Tectonic Rock Cycles

Tectonic rock cycles reorganize rock processes from the traditional rock cycle into a tectonic framework using the Wilson cycle as a paradigm. In tectonic rock cycles, tectonic rock classifications replace descriptive rock classifications and focus on rocks characteristic of major tectonic regimes, such as the igneous-fractionation regime at convergent plate boundaries, quartz/feldspar/lithic (QFL) sedimentary distributions, and major metamorphic temperature/pressure fields. The tectonic rock cycle can be thought of as beginning with two igneous-fractionation processes generating all major igneous rocks at divergent and convergent plate boundaries. Weathering/erosion of subduction-generated volcanic arcs produce lithic-rich sediments. Arkosic to quartzitic sediments come from weathering/erosion of the batholithic (proto-continental) core of the volcanic arc. These processes generate the QFL end-member clastic sediments, which are spatially separated in the rock cycle. Carbonates are associated with quartz...