Extensional Tectonics and Relevance to a Green and Low-Carbon Future

Over the last few decades substantial progress has been made in understanding the structure of tectonically active rifts, failed rifts, and ancient passive rifted margins. We now know that rifted margins are not a sudden shift between oceanic and continental lithosphere but are instead a complex assemblage of continental blocks with magmatic or altered mantle rocks. This makes it challenging to map rift and rifted margin architectures, and to understand the various extensional processes that formed them. Rifting is a complex process that proceeds through phases of different extension rates, including tectonic pauses, which affects the evolving fault networks and the associated magmatism. In addition, chemical exchanges and volatile fluid flux are increasingly recognised as potentially changing the rheology of the lithosphere and dominant modes of deformation. Understanding rift evolution from rift initiation to breakup remains at the forefront of scientific investigation.In addition to the pure scientific relevance, active and ancient continental rifts and rifted margins are at the centre of a green energy and low carbon future. A large proportion of past research on rifts and rifted margins was linked to hydrocarbon exploration, and therefore a new direction and approach to research is required to unlock their full potential to contribute to a low-carbon energy future. Continental rifts are one of the key settings hosting the volcanic systems that can be used for exploration of geothermal energy. In addition, the ancient failed rifts and rifted margins are key sites of vast layers of porous and permeable rock formations that can store future CO2 emissions or serve as reservoirs for heat or groundwater. The mafic and ultramafic rocks abundant in rifted margin settings also offer opportunities for CO2 mineralisation and are increasingly recognised as hosts for natural hydrogen generation through serpentinisation processes. In addition, the processes of continental rifting and break-up are responsible for the formation of more exotic alternative clean energy sources (e.g., native hydrogen).This research topic aims to be a platform within which to present the latest research on Earth processes from rift initiation to after continental breakup, and on the potential for these settings to contribute towards the transition towards a green energy and low carbon future. The research topic aims to address-Factors and processes controlling the initiation of continental rifting -The evolution of extensional processes and rift architecture during various stages of rifting from inception to breakup-The interaction between mechanical extension and geological fluids and magmatism-Key chemical exchanges in the Earth system during extensional tectonics, particularly those relevant to the green energy transition-Advances in observational and modelling techniques and strategies to understand rift evolution -Characterising sedimentary systems, fracture systems, heat and fluid flow, the interactions between them and relevance to future green energy and low carbon solutions.-Experimental and microstructural constraints on fault zone evolution, healing, and reactivation potential-Fault reactivation and induced seismicity hazard assessment in the context of geoenergy operations-Advances in geoscientific observations, imaging, and uncertainty assessmentAs part of the EU-MSCA TALENTS doctoral training network, PhD students Conor Gabriel Farrell and Reha Chandresh will shadow, and be trained by, Topic Editors Derek Keir, Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, and Giacomo Corti in handling the peer review of submissions received for this Research Topic. Topic editors: Derek Keir, Giacomo Corti, Roberto Emanuele Rizzo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78539/extensional-tectonics-and-relevance-to-a-green-and-low-carbon-future