Geochronology and geochemistry of Permo-Triassic sandstones in eastern Jilin Province (NE China): Implications for final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

In the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in northeastern (NE) China, scattered outcrops of molasse deposits mark the ending of an orogeny and are crucial for understanding the evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). However, the timing of tectonic events and the relationships among these strata remain controversial. To better constrain these geologic events, a comprehensive study of the detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the sandstones of the Kaishantun (KST) Formation and Kedao (KD) Group in eastern Jilin Province, NE China, was conducted. The KST Formation is traditionally considered a molasse deposit. The sandstones display low CIA, PIA and high ICV values and low Th/U and Rb/Sr ratios, which suggest that the rocks were derived from an immature intermediate-felsic igneous source and experienced a simple sedimentary recycling history with relatively weak chemical weathering. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from two samples of the KST Formation yields ages of 748–252 Ma, suggesting that the KST Formation was deposited between 254.5 Ma and 252 Ma in Late Permian. The zircons were mainly derived from the continental northern part of the North China Craton (NCC). In contrast, the U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from five samples of the KD Group yields ages of 2611–230 Ma, suggesting that the KD samples were deposited in the Early to Middle Triassic (ca. 248–233 Ma). The detrital zircon ages for the KD samples can be divided into groups with peaks at 2.5 Ga, 1.8 Ga, 800–1000 Ma, 500 Ma and 440–360 Ma, which suggest that the samples were derived from bidirectional provenances in the Jiamusi-Khanka Block and the NCC. These new data, combined with previously published results, suggest that at least three orogenic events occurred in central-eastern Jilin Province during the Early Permian (270–262 Ma), Early Triassic (254–248 Ma) and Middle–Late Triassic (242–227 Ma). The final closure of the PAO occurred during 242–227 Ma in the Middle–Late Triassic along the Changchun-Yanji suture zone. The detrital zircon geochronological data clearly record plate convergence and the scissor-like closure of the PAO in the eastern CAOB.     

松潘-甘孜褶皱带南部上三叠统物源及构造抬升:碎屑锆石年代学和Hf同位素证据

碎屑锆石年代学不但能够限定地层沉积开始的最大时限,还能为示踪沉积物源区提供关键信息。中国西南部的松潘-甘孜褶皱带广泛出露一套巨厚的三叠纪复理石沉积,其物源区和可能存在的同期抬升与剥蚀历史并未得到很好约束。本文获得的松潘-甘孜褶皱带南部雅江地区上三叠统四套地层（由老至新分别为侏倭组、新都桥组、两河口组和雅江组）5件砂岩样品的碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄和锆石Hf同位素数据表明,最年轻锆石年龄指示侏倭组从~229Ma后开始沉积,新都桥组则从~223Ma后开始沉积。碎屑锆石年龄频谱图显示四套地层都具有中奥陶世-早泥盆世（465~398Ma）和中二叠世-晚三叠世（271~225Ma）的年龄峰。除两河口组外的其他三套地层还具有较强的古元古代（1.90~1.86Ga）和新元古代（872~712Ma）的年龄峰。锆石Hf同位素显示松潘-甘孜褶皱带南部上三叠统小于300Ma的锆石颗粒主要来自峨眉山大火成岩省和义敦岩浆弧。本文物源区示踪结果表明,华南板块和义敦地体可能为松潘-甘孜褶皱带南部地层的主要物源区。晚三叠世由于周缘地体的强烈汇聚,松潘-甘孜褶皱带在小于~18Myr的时间内经历了快速的隆升和剥蚀作用,剥蚀产生的碎屑物质被搬运至四川盆地的西缘再沉积。     

华北克拉通南缘太古宙地壳生长和再造:登封地区五指岭组碎屑锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素制约

对登封地区嵩山群五指岭组二云石英片岩和石英岩中碎屑锆石进行了LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学和原位Hf同位素分析,为探讨华北克拉通南缘太古宙地壳生长和再造提供了制约。结果显示,碎屑锆石多数呈自形–半自形,发育振荡生长环带,结合相对高的Th/U比值(0.07~1.87),暗示它们多数为岩浆成因。二云石英片岩和石英岩中碎屑锆石具有类似的年龄和Hf同位素组成,它们的207Pb/206Pb谐和年龄分别介于2879~2027 Ma和3346~1903 Ma之间,峰期年龄分别为2524 Ma和2528 Ma。~2.5 Ga锆石的εHf(t)值多数为正值,介于+0.10~+9.22之间,tDM2C变化于3028~2453 Ma之间,4颗碎屑锆石的εHf(t)值为负值,变化于-1.68~-0.03之间,tDM2C介于3132~3032 Ma之间。根据上述结果并结合相邻地区的相关研究资料,表明嵩山群沉积于古元古代晚期,五指岭组中碎屑锆石的物源主要为华北克拉通南缘~2.5 Ga具有新生地壳属性的结晶基底物质。华北克拉通南缘存在中–新太古代时期的地壳生长,同时发育中太古代古老地壳物质的再造。     

