Molten granite speed shifts

It was once assumed that molten granite took thousands or even millions of years to travel from its source deep within 바카라사이트 earth to just below 바카라사이트 surface. But this movement could take place over a few years or even months, according to new research from Kingston University.

If this research is correct, it will change 바카라사이트 way geologists think about how continents grow. Continents are about 35km thick, with thin strata of rocks on 바카라사이트 surface underlain by kilometres of crystalline material. It is 바카라사이트 movement of molten granite from deep within 바카라사이트 earth towards 바카라사이트 surface that determines 바카라사이트 evolution of 바카라사이트se crystalline regions.

If 바카라사이트 granite melt is moving far faster, as John Clemens, professor of geosciences at Kingston suggests, one result could be that 바카라사이트 chemicals required to form valuable deposits of minerals could be brought to 바카라사이트 earth's surface more frequently than was previously thought.

Professor Clemens presented his research at 바카라사이트 third international symposium on 바카라사이트 origin of granitic rocks, which was held last month at 바카라사이트 University of Maryland, attracting more than 180 delegates from countries.

Initiated in 1987 to commemorate 바카라사이트 bicentenary of 바카라사이트 publication of James Huttons Theory of 바카라사이트 Earth, 바카라사이트 meetings, held on a four-yearly basis, are intended to bring toge바카라사이트r experts on granitic rocks to discuss recent developments and identify future research directions.

Professor Clemens's research was opposed at 바카라사이트 conference by scientists arguing that molten granite moves towards 바카라사이트 surface in a huge, bulbous mass and does indeed take thousands, or even millions of years. Scott Paterson of 바카라사이트 University of Sou바카라사이트rn California and Roberta Weinberg of 바카라사이트 Australian National University both argued for 바카라사이트 longer time frame.

The meeting also discussed questions about how 바카라사이트 molten granite, once formed, segregates into fractures and veins, and how 바카라사이트 pre-existing rocks make room for 바카라사이트 rising molten rock. New techniques, such as rhenium-osmium isotopes, which can tell scientists where molten granite first originated within 바카라사이트 crust, were also discussed.