MAGMATISM OF THE EASTERN SAYAN

New geological and petrological data on the range of magmatic complexes and formations of the Eastern Sayan show two primary magmas: basic and granitoid. These magmas were formed through melting hard deep-seated layers of the earth crust: basaltic and sialic. During the geosynclinal stage the development of magmas belonging to the Archean, Proterozoic, and Salair [Cambrian] volcanic cycles proceeded consecutively from ultrabasic and basic formations formed in a pre-orogenic or earlier-orogenic geosynclinal development stage to granitoids set up in a synorogenic or later-synorogenic development stage. During the platform stage middle Paleozoic (Lower Devonian) and Mesozoic-Cenozoic cycles of magmatism proceeded directly, without the geosynclinal preparatory stage. Their development, accompanied by faulting, proceeded in reverse order from acidic and alkalic intrusions to predominantly basic eruptives. A further development of deep-seated basic and granitoid magmas was determined first by magmatic differentiation and later by assimilation phenomena which took place during the magma's passage into upper structural layers. The granitoids of geosynclinal magmatic complexes correspond petrochemically to the intermediate types of calc-alkalic rocks of the Pacific Ocean belt. The granitoids and alkalic rocks of the Lower Devonian platform magmatic complex resemble those of the Cenozoic East-Asia alkalic province. The composition of the granitoid magma belonging to the volcanic cycle is conditioned initially chiefly by the sial environment and geosynclinal strata. Magmatic complexes and formations are characterized by definite endogenic mineralizations. Chromium, nickel, cobalt, platinum, diamond, asbestos and other deposits are genetically connected with Proterozoic basic and ultrabasic rocks; gold, muscovite and tin-rare metal pegmatite with upper Proterozoic granitoids. Copper, galenaite and gold-ore occurrences are related to the postmagmatic manifestations of Salair granitoids. Deposits of pyrochlore carbonatites, molybdenite, graphite and others belong to Lower Devonian acidic and alkalic granitoids. — Auth. English summ.     

Tonian Tectonic-Strata Regions and their Geological Significance in China

The continent of China developed through the coalescence of three major cratons(North China, Tarim and Yangtze) and continental micro-blocks through the processes of oceanic crust disappearance and acceretionary-collision of continental crusts. The strata of the Chinese continental landmass are subdivided into 12 tectonic-strata regions. Based on the composition of geological features among the three main cratons, continental micro-blocks and other major global cratons, their affinities can be preliminarily deduced during the Tonian period, using evidence from sedimentary successions, paleobiogeography, tectonic and magmatic events. The Yangtze and Tarim cratons show that they have close affinities during the assembly-dispersal milestone of the Rodinia Supercontinent. The sedimentary record and magmatic age populations in the blocks suggest that there was a widespread, intensive magmatic event that resulted from a subduction process during ～1000–820 Ma, related to continental rifting around the Yangtze and Tarim cratons. However, they differ greatly from the North China Craton. The continental micro-blocks in the Panthalassic Ocean could have some missing connection with the North China Craton that persisted until the Middle-Late Devonian. In contrast, the Alxa Block showed a strong affinity with the Tarim Craton. The revised Tonian paleogeography of the Rodinia Supercontinent is a good demonstration of how to show the relationship between the main cratons and the continental micro-blocks.     

Introduction to tectonics of China

The continental crust of China is a mosaic of cratonic blocks and orogenic belts, containing small cratons and terranes with various tectonic settings. They have diverse origins and complex histories of amalgamation, and often suffered repeated reworking after multiple episodes of amalgamation. In the last three decades, extensive geological, geochemical and geophysical investigations have been carried out on these cratonic blocks and intervening orogenic belts, producing an abundant amount of new data and competing interpretations. This provides important insights into understanding the formation and evolution of the Chinese continents. The papers assembled in this volume present a timely and comprehensive overview on major advancements and controversial issues related to the formation and evolution of continental crust in China. Complex tectonic histories were experienced not only by the large-scale cratonic blocks and orogenic belts, but also by small-scale terranes and orogens between and inside these blocks. Nevertheless, our understanding of lithotectonic units and geological processes has been greatly advanced by recent studies of zirconology and geochemistry for various rock types from major petrotectonic units in China. It has been further advanced from integrated interpretations of geochemical and petrological data for petrogenesis of magmatic rocks. An overview of these observations and interpretations provides new insights into understanding the continental plate tectonics and the chemical geodynamics of subduction zones.     

