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Implications for the evolution of continental crust from Hf isotope systematics of Archean detrital zirconsResults from the fractionation of zircon by sedimentary processes into continental margin sandstone yield information on the preservation of preexisting continental crust in the form of zircon, making it possible to distinguish between the contrasting theories of gradual growth versus constant volume of continental crust over geologic time. In this work, Hf-176/Hf-177 ratios were determined for detrital zircon fractions from 2.0-2.5, 2.6-3.0, and pre-3.0 Gyr old sandstones from the Canadian-Shield, the North-Atlantic, the Wyoming, and the Kaapvaal Cratons. Results pointed to small amounts of continental crust prior to 3.0 Gyr ago and a rapid addition of continental crust between 2.5 and 3.0 Gyr ago, consistent with the gradual growth of continental crust, and giving evidence against no-growth histories.
Document ID
19900052098
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Stevenson, Ross K.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Patchett, P. Jonathan
(Arizona, University Tucson, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Volume: 54
ISSN: 0016-7037
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
90A39153
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG9-135
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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