Lithosphere types in North China: Evidence from geology and geophysics

Deep-seated materials from lithosphere are the ba- sic parameters and the foundation for geodynamic and continental dynamic studies. Division of lithosphere types and their deep-seated materials and structure can provide important evidence in interpreting the com- plex phenomena derived from the processes of forma- tion and evolution of continents, in evaluating the mineral resource potential, in predicting geological disasters and in the research of the continental dy- namic process. Huge lit…     

A review on developments in the electrical structure of craton lithosphere

Cratons have a long history of evolution. In this paper, applications of the magnetotelluric method used in the study of craton lithosphere over the past 30 years were reviewed, examining case studies of cratons in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The nuclei of the Archean cratons, for example the Kalahari Craton and Rae Craton, are usually characterized by thick and highly resistive lithospheric roots. During or after the formation of the cratons, tectonothermal events, such as collision, mantle plume, and asthenosphere upwelling led to the formation of high-conductivity zones in the craton lithosphere, which could be attributed to the increased hydrogen content (of nominally anhydrous minerals), higher iron content, and formation of graphite films or sulfides along the grain boundary of minerals. These conductive zones are characterized by resistivity discontinuities in craton lithosphere. In particular, the conductive zones include (1) large-scale lithospheric mantle conductors beneath the Slave Craton, Gawler Craton, and central part of North China Craton(Trans-North China Orogen); (2) near-vertical high-conductivity zone associated with the fossil subduction zone beneath the Dharwar Craton and Slave Craton; and (3) regional lateral electrical discontinuities, such as a conductive anomaly under the Bushveld Complex of the Kaapvaal Craton. The eMoho refers to the electrical discontinuity in the crust-mantle boundary. In existing research, this has been detected under the condition of extremely high lithospheric resistivity with only a slight decrease in the lower crust, and in the case of a very thin conductive lower crust or the lack thereof. In the resistivity model, the unique “mushroom-like” lower crust-lithosphere mantle conductor and very thin lower crust layer of the North China Craton may represent lithosphere destruction and/or thinning. We also find that some of the cratons are still not well understood. Therefore, extensive three-dimensional inversion and joint interpretation of geochemical, geophysical, and geologic data are necessary to understand the tectonic evolutionary history of craton lithosphere.

     

Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China: Implications for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere

The North China Craton (NCC) has been thinned from >200 km to <100 km in its eastern part. The ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) has been replaced by the juvenile SCLM in the Meoszoic. During this period, the NCC was destructed as indicated by extensive magmatism in the Early Cretaceous. While there is a consensus on the thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere in North China, it has been hotly debated about the mechanism of cartonic destruction. This study attempts to provide a resolution to current debates in the view of Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China. We made a compilation of geochemical data available for Mesozoic mafic igneous rocks in the NCC. The results indicate that these mafic igneous rocks can be categorized into two series, manifesting a dramatic change in the nature of mantle sources at ~121 Ma. Mafic igneous rocks emplaced at this age start to show both oceanic island basalts (OIB)-like trace element distribution patterns and depleted to weakly enriched Sr-Nd isotope compositions. In contrast, mafic igneous rocks emplaced before and after this age exhibit both island arc basalts (IAB)-like trace element distribution patterns and enriched Sr-Nd isotope compositions. This difference indicates a geochemical mutation in the SCLM of North China at ~121 Ma. Although mafic magmatism also took place in the Late Triassic, it was related to exhumation of the deeply subducted South China continental crust because the subduction of Paleo-Pacific slab was not operated at that time. Paleo-Pacific slab started to subduct beneath the eastern margin of Eruasian continent since the Jurrasic. The subducting slab and its overlying SCLM wedge were coupled in the Jurassic, and slab dehydration resulted in hydration and weakening of the cratonic mantle. The mantle sources of ancient IAB-like mafic igneous rocks are a kind of ultramafic metasomatites that were generated by reaction of the cratonic mantle wedge peridotite not only with aqueous solutions derived from dehydration of the subducting Paleo-Pacific oceanic crust in the Jurassic but also with hydrous melts derived from partial melting of the subducting South China continental crust in the Triassic. On the other hand, the mantle sources of juvenile OIB-like mafic igneous rocks are also a kind of ultramafic metasomatites that were generated by reaction of the asthenospheric mantle underneath the North China lithosphere with hydrous felsic melts derived from partial melting of the subducting Paleo-Pacific oceanic crust. The subducting Paleo-Pacific slab became rollback at ~144 Ma. Afterwards the SCLM base was heated by laterally filled asthenospheric mantle, leading to thinning of the hydrated and weakened cratonic mantle. There was extensive bimodal magmatism at 130 to 120 Ma, marking intensive destruction of the cratonic lithosphere. Not only the ultramafic metasomatites in the lower part of the cratonic mantle wedge underwent partial melting to produce mafic igneous rocks showing negative ε_Nd(t) values, depletion in Nb and Ta but enrichment in Pb, but also the lower continent crust overlying the cratonic mantle wedge was heated for extensive felsic magmatism. At the same time, the rollback slab surface was heated by the laterally filled asthenospheric mantle, resulting in partial melting of the previously dehydrated rocks beyond rutile stability on the slab surface. This produce still hydrous felsic melts, which metasomatized the overlying asthenospheric mantle peridotite to generate the ultramafic metasomatites that show positive ε_Nd(t) values, no depletion or even enrichment in Nb and Ta but depletion in Pb. Partial melting of such metasomatites started at ~121 Ma, giving rise to the mafic igneous rocks with juvenile OIB-like geochemical signatures. In this context, the age of ~121 Ma may terminate replacement of the ancient SCLM by the juvenile SCLM in North China. Paleo-Pacific slab was not subducted to the mantle transition zone in the Mesozoic as revealed by modern seismic tomography, and it was subducted at a low angle since the Jurassic, like the subduction of Nazca Plate beneath American continent. This flat subduction would not only chemically metasomatize the cratonic mantle but also physically erode the cratonic mantle. Therefore, the interaction between Paleo-Pacific slab and the cratonic mantle is the first-order geodynamic mechanism for the thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere in North China.     