Formation and evolution of the Archean continental crust of China: A review

The mainland of China is composed of the North China Craton, the South China Craton, the Tarim Craton and other young orogenic belts. Amongst the three cratons, the North China Craton has been studied most and noted for its widely-distributed Archean basement rocks. In this paper, we assess and compare the geology, rock types, formation age and geochemical composition features of the Archean basements of the three cratons. They have some common characteristics, including the fact that the crustal rocks prior to the Paleoarchean and the supracrustal rocks of the Neoarchean were preserved, and Tonalite-Trondhjemtite-Granodiorite (TTG) magmatism and tectono-magmatism occurred at about 2.7 Ga and about 2.5 Ga respectively. The Tarim Craton and the North China Craton show more similarities in their early Precambrian crustal evolution. Significant findings on the Archean basement of the North China Craton are concluded to be: (1) the tectonic regime in the early stage (>3.1 Ga) is distinct from modern plate tectonics; (2) the continental crust accretion occurred mostly from the late Mesoarchean to the early Neoarchean period; (3) a huge linear tectonic belt already existed in the late Neoarchean period, suggesting the beginning of plate tectonics; and (4) the preliminary cratonization had already been completed by about 2.5 Ga. Hadean detrital zircons were found at a total of nine locations within China. Most of them show clear oscillatory zoning, sharing similar textures with magmatic zircons from intermediate-felsic magmatic rocks. This indicates that a fair quantity of continental material had already developed on Earth at that time.     

Geochemistry and tectonic development of Cenozoic magmatism in the Carpathian–Pannonian region

This review considers the magmatic processes in the Carpathian–Pannonian Region (CPR) from Early Miocene to Recent times, as well as the contemporaneous magmatism at its southern boundary in the Dinaride and Balkans regions. This geodynamic system was controlled by the Cretaceous to Neogene subduction and collision of Africa with Eurasia, especially by Adria that generated the Alps to the north, the Dinaride–Hellenide belt to the east and caused extrusion, collision and inversion tectonics in the CPR. This long-lived subduction system supplied the mantle lithosphere with various subduction components. The CPR contains magmatic rocks of highly diverse compositions (calc-alkaline, K-alkalic, ultrapotassic and Na-alkalic), all generated in response to complex post-collisional tectonic processes. These processes formed extensional basins in response to an interplay of compression and extension within two microplates: ALCAPA and Tisza–Dacia. Competition between the different tectonic processes at both local and regional scales caused variations in the associated magmatism, mainly as a result of extension and differences in the rheological properties and composition of the lithosphere. Extension led to disintegration of the microplates that finally developed into two basin systems: the Pannonian and Transylvanian basins. The southern border of the CPR is edged by the Adria microplate via Sava and Vardar zones that acted as regional transcurrent tectonic areas during Miocene–Recent times.Major, trace element and isotopic data of post-Early Miocene magmatic rocks from the CPR suggest that subduction components were preserved in the lithospheric mantle after the Cretaceous–Miocene subduction and were reactivated especially by extensional tectonic processes that allowed uprise of the asthenosphere. Changes in the composition of the mantle through time support geodynamic scenarios of post-collision and extension processes linked to the evolution of the main blocks and their boundary relations. Weak lithospheric blocks (i.e. ALCAPA and western Tisza) generated the Pannonian basin and the adjacent Styrian, Transdanubian and Z?rand basins which show high rates of vertical movement accompanied by a range of magmatic compositions. Strong lithospheric blocks (i.e. Dacia) were only marginally deformed, where strike–slip faulting was associated with magmatism and extension. At the boundary of Adria and Tisza–Dacia strike–slip tectonics and core complex extension were associated with small volume Miocene magmatism in narrow extensional sedimentary basins or granitoids in core-complex detachment systems along older suture zones (Sava and Vardar) accommodating the extension in the Pannonian basin and afterward Pliocene–Quaternary inversion. Magmas of various compositions appear to have acted as lubricants in a range of tectonic processes.     

Long hiatus in Proterozoic sedimentation in India: Vindhyan,Cuddapah and Pakhal Basins — A plate tectonic model

Most of the Proterozoic basins in India, viz. the Vindhyan, the Cuddapah and the Pakhal Basins have experienced long hiatus between the upper and the lower group of rocks. It is proposed that the older group of rocks of Paleoproterozoic period (∼1.9–1.6 Ga) formed during the rifting phase caused by large scale magmatism in respective basins possibly due to plume tectonics. On the other hand, the younger group of rocks of Neoproterozoic (∼1.0–0.7 Ga) are formed during the final phase of convergence after mountain building that supplied sediments. These geological processes explain large scale disturbances in the older group of rocks during subsequent convergence and collision as they usually occurred along the rifted margins of the cratons. These processes also explain the undisturbed nature, devoid of magmatic rocks of the younger group of rocks and hiatus of about 0.5–0.6 Ga in each case. It is suggested that the plume that was responsible for these rifting of the Indian cratons during Paleo-Mesoproterozoic might have also been responsible for the break up of contemporary Columbian agglomeration in this section. Same model can be used to explain the formation of Proterozoic basins and related hiatus any where else where similar geological environment exist.     