Sedimentary response to the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic

With the aim of constraining the influence of the surrounding plates on the Late Paleozoic–Mesozoic paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton (NCC), we undertook new U–Pb and Hf isotope data for detrital zircons obtained from ten samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic sediments in the Luoyang Basin and Dengfeng area. Samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic strata were obtained from the Taiyuan, Xiashihezi, Shangshihezi, Shiqianfeng, Ermaying, Shangyoufangzhuang, Upper Jurassic unnamed, and Lower Cretaceous unnamed formations (from oldest to youngest). On the basis of the youngest zircon ages, combined with the age-diagnostic fossils, and volcanic interlayer, we propose that the Taiyuan Formation (youngest zircon age of 439 Ma) formed during the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, the Xiashihezi Formation (276 Ma) during the Early Permian, the Shangshihezi (376 Ma) and Shiqianfeng (279 Ma) formations during the Middle–Late Permian, the Ermaying Group (232 Ma) and Shangyoufangzhuang Formation (230 and 210 Ma) during the Late Triassic, the Jurassic unnamed formation (154 Ma) during the Late Jurassic, and the Cretaceous unnamed formation (158 Ma) during the Early Cretaceous. These results, together with previously published data, indicate that: (1) Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sandstones were sourced from the Northern Qinling Orogen (NQO); (2) Lower Permian sandstones were formed mainly from material derived from the Yinshan–Yanshan Orogenic Belt (YYOB) on the northern margin of the NCC with only minor material from the NQO; (3) Middle–Upper Permian sandstones were derived primarily from the NQO, with only a small contribution from the YYOB; (4) Upper Triassic sandstones were sourced mainly from the YYOB and contain only minor amounts of material from the NQO; (5) Upper Jurassic sandstones were derived from material sourced from the NQO; and (6) Lower Cretaceous conglomerate was formed mainly from recycled earlier detritus.The provenance shift in the Upper Carboniferous–Mesozoic sediments within the study area indicates that the YYOB was strongly uplifted twice, first in relation to subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate beneath the northern margin of the NCC during the Early Permian, and subsequently in relation to collision between the southern Mongolian Plate and the northern margin of the NCC during the Late Triassic. The three episodes of tectonic uplift of the NQO were probably related to collision between the North and South Qinling terranes, northward subduction of the Mianlue Ocean Plate, and collision between the Yangtze Craton and the southern margin of the NCC during the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian, Middle–Late Permian, and Late Jurassic, respectively. The southern margin of the central NCC was rapidly uplifted and eroded during the Early Cretaceous.     

Decoding Provenance and Tectonothermal Events by Detrital Zircon Fission‐Track and U‐Pb Double Dating: A Case of the Southern Ordos Basin

Multi-dating on the same detrital grains allows for determining multiple different geo-thermochronological ages simultaneously and thus could provide more details about regional tectonics. In this paper, we carried out detrital zircon fission-track and U-Pb double dating on the Permian-Middle Triassic sediments from the southern Ordos Basin to decipher the tectonic information archived in the sediments of intracratonic basins. The detrital zircon U-Pb ages and fission-track ages, together with lag time analyses, indicate that the Permian-Middle Triassic sediments in the southern Ordos Basin are characterized by multiple provenances. The crystalline basement of the North China Craton (NCC) and recycled materials from pre-Permian sediments that were ultimately sourced from the basement of the NCC are the primary provenance, while the Permian magmatites in the northern margin of NCC and Early Paleozoic crystalline rocks in Qinling Orogenic Collage act as minor provenance. In addition, the detrital zircon fission-track age peaks reveal four major tectonothermal events, including the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic post-depositional tectonothermal event and three other tectonothermal events associated with source terrains. The Late Triassic-Early Jurassic (225–179 Ma) tectonothermal event was closely related to the upwelling of deep material and energy beneath the southwestern Ordos Basin due to the coeval northward subduction of the Yangze Block and the following collision of the Yangze Block and the NCC. The Mid-Late Permian (275–263 Ma) tectonothermal event was associated with coeval denudation in the northern part of the NCC and North Qinling terrane, resulting from the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and Tethys Ocean toward the NCC. The Late Devonian-early Late Carboniferous (348±33 Ma) tectonothermal event corresponded the long-term denudation in the hinterland and periphery of the NCC because of the arc-continent collisions in the northern and southern margins of the NCC. The Late Neoproterozoic (813–565 Ma) tectonothermal event was associated with formation of the Great Unconformity within the NCC and may be causally related to the Rodinia supercontinent breakup driven by a large-scale mantle upwelling.     

