Late Archean Crustal Evolution of the Southern Wyoming Province

9909260霜大陆的形成和演化是构造学的基本问题， 地球化学 尽管目前的几个模型之间的差异，晚太古代被认为是一个主要的地壳增加的时间。 一个公认的地壳增加过程是板块构造式的侧向加积作用。 另一种观点认为地壳生长是由于岩浆的加入，其中幼年组分被纳入岩浆弧。 本项目将试图确定这两种机制在南怀俄明州太古代的相对重要性。 相当大的电流在大陆物质的吸积到南部边缘的怀俄明州省，使这项工作的结果是重要的和及时的，结果可能有助于了解机制的晚太古代吸积脉冲一般。

9909260FrostThe formation and evolution of the continents is a fundamental problem in tectonics and geochemistry. Despite differences between several current models, the Late Archean is recognized as a time of major crustal addition. One well-recognized process of crustal addition is by plate-tectonic-style lateral accretion. Another calls for crustal growth by magmatic addition, in which juvenile components are incorporated into magmatic arcs. This project will attempt to determine the relative importance of these two mechanisms in the southern Wyoming Archean province. Considerable current interest in the accretion of continental material to the southern edge of the Wyoming province makes the outcome of this work important and timely, and results may help understand mechanisms of the late Archean accretion pulse generally.