Paleoproterozoic Multistage Metamorphic Ages Registered in the Precambrian Basement Rocks at the Southeastern Margin of the North China Craton and Their Geological Implications

正Objective The Precambrian basement rocks in the Bengbu and neighboring areas,located at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton,occur as granulite terrains and xenoliths in the Mesozoic dioritic porphyry.They provide an excellent natural laboratory to study the formation and evolution of the Precambrian lower crust in the region.     

The Geochemical Features and Evolution of Laterite in the Karst Areas of Guizhou Province

Guizhou is one of the dominating karst regions,where laterite is widespread,in China.Seventy-two laterite samples were taken from twelve laterite sections in the karst areas of Guizhou Province,which are possessed of typical subtropical karst geomphological and ecological environmental features and have evolved completely from dolostones and limestones.In terms of the major,trace and REE deta for thd samples this paper discusses the geochemical characteristics of laterite in the karst areas with an attempt to disclose the geochemical process and evolutionary rule of laterite formation.There have been involved three important pedogenetic geochemical precesses in the formation of laterite in the karst areas:(1)enrichment of silicon and aluminum and depletion of calcium and magnesium;(2)enrichment of iron and manganese;and(3) enrichment of aluminum and depletion of silicon.During the formation and evolution of laterite,obvious enrichment and differentiation of trace elements such as Cu,Pb,Zn,Ni,Co,Cr,Pb,F,Cl,and As can be observed,but for the rare-earth elements,their enrichment is remarkable against a weak differentiation.The REE distribution patterns in the laterite are similar to those of its parental carbonate rocks.     

Research Progress in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Geological Theory of China

The Chinese landmass, as a composite region, consists of multiple small continental blocks, such as Sino-Korea, Yangtze, Tarim, etc., and orogenic belts. Because of its distinctive tectonosedimentary evolution, China’s oil/gas-bearing regions differ remarkably from that elsewhere in the world. For instance, in comparison to the Middle East oil/gas-bearing regions which are characterized by Mesozoic-Cenozoic marine oil/gas-bearing beds, early oil and gas discoveries in China are distributed mainly in Mesozoic-Cenozoic continental sedimentary basins. Generation of oil from terrestrial organic matter, or terrestrial oil generation, and the formation of large oil/gas fields in continental sedimentary basins were previously the major characteristics of petroleum geology of China. However, in the past 20 years, a series of major oil and gas discoveries from marine strata have been made. Marine oil/gas fields in China are mainly distributed in the Tarim, Sichuan, and Ordos basins, which are tectonically stable and covered with Mesozoic-Cenozoic deposits. In these basins, hydrocarbon-bearing strata are of old age and the oil/gas fields are commonly deeply-buried. Cumulatively, 995 oil/gas fields have been found so far, making China the fourth largest oil-producing country and the sixth largest gas-producing country in the world. In terms of petroleum and natural gas geology, theories of hydrocarbon generation from continental strata, such as terrestrial oil generation and coal-generated hydrocarbons, etc., have been established. Significant progress has been made in research on the sequence stratigraphy of continental strata, formation mechanisms of ultra-deep clastic reservoirs, and hydrocarbon accumulation in the continental subtle reservoir. Regarding research on the marine petroleum geology of China, with respect to the major characteristics, such as deeply-buried reservoirs, old strata, and multiple phases of transformation, important advances have been made, in areas such as the multiple-elements of hydrocarbon supply, formation of reservoirs jointly controlled by deposition, tectonic activities, and diagenetic fluid-rock reactions, and oil/gas reservoirs formed through superimposed multi-stage hydrocarbon accumulation. As more and more unconventional hydrocarbon resources are discovered, unconventional oil and gas reservoirs are under study by Chinese petroleum geologists, who endeavor to come up with new discoveries on their formation mechanisms.     

