Late Paleozoic provenance shift in the south-central North China Craton: Implications for tectonic evolution and crustal growth

U–Pb geochronologic and Hf isotopic results of seven sandstones collected from Late Carboniferous through Early Triassic strata of the south-central part of the North China Craton record a dramatic provenance shift near the end of the Late Carboniferous. Detrital zircons from the Late Carboniferous sandstones are dominated by the Early Paleozoic components with positive ε_Hf(t) values, implying the existence of a significant volume of juvenile crust at this age in the source regions. Moreover, there are also three minor peaks at ca. 2.5 Ga, 1.87 Ga and 1.1–0.9 Ga. Based on our new data, in conjunction with existing zircon ages and Hf isotopic data in the North China Craton (NCC), Central China Orogenic Belt (CCOB) and Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), it can be concluded that Early Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic detritus in the south-central NCC were derived from the CCOB. Zircons with ages of 1.9–1.7 Ga were derived from the NCC. However, the oldest components can't be distinguished, possibly from either the NCC or the CCOB, or both. In contrast, detrital zircons from the Permian and Triassic sandstones are characterized by three major groups of U–Pb ages (2.6–2.4 Ga, 1.9–1.7 Ga and Late Paleozoic ages). Specially, most of the Late Paleozoic zircons show negative ε_Hf(t) values, similar to the igneous zircons from intrusive rocks of the Inner Mongolia Paleo-Uplift (IMPU), indicating that the Late Paleozoic detritus were derived from the northern part of the NCC. This provenance shift could be approximately constrained at the end of the Late Carboniferous and probably hints that tectonic uplift firstly occurred between the CCOB and the NCC as a result of the collision between the South and North Qinling microcontinental terranes, and then switched to the domain between the CAOB and the NCC. Additionally, on the basis of Lu–Hf isotopic data, we reveal the pre-Triassic crustal growth history for the NCC. In comparison among the three crustal growth curves obtained from modern river sands, our samples, and the Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, we realize that old components are apparently underestimated by zircons from the younger sedimentary rocks and modern river sands. Hence, cautions should be taken when using this method to investigate growth history of continental crust.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Paleozoic granitoids in East Kunlun belt: Evidences from geochronology,geochemistry and isotopes

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB) provides an important link to reconstruct the evolution of the Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys realm. The EKOB is marked by widespread Early Paleozoic magmatism.Here we report the petrology, bulk geochemistry, zircon Ue Pb dating and, Lue Hf and SreN d isotopic data of the Early Paleozoic granitic rocks in Zhiyu area of the southern EKOB. Based on the zircon U-Pb dating, these granitoids, consisting of diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite, were formed during 450 -430 Ma the Late Ordovician to Middle Silurian. The diorite and granodiorite are high Sr/Y ratio as adakitic affinities, and the monzogranite belongs to highly fractionated I-type. Their(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)ivalues range from 0.7059 to 0.7085, εNd(t) values from -1.6 to -6.0 and the zircon εHf(t) values show large variations from +9.1 to -8.6 with Hf model ages(T_(DM2)) about 848 Ma and 1970 Ma. The large variations of whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopes demonstrate strong isotopic heterogeneity of the source regions which probably resulted from multi-phase underplating of mantle-derived magmas. Geochemical and isotopic studies proved that the diorite and granodiorite had been derived from partial melting of heterogeneous crustal source with variable contributions from ancient continental crust and juvenile components, and the monzogranites were representing fractional crystallization and crustal contamination for arc magma. The Early Paleozoic adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline granitoids in the southern EKOB were likely emplaced in a continental marginal arc setting possibly linked to the southwards subduction of the Paleo Kunlun Ocean and the magma generation is linked to partial melting of thickened continental crust induced by underplating of mantle-derived magmas.     

