Heterogeneous Earth’s mantle drilled at an embryonic ocean

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57121-0
• Publication Date: 2025-02-28T12:41:34Z
• Authors: Alessio Sanfilippo; Ashutosh Pandey; Norikatsu Akizawa; Eirini Poulaki; Emily Cunningham; Manon Bickert; Chao Lei; Paola Vannucchi; Emily R. Estes; Alberto Malinverno; Noriaki Abe; Agata Di Stefano; Irina Y. Filina; Qi Fu; Swanne B. L. Gont...; Lorna E. Kearns; Ravi Kiran Koorapati; Maria Filomena Lo...; Luca Magri; Walter Menapace; Victoria L. Pavlo...; Philippe A. Pezard; Milena A. Rodrigu...; Brandon D. Shuck; Xiangyu Zhao; Carlos Garrido; Daniele Brunelli; Tomoaki Morishita; Nevio Zitellini
• Keywords: [SDU] Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Mantle IODP exhumation; Science; Q; CONTINENTAL BREAKU; PRONDA PERIDOTITE; DRIFT TRANSITION; Article

Mantle processes control plate tectonics and exert an influence on biogeochemical cycles. However, the proportion of mantle sampled in-situ is minimal, as it buried beneath igneous crust sediments. Here we report lithological characteristics two sections from embryonic ocean drilled by International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in Tyrrhenian Sea. Contrary to at Mid Ridges (MORs) hyperextended passive margins, our findings reveal exceptionally heterogeneous fertile lithologies, ranging lherzolites depleted harzburgites dunites, interlayered with pyroxenites. Plagioclase- clinopyroxene-rich layers, hydrous potassic magmatic veins, mafic intrusions indicate substantial refertilization delayed inception crust. We propose that magma-poor rifts do not require a chemically mantle, too refractory melt. Deep lithospheric such prolonged thinning melt focusing formation steady-state spreading center. Integrated Expedition 402 long Sea, revealing retention large quantities melts levels birth basin.