变质核杂岩与岩浆作用成因关系综述

对岩浆与伸展作用的关系、伸展作用中岩浆的成因和需加强的工作进行了讨论,并重点论述了变质核杂岩形成机制与侵入作用的关系。在造山带重力势能差和深部作用等各种因素导致的拉伸应力场作用下,岩石圈地幔和地壳通过减压或深部热活动发生部分熔融而形成岩浆,岩浆的上涌强化了地壳伸展,对地壳的弱化作用触发伸展构造的发生。岩浆作用是变质核杂岩形成的主导因素之一,其主要包括对地壳的加热、弱化导致拆离断层的形成及由其浮力和密度产生不均一隆升而形成穹隆。     

贵州镇远地区铅锌矿同位素地球化学特征及矿床成因

通过对镇远地区金堡、都坪、小溪铅锌矿床开展碳、氧、硫同位素地球化学特征研究.结果显示：都坪和小溪矿床成矿物质来自于海相蒸发岩或沉积地层,金堡矿床成矿物质很有可能来自于地壳深部的岩浆源.结合区域构造及矿床特征分析,可以认为镇远地区铅锌矿床可分为与海相沉积地层及深部岩浆作用有关的两种成因类型的矿床.     

Gold ore provinces and formations

Granitic magmas result from refusion of sedimentary rocks. Metals associated in gold ore formations are mobilized by magmatic and etamorphic activity from volcanic and sedimentary rocks of a geosynclinal series. The comportment of metals during the processes of mobilization, transfer, and deposition is ruled by their atomic structure and electromagnetic properties. Ionic density (d_i) and concentration coefficient (C_s/Cv) of the metals are chosen as coordinates for plotting the associations of metals of different gold ore formations. The degree of complexity of the associations is a consequence of the degree of heterogeneity of the geosynclinal rock series and of the intermittence or telescoping of the ore deposition process. — B.V. Brajnikov.     

湖南深部构造活化及其浅部响应

湖南深部构造的古老性由其在古元古代的表象所证实,而长期性则由其所分割的岩石圈块体在漫长时期内的活化改造特征所体现。本研究表明,大型的深部构造是构造、岩浆活动和矿产的集中带,沿走向的区域构造、岩浆及成矿历史是深部构造在浅部的响应。深部构造作为多次能量释放带,其交汇处有利于大型或超大型矿物资源的形成和聚集,因而对找矿预测有巨大潜力。     

海南岛沉积建造特征及大地构造问题

海南岛是欧亚大陆壳的南缘。作者主要依据沉积建造特征及其演化、空间分布和大地构造属性,并结合岩浆活动等重要标志,认为海南岛经历了地槽、地台、地洼三个大地构造发展阶段。以岛南九所—陵水深断裂为界,岛中岛北现阶段属东南地洼区,前寒武纪一早古生代为地槽区,晚古生代为地台区;深断裂以南为南海地洼区,前寒武纪时为地槽区,古生代演化为地台区。全岛早三叠世末同时进入地洼发展阶段。岛西石碌铁矿和近年发现的戈枕金矿成矿带皆位于前寒武纪地槽构造层内,皆受地洼构造叠加改造影响,皆属多因复成矿床。     

Did plate tectonics shutdown in the Palaeoproterozoic? A view from the Siderian geologic record

