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Density constraints on the formation of the continental Moho and crustAs part of a general review of recent high-resolution seismological data, constraints are established for the distribution of mass in the continental crust and upper mantle of the earth. It is shown that the densities of mantle magmas such as MORB-like tholeiites, oicrites, and komatites at 10 kilobars are greater than densities in the continental crust. In order to explain the deviation, a mechanism is proposed for the control of mass transfer during igneous and metamorphic processes throughout geological time. Within the context of a description of the mechanism, the continental crust is characterized as a density filter through which only highly evolved magmas with H2O may pass. It is shown that the removal of less evolved magmas can lead to an over accretion (penetration) or an under accretion (underplating) of magmas in the continental Moho. Some implications of the proposed mechanism for current theoretical models of crust formation are discussed in detail.
Document ID
19850039496
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Herzberg, C. T.
(Rutgers Univ. New Brunswick, NJ, United States)
Carr, M. J.
(Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ, United States)
Fyfe, W. S.
(Western Ontario, University London, Canada)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology
Volume: 84
ISSN: 0010-7999
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
85A21647
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-177
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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