the convener each of the listed Authors will type short introduction highlighting the most important results of her/his study, and there will be short time (5-8 minutes) for questions and comments from chat participants. The displays will be presented in the following sequence:

Introduction from the Convener
1.Kazuhito Ozawa
2. Dirk Spengler
3. Federico Casetta
4. Petros Koutsovitis
5. Jakub Mikrut
6. Giulia Consuma
7. Hubert Mazurek
8. Magdalena Matusiak-Malek
9. Eszter Badenszki
10. Daniel Buczko
11. Malgorzata Ziobro
12. Taisia Alifirova

At the end, if we have time left, we can discuss one or two problems which are important for mantle researcher’s community.

The origin and evolution of the continental lithosphere is closely linked to changes in mantle dynamics through time, from its formation through melt depletion to multistage reworking and reorganisation related to interaction with melts formed both beneath and within it. Understanding this history is critical to constraining terrestrial dynamics, element cycles and metallogeny. We welcome contributions dealing with: (1) Reconstructions of the structure and composition of the lithospheric mantle, and the influence of plumes and subduction zones on root construction; (2) Interactions of plume- and subduction-derived melts and fluids with continental lithosphere, and the nature and development of metasomatic agents; (3) Source rocks, formation conditions (P-T-fO2) and evolution of mantle melts originating below or in the mantle lithosphere; (4) Deep source regions, melting processes and phase transformation in mantle plumes and their fluids; (5) Modes of melt migration and ascent, as constrained from numerical modelling and microstructures of natural mantle samples; (6) Role of mantle melts and fluids in the generation of hybrid and acid magmas.These topics can be illuminated using the geochemistry and fabric of mantle xenoliths and orogenic peridotites, mantle-derived melts and experimental simulations.