The early Proterozoic Era between 2.45 and 2.2 Ga is well known for a distinct minima in juvenile magmatism and detrital zircon abundance, an intriguing observation given its coincidence with many fundamental changes in Earth processes. A recent hypothesis seeks to explain this Siderian ‘Quiet Interval’ as the result of a plate tectonic shutdown in which extended tectonic quiescence is due to widespread lithospheric stagnation in an episodic mantle overturn regime. The model suggests that this period characterizes a ‘pre-modern’ geodynamic style and has profound implications for many geodynamic processes.We use spatially-linked chronostratigraphic and paleomagnetic databases to assess the major predictions of the model and find six of its key predictions are not supported by current data. The quiet interval includes a greater extent of contractional orogenesis and a broader range of paleopressures than previously known and is not characterized by LP–HT metamorphism proposed to have been related to higher upper mantle temperatures from decreased upper mantle cooling. Glacial conditions do not appear to have been triggered by the coincidence of the onset of magmatic shutdown with the end of mass-independent sulphur isotope fractionation and oxygenation of the atmosphere, as the initial glacial episodes predate this time. The glacial record, moreover, requires four episodes of climatic amelioration during the proposed shutdown, for which a mechanism appears lacking. A purported gap in Large-Igneous-Province formation, related to decreased mantle vigour, is not apparent. Quiet interval magmatism includes juvenile, arc-type and TTG magmatism, supporting significant crustal additions on a number of cratons. The prediction of negligible plate velocities during shutdown is not borne out by the well-constrained Superior Province paleomagnetic record. We suggest that plate tectonics did not shut down but that the Siderian Quiet Interval represents overall diminished tectonic activity during peripheral orogenesis, as is known for other relatively quiet periods following supercontinent or supercraton amalgamation.     

Rapakivi granites in the geological history of the earth. Part 1, magmatic associations with rapakivi granites: Age, geochemistry, and tectonic setting

Rapakivi granites characteristic practically of all old platforms are greatly variable in age and irregularly distributed over the globe. Four types of magmatic associations, which include rapakivi granites, are represented by anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite, anorthosite-mangerite-rapakivi-peralkaline granite, gabbro-rapakivi granite-foidite, and rapakivi granite-shoshonite rock series. Granitoids of these associations used to be divided into the following three groups: (1) classical rapakivi granites from magmatic associations of the first three types, which correspond to subalkaline high-K and high-Fe reduced A₂-type granites exemplifying the plumasitic trend of evolution; (2) peralkaline granites of the second magmatic association representing the highly differentiated A₁-type reduced granites of Na-series, which are extremely enriched in incompatible elements and show the agpaitic trend of evolution; and (3) subalkaline oxidized granites of the fourth magmatic association ranging in composition from potassic A₂-type granites to S-granites. Magmatic complexes including rapakivi granites originated during the geochronological interval that spanned three supercontinental cycles 2.7?1.8, 1.8?1.0 and 1.0?0.55 Ga ago. The onset and end of each cycle constrained the assembly periods of supercontinents and the formation epochs of predominantly anorthosite-charnockite complexes of the anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite magmatic association. Peak of the respective magmatism at the time of Grenvillian Orogeny signified the transition from the tectonics of small lithospheric plates to the subsequent plate tectonics of the current type. The outburst of rapakivi granite magmatism was typical of the second cycle exclusively. The anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite magmatic series associated with this magmatism originated in back-arc settings, if we consider the latter in a broad sense as corresponding to the rear parts of peripheral orogens whose evolution lasted from ～1.9 to 1.0 Ga. Magmatism of this kind was most active 1.8?1.3 Ga ago and represented the distal effect of subduction or collisional events along the convergent boundaries of lithospheric plates. An important factor that favored the emplacement of rapakivi granites and anorthosites in a huge volume was the thermal and rheologic state of the lithosphere inherited from antedating orogenic events, first of all from the event ～1.9 Ga ago, which was unique in terms of heat capacity transferred into the lithosphere. Anorthosite-mangerite-rapakivi granite-peralkaline granite magmatism is connected with activity of the mantle plums only. Degradation of the rapakivi granite magmatism toward the terminal Proterozoic was controlled by the general cooling of the Earth in the course of the steady dissipation of its endogenic energy, as these processes became accelerated since the Late Riphean     

中国大地构造基本特征及其发展的初步探讨

大地构造是地壳形变的结果,而地壳形变是在地壳形成的基础上发展起来的。地壳的形成主要表现为地质体的建造过程,包括地壳形成的地质时期中,不同温度和压力下所产生的沉积岩、岩浆岩和变质岩的类型、组合和相带的发展。地壳的形变主要表现为地质体的改造过程,包括各种岩层在形成过程之中或以后,经受内力和外力作用而产生的各种微观和宏观的结构变化,如流动、褶曲、破碎和断裂等。     

THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE THEORY on the ORIGIN OF OIL AND TASKS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION

During the Early Proterozoic (2.5 to 2.3 Ga), three types of coeval structural provinces developed in the eastern Baltic Shield—(1) the Karelian and Kola granite-greenstone cratons, (2) the relatively high grade Lapland-Umba granulite belt (LUGB), and (3) the Belomorian (White Sea) mobile belt (BMB). The LUGB represents a compensated compressional zone where synkinematic crustal-derived magmatism of the enderbite-charnockite series predominates. The BMB is a transitional nappe-folded zone between these high- and low-grade terranes, which consists mainly of reworked granite-greenstone lithologies of the adjacent cratons. These cratons were vast extensional areas with mantle-derived, siliceous, high-Mg (boninite-like) series (SHMS) magmatism. This SHMS magmatism occurs in volcano-sedimentary sequences, large layered intrusions, and dike swarms within graben-like structures.