Detrital zircon ages and Hf isotopic compositions of metasedimentary rocks in the Wuqia area of Southwest Tianshan,NW China: implications for the early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Tianshan orogenic belt

ABSTRACT

The Chinese Southwest Tianshan Orogenic Belt is located along the boundary between the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and the Tarim Block (TB), NW China. It records the convergence of the Tarim Block and the Middle Tianshan, and is, therefore, a crucial region for understanding the Eurasia continental growth and evolution. The Wulagen (geographical name) metasedimentary rocks of the Wuqia area (mainly metamorphic sandstones and mica schists) form one of the metamorphic terranes in the Southwestern Tianshan Orogenic Belt. The geochronology of these rocks is poorly known, which hampers our understanding of the tectonic evolution of the belt. We analyzed 517 zircon grains for detrital zircon U–Pb dating and 93 zircon grains for in situ Lu–Hf isotopic compositions from the Wulagen metasedimentary rocks. The analyzed zircon grains yield Neoarchean to late Paleozoic U–Pb ages with major age peaks at ~2543 Ma, 1814 Ma, 830 Ma, 460 Ma, and the youngest cluster of zircon (magmatogene) ages is 395 Ma. The zircon U–Pb data show that the late Paleozoic (Early Devonian) is the maximum depositional age of the Wulagen metasedimentary rocks, rather than the previously considered Precambrian period. The zircons with Paleozoic ages yield εHf(t) values of ?22.0 to +11.3 and two-stage model ages (TDM₂) of 3.95 to 1.30 Ga, suggesting that the parental magmas were formed from partial melting of pre-existing crustal rocks. Our zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic data indicate the major source regions for the Wulagen metasedimentary rocks was the Kyrgyzstan North Tianshan. The zircon age population of 600–400 Ma (peak at ~460 Ma) has negative εHf(t) values (?15.0 to ?0.6) and Mesoproterozoic two-stage model ages, suggesting that the early Paleozoic magmatism resulted mainly from the melting of ancient crust, which played an important role in crustal evolution in the southern CAOB.     

Provenance analyses of early Mesozoic sediments in the Ningwu basin: Implications for the tectonic–palaeogeographic evolution of the northcentral North China Craton

This paper reports results from detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology, Hf isotopic geochemistry, sandstone modal analysis, and palaeocurrent analysis of the early Mesozoic strata within the Ningwu basin, China, with the aims of constraining the depositional ages and sedimentary provenances and shedding new light on the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the northcentral North China Craton (NCC). The zircons from early Mesozoic sandstones are characterized by three major populations: Phanerozoic (late Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic), late Palaeoproterozoic (with a peak at approximately 1.8 Ga), and Neoarchaean (with a peak at approximately 2.5 Ga). Notably, three Phanerozoic zircons in the Early Triassic Liujiagou Formation were found to have positive ε_Hf(t) values and characteristics typical of zircons from the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Therefore, the CAOB began to represent the provenance of sediment in the sedimentary basins in the northern NCC no later than the Early Triassic (261 Ma), implying that the final amalgamation of the NCC and CAOB occurred before the Early Triassic. The U–Pb geochronologic and Hf isotopic results show that the Lower Middle Triassic sediments were mainly sourced from the Yinshan–Yanshan Orogenic Belt (YYOB), and that a sudden change in provenances occurred, shifting from a mixed YYOB and CAOB source in the Middle Jurassic to a primarily YYOB source in the Late Jurassic. The results of the sandstone modal analysis suggest that the majority of the samples from the Lower Middle Jurassic rocks were derived from either Continental Block or Recycled Orogen sources, whereas all the samples from the Upper Jurassic rocks were derived from Mixed sources. The change in source might be ascribed to the southward subduction and closure of the Okhotsk Ocean and the resulting intense uplift of the YYOB during the Late Jurassic. This uplift likely represents the start of the Yanshan Orogeny.     