Provenance of sediments from Mesozoic basins in western Shandong: Implications for the evolution of the eastern North China Block

This paper reports LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dates and in situ Hf isotope analyses of detrital zircons from the Mesozoic basins in western Shandong, China, with the aim to constrain the depositional ages and provenances of the Mesozoic strata as well as the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern North China Block (NCB). The Mesozoic strata in western Shandong, from bottom to top, include the Fenghuangshan, Fangzi, Santai and Wennan formations. Most of the analyzed zircon grains exhibit oscillatory growth zoning and have relatively high Th/U ratios (generally 0.2–3.4), suggesting a magmatic origin. Zircons from the Fenghuangshan Formation in the Zhoucun Basin yield six main age populations (2489, 1854, 331, 305, 282, and 247 Ma). Zircons from the Fangzi Formation in the Zhoucun and Mengyin basins yield eight main age populations (2494, 1844, 927, 465, 323, 273, 223, and 159 Ma) and ten main age populations (2498, 1847, 932, 808, 540, 431, 315, 282, 227, and 175 Ma), respectively, whereas zircons from the Santai Formation in the Zhoucun and Mengyin basins yield nine main age populations (2519, 1845, 433, 325, 271, 237, 192, 161, and 146 Ma) and six main age populations (2464, 1845, 853, 277, 191, and 150 Ma), respectively. Five main age populations (2558, 1330, 609, 181, and 136 Ma) are detected for zircons from the Wennan Formation in the Pingyi Basin. Based on the youngest age, together with the contact relationships among formations, we propose that the Fenghuangshan Formation formed in the Early–Middle Triassic, the Fangzi Formation in the Middle–Late Jurassic, the Santai Formation after the Late Jurassic, and the Wennan Formation after the Early Cretaceous. These results, together with previously published data, indicate that: (1) the sediments of the Fenghuangshan Formation were sourced from the Precambrian basement and from late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic igneous rocks in the northern part of the NCB; (2) the sediments of the Fangzi and Santai formations were sourced from the Precambrian basement, late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic igneous rocks in the northern part of the NCB, and the Sulu terrane, as well as from Middle–Late Jurassic igneous rocks in the southeastern part of the NCB; and (3) the Wennan Formation was sourced from the Tongshi intrusive complex, the Sulu terrane, and minor Precambrian basement and Early Cretaceous igneous rocks. The evolution of detrital provenance indicates that in the Early–Middle Triassic, the northern part of the NCB was higher than its interior; during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, the eastern NCB was uplifted, resulting in a period of non-deposition; and an important transition from a compressional to an extensional tectonic regime occurred during the Middle–Late Jurassic. The presence of Neoproterozoic and Triassic detrital zircons in the Fangzi Formation sourced from the Sulu terrane suggests that large-scale sinistral strike-slip movement along the Tan-Lu Fault Zone did not occur after the Middle Jurassic (ca. 175 Ma).     

Permian–Triassic magmatism in response to Palaeotethys subduction and pre-Late Triassic arrival of northeast Gondwana-derived continental fragments at the southern Eurasian margin: Detrital zircon evidence from Triassic sandstones of Central Iran

The closure of Palaeotethys that led to the collision of the Cimmerian blocks with the southern Eurasian margin causing the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny during the Early Mesozoic is still controversially discussed. The Triassic Nakhlak Group in Central Iran is a key sedimentary succession for better understanding the closure of Palaeotethys and the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny in the Middle East. The Nakhlak Group is composed of the Alam (Olenekian to Middle Anisian), Baqoroq (?Upper Anisian to Middle Ladinian) and Ashin (Upper Ladinian to ?Carnian) formations, which consist mainly of volcaniclastic sandstones, mixed siliciclastic conglomerates, and marine carbonates. Here we present for the first time detrital zircon UPb ages from the Nakhlak Group to unravel its provenance and constrain its palaeotectonic position within the Palaeotethyan realm. Most detrital zircons from the Nakhlak Group are euhedral and subhedral with Permian–Triassic ages (ca. 280–240 Ma) suggesting sediment supply from Permian–Triassic magmatic rocks of the Silk Road Arc. Minor zircon populations show pre-Permian Palaeozoic ages, with age peaks at ca. 320 Ma and 480 Ma, which are probably derived from the basement on which the magmatic arc developed. Neoproterozoic–latest Mesoproterozoic (ca. 550–1100 Ma) and Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 1800–2200 Ma) zircon grains are anhedral (rounded). The latter are prominent in the upper Baqoroq Formation (Middle Ladinian) suggesting recycling of older sedimentary rocks. Sandstone petrography points toward an additional metamorphic provenance for this formation. This short-lived provenance change can be explained by tectonic uplift in the source area that led to erosion of metamorphosed rocks with a northeast Gondwanan affinity. It clearly indicates that northeast Gondwana-derived continental fragments likely belonging to the Cimmerian blocks already arrived at the southern Eurasian margin in pre-Late Triassic time. Current palaeotectonic models of the closure of Palaeotethys and the Eo-Cimmerian orogeny in the Middle East during the Triassic may need to be revised.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of metasedimentary rocks from the Dongnancha Formation in the Huadian area,central Jilin Province,Northeast (NE) China: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

