Increased use of continental crust during supercontinent
amalgamation Roberts, Nick M.W.. 2012 Increased use of
continental crust during supercontinent amalgamation. Gondwana
Research, 21 (4). 994-1000. 10.1016/j.gr.2011.08.001Full text
not available from this repository. (Request a copy) The volume
of Earth's continental crust depends on the rate of addition of
continental crust from the mantle compared to the rate of
continental loss back to the mantle, which at present is roughly
balanced. Models for the growth rate of continental crust vary,
with isotope data suggesting various episodes of increased
growth rate throughout Earth's history; these episodes have been
correlated with the supercontinent cycle, but may be a
consequence of preferential preservation of continental crust
during these cycles. The global balance between addition and
loss of continental crust is controlled by: 1) the extent of
internal orogens versus exterior orogens, with the latter
favouring continental addition, and 2) the balance