我国主要内生铁矿碱交代机理探讨

Alkali-metasomatism and/or alkali-metasomatites are commonly recognized in different types of endogenic iron deposit,especially in the contact-metasomatic and porphyrite types in China.Alkali-metasomatites occur at the bottom of the mineralized alteration zone,in the marginal facies of the metallogenetic magmatic masses adiacent to iron ore bodies.They are approximately consistent with the attitudes of the ore bodies.As a result of alkali-metasomatism,great changes have taken place in the source rocks,producing distinet alteration zones with the color becoming lighter and lighter upwards and outwards.The alkali-metesomatic solntion is a kind of pneumato-hydrothermal solution rich in Cl,Si and alkalis.Its main components are alkalis and volatiles(dominantly H2O and Cl).The alkalis are closely related to magmatie source and its subsequent differentiation,while H2O is derived mainly from meteoric waters absorbed by the magma and Cl mainly from magma-mesitized gypsum-salt strata(including ground brines).In essence,alkali-metasomatism is the continuation of magmatic evolution and also an auto-metamorphism within the metallogenetic masses,i.e.,a complex ion-exchange reaction under certain physico-chemical conditions.The whole process of alkali-metasomatism can generally be divided into the Na^ -,Ca^2 -and Na^ -replacement stages.In the Ca^2 -replacement stage iron was largely separated from the source rocks.Alkali-metasomatism and the formation of iron ore deposits are two different forms of expression with respect to the same magmatic process,and both are controlled by and genetically related to magmatism,as is indicated by the facts that some of the oreforming materials are products of the de-iron process during alkali-metasomatism and that alkalis and volatiles have played an active role in the formation of iron and differential fusion of silicate melt.     

Major Advances in the Study of the Precambrian Geology and Metallogenesis of the North China Craton: A Review

The North China Craton(NCC) is one of the most ancient cratons in the world and records a complex geological evolution since the early Precambrian. In addition to recording major geological events similar to those of other cratons, the NCC also exhibits some unique features such as multistage cratonization(late Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic) and long-term rifting during the Meso–Neoproterozoic. The NCC thus provides one of the best examples to address secular changes in geological history and metallogenic epochs in the evolving Earth. We summarize the major geological events and metallogenic systems of the NCC, so that the evolutionary patterns of the NCC can provide a better understanding of the Precambrian NCC and facilitate comparison of the NCC with other ancient continental blocks globally. The NCC experienced three major tectonic cycles during the Precambrian:(1) Neoarchaean crustal growth and stabilization;(2) Palaeoproterozoic rifting–subduction–accretion–collision with imprints of the Great Oxidation Event and(3) Meso–Neoproterozoic multi-stage rifting. A transition from primitive- to modern-style plate tectonics occurred during the early Precambrian to late Proterozoic and is evidenced by the major geological events. Accompanying these major geological events, three major metallogenic systems are identified:(1) the Archaean banded iron formation system;(2) Palaeoproterozoic Cu–Pb–Zn and Mg–B systems and(3) a Mesoproterozoic rare earth element–Fe–Pb–Zn system. The ore-deposit types in each of these metallogenic systems show distinct characteristics and tectonic affinities.     

Cryptoexplosive Breccias in Nanjing -Wuhu Volcanic Area:Geological Characteristics and Control on Mineralization

Geological and geochemical characters are discussed for the breccias in the Nanjing -Wuhu area,with special reference to their cryptoexplosive origin.The close association of mineralization,particularly of iron,with the breccias has been evaluated in terms of geothermal and geochemical evidence.A suc-cessful example in using the breccias as a prospecting indicator is illustrated in this paper.     

On Palaeozoic Tectonics in the Alxa Region, Inner Mongolia, China

Two ophiolitic melange belts in the Late Carboniferous formations have been discovered recently in the Alxa region. One is in the Engger Us fault and possesses properties of oceanic crust. The other is in the Badain Jaran fault and shows properties of a back-arc basin. These two faults, together with the Yagan fault, constitute the important boundaries of tectonic units in the Alax region. The four tectonic units delimited by these faults are different in rock assemblages, metamorphism and geochemistry. They reflect the nature of tectonic environments in which they are found. The tectonic units may be traced and correlated to the eastern and western neighbouring areas. The formation and evolution process of the units and their interaction in the Alxa region may be described in terms of the evolution of the Palaeo-Mongolian Ocean and its continental margins.     

