Wed. May 27, 2015 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM 201A (2F)

Convener:*Madhusoodhan Satish-Kumar(Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University), Yasuhito Osanai(Division of Evolution of Earth Environments, Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University), Geoffrey H. Grantham(Council for Geoscience, P/Bag X112, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA), Sajeev Krishnan(Centre for Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, INDIA), Tomokazu Hokada(National Institute of Polar Research), Chair:Madhusoodhan Satish-Kumar(Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University), Masaaki Owada(Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University)

Supercontinent formation and dispersion has been enigmatic in the Earth's history. Eurasia is one such current supercontinent and incredible progress in the understanding of its geological evolution has been achieved in the past decade. Earlier supercontinents in the Earth's history such as Gondwana (0.5 Ga), Rodinia (1.0 Ga), Columbia/Nuna (2.0 Ga), Kenorland (2.5 Ga) and Vaalbara (3.1 Ga), have been the focus of several studies, however limited information on older supercontinents has restricted an understanding their tectonic evolution. Several important unsolved issues remain, such as how, when and where these supercontinents formed and how long they remained as such before breaking apart. Additional questions arise on the processes that triggered the fragmentation and unification of continents. In this session, we invite authors around the world to present original new data as well as review results on the continental scale crustal processes and tectonic evolution that are associated with supercontinent formation events in Earth's history. The well-studied Eurasia and Gondwana supercontinents are of particular focus. Topics of interest include, but not restricted to, extremes in metamorphism, P-T-d-t evolution, magmatism, and the role of fluids. We hope to provide a platform for scientific discussions that will enlighten our understanding of the physical and chemical processes in the continental crust that records episodes of orogenesis that contributed to the formation and evolution of supercontinents.