Why Understanding When and How Plate Tectonics Began Is Essential for a Robust Theory of the Earth

Abstract:

Understanding when and how Plate Tectonics (PT) began and what came before has profound implications for understanding the Earth because the transition to PT from the previous tectonic regime – some variant of deformable lid tectonics (DLT)– resulted in faster cooling and enhanced recycling of surface materials to depth. The transition to PT also would have impacted ocean chemistry, climate and life evolution. There is no consensus about when PT began on Earth; estimates range from >4.2 Ga to ~0.85 Ga. Three pillars of a robust Theory of the Earth illustrate the importance of answering this question: (1) the solid Earth volatile cycle; (2) the Urey ratio; and (3) the kimberlite enigma. For (1), it is now clear that subduction injects more H₂O (and probably CO₂) into Earth’s mantle– where it is stored - than is released to the surface by igneous activity. Presumably the volatile flux from the surface into the mantle was lower during DLT episodes, although delamination and Rayleigh-Taylor drippings would have sent some. Constraining PT H₂O and CO₂ fluxes requires knowing when PT began and interior soaking accelerated. Regarding (2), estimating Earth’s Urey ratio (Ur; heat production/heat loss) evolution requires avoiding the “thermal catastrophe” implying that if Earth has been cooling off as fast as presently (Ur ~0.2) then it must have been totally molten 1-2 Ga; a transition from DLT (high Ur) to PT (low Ur) may resolve the paradox. Finally (3), why are the vast majority of kimberlites of Phaneozoic age? Is it because erosion has removed the evidence or because sufficient H₂O-CO₂ rich fluids that drive such eruptions have only been delivered below cratonic lithosphere since deep subduction associated with PT began? Determining when did PT start, what was Earth’s DLT-regime before this, and how did the transition occur will require the insights of the entire geoscientific community, providing a worthy set of 21^st Century geoscientific research priorities.