Late Carboniferous to Early Permian oceanic subduction in central Inner Mongolia and its correlation with the tectonic evolution of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Late Paleozoic magmatism in central Inner Mongolia provides important insights on the tectonic evolution and crustal growth in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which formed due to the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). This paper presents new zircon UPb ages and Hf isotopic compositions as well as whole-rock geochemical data on a suite of volcanic rocks from the Late Paleozoic Baoligaomiao Formation and coeval intrusions in the Baiyinwula region of the Mongolian Arc. This study revealed that the magmatic sequences evolution includes: (1) early andesites (317–311 Ma) with enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depletion in high field strength elements (HSFEs), and positive zircon ε_Hf (t) values from +9.0 to +15.5, indicating a derivation from enriched mantle; (2) felsic rocks emplaced from 306 Ma to 292 Ma, with relatively lower ε_Hf (t) values from +6.3 to +11.3, implying juvenile crust as the primary magma source; and (3) A-type igneous rocks (280–278 Ma). The comparison of palaeontological, lithostratigraphical, and magmatic evolution in Late Paleozoic between different tectonic units in the eastern part of CAOB has displayed that the subduction of Paleo-Asian oceanic crust caused the opening of the Hegenshan Ocean along the southern margin of Mongolian Arc in Devonian; and the Baoligaomiao Formation volcanic rocks and coeval intrusions have recorded early northwards subduction and subsequent slab rollback of Hegenshan oceanic crust.     

Nature and significance of the late Mesozoic granitoids in the southern Great Xing’an range,eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

ABSTRACT

Abundant late Mesozoic granitic rocks are widespread in the southern Great Xing’an Range (GXAR), which have attracted much attention due to its significance for the Mesozoic tectonic evolution in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. However, controversy has still surrounded the late Mesozoic geodynamic switching in the continental margin of east China, especially the spatial and temporal extent of the influence of the Mongol-Okhotsk and Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regimes. In order to better understand the Late Mesozoic evolutionary history of the southern GXAR, a number of geochemical, geochronological, and isotopic data of the granitoids in this region are collected. Magmatism in the southern GXAR can be divided into six phases: Late Carboniferous (325–303 Ma), Early-Middle Permian (287–260 Ma), Triassic (252–220 Ma), Early Jurassic (182–176 Ma), Late Jurassic (154–146 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (145–111 Ma). Mesozoic magmatic activities in the southern GXAR peaked during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, accompanied by large-scale mineralization. Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic evidence of these granitic rocks suggested they were likely originated from a mixed source composed of lower crust and newly underplated basaltic crust. Assimilation-fractional crystallization (AFC) or crustal contamination possibly occurred in the magma evolution, and a much more addition of juvenile component to the source of the Early Cretaceous granitoids than that of Late Jurassic. The closure of Mongol-Okhotsk ocean and the break-off of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab at depth in the Jurassic triggered extensive magmatism and related mineralization in this region. The Jurassic intrusive activities was affected by both the subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate and the closure of Mongol-Okhotsk ocean. Less influence of the Mongol-Okhotsk tectonic regime on the Early Cretaceous magmatism, whereas, in contrast the Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regime possibly continued into the Cenozoic.     

U–Pb (zircon) and geochemical constraints on the age,origin, and evolution of Paleozoic arc magmas in the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry Cu–Au district,southern Mongolia

Uranium–Pb (zircon) ages are linked with geochemical data for porphyry intrusions associated with giant porphyry Cu–Au systems at Oyu Tolgoi to place those rocks within the petrochemical framework of Devonian and Carboniferous rocks of southern Mongolia. In this part of the Gurvansayhan terrane within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, the transition from Devonian tholeiitic marine rocks to unconformably overlying Carboniferous calc-alkaline subaerial to shallow marine volcanic rocks reflects volcanic arc thickening and maturation. Radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions (ε_Nd(t) range from + 3.1 to + 7.5 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values for feldspars range from 17.97 to 18.72), as well as low high-field strength element (HFSE) contents of most rocks (mafic rocks typically have < 1.5% TiO₂) are consistent with magma derivation from depleted mantle in an intra-oceanic volcanic arc. The Late Devonian and Carboniferous felsic rocks are dominantly medium- to high-K calc-alkaline and characterized by a decrease in Sr/Y ratios through time, with the Carboniferous rocks being more felsic than those of Devonian age. Porphyry Cu–Au related intrusions were emplaced in the Late Devonian during the transition from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline arc magmatism. Uranium–Pb (zircon) geochronology indicates that the Late Devonian pre- to syn-mineral quartz monzodiorite intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au deposits are ~ 372 Ma, whereas granodiorite intrusions that post-date major shortening and are associated with less well-developed porphyry Cu–Au mineralization are ~ 366 Ma. Trace element geochemistry of zircons in the Late Devonian intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au systems contain distinct Th/U and Yb/Gd ratios, as well as Hf and Y concentrations that reflect mixing of magma of distinct compositions. These characteristics are missing in the unmineralized Carboniferous intrusions. High Sr/Y and evidence for magma mixing in syn- to late-mineral intrusions distinguish the Late Devonian rocks associated with giant Cu–Au deposits from younger magmatic suites in the district.     

