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.     

早古生代阿拉善地块与华北地块之间的关系:来自阿拉善东缘中奥陶统碎屑锆石的信息

阿拉善东缘奥陶纪地层位于鄂尔多斯(华北地块)与北祁连早古生代造山带之间的过渡地区,该区的构造背景一直是长期争论的问题,它涉及到阿拉善地块是否与华北地块相连、奥陶系的物源以及"贺兰拗拉槽"是否存在等问题。分布于阿拉善地块东缘的中奥陶统米钵山组的碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MSU-Pb年龄测试表明,样品中数量最多的锆石年龄为900～950Ma,Alxa-1的峰值年龄为916Ma,Alxa-2的峰值年龄为953Ma,次者在494～623Ma之间,这个区间内存在多个峰值,如Alxa-1存在505Ma和588Ma两个主要峰值,Alxa-2则存在494Ma、517Ma、623Ma等几个峰值。在2.5Ga左右两个样品都存在一个弱的峰值,Alxa-1峰值为2517Ma,而Alxa-2峰值为2552Ma和2670Ma。除此之外,两个样品都有个别大于3.0Ga的成分,Alxa-1样品中最年轻的锆石为451±8Ma,Alxa-2样品则为483±4Ma。这些年龄以及沉积特征表明:(1)传统认为的奥陶纪"贺兰拗拉槽"并不存在,鄂尔多斯西南缘地区以及阿拉善东部地区当时属于北祁连早古生代周缘前陆盆地系统;(2)早古生代主要物源来自北祁连造山带,新元古代物源来自阿拉善地块;(3)鄂尔多斯西缘整个米钵山组的锆石年龄分布及其变化,指示出北祁连造山带(岛弧)逐渐靠近阿拉善地块,其间洋盆逐渐消失的过程;(4)阿拉善地块基底与华北有明显差别,阿拉善地块明显受到新元古代和古生代构造热事件的影响,两者可能是在中奥陶世或之后才拼贴在一起。     

Late Palaeozoic tectonic setting of the southern Alxa Block,NW China: constrained by age and composition of diabase

The ages of diabase outcropping on the southern Alxa Block and in related tectonic setting are not well constrained, but are important for exploring the tectonic evolution of the southern Alxa Block. The ages of the zircons from the diabase intruding the Middle–Late Cambrian Xiangshan Group were measured using sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe II (SHRIMPII) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and the weighted mean ages of 276.8 ± 7.9 Ma and 276.2 ± 9.7 Ma were obtained, respectively. The major elements in the diabase indicate that it may belong to the tholeiitic series. With specific features of the rare earth elements (REEs) and trace elements, potentially affected by the continental crust based on the observed strong positive Pb anomaly, the diabase was produced in an intra-plate extension environment. Similar diabase/basalts were also found along the southern margin of the Alxa Block. Combined with sedimentary, palaeo-current, mafic, and felsic rocks in the southern Alxa Block, a back-arc extension environment potentially occurred in the southern Alxa Block during the Early–Middle Permian that resulted from the convergence between the North China Block (NCB) and the Yangtze Block.     

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.     

Geochronology of khondalite-series rocks of the Jining Complex: confirmation of depositional age and tectonometamorphic evolution of the North China craton

A belt of khondalite-series rocks in the Western Block of the North China craton (NCC) are considered to represent products of the collision between the north Yinshan and the south Ordos terranes before final amalgamation of the NCC basement. The Jining Complex of Inner Mongolia occurs in the eastern part of the Khondalite Belt and is crosscut by the Trans-North China Orogen. Khondalite rocks of the Jining Complex mainly comprise sillimanite-garnet gneiss, garnet/sillimanite-bearing granite, massive porphyritic granite, garnet quartzite, calc-silicate, and marble with minor felsic gneiss and mafic granulite. LA-ICP-MS, U–Pb dating and cathodoluminescence (CL) image analysis of zircons from five rocks from the complex, i.e. Sil-Bt-Grt leptynite gneiss, Spl-Sil-Ksp-Grt vein in (Crd)-Sil-Grt gneiss, Sil-Grt-K-Fsp mylonite from a shear zone, Crd-bearing Sil-Grt gneiss, and granite were used to determine protolith and metamorphic ages of the khondalite-series rocks. Results of 315 detrital zircon grains indicate five age populations: 2410–2550 Ma, 2162 Ma, 2047–2099 Ma, 1950–1993 Ma, and 1866 Ma. CL investigation reveals that zircon grains of most samples are rounded, unzoned with low Th/U, indicating a metamorphic origin, whereas quite a few grains in some rocks are characterized by magmatic oscillatory zoning and comparatively high Th/U, and are typically overgrown by metamorphic, low CL rims with low Th/U. Three samples of Sil-Bt-Grt gneiss record oldest ages of ～2550–2480 Ma, suggesting an Archaean/early Palaeoproterozoic provenance for the Jining Complex. Ages of ～2162–2047 Ma are interpreted as the metamorphic modified inherited source of supercrustal protoliths of the khondalite-series rocks. The khondalite depositional age is defined as 2228–2027 Ma by concordant ages obtained in this research. The Sil-Ksp-Grt vein and the granite have single population ages of 1985?±?28 Ma and 1957?±?19 Ma, respectively, and are inferred to record the same metamorphic event, i.e. formation of the Khondalite Belt within the Western Block owing to the collision of the north Yinshan and the south Ordos terranes. The Sil-Grt-K-Fsp mylonite yields a single group age of 1866?±?22 Ma, which may date final suturing of the Eastern Block and the Western Block and stabilization of the NCC.     