The Metamorphic and Deformational History of a Continental Collision Zone and its Geodynamic Process——as Evidenced by Qinling Complex,Western Henan,China

The Qinling orogenic belt is a collision zone between the North China andYangtze cratons.The Qinling Complex is a Precambrian metamorphic com-plex,developed in the inner zone of the orogenic belt,which records themetamorphic and deformational history and PTt path of the regional meta-morphism of the collision zone.The present paper studies the metamor-phic and deformational history and the PTt path of various tectono-metamorphic cycles in order to describe the geodynamic processes prevailing inthat part of the Qinling orogenic belt since Proterozoic.The tectonometamorphic history and evolution of the Qinling Complex isdivided into two stages:the stage of formation and the stage of modificationDuring the stage of formation dated as Proterozoic,three deformational se-quences are recognized.The amphibolite facies regional metamorphism is earlierthan or synchronous with the first or second phase of folding.Threemetamorphic zones,i.e.And-Ms,Sil-Ms,Sil-Kfs are delimited.During thestage of modification,the emp     

The Geochemical Evolution of the Proterozoic Continental Crust in Northwestern Jiangxi and Western Zhejiang,China

The pertochemistry and Sm-Nd isotopic compositions and the geochemical characteristics of REE,U,Th,etc..in the Late Proterozoix and Early Palaeozoic strata in northwestern Jiangxi and western Zhejiang provinces are described in this paper.It seems to be sure that the middle Proterozoic strata of southeastern China are low in the degree of matrration .The strata contain much mantle-derived material.At the end of Late Proterozoic there was an abrupt turn with respect to the crustal geochemical evolution of the eastern part of South China .Since then ,the geochemical environment has undergone a change from a simple reducing environment to a complex oxidizing-reducing environ-ment, which would be geochemically beneficial to the formation of Late Sinian to Early Cambrian U-bearing formations.     

The origin and geological significance of lunar ridges

Lunar ridges are a kind of familiar linear structures developed on the lunar surface. The distribution pattern, formation mechanism and research significance of lunar ridges are discussed in this paper. Single lunar ridges are usually distributed in the form of broken lineation, and, as whole, lunar ridges are trapezoidal or annular in shape around the maria. As to the formation mechanism, only volcanism or tectonism was emphasized in the past, but the two processes are seldom taken into combined consideration. On the basis of detailed analyses, the authors thought that tectonism is a prerequisite for the formation of lunar ridges, while volcanism is the key factor controlling their particular shapes. Finally, the authors pointed out that it is very significant in the study of lunar ridges to link the course of lunar structure evolution with the stress state in the lunar crust.     

Origin and Geological Significance of TTG Gneisses from the Maevatanana Greenstone Belt in North–Central Madagascar, and A Comparison with India

The Maevatanana greenstone belt in north-central Madagascar contains widespread exposures of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite(TTG) gneisses,and is important for its concentrations of various metal deposits(e.g.,chromium,nickle,iron,gold).In this paper we report on the petrography,and major and trace element compositions of the TTG gneisses within the Berere Complex of the Maevatanana area,as well as LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopic compositions of zircons from the gneisses.The gneisses consist mainly of granitoid gneiss and biotite(±hornblende) plagiogneiss,and analysis of thin sections provides evidence of crushing,recrystallization,and metasomatism related to dynamic metamorphism.Samples have large variations in their major and trace element contents,with SiO_2 = 55.87-68.06 wt%,Al_2O_3 = 13.9-17.8 wt%,and Na_2O/K_2O =0.97-2.13.Geochemically,the granitoid gneisses and biotite plagiogneisses fall on a low-Al trondhjemite to granodiorite trend,while the biotite-hornblende plagiogneisses represent a high-Al tonalite TTG assemblage.Zircon U-Pb dating shows that the Berere Complex TTG gneisses formed at2.5-2.4 Ga.Most ε_(Hf(t)) values of zircons from the biotite(± hornblende) plagiogneisses are positive,while most ε_(Hf(t)) values from the granitoid gneisses are negative,suggesting a degree of crustal contamination.Two-stage Hf model ages suggest that the age of the protolith of the TTG gneisses was ca.3.4-2.6 Ga,representing a period of paleocontinent formation in the Mesoarchean.Geothermometries indicate the temperature of metamorphism of the TTG gneisses was 522-612℃.Based on these data,the protolith of the TTG gneisses is inferred to have formed during the development of a Mesoarchean paleocontinent that is now widely exposed as a TTG gneiss belt(mostly lower amphibolite facies) in the Maevatanana area,and which records a geological evolution related to the subduction of an ancient oceanic crust and the collision of microcontinents during the formation of the Rodinia supercontinent.The lithological similarity of Precambrian basement,the close ages of metamorphism within greenstone belts and the comparable distribution of metamorphic grade all show a pronounced Precambrian geology similarity between Madagascar and India,which can provide significative clues in understanding the possible Precambrian Supercontinent tectonics,and also important constraints on the correlation of the two continental fragments.     