The Vendian passive continental margin in the southern Siberian Craton: geochemical and isotopic (Sr,Sm–Nd) evidence and U–Pb dating of detrital zircons by the LA-ICP-MS method

Geochemical and isotopic (Sm–Nd and Sr) studies of deposits of the Baikal and Oselok Groups in the southern Siberian Craton and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of detrital zircons show that they accumulated in passive continental-margin settings in the Vendian. The time limits of sedimentation were assessed on the basis of Sr chemostratigraphy of carbonate deposits of the Baikal Group and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of detrital zircons in first-cycle terrigenous deposits of the Oselok Group. The main provenances for rocks of these groups were constant. These were rocks of the cover and basement of the Siberian Craton. Tuffite horizons in upper portions of the groups are the only sign of Late Vendian activation of this block, which is reflected in changes of geochemical indices of terrigenous rocks and their younger Sm–Nd model ages.     

Late neoproterozoic igneous complexes of the western Baikal-Muya Belt: Formation stages

The paper presents new geological, geochemical, and isotopic data on igneous rocks from a thoroughly studied area in the western Baikal-Muya Belt, which is a representative segment of the Neoproterozoic framework of the Siberian Craton. Three rock associations are distinguished in the studied area: granulite-enderbite-charnockite and ultramafic-mafic complexes followed by the latest tonalite-plagiogranitegranite series corresponding to adakite in geochemical characteristics. Tonalites and granites intrude the metamorphic and gabbroic rocks of the Tonky Mys Point, as well as Slyudyanka and Kurlinka intrusions. The tonalites yielded a U-Pb zircon age of 595 ± 5 Ma. The geochronological and geological information indicate that no later than a few tens of Ma after granulite formation they were transferred to the upper lithosphere level. The Sm-Nd isotopic data show that juvenile material occurs in rocks of granitoid series (?_Nd(t) = 3.2–7.1). Ophiolites, island-arc series, eclogites, and molasse sequences have been reviewed as indicators of Neoproterozoic geodynamic settings that existed in the Baikal-Muya Belt. The implications of spatially associated granulites and ultramafic-mafic intrusions, as well as granitoids with adakitic geochemical characteristics for paleogeodynamic reconstructions of the western Baikal-Muya Belt, are discussed together with other structural elements of the Central Asian Belt adjoining the Siberian Platform in the south.     

