Comparison of Supercontinent Cycles in the Metallogeny of Rare Earth Elements

Abstract

The distribution of integrated resources of large and superlarge deposits (LSLDs) of rare earth elements (REEs) is compared to the current model of supercontinent cyclicity during Earth’s evolution. It is found that REE LSLDs are related predominantly to igneous complexes (carbonatite, nepheline syenites, syenite-alkaline granites, subalkaline granites), which are often additionally enriched in the hypergenic zone. A certain part of the resources is concentrated in independent hypergenic formations represented by placers and ion-adsorbed clays. Each supercontinent cycle—Kenoran, Columbian, Rodinian, Pangean, and Amasian—is expressed in the REE metallogeny in particular way: we revealed significant intercycle variations in the amount of REE LSLDs, the variety of their types, total accumulated resources, and some other characteristics.