Formation time of the big mantle wedge beneath eastern China and a new lithospheric thinning mechanism of the North China craton—Geodynamic effects of deep recycled carbon

High-resolution P wave tomography shows that the subducting Pacific slab is stagnant in the mantle transition zone and forms a big mantle wedge beneath eastern China. The Mg isotopic investigation of large numbers of mantle-derived volcanic rocks from eastern China has revealed that carbonates carried by the subducted slab have been recycled into the upper mantle and formed carbonated peridotite overlying the mantle transition zone, which becomes the sources of various basalts. These basalts display light Mg isotopic compositions(δ26 Mg = –0.60‰ to –0.30‰) and relatively low87 Sr/86 Sr ratios(0.70314–0.70564) with ages ranging from 106 Ma to Quaternary, suggesting that their mantle source had been hybridized by recycled magnesite with minor dolomite and their initial melting occurred at 300-360 km in depth. Therefore, the carbonate metasomatism of their mantle source should have occurred at the depth larger than 360 km, which means that the subducted slab should be stagnant in the mantle transition zone forming the big mantle wedge before 106 Ma. This timing supports the rollback model of subducting slab to form the big mantle wedge. Based on high P-T experiment results, when carbonated silicate melts produced by partial melting of carbonated peridotite was raising and reached the bottom(180–120 km in depth) of cratonic lithosphere in North China, the carbonated silicate melts should have 25–18 wt% CO2 contents, with lower Si O2 and Al2 O3 contents, and higher Ca O/Al2 O3 values, similar to those of nephelinites and basanites, and have higher εNdvalues(2 to 6). The carbonatited silicate melts migrated upward and metasomatized the overlying lithospheric mantle, resulting in carbonated peridotite in the bottom of continental lithosphere beneath eastern China. As the craton lithospheric geotherm intersects the solidus of carbonated peridotite at 130 km in depth, the carbonated peridotite in the bottom of cratonic lithosphere should be partially melted, thus its physical characters are similar to the asthenosphere and it could be easily replaced by convective mantle. The newly formed carbonated silicate melts will migrate upward and metasomatize the overlying lithospheric mantle. Similarly, such metasomatism and partial melting processes repeat, and as a result the cratonic lithosphere in North China would be thinning and the carbonated silicate partial melts will be transformed to high-Si O2 alkali basalts with lower εNdvalues(to-2). As the lithospheric thinning goes on,initial melting depth of carbonated peridotite must decrease from 130 km to close 70 km, because the craton geotherm changed to approach oceanic lithosphere geotherm along with lithospheric thinning of the North China craton. Consequently, the interaction between carbonated silicate melt and cratonic lithosphere is a possible mechanism for lithosphere thinning of the North China craton during the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Based on the age statistics of low δ26 Mg basalts in eastern China, the lithospheric thinning processes caused by carbonated metasomatism and partial melting in eastern China are limited in a timespan from 106 to25 Ma, but increased quickly after 25 Ma. Therefore, there are two peak times for the lithospheric thinning of the North China craton: the first peak in 135-115 Ma simultaneously with the cratonic destruction, and the second peak caused by interaction between carbonated silicate melt and lithosphere mainly after 25 Ma. The later decreased the lithospheric thickness to about70 km in the eastern part of North China craton.     

Subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate resulted in lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond in the North China Craton

The North China Craton (NCC) witnessed Mesozoic vigorous tectono-thermal activities and transition in the nature of deep lithosphere. These processes took place in three periods: (1) Late Paleozoic to Early Jurassic (～170 Ma); (2) Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (160–140 Ma); (3) Early Cretaceous to Cenozoic (140 Ma to present). The last two stages saw the lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain response within the North China Craton due to subduction and retreating of the Paleo-Pacific plate, and is the emphasis in this paper. In the first period, the subduction and closure of the Paleo- Asian Ocean triggered the back-arc extension, syn-collisional compression and then post-collisional extension accompanied by ubiquitous magmatism along the northern margin of the NCC. Similar processes happened in the southern margin of the craton as the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys ocean and collision with the South China Block. These processes had caused the chemical modification and mechanical destruction of the cratonic margins. The margins could serve as conduits for the asthenosphere upwelling and had the priority for magmatism and deformation. The second period saw the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk ocean and the shear deformation and magmatism induced by the drifting of the Paleo-Pacific slab. The former led to two pulse of N-S trending compression (Episodes A and B of the Yanshan Movement) and thus the pre-existing continental marginal basins were disintegrated into sporadically basin and range province by the Mesozoic magmatic plutons and NE-SW trending faults. With the anticlockwise rotation of the Paleo-Pacific moving direction, the subduction-related magmatism migrated into the inner part of the craton and the Tanlu fault became normal fault from a sinistral one. The NCC thus turned into a back-arc extension setting at the end of this period. In the third period, the refractory subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) was firstly remarkably eroded and thinned by the subduction-induced asthenospheric upwelling, especially those beneath the weak zones (i.e., cratonic margins and the lithospheric Tanlu fault zone). Then a slightly lithospheric thickening occurred when the upwelled asthenosphere got cool and transformed to be lithospheric mantle accreted (～125 Ma) beneath the thinned SCLM. Besides, the magmatism continuously moved southeastward and the extensional deformations preferentially developed in weak zones, which include the Early Cenozoic normal fault transformed from the Jurassic thrust in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt, the crustal detachment and the subsidence of Bohai basin caused by the continuous normal strike slip of the Tanlu fault, the Cenozoic graben basins originated from the fault depression in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt, the Bohai Basin and the Sulu Orogenic belt. With small block size, inner lithospheric weak zones and the surrounding subductions/collisions, the Mesozoic NCC was characterized by (1) lithospheric thinning and crustal detachment triggered by the subduction-induced asthenospheric upwelling. Local crustal contraction and orogenesis appeared in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt coupled with the crustal detachment; (2) then upwelled asthenosphere got cool to be newly-accreted lithospheric mantle and crustal grabens and basin subsidence happened, as a result of the subduction zone retreating. Therefore, the subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate is the outside dynamics which resulted in mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond within the North China Craton. We consider that the Mesozoic decratonization of the North China Craton, or the Yanshan Movement, is a comprehensive consequence of complex geological processes proceeding surrounding and within craton, involving both the deep lithospheric mantle and shallow continental crust.     

华北克拉通东北部的远震S波走时层析成像研究

华北克拉通是近年来我国地学界研究的热点之一.本文利用布设在华北东北部地区的华北地震科学台阵所记录的远震波形资料,用波形互相关方法拾取了9105条S波走时残差数据,进而用体波走时层析成像方法反演获得了研究区从地表至600 km深度的S波速度结构.所获得的S波层析成像结果表明,华北克拉通中部块体的山西断陷带低速异常一直从地面延伸至上地幔约300 km深处,推测该低速异常体可能与中、新生代的大同火山群的形成与活动有关.研究发现华北东部存在一高速异常体由东部渤中凹陷的地壳一直向西延伸至太行山山前断裂下方地幔转换带410 km附近,推测该高速异常体可能为太平洋板片向西俯冲在华北克拉通东部块体下方地幔过渡带内的滞留.研究结果显示华北克拉通东部的华北盆地表现为高低速相间分布,表明该地区下方的岩石圈发生了破坏,而位于华北克拉通北缘的燕山造山带显示为高速异常,表明燕山造山带下方的岩石圈没有明显的破坏迹象.     