Geochemistry,geochronology and Hf isotope of granitoids in the northern Alxa region:Implications for the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The tectonic setting of the northern Alxa region during the Late Paleozoic is highly controversial.The key to resolve this controversy is to recognize the Late Paleozoic magmatic processes in the northern Alxa.In this paper,we present new zircon U-Pb ages,Hf-isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemical data of four granitoids along the Zhusileng-Hangwula Tectonic Belt in the northern Alxa region that could provide critical information about the tectonic evolution of this region.The zircon U-Pb data could be grouped as two phases:Late Devonian granite and diorite(ca.373-360 Ma),and Late Carboniferous granodiorite(ca.318 Ma).The Late Devonian granites and diorites are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous,with A/CNK and A/NK ratios of 0.90-1.11 and0.95-2.19,respectively.The Late Devonian diorites are characterized by high MgO,Cr and Ni contents and MgO#values,together with variable ε_(Hf)(t) values from-1.0 to+1.3 and old T_(DM2) ages varied from 1283 Ma to 1426 Ma,indicating the primary magma was potentially derived from magma mixing of depleted mantle with Mesoproterozoic continental crust.Even though the Late Devonian granites yielded most positive and minor negative e_(Hf)(t) values between-1.1 to+5.7(three grains are negative) with two-stage model ages(T_(DM2)) of 1003-1438 Ma,they display low MgO,Cr and Ni contents and MgO#values,suggesting that they were mainly derived from juvenile crustal materials,mixed with a small amount of ancient crust.The Late Carboniferous granitoids are metaluminous and medium-K calc-alkaline series,with A/CNK and A/NK ratios ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 and1.75 to 1.90,respectively.These rocks were potentially derived from juvenile crustal materials mixed with depleted mantle,as evidenced by their high ε_(Hf)(t) values(+11.6 to+14.1) and young TDM2 ages(427 Ma to 586 Ma),as well as high Mg#values,and MgO,Ni and Cr contents.Our data,along with available sedimentary evidence and previous researches,indicate that the Late Devonian and Late Carboniferous rocks are arc-related granitoids under the subduction setting.The identification of arc-related granitoids in the northern Alxa region not only reveals the Late Paleozoic magmatic process in response to the subduction of Paleo Asian Ocean,but also provide significant constrains to the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

陕西柞山盆地池沟铜钼矿区含矿岩体的锆石U-Pb年龄和岩石成因

秦岭造山带柞山盆地多处发育与晚中生代中酸性小岩体有关的铜钼矿床(点),最近在池沟深部发现了厚大的斑岩型铜矿体,但对这些小岩体的形成时代和成因的研究很少。本文选择池沟地区不同类型的花岗质岩石开展地球化学特征和锆石U-Pb测年的研究。结果表明:该区小岩体主要为闪长岩、石英闪长岩和斑状花岗岩,它们为钾质钙碱性Ⅰ型花岗质岩石。矿物学、地球化学和Sr-Nd同位素特征均暗示它们是上地幔和下地壳同熔的深熔岩浆产物。与成矿密切相关的含矿岩体LA-MC-ICPMS锆石U-Pb谐和年龄为~145Ma,结合区域地质资料和成岩成矿关系的研究,认为池沟含矿岩体形成于晚侏罗世-早白垩世,柞水盆地存在一期重要的晚侏罗世-早白垩世中酸性岩浆岩和相应的斑岩-矽卡岩铜钼金矿化,与华北地块南缘晚中生代岩体和相关的钼铅锌矿床形成于同一地质事件。     

Triassic magmatism and Mo mineralization in Northeast China: geochronological and isotopic constraints from the Laojiagou porphyry Mo deposit

The Laojiagou Mo deposit is a newly discovered porphyry Mo deposit located in the Xilamulun Mo metallogenic belt, Northeast China. Mo mineralization mainly occurred within the monzogranite and monzogranite porphyry. Re–Os isochron dating of molybdenites indicate a mineralization age of 234.9 ± 3.1 Ma. Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb analysis for monzogranite porphyry and monzogranite yield ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 238.6 ± 1.8 and 241.3 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively, indicating that Laojiagou Mo mineralization is related to Middle Triassic magmatism. Hf isotopic compositions of zircons from both monzogranite porphyry and monzogranite are characterized by positive ε_Hf(t) values [ε_Hf(t) = 2.9–7.3 and 1.5–7.9, respectively] and young T_DM2 model ages, which implies that the magma was derived from juvenile crust created during accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Identification of the Laojiagou Mo deposit adds another important example of Triassic Mo mineralization in the Xilamulun Mo metallogenic belt where most Triassic Mo deposits in northeast China cluster around the northern margin of North China Craton. Based on the regional geological setting and geochronological and Hf isotope characteristics, we propose that Triassic Mo deposits and related magmatic rocks in northeast China formed during the last stages of evolution of the CAOB. These deposits formed during post-collisional extension after the closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean and amalgamation of the North China–Mongolian Block with the Siberian Craton.     