One of the more interesting types of tectonomagmatic activity occurred within the BMB and is expressed as the unique Drusite Complex. It is represented by thousands of small intrusions of mafic and ultramafic rocks, dispersed among the higher-grade BMB host rocks. Geological features of these intrusions show that their formation was synkinematic with deformations within the belt, although they have undergone later, post-solidification deformation and metamorphism. As a result, intrusions often were transformed into lenticular, boudin-like bodies with primary igneous textures preserved only in their central portions. Compositions of the Drusite Complex intrusions, although forming small, individual bodies with associated chill zones, are similar to large layered intrusions in adjacent cratons (plagioclase harzburgites and lherzolites, pyroxenites, troctolites, olivine norites and norites, gabbronorites, anorthosites, and diorites). The areal distribution of the drusite intrusions and their correlation with large layered mafic intrusions in adjacent cratons suggests a vast magma-generation zone beneath western Russia during the Early Proterozoic.

The character and extent of magmatism suggests that during the Early Proterozoic (in Sumian— Sariolian time) the Kola and Karelian cratons were vast extensional areas above spreading plume heads. Within this scenario, the LUGB was an area of intense crustal sagging between these two cratons. The BMB was a transitional zone of tectonic flowage between the LUGB and the cratons, where movements were not as intense; there a nappe-folded structure formed. As a result, the intrusion of new melts occurred under rapidly changing conditions and a specific type of disseminated, intrusive magmatism—The Drusite Complex—emerged instead of the formation of layered intrusions. The petrologic and mineralogic compositions of the Drusite Complex intrusions are indistinguishable from coeval layered mafic intrusions of the adjacent Karelia and Kola cratons, suggesting similar parental magmas and a large zone of magmatism (i.e., large igneous province, or LIP) beneath the eastern Baltic Shield. These magmas were derived either from depleted mantle melts that had assimilated a significant crustal component, or from enriched mantle.     

衡阳市清水塘矿区金,银成矿地质背景分析

清水塘矿区主要含矿地层是下古生界浅变质岩，代表地槽构造层，受地洼阶段的岩浆侵入。由于构造岩浆多期活动的叠加和３，形成金银成矿的有利条件。地洼阶段的岩浆活动不仅提供了成矿的驱动力，而且提供了成矿物质来源。     

关于风化壳建造、古风化壳建造及其形成机理问题

现代风化作用形成风化壳物质,经过迁移就位以后形成风化壳建造;第四纪以前的古风化作用则形成古风化壳物质,经过迁移就位以后形成古风化壳建造。它们既不同于海相沉积,也不同于陆相沉积,与板块构造也无关系。但是它们有相同的风化作用形成机理;有大同小异的风化矿物、结构构造,以及颗粒大小不一,排列杂乱的产出特征,也有相同的迁移就位特征。是一个独特的建造,值得讨论。     

浅议古板块构造单元划分原则

板块构造理论是古板块分区的基础。古板块构造分区和命名必须有明确的时空概念。按照威尔逊旋回，大洋俯冲阶段的构造分带最复杂、最明显，应该以该阶段作为分区的时间区间，一级构造单元是岩石图板块，以大洋型蛇绿混杂岩带作为分区界线；二级构造单元以地壳性质作为分区原则，可分为过渡壳和陆壳，地壳性质依据蛇绿岩（套）、沉积建造、岩浆岩组合特征来综合判别；三级构造单元是在二级构造区内以沉积岩、火山岩、岩浆岩建造的显著差异为分区原则，如岛弧弧盆带内分为弧前隆起、弧前盆地、岛弧带、弧间盆地、弧后盆地，在陆壳区内分为稳定陆壳区及活动陆壳区。四级构造单元是在三级构造区内以构造形态或局部地质特征作为分区原则，分为复背斜、复向斜、断褶带、岩浆岩带、蛇绿混杂岩带等。     

