Archean continental crust formed by magma hybridization and voluminous partial melting

Abstract Archean (4.0–2.5 Ga) tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) terranes represent fragments of Earth’s first continents that formed via high-grade metamorphism and partial melting hydrated basaltic crust. While a range geodynamic regimes can explain the production TTG magmas, processes by which they separated from their source acquired distinctive geochemical signatures remain uncertain. This limits our understanding how continental crust internally differentiates, in turn controls its potential for long-term stabilization as cratonic nuclei. Here, we show petrological modeling hydrous mafic metamorphosed non-plate tectonic regime produces individual pulses magma with major-, minor-, trace-element resembling—but not always matching—natural TTGs. Critically, hybridization due to co-mingling accumulation multiple melt fractions during ascent through overlying eliminates discrepancies identified when assuming TTGs crystallization discrete pulses. We posit much is made hybrid magmas up ~ 40 vol% melts produced along thermal gradients 50–100 °C/kbar, characteristic overthickened at head mantle plume, crustal overturns, or lithospheric peels.