The constant oxidation state of Earth’s mantle since the Hadean

Abstract

Determining the evolutionary history of mantle oxygen fugacity (fo₂) is crucial, as it controls the fo₂ of mantle-derived melts and regulates atmospheric composition through volcanic outgassing. However, the evolution of mantle fo₂ remains controversial. Here, we present a comprehensive dataset of plume-derived komatiites, picrites, and ambient mantle-derived (meta)basalts, spanning from ~3.8 Ga to the present, to investigate mantle thermal and redox states evolution. Our results indicate that fo₂ of both mantle plume-derived and ambient mantle-derived melts was lower during the Archean compared to the post-Archean period. This increase in the fo₂ of mantle-derived melts over time correlates with decreases in mantle potential temperature and melting depth. By normalizing fo₂ to a constant reference pressure (potential oxygen fugacity), we show that the fo₂ of both the mantle plume and ambient upper mantle has remained constant since the Hadean. These findings suggest that secular mantle cooling reduced melting depth, increasing the fo₂ of mantle-derived melts and contributing to atmospheric oxygenation.

The mantle’s oxygen fugacity has been constant since the Hadean, according to data from the ambient mantle and plume-derived melts. Mantle cooling reduced melting depth, which raised the fo₂ of mantle-derived melts and aided atmospheric oxygenation.