华北地区勒夫波噪声层析成像研究

利用华北地震科学台阵200个流动地震台站、14个月的连续波形数据,通过互相关方法提取了勒夫波的经验格林函数,使用多重滤波方法测量了5229条勒夫波的群速度频散曲线,采用噪声层析成像方法得到了研究区域4~30 s的勒夫波群速度分布图像,横向分辨率在多数区域可以达到0.25°×0.25°. 层析成像结果显示,短周期的群速度分布特征与地表地质和构造特征基本一致,华北盆地和山西断陷带内的盆地呈现低速异常,燕山隆起和太行山隆起表现为高速异常;中周期的群速度分布图揭示了华北盆地内部隆起和坳陷的空间分布范围及沉积层的厚度差异. 勒夫波频散曲线具有明显的分区特征,太行山隆起、燕山隆起和鄂尔多斯块体东北缘的频散曲线形态基本一致,和其它典型克拉通相似;张渤地震带和山西裂谷盆地的频散曲线基本一致,接近于埃塞俄比亚裂谷. 中西部块体的平均频散曲线和其它典型克拉通相似,而东部块体的频散曲线和中西部块体存在较大差异,且低于其它典型克拉通,表明东部块体的地壳受到了强烈的破坏和改造,而中西部块体受改造的程度较低,仍具有稳定克拉通的物理性质. 太行山重力梯度带的东西两侧在地形地貌、速度结构、频散特征、地壳厚度、岩石圈厚度以及地幔过渡带厚度均存在显著差异,是划分华北克拉通破坏空间范围的一条重要界线,推测华北克拉通的破坏范围主要在太行山重力梯度带以东.     

Insight into craton evolution: Constraints from shear wave splitting in the North China Craton

The multi-episodic tectonic activities from the Precambrian to Cenozoic, including nucleus formation, cratonic amalgamation, and rejuvenation, make the North China Craton (NCC) an ideal natural laboratory for studying craton evolution. Spatial change in the upper deformation records is an important aspect for understanding cratonic formation and rejuvenation. In this study, we performed seismic shear wave splitting analysis using SKS phases from 50 portable stations. Two different methodologies, shear wave splitting measurement and amplitude analysis of transverse/radial components, produced mutually consistent splitting results. These results showed that the seismic anisotropy beneath the Ordos Block can be divided into three subgroups reflecting the tectonic control. Combining these results with those from previous splitting studies in the eastern NCC, we suggest that the Proterozoic amalgamation generated the seismic anisotropy in the boundary zone between the Ordos Block and the Trans-North China Orogen, while the anisotropy in the eastern Trans-North China Orogen and eastern NCC were possibly associated with the lithospheric rejuvenation during the Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic.     

The big mantle wedge and decratonic gold deposits

The Circum-Pacific subduction zone is a famous gold metallogenic domain in the world, with two important gold metallogenic provinces, the North China Craton and Nevada, which are related to the destruction of the North China Craton and the Wyoming Craton, respectively. Their ore-forming fluids were possibly derived from the stagnant slab in the mantle transition zone. The oceanic lithospheric mantle usually contains serpentine layers up to thousands of meters thick. During plate subduction, serpentine is dehydrated at depths of 200 km and transformed into high-pressure hydrous minerals, known as Phases A to E, which carries water to the depth of 300 km. The overlying big mantle wedge is hydrated during the breakdown of these hydrous facies in the mantle transition zone. The dehydration of the subducted slab in the big mantle wedge releases sulfur-rich fluid, which extracts gold and other chalcophile elements in the surrounding rocks, forming gold-rich fluid. Because the cratonic geotherm is lower than the water-saturated solidus line of lherzolite, the fluid cannot trigger partial melting. Instead, it induces metasomatism and forms pargasite and other water-bearing minerals when it migrates upward to depths of less than 100 km in the cratonic lithospheric mantle, resulting in a water-and gold-rich weak layer. During the destruction of craton, the weak layer is destabilized, releasing gold-bearing fluids that accelerate the destruction. The ore-forming fluids migrate along the shallow weak zone and are accumulated at shallow depths, and subsequently escape along deep faults during major tectonic events, leading to explosive gold mineralization. The ore-forming fluids are rich in ferrous iron, which releases hydrogen at low pressure through iron hydrolysis. Therefore, decratonic gold deposits are often reduced deposits.     