Petrogenesis of gold-mineralized magmatic rocks of the Taerbieke area,northwestern Tianshan (western China): Constraints from geochronology,geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions

Many Late Paleozoic Cu–Au–Mo deposits occur in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, their tectonic settings and associated geodynamic processes have been disputed. This study provides age, petrologic and geochemical data for andesites and granitic porphyries of the Taerbieke gold deposit from the Tulasu Basin, in the northwestern Tianshan Orogenic Belt (western China). LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the granitic porphyries have an Early Carboniferous crystallization age (349 ± 2 Ma) that is broadly contemporaneous with the eruption age (347 ± 2 Ma) of the andesites. The andesites have a restricted range of SiO₂ (58.94–63.85 wt.%) contents, but relatively high Al₂O₃ (15.39–16.65 wt.%) and MgO (2.51–6.59 wt.%) contents, coupled with high Mg^# (57–69) values. Geochemically, they are comparable to Cenozoic sanukites in the Setouchi Volcanic Belt, SW Japan. Compared with the andesites, the granitic porphyries have relatively high SiO₂ (72.68–75.32 wt.%) contents, but lower Al₂O₃ (12.94–13.84 wt.%) and MgO (0.10–0.33 wt.%) contents, coupled with lower Mg^# (9–21) values. The andesites and granitic porphyries are enriched in both large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements, but depleted in high field strength elements, similar to those of typical arc magmatic rocks. They also have similar Nd–Hf–Pb isotope compositions: ε_Nd(t) (+0.48 to +4.06 and −0.27 to +2.97) and zircons ε_Hf(t) (+3.4 to +8.0 and −1.7 to +8.2) values and high (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i (18.066–18.158 and 17.998–18.055). We suggest that the Taerbieke high-Mg andesitic magmas were generated by the interaction between mantle wedge peridotites and subducted oceanic sediment-derived melts with minor basaltic oceanic crust-derived melts, and that the magmas then fractionated to produce the more felsic members (i.e., the Taerbieke granitic porphyries) during late-stage evolution. Taking into account the Carboniferous magmatic record from the western Tianshan Orogenic Belt, we suggest that the formation of the Early Carboniferous andesites and granitic porphyries in the Taerbieke area were related to the Paleo-Junggar Oceanic plate southward subduction under the Yili–Central Tianshan plate. The close association of the Early Carboniferous magmatic rocks and Au mineralization in the Taerbieke area suggests that the arc magmatic rocks in the Tulasu basin may have a high potential for Au mineralization.     

Source-to-sink of Late carboniferous Ordos Basin: Constraints on crustal accretion margins converting to orogenic belts bounding the North China Block

The Upper Carboniferous Benxi Formation of the Ordos Basin is the lowest strata overlying Middle Ordovician above the major ca. 150-Myr sedimentary gap that characterizes the entire North China Block (NCB). We apply an integrated analysis of stratigraphy, petrography, and U–Pb dates and Hf isotopes on detrital zircons to investigate its provenance and relationships to the progressive collisions that formed the Xing’an-Mongolia Orogenic Belt to the north and the Qinling Orogenic Belt to the south. The results show that, in addition to regional patterns of siliciclastic influx from these new uplifted sources, the Benxi Formation is composed of two sequences corresponding to long-term glacial-interglacial cycles during the Moscovian to lower Gzhelian stages which drove global changes of eustatic sea level and weathering. The spatio-temporal distribution of sediment isopachs and facies indicate there were two sediment-infilling pulses, during which the southern and the northern Ordos Basin developed tidal-reworked deltas. The age spectra from detrital zircons, trace element patterns and ε_Hf(t) values reveal that the siliciclastics forming the southern delta was sourced in the Qinling Orogenic Belt, whereas the northern delta was derived from the Xing’an-Mongolia Orogenic Belt. The source-to-sink evolution of this Upper Paleozoic system records the progressive development of orogenic belts and uplifts forming on the southern and northern margins of the NCB prior to its collisions with the South China and the Siberian plates, respectively.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Permian A‐type Granite in the Hongol Area,Central Inner Mongolia: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