To constrain the tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, we conducted zircon U–Pb-Hf dating and whole-rock geochemical analyses for metasedimentary rocks from the Dongnancha Formation in the Huadian area in central Jilin Province, Northeastern (NE) China. Most detrital zircons from the metasedimentary rocks display clear oscillatory zoning and striped absorption in cathodoluminescence (CL) images and have Th/U ratios of 0.1–1.8, thus indicating a magmatic origin. U–Pb isotopic dating using LA-ICP-MS method for zircon samples from the metasedimentary rocks reveals that the depositional age can be constrained to the period between 250 and 222 Ma. Geochemical data reveal low to intermediate degrees of weathering of the source material and compositionally low to intermediate maturity. Detailed analyses of detrital zircon U–Pb-Hf geochronology and geochemistry show that these metasedimentary rocks are derived from a bidirectional provenance. The predominant derivation is from Permian–Early Triassic felsic-intermediate igneous rocks of central Jilin Province and adjacent regions in the northern margin of the North China Craton, although felsic-intermediate igneous rocks and continental material in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt from the Cambrian–Carboniferous represent additional sources and minor amounts of Paleoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic material have been input from the North China Craton. A number of geochemical indicators and tectonic discrimination diagrams collectively indicate a continental island arc-active continental margin setting for the deposition of the protoliths of the metasedimentary rocks. The results of geochemical and geochronological analyses of the provenance and tectonic setting of the metasedimentary rocks indicate that the Dongnancha Formation was likely deposited in an intermountain basin in a post-orogenic fast uplift setting, suggesting that the final closure of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Huadian area of central Jinlin Province likely occurred between the Early Triassic and Middle Triassic.     

华北克拉通南缘中-新元古代沉积演化:以豫西地区黄连垛组和董家组为例

华北克拉通(华北)南缘中元古代早期熊耳群火山活动之后,在渑池-确山地区发育了一套中-新元古代沉积(汝阳群、洛峪群、黄连垛组、董家组以及罗圈组和东坡组),记录了该时期沉积-构造演化过程。通过该区碎屑锆石和洛峪群顶部凝灰岩年龄的约束,将汝阳群-洛峪群的沉积时代基本限定于约1750～1600Ma,导致洛峪群由中元古界上部或新元古界下划到中元古界长城系。因此,在现有的地层年代格架下,需要重新对该区中-新元古代沉积演化进行讨论。本文通过对洛峪口组上覆黄连垛组和董家组沉积环境和物源分析,同时借助古生界辛集组源区分析的约束,揭示华北南缘中-新元古代沉积-构造演化。沉积环境分析显示,黄连垛组沉积初期发育了河口湾沉积环境。伴随海侵扩大,在下汤地区沉积了潮上带长石石英砂岩与泥质粉砂岩,而叶县地区发育了潮间带泥晶白云岩。晚期下汤和叶县地区发育潮下带泥晶白云岩与含硅质条带白云岩。董家组与下伏黄连垛组为平行不整合接触,董家组沉积初期为陆源碎屑物质供给充分的滨海相,在下汤和叶县地区沉积底部细砾岩及长石石英砂岩。随后,两个地区发育潮坪相长石石英砂岩与泥质粉砂岩,在顶部沉积了局限台地钙质泥岩。黄连垛组在豫西下汤和叶县地区沉积于河口湾-潮坪沉积环境,整体表现为自南向北的海进序列,而董家组总体上沉积于局限海盆的滨浅海-潮坪环境。由于下伏汝阳群-洛峪群分别沉积在河流-滨海-潮坪和浅海-滨海-潮坪环境,黄连垛组和董家组指示其沉积时期盆地产生收缩。碎屑锆石定年结果显示,黄连垛组和董家组碎屑锆石年龄主要峰值为1800Ma、2250Ma、2350Ma、2650Ma,两者物源均为华北克拉通。但下汤地区早古生界辛集组碎屑锆石显示主要峰值年龄为1850Ma、2500Ma、2200Ma、2700Ma,其次为1200Ma。结合华北克拉通发育大量的中元古代末期到新元古代碎屑锆石以及南缘中元古界官道口群和新元古界栾川群沉积特征,黄连垛组和董家组代表的局限盆地(海盆)沉积可能构成了该时期盆地的边缘相,期间伴随的抬升和盆地中心迁移可能与同期大地构造演化密切相关。     

