Lithos special issue: Advances in the comprehension of mantle paradigms

The publication of this special volume is aimed at celebrating the relevant contributions on the comprehension of the Earth’s mantle geochemical/geodynamic system, presented and discussed during the three days of the third edition of the “European Mantle Workshop” (Pavia, Italy, 2018). The main topics proposed in the workshop may be reassumed as follows: (1) mineralogical, petrological and geochemical characterization of mantle xenoliths, orogenic peridotites and ophiolitic mantle sections; (2) experimental investigations on the production, migration and emplacement of mantle melts and fluids; (3) geophysical studies and numerical models of the deep mantle; (4) serpentinisation and carbonation of peridotites, and the relationship between microbiology in extreme environments. They trigged considerable discussion, involving a wide audience outside of the speaker list. Some issues became the focus for substantial informative debates on the meaning and significance of different types of data and the interpretative approaches that could yield the best results.