We performed geochronological and geochemical analyses of the A-type granite in the Hongol area, central Inner Mongolia, to determine its age, petrogenesis and tectonic setting, which are significant for clarifying the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing'an Mongolian Orogenic Belt(XMOB). The rock type of the A-type granite in the Hongol area is alkali-feldspar granite, and it constitutes a western part of the Baiyinwula-Dongujimqin A-type granite belt. Zircon U-Pb geochronology yields ~(206)Pb/~(238)U ages ranging from 293 to 286 Ma for the alkali-feldspar granite, indicating this granitic pluton formed in the Early Permian. The alkali-feldspar granite is high in silica(SiO_2=75.13 wt%-80.17 wt%), aluminum(Al_2 O_3=10.59 wt%-13.17 wt%) and alkali(Na_2 O+K_2 O=7.33 wt%-9.11 wt%), and low in MgO(0.08 wt%-0.39 wt%) and CaO(0.19 wt%-0.70 wt%). It is obviously enriched in LILEs such as Rb, Th and K,depleted in HFSEs such as Nb, Ti, La and Ce, with pronounced negative anomalies of Nb, Ti, P, Eu, Sr and Ba. Its Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive ε_(Nd)(t)(+0.72-+3.08), low T_(DM2)(805-997 Ma),and high radioactive Pb with(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 18.710-19.304,(~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 15.557-15.604 and(~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 37.887-38.330. Petrological characteristics and geochemical data suggest that the alkalifeldspar granite in the Hongol area belongs to aluminous A-type granite. This A-type granite formed in a post-collisional extensional setting and was generated by the partial melting of felsic rocks in the middlelower crust resulting from post-collisional slab breakoff. It is suggested that the Paleo-Asian Ocean was closed before the Permian in central Inner Mongolia.     

Late Paleozoic tectonic -magmatic evolution history of the northeastern ChinaSCIEI北大核心CSCD

Northeastern China is suited in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and it is mainly composed of Erguna Massif, Xing'an Massif, Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Massif, Jiamusi Massif, and Nadanhada Terrane. The Late Paleozoic magmatism was relatively intense accompanied with multiple stages of amalgamation in several microcontinents, therefore these magmatic products are an important media in recording the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution history of the northeastern China. According to the petrological, geochronological, and geochemical characteristics of Late Paleozoic igneous rocks in the northeastern China, we found that the Late Paleozoic magmatism was based on Carboniferous -Permian igneous rocks. The Early Carboniferous magmatic products are gabbro, diorite and granite, the Late Carboniferous magmatic products are mainly composed of granitoids with minor gabbro, and the Permian magmatic products are mainly granitoids. Meanwhile, these Late Paleozoic igneous rocks mostly exhibit typical arc characteristics. In addition, the Late Paleozoic igneous rocks in eastern Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces are mainly Permian granitoids with minor gabbro, and these Permian igneous rocks show typical arc characteristics. Combined with petrological, geochronological, geochemical and isotopic characteristics, we suggest that the Late Paleozoic igneous rocks in the Great Xing'an Range and eastern Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces underwent different magmatic evolution history, and the microcontinents in NE China had different crustal growth history.     

