Tag: continental crust
The current continental crust differs from the primitive earth’s crust
At the very beginning, our Planet was only molten rocks. The cooling of its surface gradually formed the primitive continental crust which would allow to install the future favorable conditions…
The formation of diamonds is linked to the fragmentation of supercontinents
Diamonds are formed in the bowels of the Earth, at very great depth and high temperature. They rise to the surface through volcanic eruptions. They are thus found prisoners of…
The formation of diamonds is linked to the great tectonic cycles
Diamonds are formed in the bowels of the Earth, at very great depth and high temperature. They rise to the surface through volcanic eruptions. They are thus found prisoners of…
When glaciers covered Namibia
If the word “fjord” immediately makes us think of Norway, a team of geologists has just found traces of these great valleys carved by glaciers in a completely different region…
Fjords in Namibia: when glaciers covered this now arid part of the world
If the word “fjord” immediately makes us think of Norway, a team of geologists has just found traces of these great valleys carved by glaciers in a completely different region…
The enigmatic formation of the first continental crust
The continental crust which forms the continents that we know today was formed during the first stages of the Earth’s evolution, in the Hadean style. During this period, the early…
How a continent opened up influences the location of future subduction zones
A new study provides a better understanding of where and how subduction zones are initiated, a major stage in the Wilson cycle. It appears that the tectonic and magmatic heritage…
Gneiss: what is it?
The gneiss is a metamorphic rock composing the continental crust. It mainly contains quartz, micas, feldspars plagioclases and sometimes alkaline feldspars. The color of the rock is variable, but often…
Erratic block: what is it?
An erratic boulder represents a boulder of various sizes and types, isolated and with no apparent link with its geological environment. They can be found in the middle of the…
Batholith: what is it?
The batholiths represent huge granite massifs intrusive in the continental crust. During a magmatic episode produced by the partial fusion at the base of the continental crust, it is rare…