Solid Earth Sciences(S)
Session Sub CategoryMineralogy & Petrology
Session IDS-MP40
TitleSupercontinents and Crustal Evolution
Short titleSupercontinents and Crustal Evolution
Main ConvenerNameMadhusoodhan Satish-Kumar
AffiliationDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University
Co-Convener 1NameYasuhito Osanai
AffiliationDivision of Evolution of Earth Environments, Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University
Co-Convener 2NameGeoffrey Hugo Grantham
Affiliation
Co-Convener 3NameKrishnan Sajeev
AffiliationCentre for Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science
LanguageEE
ScopeSupercontinent formation and dispersion has been enigmatic in the Earth's history. Eurasia is one such current supercontinent and incredible progress in the understanding of its geological evolution has been achieved in the past decade. Earlier supercontinents in the Earth's history such as Gondwana (0.5 Ga), Rodinia (1.0 Ga), Columbia/Nuna (2.0 Ga), Kenorland (2.5 Ga) and Vaalbara (3.1 Ga), have been the focus of several studies, however limited information on older supercontinents has restricted an understanding their tectonic evolution. Several important unsolved issues remain, such as how, when and where these supercontinents formed and how long they remained as such before breaking apart. Additional questions arise on the processes that triggered the fragmentation and unification of continents. In this session, we invite authors around the world to present original new data as well as review results on the continental scale crustal processes and tectonic evolution that are associated with supercontinent formation events in Earth's history. The well-studied Eurasia and Gondwana supercontinents are of particular focus. Topics of interest include, but not restricted to, extremes in metamorphism, P-T-d-t evolution, magmatism, and the role of fluids. We hope to provide a platform for scientific discussions that will enlighten our understanding of the physical and chemical processes in the continental crust that records episodes of orogenesis that contributed to the formation and evolution of supercontinents.
Type of presentationOral and Poster presentation
Invited authors