Evolution of the lower continental crust: granulite facies xenoliths from the eifel, west germany

ABSTRACT The lower continental crust is a key region to understanding processes of crust–mantle differentiation and subsequent evolution of the crust. The region is metamorphosed into

granulite or amphibolite facies1,2. Whereas felsic to mafic granulites with an average intermediate major element composition are typically observed in old exposed lower crustal terranes,

mafic compositions are preponderant among granulite facies xenoliths transported by young alkalic basaltic volcanics and kimberlites1. Radiometrie ages for granulite bulk rocks using the

Rb–Sr or U–Pb methods are usually interpreted as metamorphic ages. In contrast, Sm–Nd ages obtained on such metamorphics are interpreted to reflect pre-metamorphic events3–7, although a case

of severe disturbance of the Sm–Nd isotope system during granulite facies metamorphism has also been reported8. We present here Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotope data for a suite of mafic lower

crustal xenoliths from the Hercynian belt. Our data suggest that the igneous precursors of these granulites differentiated from depleted mantle ∼1.5 Gyr ago. In most of these granulites this

evidence for a mid-Proterozoic age has been obliterated by a young (≺172 Myr) metasomatic overprint by mantle derived fluids or melts. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This

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at San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA H.-G. Stosch & G. W. Lugmair Authors * H.-G. Stosch View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar *

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Stosch, HG., Lugmair, G. Evolution of the lower continental crust: granulite facies xenoliths from the Eifel, West Germany. _Nature_ 311, 368–370 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/311368a0

Download citation * Received: 09 January 1984 * Accepted: 29 June 1984 * Issue Date: 27 September 1984 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/311368a0 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the

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