秦岭造山带与邻域华北克拉通和扬子克拉通的壳、幔精细速度结构与深层过程

秦岭造山带与其南北两侧华北克拉通和扬子克拉通属三大构造单元,不论其各构造单元体还是其界带构造均甚为复杂,并受到多期次构造运动的制约,形成了大陆内部特异的造山过程.尽管在这一地域曾做过大量的地表地质工作和一些相关的地球物理工作,但对其壳、幔精细结构、深层动力过程,特别是同步穿越华北克拉通、秦岭-大巴造山带和扬子克拉通系统的耦合研究甚少.为了研究和探索该地域的壳、幔精细速度结构和其形成的深层过程,专门布置了一条北起榆林,向南经咸阳、宁陕直抵涪陵长达1000 km的高精度地震宽角反射、折射波场探测剖面.通过剖面辖区高分辨率的数据采集,数据处理、反演和壳、幔层、块精细速度结构,发现剖面辖区深部壳、幔结构存在特异的速度和结构变化,并厘定了一系列的新认识.研究结果表明:(1)秦岭—大巴造山带具有同一基底,其形成乃为结晶基底隆升所致,即它的形成仅涉及到上地壳的受力变形和空间状态.造山带与其南、北两侧的前陆盆地为陆内造山过程中同一深层过程的产物,但其沉积速率和形态却不相同.华北克拉通与秦岭造山带之间前陆盆地B_fc拉张为该区Moho界面的局部隆升所致.(2)首次提出了沿1000 km长剖面连续的沉积建造、结晶基底、上地壳、下地壳和上地幔顶部的层、块速度结构和各界面的起伏变化与空间状态.基于地震波边界场响应厘定了华北克拉通、秦岭—大巴造山带和扬子克拉通的分区界带.论述了三大构造单元各自的内部结构和其相邻界域的速度变化特征.(3)该区大陆内部速度结构和不同类型断裂分布及层序在华北克拉通、秦岭—大巴造山带、扬子克拉通三大块体地域存在显著差异.不同规模、层次与产状的断裂分布反映出它们在变形行为和机制上及所受构造运动的制约上均存在明显的差异.     

我国深部探测技术与实验研究进展综述

深部探测技术与实验研究专项(SinoProbe,2008-2012)是我国历史上实施的规模最大的地球深部探测计划.专项开展了全国4°×4°、华北和青藏高原1°×1°的大地电磁阵列观测,建立了全国地球化学基准网(含78种元素),完成了青藏高原、华南-中央造山带、华北和东北等四条超长深地震反射剖面,部署了罗布莎、金川、腾冲、南岭、庐枞和铜陵等大陆科学钻探实验,开展了青藏高原东南缘和华北地区地应力监测;在我国东部长江中下游和南岭成矿带开展的矿集区立体探测卓有成效.同时,专项还开展了岩石圈三维结构与地球动力学数值模拟、大陆地壳结构与演化的综合研究.专项全面实施以来,已经完成约6000 km的深地震反射剖面,成功研究、实验了地壳与地幔深部探测的一系列技术方法,积累了丰富经验,极大地加快了我国深部探测的进度,在国内外产生了强烈的反响.专项实现了技术组合创新、技术进步与重大科学发现的并举,适应我国地质地貌条件和地壳/岩石圈结构特征,初步形成了具有不同层次、不同尺度、不同精度探测空间组合的深部探测技术方法体系,建立了若干各具地质特色的探测试验基地.专项实验已经取得了一系列重大突破与重要成果,深部探测关键仪器装备自主研发获得重大突破,为全面开展地壳探测工程的组织实施奠定了必要的技术基础.     