Provenance of the Permo–Carboniferous sediments in the northern Alxa and its tectonic implications for the southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt

As the southernmost segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the northern Alxa orogenic belt (NAOB) connects the southeastern and southwestern segments of the CAOB. The NAOB amalgamated with the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean; however, the closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean is still on great debate. In this study, we reported new detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf–O isotopes for the Permo–Carboniferous sediments in the northern Alxa to constrain the provenance and its tectonic implications. The Permo–Carbonifereous Amushan Formation is composed of volcanic-carbonite-clastic rocks and was deposited in a shallow marine environment. Based on the zircon U–Pb geochronology, the Amushan Formation was deposited in the late Carboniferous to early Permian, but some outcrops of volcanic and clastic rocks in the Quaganqulu area were likely formed in the middle to late Permian. The integrated zircon age spectrum for the clastic rocks shows a wide range from late Archean to Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic (with a peak age at 1458 ​Ma), early Neoproterozoic (with peak ages of 988 ​Ma and 929 ​Ma), early Paleozoic (with a peak age at 447 ​Ma) and late Paleozoic (with a peak age at 294 ​Ma). Combined with the zircon Hf–O isotopes, the provenance was considered to be the Alxa Block, the Shalazhashan terrane and the Zhusileng–Hangwula block (and the southern Beishan orogenic belt). The multiple source regions to the south and north of the Paleo-Asian Ocean indicate the closure of this ocean before the late Carboniferous. The absence or small proportion of depositional age-approximated zircons in most samples makes their age spectra similar to extensional basins. Combined with the intra-plate volcanism, the deposits were considered to be formed in extensional settings. Accordingly, after the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, the NAOB stepped into an extensional stage.     

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

ABSTRACT

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

Mesozoic magmatism and metallogenesis associated with the destruction of the North China Craton: Evidence from U–Pb geochronology and stable isotope geochemistry of the Mujicun porphyry Cu–Mo deposit

The North China Craton (NCC) provides a classic example of lithospheric destruction and refertilization. The timing and duration of magmatism and related metallogenesis associated with the destruction process are pivotal to understanding the geodynamic controls. In this study, we present zircon U–Pb and Hf data, Re–Os ages, and He, Ar, Pb and S isotope data from the Mujicun porphyry Cu–Mo deposit in the northern Taihang Mountains within the Central Orogenic Belt of the NCC. We constrain the timing of magmatism as 144.1 ± 1.2 Ma from zircon U–Pb data on the diorite porphyry that hosts Cu–Mo mineralization. Another U–Pb age of 139.7 ± 1.4 Ma was obtained from an epidote skarn that is located in the contact zone between the porphyry and its wall rocks. These data and five Re–Os molybdenite ages that range from 142.7 ± 2.0 Ma to 138.5 ± 1.9 Ma suggest that magmatism and mineralization occurred in about five million year duration from ~ 143 Ma to ~ 138 Ma. The He, Ar, Pb and, Hf data suggest that magmatism involved recycled Neoarchean lower crustal components, with input of heat and volatiles from an upwelling mantle. The Mujicun porphyry and associated mineralization provide a typical example for magmatism and metallogeny associated with lithospheric thinning in the NCC.     

内蒙古狼山地区叠布斯格岩群锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素特征及其对阿拉善地块构造演化的制约

阿拉善地块位于华北克拉通西端,其早前寒武纪地质演化一直存在争议。选取阿拉善地块东北缘的叠布斯格岩群为研究对象,通过锆石U-Pb定年和Lu-Hf同位素分析,探讨阿拉善地块的性质和归属及华北克拉通早期地质演化。叠布斯格岩群主要由变质沉积岩和变质火山岩组成,包括高级变质的片麻岩、大理岩、石英岩、角闪岩,并被古元古代钾质花岗岩侵入。来自叠布斯格岩群3个副片麻岩样品的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,叠布斯格岩群副片麻岩中碎屑锆石的207Pb/206Pb年龄范围为2.60~2.10 Ga,变质锆石的年龄显示叠布斯格岩群经历了1.98~1.90 Ga和1.90~1.79 Ga的两组峰期变质作用,指示叠布斯格岩群原岩形成于2.10~1.98 Ga。研究区未发现有太古宙岩石出露,但不排除其下部地壳中存在太古宙基底岩石的可能。碎屑锆石的Lu-Hf同位素数据结果显示,叠布斯格岩群副片麻岩中碎屑锆石的εHf(t)均为负值,指示其成岩物质源于古—中太古代(3.42~2.79 Ga)古老地壳在新太古代晚期—古元古代早期的重熔或再造。通过对比叠布斯格岩群和阴山地块、孔兹岩带的岩浆-变质事件及Hf同位素特征,推测阿拉善地块前寒武纪基底在古元古代可能是孔兹岩带的一部分。     