闽西南晚三叠世文宾山组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄及地质意义

日益增多的资料表明中国东南沿海并不是后加里东地台,而是由不同地块拼贴而成。闽西南晚三叠世文宾山组具有类磨拉石沉积特征,其盆地沉积物碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄信息,可以为了解盆地源区组成及其变化及区域构造演变过程研究提供约束。闽西南晚三叠世文宾山组碎屑锆石形态学及U-Pb测年分析表明：(1)晚三叠世文宾山组物源复杂,其主要源区是闽西北隆起带;(2)闽西南晚三叠世具有大于2 500 Ma的太古宙的源区,华夏古陆可能存在太古宙陆核或东南沿海还存在另一古老基底;(3)980~1 190 Ma的碎屑锆石说明晚三叠世闽西南具有Grenville期物质来源,它们可能来自另外一个陆块,由于印支期古特提斯洋关闭与华夏地块拼接,并为晚三叠世盆地提供物源;(4)区内印支期岩浆岩带也是晚三叠世沉积的重要物源区。      

Geochronology and geochemistry of early Mesozoic magmatism in the northeastern North China Craton: Implications for tectonic evolution

This paper reports geochronological, geochemical, zircon U–Pb and Hf–O isotopic data of the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic intrusive rocks in the northeastern North China Craton (NCC), with the aim of reconstructing the tectonic evolution and constraining the spatial–temporal extent of multiple tectonic regimes during the early Mesozoic. Zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the early Mesozoic magmatism in the northeastern NCC can be subdivided into two stages: Late Triassic (221–219 Ma) and Early Jurassic (180–177 Ma). Late Triassic magmatism produced mainly granodiorite and monzogranite, which occur as a NE–SW-trending belt parallel to the Sulu–Jingji Belt. Geochemically, they are classified as high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous granitoids, and are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depleted in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, and P) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), indicating an affinity to adakite. Combined with their ε_Hf(t) values (−17.9 to −3.2) and two-stage model ages (2387–1459 Ma), we conclude that the Late Triassic granitoid magma in the northeastern NCC was derived from partial melting of the thickened lower crust of the NCC and was related to deep subduction and collision between the NCC and the Yangtze Craton (YC). The Early Jurassic magmatism is composed mainly of monzogranites, which are classified as metaluminous, high-K calc-alkaline, and I-type granite. Their ε_Hf(t) values and two-stage model ages are −16.7 to −4.2 and 2282–1491 Ma, respectively. Compared with the Late Triassic granitoids, the Early Jurassic granitoids have relatively high HREE contents, similar to calc-alkaline igneous rocks in an active continental margin setting. These Early Jurassic granitoids, together with the coeval calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and gabbro–diorite–granodiorite association in the northeastern (NE) Asian continental margin, comprise a NNE–SSW-trending belt parallel to the NE Asian continental margin, indicative of the onset of Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction beneath Eurasia.     

Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt in NE China

The eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in NE China is a key area for investigating continental growth. However, the complexity of its Paleozoic geological history has meant that the tectonic development of this belt is not fully understood. NE China is composed of the Erguna and Jiamusi blocks in the northern and eastern parts and the Xing’an and Songliao-Xilinhot accretionary terranes in the central and southern parts. The Erguna and Jiamusi blocks have Precambrian basements with Siberia and Gondwana affinities, respectively. In contrast, the Xing ’an and Songliao-Xilinhot accretionary terranes were formed via subduction and collision processes. These blocks and terranes were separated by the Xinlin-Xiguitu, Heilongjiang, Nenjiang, and Solonker oceans from north to south, and these oceans closed during the Cambrian (ca. 500 Ma), Late Silurian (ca. 420 Ma), early Late Carboniferous (ca. 320 Ma), and Late Permian to Middle Triassic (260 –240 Ma), respectively, forming the Xinlin-Xiguitu, Mudanjiang-Yilan, Hegenshan-Heihe, Solonker-Linxi, and Changchun-Yanji suture zones. Two oceanic tectonic cycles took place in the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO), namely, the Early Paleozoic cycle involving the Xinlin-Xiguitu and Heilongjiang oceans and the late Paleozoic cycle involving the Nenjiang-Solonker oceans. The Paleozoic tectonic pattern of the eastern CAOB generally shows structural features that trend east-west. The timing of accretion and collision events of the eastern CAOB during the Paleozoic youngs progressively from north to south. The branch ocean basins of the eastern PAO closed from west to east in a scissor-like manner. A bi-directional subduction regime dominated during the narrowing and closure process of the eastern PAO, which led to “soft collision” of tectonic units on each side, forming huge accretionary orogenic belts in central Asia.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

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.     

