Understanding of secular evolution of the Earth system is based largely on the rock and
mineral archive preserved in the continental lithosphere. Based on the frequency and range …

One of the most contentious areas of Earth Science today is when, or whether or not modern-
style plate tectonics was in operation in the Archean Eon. In this review we present evidence …

If we accept that a critical condition for plate tectonics is the creation and maintenance of a
global network of narrow boundaries separating multiple plates, then to argue for plate …

The Earth as a planetary system has experienced significant change since its formation c.
4.54 Gyr ago. Some of these changes have been gradual, such as secular cooling of the …

The Earth is the only known planet where plate tectonics is active, and different studies have
concluded that plate tectonics commenced at times from the early Hadean to 700 Ma. Many …

Plate tectonics, involving a globally linked system of lateral motion of rigid surface plates, is
a characteristic feature of our planet, but estimates of how long it has been the modus …

Volatile elements (water, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, halogens, and noble gases) played an
essential role in the secular evolution of the solid Earth and emergence of life. Here we …

Earth's mantle convection, which facilitates planetary heat loss, is manifested at the surface
as present-day plate tectonics. When plate tectonics emerged and how it has evolved …

Reconstructing Earth history during the Hadean defies the traditional rock-based approach
in geology. Given the extremely limited locality of Hadean zircons, some indirect approach …

Abstract Models for when and how the continental crust was formed are constrained by
estimates in the rates of crustal growth. The record of events preserved in the continental …