Geochemical Evolution of Siberian Cratonic Rocks

The Siberian Craton represents one of Earth’s oldest continental nuclei, preserving a record of crustal growth, reworking and mantle–crust interaction from the early Archean to the Neoproterozoic. Isotopic studies (U–Pb on zircon, Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd systems) indicate two principal phases of rapid crustal addition in the Paleoarchean and Neoarchean, followed by episodic recycling during Proterozoic collisional and extensional events. Geochemical fingerprints reveal a shift from plume-related magmatism in the early Archean to subduction-driven felsic magmatism in the Neoarchean, with subsequent Proterozoic magmas reflecting mixed lithospheric and asthenospheric sources. Terrigenous sequences record evolving sedimentary environments—from passive-margin carbonates to intracratonic rift basins—that host world-class mineral deposits (Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and diamonds). Mantle-derived mafic melts repeatedly intruded the crust, triggering interaction with older silicic units and generating hybrid suites that document the progressive maturation of the lithosphere. This geochemical evolution underpins our understanding of continental assembly, stabilisation and metallogenesis, with direct implications for mineral exploration and reconstructions of Precambrian supercontinents.

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Geochemical Evolution of Siberian Cratonic Rocks publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in geochemical evolution of siberian cratonic rocks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Craton: A large, stable block of the Earth’s crust that has survived cycles of merging and rifting and typically dates back to the Archean or early Proterozoic.

U–Pb dating: A radiometric method using the decay of uranium isotopes to lead in zircon crystals to establish the age of magmatic and metamorphic events.

Sm–Nd isotopes: A geochemical system based on the decay of samarium to neodymium, used to trace crustal formation and recycling processes.

Lu–Hf isotopes: A decay system of lutetium to hafnium applied in zircon studies to reveal source characteristics and crust–mantle differentiation.

Mantle plume: An upwelling of abnormally hot rock within the Earth’s mantle that can cause extensive magmatism and crustal growth.

Subduction: The process by which one tectonic plate moves under another, often generating magmatism, metamorphism and crustal accretion.

References

1. Early Precambrian Crustal Evolution in the Irkut Block (Sharyzhalgai Uplift, Southwestern Siberian Craton): Synthesis of U–Pb, Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd Isotope Data. Russian Geology and Geophysics (2022).
2. Early Ediacaran Magmatism in the Yenisei Ridge and Evolution of the Southwestern Margin of the Siberian Craton. Minerals (2020).
3. Provenance, Age, and Tectonic Settings of Rock Complexes (Transangarian Yenisey Ridge, East Siberia): Geochemical and Geochronological Evidence. Geosciences (2022).