中亚造山带东段晚古生代伸展构造环境的证据:内蒙古双井地区哲斯组沉积学及年代学研究

本研究从沉积学与年代学角度切入,聚焦于中亚造山带东段晚古生代末期的演化历史。以内蒙古双井地区中二叠统哲斯组陆源粗碎屑沉积岩为研究对象,利用沉积剖面实测、岩相古地理分析及锆石年代学测试等方法,厘定其沉积时限与沉积构造环境,以探讨晚古生代末期中亚造山带东段的构造演化历史。来自哲斯组的2个砂岩样品的最年轻谐和锆石组的谐和年龄分别258. 1±1. 9Ma与261. 6±1. 7Ma,在误差范围内相等,限定了研究区内哲斯组地层的最大沉积年龄约为260Ma,处于中二叠世末的Capitanian期;其主要物质来源包括华北板块太古代至早元古代的结晶基底、华北板块北缘早古生代陆缘弧及中-晚泥盆世西别河组。碎屑锆石年代学与沉积学研究表明,研究区内哲斯组所处沉积盆地类型为伸展构造环境下的裂谷盆地,早期具有短时间内快速充填巨厚层粗碎屑沉积的补偿盆地特征,并伴有活跃的同沉积火山与构造活动,发育近岸水下扇相沉积;晚期逐渐转变为过补偿盆地,发育陆相干旱型冲积扇相沉积;表现出沉积环境由海相变为陆相、碎屑物供应充足且近源低成熟度碎屑增多的盆地充填过程。根据沉积相组合及展布、沉积年龄与碎屑锆石主要结晶年龄间隔等特征,结合研究区存在双峰式火山岩及碱性岩带等证据,哲斯组应代表晚古生代末期的裂谷盆地沉积。上述研究提供了中亚造山带东段二叠纪发生陆内伸展过程的证据。     

Provenances of the Mesozoic sediments in the Ordos Basin and implications for collision between the North China Craton (NCC) and the South China Craton (SCC)

To constrain the provenance of the Ordos Basin and the evolution history of the Qinling Orogen Belt from the Triassic to the Jurassic, 10 samples from the Dongsheng area and 28 samples from the Yan’an area were analyzed for U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd isotopic compositions. The results indicate that Middle Jurassic sediments in the Dongsheng area were derived from the Khondalite Belt, Langshan Mountain and the Yinshan Terrane. Mesozoic sediments in the Yan’an area consist of two parts. One part is derived from the North China Craton (NCC), which has U–Pb age groups of ∼1.8 Ga and ∼2.5 Ga, and Hf model ages of ∼2.8 Ga. The other part is derived from the Qilian–Qinling Orogenic Belt, which has U–Pb age groups of 600–1500 Ma and 100–500 Ma, and Nd and Hf isotopic model ages of less than 2.2 Ga. Combining the U–Pb ages with the Hf and Nd isotopic model ages, Mesozoic detrital zircons with U–Pb age groups of ∼1.8 Ga and ∼2.5 Ga in the Yan’an area are found to also be derived from the Khondalite Belt, Langshan Mountain and the Yinshan Terrane, not from the Trans-China Orogen Belt. From the late–Late Triassic sediments of the Yan’an area, the low average values of the Hf (2.03 Ga) and Nd (2.03 Ga) model ages and the characteristic age population of 600–1500 Ma reveal that the main collision or continental subduction between the NCC and the South China Craton (SCC) occurred in the late–Late Triassic. After the main collision or continental subduction, the proportion of sediments from the Qinling–Qilian Orogenic Belt began to decrease (recorded in the early Jurassic samples), which may be in response to the gradual slowing of the uplift speed of the Qinling Orogenic Belt. In the early-middle Jurassic, the sediments have a main U–Pb age population of 100–500 Ma, low detrital zircon Hf model ages (average value is 1.17 Ga) and low whole rock Nd model ages (average value is 1.13 Ga), which suggests that the Qilian–Qinling Orogenic Belt may have a fast uplift history in the early-middle Jurassic.     

