Compositional Attributes of the Deep Continental Crust Inferred From Geochemical and Geophysical Data

This study provides a global assessment of the abundance major oxides in deep continental crust. The combination geochemistry and seismology better constrains composition middle lower crust than either discipline can achieve alone. inaccessible nature (typically >15 km) forces reliance on analog samples modeling results to interpret its bulk composition, evolution, physical properties. A common practice relates oxide compositions small- medium-scale (e.g., medium high metamorphic grade terrains xenoliths) large scale measurements seismic velocities (Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs) determine We provide framework for building crustal models with multidisciplinary constraints composition. present model that documents compositional changes depth accounts uncertainties Moho depth, temperature, chemical Our 3D uses USGS Global Seismic Structure Catalog (Mooney, 2015) compilation geochemical analyses amphibolite granulite facies lithologies (Sammon & McDonough, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022791). find SiO2 gradient from 61.2 ± 7.3 53.3 4.8 wt.% base crust, equivalent lithological ranging quartz monzonite gabbronorite. In addition, we calculate trace element abundances as function their correlations oxides. From here, other lithospheric properties, such heat flux ( mW/m2), are derived.