Zircon U–Pb age and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints on the age and origin of Triassic mafic dikes,Dalian area,Northeast China

Post-orogenic mafic rocks from Northeast China consist of swarms of dolerite dikes. We report a new U–Pb zircon age, as well as whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb zircon analysis yielded an age of 210.3 ± 1.5 million years (i.e. Triassic) for these mafic dikes. Most Dalian mafic rocks exhibit low K₂O + Na₂O contents, and span the border between alkaline and calc-alkaline rock associations in the total alkali–silica diagram. The investigated dikes are also characterized by relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios (0.7061–0.7067) and negative ?_Nd (t) (?4.7 to??4.3) and ?_Hf (t) values (?4.1 to??1.1), implying that they were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. The mafic dikes are characterized by relatively low MgO (4.65–5.44 wt.%), Mg^# (41–44), and compatible element content [such as Cr (89.9–125 ppm) and Ni (56.7–72.2 ppm)], which are the features of an evolved mafic magma. No evidence supports the idea that the mafic rocks were affected by significant assimilation or crustal contamination during emplacement. We conclude that the dolerites formed in a post-orogenic extensional setting, related to lithospheric delamination or ‘collapse’ of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), also termed the Xingmeng Orogenic Belt in China.     

Provenance and tectonic settings of the Late Paleozoic sandstones in central Inner Mongolia,NE China: Constraints on the evolution of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Late Paleozoic sedimentary strata outcrop extensively in central Inner Mongolia, and are a key to understanding the tectonic evolution of the southeastern Central Orogenic Belt. A combined analysis of petrography, whole-rock major and trace element, and Nd isotope is carried out on representative sandstones from the Late Paleozoic sedimentary strata (420–270 Ma). The sandstones are mainly wackes and litharenites in lithology, with low SiO₂/Al₂O₃ of 2.85–9.47 (averagely 5.22) and poor textural and compositional maturities, implying short sediment transportation between the depositional basins and provenances. The trace element compositions are generally comparable to that of the average upper continent crust (UCC), with negatively-sloping chondrite-normalized rare earth element distribution patterns ((La/Yb)_N = 3.43–11; averagely 6.94) and flat UCC-normalized trace element distribution patterns. The Nd isotopic compositions show great variation (Ԑ_Nd(t) = −5.01 to 5.35) with depositional time of the sandstones, and coincide well with the arc magmatic phases in central Inner Mongolia. The geochemical signatures of the sandstones indicate that the dominant provenances are intermediate to felsic arc magmatic rocks that have ages approximating the deposition, although old, recycled sediments may have made a minor contribution. An active continental arc setting during the Late Paleozoic in central Inner Mongolia, controlled by the northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic slab, was the most likely depositional tectonic setting of the sandstones. This active continental arc setting continued to at least 270 Ma, implying that the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean along the Solonker suture zone most likely occurred sometime during the Late Permian to Early Triassic. The northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean is likely of West Pacific-style, in which the present-day Baolidao arc has a close genetic link with the South Mongolian microcontinent and, likely, the former originally formed as the arc margin of the latter.     

Triassic volcanism in eastern Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces,NE China: Chronology,geochemistry, and tectonic implications

With the aim of constraining the Early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), we undertook zircon U–Pb dating and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements, Sr–Nd isotopes) of volcanic rocks of the Luoquanzhan Formation and Daxinggou Group in eastern Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, China. The analyzed rocks consist mainly of dacite and rhyolite, with SiO₂ contents of 68.52–76.65 wt%. Three samples from the Luoquanzhan Formation and one from the Daxinggou Group were analyzed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb zircon techniques. Three zircons with well-defined oscillatory zoning yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 217 ± 1, 214 ± 2, and 208 ± 1 Ma, and one zircon with oscillatory zoning yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 201 ± 1 Ma. These ages are interpreted to represent the timing of eruption of the volcanic rocks. The Triassic volcanic rocks are characterized by high SiO₂ and low MgO concentrations, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7040–0.7050 (Luoquanzhan Formation) and 0.7163–0.7381 (Daxinggou Group), and ε_Nd (t) = 1.89–3.94 (Luoquanzhan Formation) and 3.42–3.68 (Daxinggou Group). These geochemical features indicate an origin involving the partial melting of juvenile lower crust (Nd model ages (T_DM2) of 651–821 Ma) and that compositional variation among the volcanic rocks arose from mineral fractionation and minor assimilation. These volcanic rocks formed within an extensional environment following collision of the NCC and Jiamusi-Khanka Massif during the Late Paleozoic–Early Triassic.