河北怀来龙凤山青白口系长龙山组碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄及其构造古地理意义

河北怀来龙凤山地区青白口系长龙山组(或称骆驼岭组)因发现"龙凤山生物群"而备受关注。本文报道了龙凤山西坡剖面长龙山组中部临近"龙凤山生物群"化石产出层位之下的粉砂岩中碎屑锆石的LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄。其年龄分布于1573~2931 Ma之间,碎屑锆石年龄谱存在一个明显的峰值,峰值年龄为~1.85Ga,此外还有其它若干次级峰值年龄,分别响应了华北克拉通主要的前寒武纪若干地质事件。年龄主峰(~1.85Ga)记录了华北克拉通东、西两大陆块的碰撞拼合事件,~2.6Ga(2.603Ga和2.556Ga)和~2.9Ga(2.935Ga)峰值年龄对应了华北克拉通重要的陆壳生长时间,前者对应了华北克拉通东部地壳生长的最高峰。介于2.4~2.0Ga(2.07Ga、2.177Ga、2.228Ga、2.286Ga、2.324Ga和2.388Ga)的次级峰值年龄代表了华北克拉通经历的陆内拉伸-裂谷事件。~1.6Ga(1.580Ga)峰值年龄是大红峪的岩浆事件的反映,大致对应于Columbia超大陆裂解的时间。缺失广布华北克拉通的~2.5Ga事件可能是由于长龙山期海侵超覆沉积使得~2.5Ga的露头被普遍覆盖所致。参照长龙山组下伏地层下马岭组报道的斑脱岩年龄,本文测得的最小谐和年龄(1.573Ga)并不能有效地约束其沉积时代的下限。对燕辽裂陷槽不同地区长龙山组或与之可对比地层的碎屑锆石年龄的对比研究表明,燕辽裂陷槽内部对上述构造事件响应存在差异,暗示了燕辽裂陷槽发育期内部古地理具有相当的复杂程度。秦皇岛柳江地区和辽东半岛青白口系长龙山组碎屑锆石年龄分布特征与燕辽裂陷槽内长龙山组存在的差异,很大程度上是受当时的古地理背景制约。     

Initial accretion of the North Qinling Terrane to the North China Craton before the Grenville orogeny: constraints from detrital zircons

Whether the North Qinling Terrane (NQT) was accreted to the North China Craton (NCC) in the Proterozoic is still a matter of debate. We report the first detrital zircon study from the Baishugou Formation, which forms the uppermost part of the Mesoproterozoic Guandaokou Group, at the southernmost NCC margin. Detrital zircons from carbonaceous silty phyllite in the lower part of the Baishugou Formation yield U–Pb ages peaking at ca. 2500 Ma, with minor peaks at ca. 2300–2000, 1800, and 1600 Ma, and εHf(t) values ranging from ?10.8 to +9.1. These zircons are considered to have been sourced from the NCC. In contrast, the middle-to-upper part of the formation contains detrital zircons which yield an age group ranging from 1800 to 1000 Ma, with peaks at 1800, 1500, 1300, and 1100 Ma; the zircons with ages of 1500–1300 Ma dominantly have εHf(t) values greater than +5 and the majority plot along the depleted mantle evolution curve. The striking difference between the U–Pb ages of the detrital zircons from the upper and lower parts of the formation suggests a shift in provenance. Magmatism at 1500–1300 Ma has not been reported from the southern margin of the NCC but has been discovered in the NQT. Hence, we deduce that the zircons from the upper part of the formation were primarily derived from the NQT, where an episode of crustal growth and magmatism is recorded between 1500 and 1100 million years. The variable sediment provenances imply that the NCC and NQT could be connected during the late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic. The pattern of detrital zircon ages in the new sediments from the Baishugou Formation is distinct from those in the Kuanping Group and the Palaeozoic Erlangping Complex, which are at present sandwiched between the NCC and the NQT. The detrital zircons from these two groups are dominated by an age peak at ca. 1000 Ma, which is formed as the result of amalgamation of the NQT and the Rodinia Supercontinent during the Grenville orogeny. It is possible that the new sediments of the Baishugou Formation were deposited before Grenville orogeny.     