Dynamics of thinning and destruction of the continental cratonic lithosphere: Numerical modeling

Thinning of the cratonic lithosphere is common in nature, but its destruction is not. In either case, the mechanisms for both thinning and destruction are still widely under debate. In this study, we have made a review on the processes and mechanisms of thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere according to previous studies of geological/geophysical observations and numerical simulations, with specific application to the North China Craton (NCC). Two main models are suggested for the thinning and destruction of the NCC, both of which are related to subduction of the oceanic lithosphere. One is the “bottom-up” model, in which the deeply subducting slab perturbs and induces upwelling from the hydrous mantle transition zone (MTZ). The upwelling produces mantle convection and erodes the bottom of the overriding lithosphere by the fluid-melt-peridotite reaction. Mineral compositions and rheological properties of the overriding lithospheric mantle are changed, allowing downward dripping of lithospheric components into the asthenosphere. Consequently, lithospheric thinning or even destruction occurs. The other is the “top-down” model, characterized by the flat subduction of oceanic slab beneath the overriding cratonic lithosphere. Dehydration reactions from the subducting slab would significantly hydrate the lithospheric mantle and decrease its rheological strength. Then the subduction angle may be changed from shallow to steep, inducing lateral upwelling of the asthenosphere. This upwelling would heat and weaken the overriding lithospheric mantle, which led to the weakened lithospheric mantle dripping into the asthenosphere. These two models have some similarities, in that both take the subducting oceanic slab and relevant fluid migration as the major driving mechanism for thinning or destruction of the overriding cratonic lithosphere. The key difference between the two models is the effective depth of the subducting oceanic slab. One is stagnation and flattening in the MTZ, whereas the other is flat subduction at the bottom of the cratonic lithosphere. In the NCC, the eastern lithosphere was likely affected by subduction of the Izanagi slab during the Mesozoic, which would have perturbed the asthenosphere and the MTZ, and induced fluid migration beneath the NCC lithosphere. The upwelling fluid may largely have controlled the reworking of the NCC lithosphere. In order to discuss and analyze these two models further, it is crucial to understand the role of fluids in the subduction zone and the MTZ. Here, we systematically discuss phase transformations of hydrous minerals and the transport processes of water in the subduction system. Furthermore, we analyze possible modes of fluid activity and the problems to explore the applied feasibility of each model. In order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere, we also consider four additional possible dynamic models: extension-induced lithospheric thinning, compression-induced lithospheric thickening and delamination, large-scale mantle convection and thermal erosion, and mantle plume erosion. Compared to the subduction-related models presented here, these four models are primarily controlled by the relatively simple and single process and mechanism (extension, compression, convection, and mantle plume, respectively), which could be the secondary driving mechanisms for the thinning and destruction of lithosphere.     

Lithospheric structure and evolution of the North China Craton:An integrated study of geophysical and xenolith data

Determination of the physical and chemical structures of the inaccessible continental lithosphere by comprehensive geophysical and geochemical studies can provide valuable information on its formation and evolution.Extensive studies from various disciplines have revealed complex lithospheric modification of the North China Craton(NCC),but less attention has been paid to an integrated study from different fields.Here we provide an integrated constraint on the lithospheric mantle structure of the NCC by comprehensive semiology,gravity and thermal studies with xenolith data involving depth(levels in the lithosphere),property(chemical and physical),and timing(formation and reworking ages).Our results suggest that the NCC has a relatively heterogeneous lithospheric mantle.Its margins and internal weak zones,especially in the eastern NCC,are generally underlain by the fertile,weakly metasomatized mantle with generally young formation ages.In contrast,its core tends to preserve the refractory,strongly metasomatized mantle with ages roughly coupled to the overlying Archean crust.Such a lithospheric structure shows the preferential modification of the lithospheric mantle in the eastern NCC and in the peripheral regions of the western NCC.The interior of the craton,especially most of the western NCC,remains stable and has been weakly modified.     

Diversion of heat by Archean cratons: a model for southern Africa

The surface heat flow in the interior of Archean cratons is typically about 40 mW m⁻² while that in Proterozoic and younger terrains surrounding them is generally considerably higher. The eighty-four heat flow observations from southern Africa provide an excellent example of this contrast in surface heat flow, showing a difference of some 25 mW m⁻² between the Archean craton and younger peripheral units. We investigate two possible contributions to this contrast: (1) a shallow mechanism, essentially geochemical, comprising a difference in crustal heat production between the two terrains, and (2) a deeper mechanism, essentially geodynamical, arising from the existence of a lithospheric root beneath the Archean craton which diverts heat away from the craton into the thinner surrounding lithosphere. A finite element numerical model which explores the interplay between these two mechanisms suggests that a range of combinations of differences in crustal heat production and lithospheric thickness can lead to the contrast in surface heat flow observed in southern Africa. Additional constraints derived from seismological observations of cratonic roots, the correlation of surface heat flow and surface heat production, petrological estimates of the mean heat production in continental crust and constraints on upper mantle temperatures help narrow the range of acceptable models. Successful models suggest that a cratonic root beneath southern Africa extends to depths of 200–400 km. A root in this thickness range can divert enough heat to account for 50–100% of the observed contrast in surface heat flow, the remainder being due to a difference in crustal heat production between the craton and the surrounding mobile belts in the range of zero to 0.35 μW m⁻³.     

