The volcanic-plutonic connection as a stage for understanding crustal magmatism

The Earth's magmatism produces both volcanic and plutonic rocks. These two rock types share many similarities, but also display significant differences that have led to a tendency to view (and study) them as separate realms. This review tries to bridge the gap to provide more incentive to integrate data from all magmatic rocks in a hope to better understand the processes that led to the differentiation of the Earth and generation of a silicic continental crust. We strongly reinforce recent statements made in the literature suggesting that most disparities between volcanic and plutonic rocks can be resolved if volcanic rocks are seen as erupted melt-rich regions (magma "chambers") expelled from crystal-rich (mushy) reservoirs, which later crystallize to form plutons. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.