Understanding Earth’s Crust through the Study of Igneous Rocks and Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Despite its small volume compared to the mantle and core, the origin of the continental crust remains highly controversial because of the complexity of the petrogenetic processes that contribute to building it over time. Igneous rocks and their metamorphic equivalents are the main components of the upper-middle continental crust, and as such, their study is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of crust formation, differentiation, and recycling.

The origin of the different igneous rocks is controlled by several factors, such as compositional differences and H₂O content in the source of the magmas, physical conditions for magma generation and evolutionary processes (e.g., fractional crystallization, assimilation). On the other hand, the incremental growth of the continental crust can be addressed by combining geochemical and isotopic data and structural studies assessing the generation of the parental magma and its ascent and emplacement conditions.

It is well-known that the origin and emplacement of the magmas takes place in different geodynamic settings. Thus, the combination of detailed field and petrographic work with geochemical, isotopic, geochronological, and structural studies allow petrologists to contribute to the understanding of formation and emplacement processes of the magmas and its relation with the geodynamic setting.

This Issue aims to bring together contributions on the whole-rock geochemistry, isotopes, geochronology, and mineral chemistry of igneous rocks, both plutonic and volcanic, in order to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in crustal growth (by the accretion of juvenile material or recycling of the continental crust) and its subsequent differentiation and emplacement conditions.

Dr. Juan Antonio Moreno
Prof. Dr. Juan A Dahlquist
Prof. Dr. Pablo H. Alasino
Guest Editors

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• U-Pb zircon dating
• geochemistry
• isotopes
• magma sources
• differentiation processes
• emplacement conditions and mechanisms
• volcanic–plutonic connection
• tectonic setting