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Spatio-temporal tectonic progression in the Dharwar Craton: Insights from volcanic records of Archean greenstone belts.

Connecting clues of ancient (3.3-2.5 Ga) volcanism, this study unravels secrets of Earth's early evolution. Three episodes each of ultramafic, mafic and felsic volcanism have been identified based on the greenstone belt volcanic assemblages of the Dharwar Craton of the southern peninsular India, each reflecting shifts in evolving tectonic regimes and mantle chemistry. The geochronological, geochemical and isotopic systematics of a large database of these volcanic rocks suggests that the formation of the Craton involved a transition from plume-dominated to arc-dominated tectonics, and the heterogeneities in the Archean mantle composition were significantly influenced by early subduction processes to form a stable continental crust.

Model depicting Archean mantle volcanism and plutonism through plumes and subduction zones.

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