Prolonged Variscan to Alpine history of an active Eurasian margin (Georgia, Armenia) revealed by Ar/Ar dating

Variscan to Alpine magmatic activity on the North Tethys active Eurasian margin in the Caucasus region is revealed by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages from rocks sampled in the Georgian Crystalline basement and exotic blocs in the Armenian foreland basin. These ages provide insights into the long duration of magmatic activity and related metamorphic history of the margin, with: (1) a phase of transpression with little crustal thickening during the Variscan cycle, evidenced by HT-LP metamorphism at 329–337 Ma; (2) a phase of intense bimodal magmatism at the end of the Variscan cycle, between 303 and 269 Ma, which is interpreted as an ongoing active margin during this period; (3) further evolution of the active margin evidenced by migmatites formed at ca. 183 Ma in a transpressive setting; (4) paroxysmal arc plutonic activity during the Jurassic (although the active magmatic arc was located farther south than the studied crystalline basements) with metamorphic rocks of the Eurasian basement sampled in the Armenian foreland basin dated at 166 Ma; (5) rapid cooling suggested by similar within-error ages of amphibole and muscovite sampled from the same exotic block in the Armenian fore-arc basin, ascribed to rapid exhumation related to extensional tectonics in the arc; and finally (6) cessation of ‘Andean’-type magmatic arc history in the Upper Cretaceous. Remnants of magmatic activity in the Early Cretaceous are found in the Georgian crystalline basement at c. 114 Ma, which is ascribed to flat slab subduction of relatively hot oceanic crust. This event corresponds to the emplacement of an oceanic seamount above the N Armenian ophiolite at 117 Ma. The activity of a hot spot between the active Eurasian margin and the South Armenian Block is thought to have heated and thickened the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust. Finally, the South Eurasian margin was uplifted and transported over this hot oceanic crust, resulting in the cessation of subduction and the erosion of the southern edge of the margin in Upper Cretaceous times. Emplacement of Eocene volcanics stitches all main collisional structures.     

Irreversible evolution of tectono-magmatic processes at the Earth and Moon: Petrological data

The tectono-magmatic evolution of the Earth and Moon started after the solidification of their magmatic “oceans”, whose in-situ crystallization produced the primordial crusts of the planets, with the composition of these crusts depending on the depths of the “oceans”. A principally important feature of the irreversible evolution of the planetary bodies, regardless of their sizes and proportions of their metallic cores and silicate shells, was a fundamental change in the course of their tectono-magmatic processes during intermediate evolutionary stages. Early in the geological evolution of the Earth and Moon, their magmatic melts were highly magnesian and were derived from mantle sources depleted during the solidification of the magmatic “oceans”; this situation can be described in terms of plume tectonics. Later, geochemically enriched basalts with high concentrations of Fe, Ti, and incompatible elements became widespread. These rocks were typical of Phanerozoic within-plate magmatism. The style of tectonic activity has also changed: plate tectonics became widespread at the Earth, and large depressions (maria) started to develop at the Moon. The latter were characterized by a significantly thinned crust and basaltic magmatism. These events are thought to have been related to mantle superplumes of the second generation (thermochemical), which are produced (Dobretsov et al., 2001) at the boundary between the liquid core and silicate mantle owing to the accumulation of fluid at this interface. Because of their lower density, these superplumes ascended higher than their precursors did, and the spreading of their head parts resulted in active interaction with the superjacent thinned lithosphere and a change in the tectonic regime, with the replacement of the primordial crust by the secondary basaltic one. This change took place at 2.3–2.0 Ga on the Earth and at 4.2–3.9 Ga on the Moon. Analogous scenarios (with small differences) were also likely typical of Mars and Venus, whose vast basaltic plains developed during their second evolutionary stages. The change in the style of tectonic-magmatic activity was associated with important environmental changes on the surfaces of the planets, which gave rise to their secondary atmospheres. The occurrence of a fundamental change in the tectono-magmatic evolution of the planetary bodies with the transition from depleted to geochemically enriched melts implies that these planets were originally heterogeneous and had metal cores and silicate shells enriched in the material of carbonaceous chondrites. The involvement of principally different material (that had never before participated in these processes) in tectono-magmatic processes was possible only if these bodies were heated from their outer to inner levels via the passage of a heating wave (zone) with the associated cooling of the outermost shells. The early evolutionary stages of the planets, when the waves passed through their silicate mantles, were characterized by the of development of super-plumes of the first generation. The metallic cores were the last to melt, and this processes brought about the development of thermochemical super-plumes.