The continental crust is unique to the Earth in the solar system, and controversies remain regarding its origin, accretion and reworking of continents. The plate tectonics theory has been significantly challenged in explaining the origin of Archean (especially pre-3.0 Ga) continents as they rarely preserve hallmarks of plate tectonics. In contrast, growing evidence emerges to support oceanic plateau models that better explain characteristics of Archean continents, including the bimodal volcanics and nearly coeval emplacement of tonalite-trondjhemite-granodiorite (TTG) rocks, presence of ∼1600°C komatiites and dominant dome structures, and lack of ultra-high-pressure rocks, paired metamorphic belts and ophiolites. On the other hand, the theory of plate tectonics has been successfully applied to interpret the accretion of continents along subduction zones since the late Archean (3.0–2.5 Ga). During subduction processes, the new mafic crust is generated at the base of continents through partial melting of mantle wedge with the addition of H₂O-dominant fluids from subducted oceanic slabs and partial melting of the juvenile mafic crust results in the generation of new felsic crusts. This eventually leads to the outgrowth of continents. Subduction processes also cause softening, thinning, and recycling of continental lithosphere due to the vigorous infiltration of volatile-rich fluids and melts, especially along weak belts/layers, leading to widespread continental reworking and even craton destruction. Reworking of continents also occurs in continental interiors due to either plate boundary processes or plume-lithosphere interactions. The effects of plumes have proven to be less significant and cause lower degrees of lithospheric modification than subduction-induced craton destruction.

中文翻译：

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大陆的起源、增生和再加工

大陆地壳在太阳系中是地球所独有的，关于大陆地壳的起源、吸积和大陆改造仍然存在争议。板块构造理论在解释太古代（特别是 3.0 Ga 之前）大陆的起源方面受到了重大挑战，因为它们很少保留板块构造的特征。相比之下，越来越多的证据支持海洋高原模型，这些模型可以更好地解释太古代大陆的特征，包括双峰火山岩和几乎同时期的钠长闪长岩-花岗闪长岩 (TTG) 岩石的侵位，约 1600°C 科马提岩的存在和主要的圆顶结构，缺乏超高压岩石、成对变质带和蛇绿岩。另一方面，自太古代晚期（3.0-2.5 Ga）以来，板块构造理论已成功应用于解释大陆沿俯冲带的增生。在俯冲过程中，通过地幔楔的部分熔融和H的加入，在大陆底部产生新的基性地壳。₂来自俯冲大洋板块的 O 主导流体和新生基性地壳的部分熔融导致新长英质地壳的产生。这最终导致大陆的生长。由于富含挥发性流体和熔体的强烈渗透，俯冲过程还会导致大陆岩石圈软化、变薄和再循环，尤其是沿弱带/层，导致广泛的大陆改造甚至克拉通破坏。由于板块边界过程或羽流-岩石圈相互作用，大陆的再加工也发生在大陆内部。与俯冲引起的克拉通破坏相比，羽流的影响不那么显着，并且造成的岩石圈改造程度较低。