根据地球物理资料分析大别——苏鲁超高压变质带演化的运动学与动力学

中国中央造山带东部的大别-苏鲁是全球最大的超高压变质带,本文基于地球物理资料的分析和综合研究,进一步指出这一超高压变质带演化的复杂性.在扬子与中朝克拉通碰撞后大别-苏鲁地体的俯冲产生超高压变质作用.之后由于两个克拉通之间的倾斜碰撞,产生旋转与局部的拉张为岩石折返造成了良好条件.扬子的旋转也形成一对剪切力使俯冲海洋岩石圈断开和陆块反弹.然而由于南北压挤力的继续作用与大别-苏鲁地体的折返,扬子克拉通继续向大别苏鲁地体下方俯冲.这种陆-陆俯冲携带了大量大陆物质进入上地幔,诱发部分熔融和后期的地幔上隆.本文给出了大别-苏鲁演化动力学的修正模型.     

Triassic magmatism and its relation to decratonization in the eastern North China Craton

Lithospheric removal and destruction of the North China Craton have been hotly discussed recently. It has been confirmed that the timing of a strong lithospheric removal took place in Late Mesozoic; however, little is known about when the lithospheric removal was initiated and how the Late Permian to Early Triassic deep subduction of Yangtze continental crust affected the cratonic destruction. This paper presents an overview on the temporal and spatial framework and geochemical characteristics of the Triass...     

The role of serpentine in preferential craton formation in the late Archean by lithosphere underthrusting

Cratons form the cores of continents and were formed within a narrow window of time (2.5–3.2 Gy ago), the majority having remained stable ever since. Petrologic evidence suggests that the thick mantle roots underlying cratons were built by underthrusting of oceanic and arc lithosphere, but paradoxically this requires that the building blocks of cratons are weak even though cratons must have been strong subsequent to formation. Here, we propose that one form of thickening could be facilitated by thrusting of oceanic lithospheres along weak shear zones, generated in the serpentinized upper part of the oceanic lithosphere (crust + mantle) due to hydrothermal interaction with seawater. Conductive heating of the shear zones eventually causes serpentine breakdown at ~ 600 °C, shutting down the shear zone and culminating in craton formation. However, if shear zones are too thin, serpentine breakdown and healing of the shear zone occurs too soon and underthrusting does not occur. If shear zones are too thick, serpentine breakdown takes too long so healing and lithospheric thickening is not favored. Shear zone thicknesses of ~ 18 km are found to be favorable for craton formation. Because the maximal depth of seawater-induced serpentinization into the lithosphere is limited by the depth of the isotherm for serpentine breakdown, shear zone thicknesses should have increased with time as the Earth's heat flux and depth to the serpentine breakdown isotherm decreased and increased, respectively, with time. We thus suggest that the greater representation of cratons in the late Archean might not necessarily be explained by preferential recycling in the early Archean but may simply reflect preferential craton formation in the late Archean. That is, our model predicts that the early Archean was too hot, the Phanerozoic too cold, and the late Archean just right for making cratons.     

Contrasting two types of orogen in Permo-Triassic Japan: Accretionary versus collisional

