Primitive (>4 Ga) continental crust production in the planetary evolution: What we know from rocks, zircons, experiments and modeling

• This paper considers works on the origin and evolution of the primordial crust on Earth and other terrestrial planets. • The existing paradigm considers deep, partial melting of thick mafic protocrusts to be related to the subduction process. • New alternative models consider impact-induced melting at shallow levels to be an important factor during the Hadean eon. This review paper considers most recent experimental, modeling and zircon-based works on the origin and evolution of the primordial felsic/continental crust and depleted mantle produced on Earth and other terrestrial planets. Isotope systematics of ancient rock recordings of Hadean and post-Hadean processes, including the Sm-Nd (ɛ 142, 143 Nd), Lu-Hf (εHf), Hf-W (µ 182 W), ε 100 Ru, and 60 Ni/ 58 Ni, are also considered. The existing paradigm considers deep partial melting of thick mafic protocrusts (the primordial protocrust is produced 4.5 – 4.4 Ga as solidified magma ocean) to be related to the subduction processes and tectonic plate motions. However, new, alternative models consider impact-induced melting at shallow levels to be an important factor during the Hadean eon. Many questions remain about the composition of the Hadean felsic crust and the preceding protocrust. Additionally, the role of late veneer impacts in producing and evolving continental crust and mantle-crust differentiation is unclear. The following questions remain unanswered: (i) the processes occurring due to the reaction between chondrite material and terrestrial protocrust induced by impact; (ii) the physical conditions of felsic magma segregation from depleted, olivine-rich residue; (iii) trace element partitioning during mantle-crust differentiation; and (iv) the geodynamic regime affecting the evolution of depleted mantle residues and associated felsic crust