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Evidence for extreme mantle fractionation in early Archaean ultramafic rocks from northern Labrador

Nature volume 349, pages 209–214 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Samarium–neodymium isotope data for tectonically interleaved fragments of lithospheric mantle and meta-komatiite from the North Atlantic craton provide the first direct record of mantle differentiation before 3r800 Myr ago. The results confirm the magnitude of light-rare-earth-element depletion in the early mantle, and also its depleted neodymium isotope composition. The mantle fragments were able to retain these ancient geochemical signatures by virtue of having been technically incorporated in buoyant felsic crust, thus escaping recycling and homogenization by mantle convection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Sciences Board, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA

    Kenneth D. Collerson & Lisa M. Campbell

  2. School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, USA

    Barry L. Weaver

  3. VG Isotech, Aston Way, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 OHT, UK

    Zenon A. Palacz

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  1. Kenneth D. Collerson
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  2. Lisa M. Campbell
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  3. Barry L. Weaver
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  4. Zenon A. Palacz
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Collerson, K., Campbell, L., Weaver, B. et al. Evidence for extreme mantle fractionation in early Archaean ultramafic rocks from northern Labrador. Nature 349, 209–214 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/349209a0

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