Eclogites are beautiful rocks that form deep within subduction zones. The vast majority of subducted oceanic crust becomes more dense than the surrounding mantle rocks and travels to the strange world of the deep earth. Lucky for us, small volumes make it back to the surface. How does this happen? As so often in the… Continue reading Eclogites: back to the surface
Category: eclogites
Oceanic crust – down to the core
Almost all of what I write about in this blog concerns only 1% of the earth’s volume. All crust, all sedimentary rocks, the glories of mountain building, all occupy an insignificant portion of the earth. It’s the only bit we can get to – in geology, we are the 1%. This post is all about… Continue reading Oceanic crust – down to the core
Oceanic crust – that sinking feeling
Some rocks lead a quiet life. Stable parts of continental crust just sit there for billions of years, doing nothing. In the oceans things are much more dynamic. Live fast, die young, stay pretty is the motto of oceanic crust. It goes on one of the most amazing journeys rock can take. Along the way… Continue reading Oceanic crust – that sinking feeling
Eclogite: mysterious visitor from the deep
Fifty kilometres is not far. World-class marathon runners run 42km in a little over 2 hours. They only move along the earth’s surface though. Getting to 50 kilometres below your feet is a different thing entirely. It’s a place of crushing pressure and meltingly high temperatures, somewhere human beings will never go. There is a… Continue reading Eclogite: mysterious visitor from the deep