We propose the following simple model to satisfy the above new constraint on mantle composition: The differentiated part of the mantle, chemically depleted after separation of the major portion of the continental crust, was subsequently internally rehomogenized. This depleted but chemically homogeneous mantle region was then differentiated into MORB and OIB source regions. The primary (continental crust—mantle) differentiation fractionated the Nb/U and Ce/Pb ratios, but the secondary (MORB source-OIB source) differentiation did not. Following the model of Hofmann and White [1,2], we suggest that the mechanism chiefly responsible for the secondary differentiation is the formation and subduction of oceanic crust. It is volumetrically by far the most important ongoing differentiation process on Earth and, over the course of Earth history, has created at least ten times as much oceanic crust as the present-day volume of continental crust.

Because the residual mantle was homogenized (though depleted in incompatible elements) after the primary differentiation, the isotopic and chemical heterogeneities exemplified by the isotope ratios of Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb, and by trace element ratios such as K/Rb, were created during the secondary differentiation. During this process, the bulk partition coefficients of Nb and Ce were very similar to those of U and Pb, respectively. This is in contrast with the primary differentiation, during which U was more incompatible than Nb, and Pb more incompatible than Ce.