Measurement of Metallogenic Depth and Deep Second Enrichment Belt Forecasting in Jiaodong Gold Deposit

The depth is important for ore finding in Jiaodong gold deposit. However, many geologis tsare still discussing how to confirm the depth for the tectonic and metallogenesis formation. The authors of this paper propose a new method—the correction of metallogenic depth via its structure to calculate the depth. This method, based on the crust rock in a solid stress state, emphasizes the elastic pattern rather than the static-fluid pattern. In addition, this method is more appropriate to the actual situation in the crust than the method of weight/special weight. The authors of this paper illustrating, with the Jiaodong gold deposit as an example, the metallogenic depth correction via structure conclude that the depth of the most deposits, lower than 4-6 km, is often 2.5 kin. Therefore, the authors suggest that there exists a second enrichment belt and that ore resources are more potential at the belt of Jiaodong area. These results have been demonstrated by years of exploration.     

远硅质建造磷块岩微相研究

The two phosphatic formations distributed in Yunan-Guizhon-Sichuan(Lower Cambrian)and Hubci-Hunan-Guizhou(Late Sinian)which were originally thought to be terrestrial carbonate deposits should be regarded as tele-siloceous formation in character as is evidenced by regional formation sequence patterns. The implications of this observation arc discussed with respect to tectonic and prospecting for P,I, and other base metals. In the light of detailed investigation on mierophase composition microphase Zoning and those features concerning depositional environment and geochemistry a mechanism of phosphate accumulation is proposed with special reference to the role of dynamic chemistry, F, palaeotectonics and palaeoelimatology. It is pointed out by the author that the proposal of chemical deposition suggested by A. V.Kazakov is in conflict with the model of microphase zonation and formation sequence patterns. The relationship is also dealt with between the ratios of CO2/P2O5 and F/P2O5 on the one hand and the mechanism of phosphate accumulation on the other.     

Geochemical Characteristic of Charnockites in North Margin of North China Craton: Indicating the Significiant of the Neoarchean Tecnotic Event

The Neoarchean charnockites of North margain of North China Craton(NCC) has become a hot topic into understanding the Early Precambrian basement. Although there is a broad consensus that charnockite is usually related to granulite facies metamorphism, whether its petrogenesis and tectonics characteristics remains controversial. Inclusions within hypersthene and garnet in charnockite are used to identify the peak granulite facies mineral assemblage, with the formation of Magnesian–charnockite attributed to anatexis of the protolith associated with this granulite facies metamorphism. The distribution of major and trace elements in charnockite is very uneven, significant depleted in LILEs(eg. Cs, U, Th) and HFSEs(eg. Nb, Ta, P and Ti), riched in Sr. Raising to the coexistence of Eu–enrichment and Eu–depletion type of REE patterns that influenced by the content of plagioclase and the remnants minerals of zircon and apatite. Comparative the petrography, geochemistry and geochronology data of Magnesian–charnockite indicate that the ratios of mafic pellites and basalts involved in anatectic melting are different by the upwelling of mantle magma, also resulting in the Eu anormals characteristics. The formation of the Magnesian–charnockite is closely connected with the subduction of the NCC oceanic crust(About ～2.5 Ga). However, Ferroan–charnockite may be the formed by the crystallization differentiation of the upwelling of mantle–derived shoshonitic magma(About ～2.45 Ga), with the lower crust material addition.     

Cascaded Evolution of Mantle Plumes and Metallogenesis of Core- and Mantle-derived Elements

Mineral deposits are unevenly distributed in the Earth's crust, which is closely related to the formation and evolution of the Earth. In the early history of the Earth, controlled by the gravitational contraction and thermal expansion, lighter elements, such as radioactive, halogen-family, rare and rare earth elements and alkali metals, migrated upwards; whereas heavier elements, such as iron-family and platinum-family elements, base metals and noble metals, had a tendency of sinking to the Earth's core, so that the elements iron, nickel, gold and silver are mainly concentrated in the Earth's core. However, during the formation of the stratified structure of the Earth, the existence of temperature, pressure and viscosity differences inside and outside the Earth resulted in vertical material movement manifested mainly by cascaded evolution of mantle plumes in the Earth. The stratifications and vertical movement of the Earth were interdependent and constituted the motive force of the mantle-core movement.     