Abstract Proto-Japan originated from a continental margin of the Neoproterozoic Yangtze (South China) craton. It represents a unique Permo-Triassic tectonic setting in western Panthalassa, where two distinct types of orogenic belt occurred side by side. There was an accretionary orogen between the Yangtze craton and the Proto-Pacific (Farallon) Plate and a collisional orogen between the Sino-Korean (North China) and Yangtze cratons. This article reviews results of the latest on-land geological studies concerning Permo-Triassic tectonics in Japan and proposes a new plate tectonic interpretation as well as a paleogeographic reconstruction of this particularly unique geotectonic regime. Special emphases are given to (i) the accretion processes and products derived by collision-subduction of the Permian Akiyoshi paleoseamount and Maizuru paleo-oceanic plateau; (ii) the field occurrence of 220-Ma Sangun high-P/T schists and its implication for the exhumation process and 'tectonic sandwich' structure; (iii) the extensive development of a subhorizontal nappe of the pre-Jurassic rocks and their bearing on the orogenic edifice; and (iv) the restricted occurrence of the 250-Ma collision complex in the Hida and Oki belts and the relevant connection to the Precambrian cratons and collision suture in East Asia. The newly proposed paleogeographic reconstruction is also tested by faunal provinciality of Permo-Triassic fossils from shallow-water sediments.     

鄂尔多斯地块深部岩石圈电性结构研究

近年来新的研究成果反应出鄂尔多斯地块岩石圈并不是一个具有深根的完整的刚性块体,尤其在鄂尔多斯北部以及河套地堑发现有大范围的下地壳-上地幔低速低阻物质,如果这一情况属实,那么人们对鄂尔多斯地块的认识将发生大的变化.为此,我们在华北克拉通西部布设了一条穿过鄂尔多斯地块、河套地堑和阴山造山带的南北向大地电磁剖面,试图通过深部电性结构的探测提供更多信息.该剖面全长约850 km,共布设54个宽频测点和17个长周期测点.二维和三维反演结果均表明:鄂尔多斯地块内部以38°N为界,南部和北部电性结构存在明显差异.鄂尔多斯地块南部地壳至上地幔150 km深度范围内整体表现为高阻,具有刚性克拉通的特征;鄂尔多斯地块北部到河套地堑之间下地壳出现低阻层,特别是鄂尔多斯北端与河套地堑接壤地段,深部存在一个规模较大的下地壳-上地幔低阻异常体,该异常体从河套地堑开始,横向上向南延伸到鄂尔多斯地块内部约200 km,纵向上从下地壳向下延伸到上地幔(约100 km深度).根据该异常体的空间特征,参考该区地震波低速异常体的分布,我们认为鄂尔多斯北部及河套地堑中下地壳到上地幔存在热物质,其原因与深部的构造活动有关(软流圈热物质上涌、侧向流动等),这一情况可能反映出鄂尔多斯地块北部岩石圈深部正处于被改造(或者破坏)阶段,这对进一步认识青藏高原东北缘与华北克拉通之间的深部关系具有一定的启示作用.     

Crustal structure beneath the central and western North China from receiver function analysis

The North China Craton (NCC) is one of the oldest cratons on earth. Several important tectonic transformations of Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic regime led to the destruction of the North China craton. The knowledge of crustal structure can provide important constraints for the formation and evolution of cratons. New maps of sediment thickness, crustal thickness (H) and v_P/v_S (κ) in the central and western NCC were obtained using sequential H-κ stacking. P-wave receiver functions are calculated using teleseismic waveform data recorded by 405 stations from ChinArray project. Benefiting from the densely distribution of temporary seismic stations, our results reveal details of the crustal structure in the study area. The thickness of sedimentary layer in North China ranges from 0–6.4 km, and the thickest sedimentary layer is in Ordos block and its surroundings (about 2.8–6 km); The thickness of sedimentary layer in the Mongolia fold belt and Yinshan orogenic belt is relatively thin (less than 1 km). The crustal thickness of the study area varies between 27–48 km, of which the crust of the North China Plain is about 30–33 km, the central NCC is about 33–40 km, and the Ordos block is 40–48 km thick. The average v_P/v_S ratios in the study area is mostly between 1.66 and 1.90, and that in the Yanshan-Taihang mountain fold belt is between 1.70 and 1.85, and that in the Ordos block is between 1.65 and 1.90, with an average value of 1.77, indicating the absence of a thick basaltic lower crust. The obvious negative correlation between crustal thickness and average v_P/v_S ratio within Ordos and Central Asia orogenic belt may be related to magmatic underplating during the crustal formation. There is no significant correlation between the crustal thickness and the v_P/v_S ratio in the Lüliang-Taihang mountain fold belt, which may be related to the multiple geological processes such as underplating and crustal extension and thinning in this area. The lack of correlation between crust thickness and topography in the central orogenic belt and the North China Basin indicates the topography of these areas are controlled not only by crustal isostatic adjustment but also by the lithospheric mantle processes.