Geochronology and geochemistry of metamorphic rocks in the Jiaobei terrane: Constraints on its tectonic affinity in the Sulu orogen

Tectonic affinity of tectono-lithological units close to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt is a key issue for understanding the geodynamics of continental collision. This is particularly so for the Jiaobei terrane northeast of the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt in China. New data from LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating, whole-rock elements and Nd–Sr isotopes, and mineral O isotopes are presented for metamorphic rocks from this terrane. The results place geochronological and geochemical constraints on their protolith nature and metamorphic timing and thus on its tectonic affinity to one of the two Triassic collided continents, the North and the South China Blocks. Protolith ages for TTG gneiss, amphibolite and mafic granulite are ～2.7, ～2.5 and ～2.4 Ga, respectively; regional metamorphism took place extensively at ～1.76 Ga. Protolith of the TTG gneiss was generated by partial melting of mantle-derived rocks at the root of a thickened crust. Protolith of the amphibolite was probably a product of arc-like magmatism; protolith of the mafic granulite was derived from a depleted mantle source. Both of them were locally contaminated by supracrustal materials. Protoliths of paragneiss and schist in the Fenzishan Group were mostly derived from supracrustal sources, but protolith of amphibolite in the Fenzishan Group is of mantle-derived signature. Unlike the UHP metaigneous rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt that show unusual ¹⁸O-depletion, the Jiaobei metamorphic rocks have basically preserved their original mantle-like O isotope compositions. In general, the nature and timing of geological events recorded in the metamorphic rocks from the Jiaobei terrane are comparable with those from the North China Block rather than the South China Block. Thus, the Jiaobei terrane is concluded to have tectonic affinity to the former, but behave like a micro-continent during the Triassic continental collision. The ～1.76 Ga regional metamorphism in the Jiaobei terrane is likely related to reworking of the arc-continent collisional orogen in the periphery of the North China Block rather than the ～1.85 Ga collision event between the eastern and western North China Blocks. The present study lends support to the common assumption that the suture boundary between the North and South China Blocks in the Sulu orogen is located along the Wulian-Yantai fault. Tectonic mingling along the Wulian-Yantai fault is probably related to subduction erosion during the continental collision.