Long-lived Paleoproterozoic eclogitic lower crust

Sebastian Buntin (), Irina M. Artemieva (), Alireza Malehmir (), Hans Thybo (), Michal Malinowski, Karin Högdahl, Tomasz Janik and Stefan Buske
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Sebastian Buntin: Uppsala University
Irina M. Artemieva: Stanford University
Alireza Malehmir: Uppsala University
Hans Thybo: China University of Geosciences
Michal Malinowski: Polish Academy of Sciences
Karin Högdahl: Uppsala University
Tomasz Janik: Polish Academy of Sciences
Stefan Buske: Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The nature of the lower crust and the crust-mantle transition is fundamental to Earth sciences. Transformation of lower crustal rocks into eclogite facies is usually expected to result in lower crustal delamination. Here we provide compelling evidence for long-lasting presence of lower crustal eclogite below the seismic Moho. Our new wide-angle seismic data from the Paleoproterozoic Fennoscandian Shield identify a 6–8 km thick body with extremely high velocity (Vp ~ 8.5–8.6 km/s) and high density (>3.4 g/cm3) immediately beneath equally thinned high-velocity (Vp ~ 7.3–7.4 km/s) lowermost crust, which extends over >350 km distance. We relate this observed structure to partial (50–70%) transformation of part of the mafic lowermost crustal layer into eclogite facies during Paleoproterozoic orogeny without later delamination. Our findings challenge conventional models for the role of lower crustal eclogitization and delamination in lithosphere evolution and for the long-term stability of cratonic crust.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26878-5

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