Continental- Margin Structure of Northeast China and Its Adjacent Areas

The continental margin of Northeast China and its adjacent areas is composed of two tectonic belts. The inner belt is a collage made up of fragments resulting from breakup of an old land with the north part related to the evolution of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean and the south part to the evolution of the Palaeo - Pacific Ocean. The outer belt is a Mesozoic terrane, which is a melange made up of fragments of the Late Palaeozoic to Early Mesozoic oceanic crust and the Late M esozoic trench accumulations.There existed another ocean-the Palaeo - Pacific Ocean during the period from the closing of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean to the opening of the modern Pacific Ocean or from the Devonian to Jurassic, and the ocean-floor spreading of the Palaeo - Pacific Ocean led to the formation of the above-mentioned tectonic belts. The development of the strike-slip fault system after the Late Jurassic and the formation of an epicontinental volcano -plutonic rock belt in the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary are attributed to the i     

Sedimentary Features and Implications for the Precambrian Non-stromatolitic Carbonate Succession: A Case Study of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou Section in Yanqing County of Beijing

In the long Precambrian period, stromatolitic carbonate successions were very common. However, the non-stromatolitic carbonate succession that is marked by subtidal deposits shows a sharp contrast to the stromatolitic carbonate succession. Both the non-stromatolitic and the stromatolitic carbonate successions are important clues for the further understanding of the evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian. The Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou section in northwestern suburb of Beijing is a set of more than 1000 m-thick carbonate strata that can be divided into four members （or subformations）, in which a non-stromatolitic carbonate succession marked by the scarcity of stromatolites makes up the third member of the formation. This non-stromatolitic carbonate succession can further be subdivided into three third-order sequences that are marked by the regular succession of sedimentary facies. In third-order sequences, a lot of subtidal carbonate meter-scale cycles made up of medium-bedded leiolite limestones and thin-bedded marls constitute their transgressive system tracts （TSTs） and the early high-stand system tracts （EHSTs）, a lot of meter- scale cycles made up by thin-bedded limestones and marls constitute their condensed sections （CSs）, and thick-bedded to massive dolomitic limestones or lime dolomites make up the late high-stand system tracts （LHSTs）. The particularly non-stromatolitic carbonate succession making up the third member of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou section might be the representative of the non-stromatolitic carbonate succession of the Precambrian because of its special lithological features and particular sedimentary structures, and its general sedimentary features are helpful and meaningful for the further understanding of the evolution rules of the sophisticate and evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian. The time scale of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation is deduced as that from 1600 Ma to 1400 Ma; thus, the non-stromatolitic     

Geochemical Characteristics of Wuyang Siliceous Rocks in the Southern Margin of North China Craton and its Constraint on the Formation Environment of BIF of Tieshanmiao Formation

Precambrian banded iron formation(BIF) is one of the most important mineral resources in China, mostly abundant in the North China Craton(NCC) with relatively less common in South China. Since the BIF and siliceous rocks both originated from chemical deposition, the syngenetic BIF and Siliceous rocks can help evaluate their environment of formation. We examine here the mineralogy and geochemistry of siliceous rocks associated with the Tieshanmiao Formation BIF, aiming to decipher the conditions of formation of both BIF and Siliceous rocks in the Wuyang area in the NCC. Analysis of the geochemical characteristics of whole rock shows that the Si O2 content of the siliceous rock ranges from 90.11% to 94.85% and is relatively high overall. Trace element contents of Ba and U are also high, the Ba/Sr ratio ranges from 3.89 to 25.28 and the U/Th ratio ranges from 0.09 to 0.20. Finally, the ΣREE value of rare earth elements ranges from 57.03 ppm to 152.59 ppm, and these indexes all indicate that siliceous rock resulted from hydrothermal deposition. Plots of Al2 O3-Si O2, Si O2/(K2 O+Na2 O)-Mn O2/Ti O2 and Mn-10×(Cu+Co+Ni)-Fe in discrimination diagrams also verify this interpretation. However, both the Mg O content, ranging from 0.16 to 0.32, and the Fe/Ti ratio, ranging from 2.50 to 9.72, suggest that terrigenous material was added during the depositional process. Major and trace element parameters of siliceous rock, such as the Al/(A1+Fe+Mn) ratio(from 0.81 to 0.93), Mn O/Ti O2(from 0.00 to 0.17), Al/(Al+Fe)(from 0.82 to 0.93), Sc/Th ratio(from 0.21 to 0.50), U/Th(from 0.09 to 0.20),(La/Yb)N(from 0.83 to 3.04), and the(La/Ce)N(from 0.01 to 0.02) all imply that the siliceous rock formed in a continental margin. In addition, the Sr/Ba ratio from 0.08 to 0.26, the δCe value from 0.31 to 0.90, and the δEu value from 0.14 to 0.58, all indicate that the siliceous rock was formed at a relatively deeper water depth and under weak hydrodynamic conditions. Siliceous rock and BIF formed in the same geological setting, with the Si O2/(K2 O+Na2 O) ratio of siliceous rock ranging from 28.61 to 47.43, the Si O2/Al2 O3 ratio from 16.53 to 32.37, and the Si O2/Mg O ratio from 287.28 to 592.81, which are all in agreement with chemical deposition associated with volcanic eruptions. The Al2 O3/Ti O2 ratio from 37.82 to 50.30 indicates that the magma source of siliceous rock was of slightly intermediate composition. During the Late Archean in the Wuyang area, the high concentration and high purity Si O2 quickly precipitated from hydrothermal fluids to finally result in the accumulation of siliceous rock in a marginal sea, while the input corresponding to iron formation components was deposited to form iron formation layers, and limestone was only the product formed during the deposition intervals of siliceous rock and iron formations. In this study, the synsedimentary siliceous rocks of BIF act as a new way to provide direct evidence to understand the formation environment of BIF due to its high geochemical stability.     