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of Middle–Late Permian sedimentary rocks from the southwestern margin of the North China Craton: Implications for provenance and tectonic evolution

The southwestern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) is located between the Alxa Terrane to the northwest, the North Qilian Orogen to the west and the North Qinling Orogen to the south. However, the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution for the southwestern part of the NCC in the Late Paleozoic is still poorly constrained. In order to constrain the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southwestern NCC, we carried out detailed field work and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological research on Middle–Late Permian sedimentary rocks at the southwestern margin of the NCC. The U-Pb age spectra of detrital zircons from six samples are similar, showing four populations of 2.6–2.4 Ga, 2.0–1.7 Ga, 500–360 Ma and 350–250 Ma. Moreover, on the basis of the weighted-mean age of the youngest detrital zircons (257 ± 4 Ma), combined with the published results and volcanic interlayers, we propose that the Shangshihezi Formation formed during the Middle–Late Permian. Our results and published data indicate that the detrital zircons with age groups of 2.6–2.4 Ga and 2.0–1.7 Ga were likely derived from the Khondalite Belt and Yinshan Block in the northwestern NCC. The junction part between the North Qinling and North Qilian Orogen may provide the 500–360 Ma detrital zircons for the study area. The 350–250 Ma detrital zircons were probably derived from the northwestern part of the NCC. The majority of materials from Shangshihezi Formation within the study area were derived from the northwestern part of the NCC, indicating that the northwestern part of the NCC was strongly uplifted possibly resulting from the progressive subduction and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. A small amount of materials were sourced from southwestern part of the NCC, indicating that the North Qinling Orogen experienced a minor uplift resulting from the northward subduction of the South Qinling terrane.     

柴达木盆地北缘全吉群红藻山组凝灰岩锆石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

全吉群是不整合于柴达木北缘全吉(欧龙布鲁克)地块变质基底之上的第一套盖层型沉积,目前多数研究者认为其时代大体为新元古代晚期。本文在柴北缘全吉山的全吉群红藻山组建组剖面上,对位于该组下部的两层凝灰岩开展了LA-MC-ICPMS锆石U-Pb同位素定年研究,获得其岩浆锆石的U-Pb同位素年龄分别为(1 640±15) Ma和(1 646±20) Ma,标定了红藻山组的形成年龄,为柴北缘中新元古界年代地层的重新厘定与划分,提供了新的、直接的年代学约束,具有重要的科学意义。首先,这一新进展表明,在柴北缘地区,传统的全吉群红藻山组以下各组的时代,并非一直以来的“新元古代晚期南华纪-震旦纪(埃迪卡拉纪)”,而应属于国内的中元古代长城纪、国际上的古元古代固结纪(Statherian,1 800~1 600 Ma)晚期;其次,根据当前定年并结合新近在红藻山组与上覆地层之间发现有古风化壳及区域性不整合、全吉群上部发育有埃迪卡拉纪化石及冰碛砾岩等证据,本文进一步确认,柴北缘全吉群在红藻山组与其上覆黑土山组等地层单位之间其实存在着相当长时间的地层缺失,传统的“全吉群”应予解体。由此并参考已有资料,本文认为,早先代表柴达木地块形成的“全吉运动”并不能与华南的“晋宁运动”对比,而应与华北的“吕梁运动”相当,全吉地块乃至整个柴达木及周边地区的中、新元古代地质演化历史及其大地构造亲缘属性等,都应重新予以考虑。     

华北克拉通新太古代早期构造热事件的响应:来自左权地区ca.2.7Ga TTG片麻岩的证据

新太古代早期是全球地质历史上一个重要的地壳生长时期,世界众多克拉通中广泛存在2. 7Ga左右的岩浆年龄记录。华北克拉通最主要的岩浆事件发生在新太古代晚期,这与世界其他克拉通广泛存在～2. 7Ga的构造热事件明显不同。但全岩Nd和锆石Hf同位素研究表明,华北克拉通～2. 5Ga的岩石主体来自于中太古代晚期-新太古代早期大陆物质的重熔或再造。因此,厘定～2. 7Ga地质事件在华北克拉通的空间分布对深入理解新太古代地壳形成与演化具有重要科学意义。华北克拉通已识别出的～2. 7Ga的花岗质岩石主要分布在胶东、鲁西、武川、赞皇和太华等少数杂岩区,中部带的恒山、阜平和中条杂岩中亦有零星出露。左权变质杂岩位于中部带中南段,赞皇杂岩西南,初步地球化学和锆石年代学研究表明,该地区有多种岩石类型记录了～2. 7Ga的年龄信息,包括副片麻岩、长英质浅色体、磁铁矿角闪片麻岩和TTG片麻岩。其中,TTG片麻岩的原岩为英云闪长岩,锆石发育明显的核边结构,核部具有清晰的岩浆环带,两个不同LA-ICP-MS实验室获得的不一致线上交点年龄分别为2727±14Ma和2731±12Ma,代表了TTG岩浆岩的结晶年龄。同时,左权变质岩石中较好地保存了新太古代晚期的岩浆和变质年龄记录,推测其所代表的构造热事件与华北克拉通～2. 5Ga所经历的大规模幔源岩浆的底侵作用有关。