Evaluating the multiple sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS: Volcanic nutrient sources for early life.

On the anoxic Archean Earth, prior to the onset of oxidative weathering, electron acceptors were relatively scarce, perhaps limiting microbial productivity. An important metabolite may have been sulfate produced during the photolysis of volcanogenic SO gas. Multiple sulfur isotope data can be used to track this sulfur source, and indeed this record indicates SO photolysis dating back to at least 3.

Ni isotopes provide a glimpse of Earth's pre-late-veneer mantle.

Moderately siderophile (e.g., Ni) and highly siderophile elements (HSEs) in the bulk silicate Earth (BSE) are believed to be partly or near-completely delivered by late accretion after the depletion caused by metallic core formation.

Deep continental roots and cratons.

The formation and preservation of cratons-the oldest parts of the continents, comprising over 60 per cent of the continental landmass-remains an enduring problem. Key to craton development is how and when the thick strong mantle roots that underlie these regions formed and evolved. Peridotite melting residues forming cratonic lithospheric roots mostly originated via relatively low-pressure melting and were subsequently transported to greater depth by thickening produced by lateral accretion and compression.

Regional zircon U-Pb geochronology for the Maniitsoq region, southwest Greenland.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology places high-temperature geological events into temporal context. Here, we present a comprehensive zircon U-Pb geochronology dataset for the Meso- to Neoarchean Maniitsoq region in southwest Greenland, which includes the Akia Terrane, Tuno Terrane, and the intervening Alanngua Complex. The magmatic and metamorphic processes recorded in these terranes straddle a key change-point in early Earth geodynamics.

Ruthenium isotope vestige of Earth's pre-late-veneer mantle preserved in Archaean rocks.

The accretion of volatile-rich material from the outer Solar System represents a crucial prerequisite for Earth to develop oceans and become a habitable planet. However, the timing of this accretion remains controversial. It has been proposed that volatile elements were added to Earth by the late accretion of a late veneer consisting of carbonaceous-chondrite-like material after core formation had ceased.