Geochemistry and Genesis of Iron-apatite Ore in the Khanlogh Deposit, Eastern Cenozoic Quchan-Sabzevar Magmatic Arc, NE Iran

The Khanlogh deposit in the Cenozoic Quchan-Sabzevar magmatic belt, NE Iran, is hosted by Oligocene granodioritic rock. The Khanlogh intrusive body is I-type granitoid of the calc-alkaline series. The orebodies are vein, veinlet, massive, and breccia in shape and occur along the fault zones and fractures within the host rock. Ore minerals dominantly comprise magnetite and apatite associated with epidote, clinopyroxene, calcite, quartz, and chlorite. Apatites of the Khanlogh deposit have a high concentration of REE, and show a strong LREE/HREE ratio with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly. Magnetites have a high concentration of REE and show weak to moderate LREE/HREE fractionation. They are comparable to the REE patterns in Kiruna-type iron ores and show an affinity to calc-alkaline magmas. The Khanlogh deposit is similar in the aspects of host rock lithology, alteration, mineralogy, and mineral chemistry to the Kiruna-type deposits. Field observations, hydrothermal alteration halos, style of mineralization, and the geochemical characteristics of apatite, magnetite, and host rock indicate that these magnetite veins have hydrothermal origin similar to Cenozoic Kiruna-type deposits within the Tarom subzone, NW Iran, and are not related to silica-iron oxide immiscibility, as are the major Precambrian magnetite deposits in central Iran.     

Final Closure Time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean: Implication from the Provenance Transformation from the Yangjiagou Formation to Lujiatun Formation in the Jiutai Area,NE China

The Jiutai area is tectonically situated at the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB) and is close to the North China Craton(NCC) to the south, serving as an ideal place to investigations of the closure of the PaleoAsian Ocean(PAO). Sandstone samples collected from the Yangjiagou Formation and the Lujiatun Formation in this area have been studied in detail in terms of petrology, geochronology and geochemistry. The maximum depositional time of the Yangjiagou and Lujiatun formations has been constrained to early Middle Triassic(ca. 245 Ma) and middle Late Triassic(ca. 219 Ma), respectively. The Yangjiagou Formation, with a major provenance of dissected island arcs, is dominantly composed of Phanerozoic sediments from Northeastern China(NE China) massifs. The Lujiatun Formation, with major sediments from active continental margins, has a relatively larger proportion of Precambrian sediments, in which the ～1.85 Ga and ～2.5 Ga sediments are typical of the crystalline basements of the NCC and NE China massifs, which were uplifted and eroded during the closure of the PAO. Besides, both formations show the enrichment in LREEs and the depletion in HREEs, the common Eu negative anomalies, and trace element contents similar to that of the upper continental crust. Based on the provenance analysis of these two formations, the final closure time of the PAO in this area is constrained as from the early Middle Triassic(ca. 245 Ma) to the middle Late Triassic(ca. 219 Ma).