Detrital zircon constraints on late Paleozoic tectonism of the Bogda region(NW China) in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Chinese North Tianshan(CNTS) in the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB) has undergone multistage accretion-collision processes during Paleozoic time,which remain controversial.This study addresses this issue by tracing the provenance of Late Paleozoic sedimentary successions from the Bogda Mountain in the eastern CNTS through U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses of detrital zircons.New detrital zircon U-Pb ages(N=519) from seven samples range from 261±4 Ma to 2827±32 Ma.The most prominent age peak is at 313 Ma and subordinate ages vary from 441 Ma to 601 Ma,with some Precambrian detrital zircon ages(～7%) lasting from 694 Ma to 1024 Ma.The youngest age components in each sample yielded weighted mean ages ranging from 272±9 Ma to 288±5 Ma,representing the maximum depositional ages.These and literature data indicate that some previously-assumed "Carboniferous"strata in the Bogda area were deposited in the Early Permian,including the Qijiaojing,Julideneng,Shaleisaierke,Yangbulake,Shamaershayi,Liushugou,Qijiagou,and Aoertu formations.The low maturity of the sandstones,zircon morphology and provenance analyses indicate a proximal sedimentation probably sourced from the East Junggar Arc and the Harlik-Dananhu Arc in the CNTS.The minor Precambrian detrital zircons are interpreted as recycled materials from the older strata in the Harlik-Dananhu Arc.Zircon E_(Hf)(t) values have increased since ～408 Ma,probably reflecting a tectonic transition from regional compression to extension.This event might correspond to the opening of the Bogda intraarc/back arc rift basin,possibly resulting from a slab rollback during the northward subduction of the North Tianshan Ocean.A decrease of zircon ε_(Hf)(t) values at ～300 Ma was likely caused by the cessation of oceanic subduction and subsequent collision,which implies that the North Tianshan Ocean closed at the end of the Late Carboniferous.     

Provenance and tectonic significance of late Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons from the Tonian system,northern margin of the North China Craton

The involvement of the North China Craton (NCC) in the assembly or breakup of Rodinia has long been debated. Studies of palaeomagnetism, mafic sills (dikes), igneous events, and sedimentary records have led to contrasting opinions on this topic. No igneous events related to the late Mesoproterozoic assembly of Rodinia have been reported in the NCC. However, the authors found numerous late Mesoproterozoic zircons in the Tonian system on the northern margin of the NCC. The Tonian Zhulazhagamaodao formation is composed of meta-sandstone, siltstone, slate, carbonate, and dolomine of the littoral to neritic facies and occurs mainly in the western part of the Bayan Obo–Zhaertai–Langshan rift. U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Tonian system reveals age peaks at 1079 ± 23 Ma, 1092 ± 22 Ma, 1175 ± 50 Ma, 1175 ± 18 Ma, 1260 ± 45 Ma, 1266 ± 16 Ma, and 1270 ± 26 Ma, which correspond to the timing of Rodinia assembly. Considering that coeval igneous rocks and orogenic belts developed mostly in the Laurentia–Baltica cratons, we propose that these cratons supplied clastic material to the northern margin of the NCC and that they had a close spatial relationship between each other during the Tonian.     

河西走廊东部香山群时代和物源讨论

香山群是一套经历轻微区域变质作用的陆源碎屑岩,夹有少量碳酸盐岩和硅质岩,主要位于河西走廊东部香山地区。迄今为止,前人已经做过大量工作,但是对香山群与该区奥陶纪米钵山组的关系、香山群的时代以及香山群的物源等问题还存在较大争议。笔者对香山群的碎屑锆石做了定年(LA-ICP-MS)工作,通过香山群与米钵山组锆石年龄的对比,发现米钵山组最年轻锆石(451±8)Ma比香山群最年轻锆石(525±3)Ma年轻,且香山群不含米钵山组其他年轻锆石成分,香山群时代应该晚于(525±3)Ma,而早于中奥陶世米钵山组,应属中—晚寒武世。香山群碎屑锆石年龄谱与华夏地块、阿拉善基底、华北西部和北祁连岩浆变质事件年龄差异显著,华夏地块、阿拉善基底、华北西部和北祁连不是香山群物源,而与澳大利亚西南部地区相似,同时根据香山群古水流分析结果,推测澳大利亚西南部可能是香山群的沉积物源。     

U‐Pb Ages and Hf Isotope of Zircons from a Carbonatite Dyke in the Bayan Obo Fe‐REE Deposit in Inner Mongolia: its Geological Significance

Detailed studies on U-Pb ages and Hf isotope have been carried out in zircons from a carbonatite dyke associated with the Bayan Obo giant REE-Nb-Fe deposit, northern margin of the North China Craton(NCC), which provide insights into the plate tectonic in Paleoproterozoic. Analyses of small amounts of zircons extracted from a large sample of the Wu carbonatite dyke have yielded two ages of late Archaean and late Paleoproterozoic(with mean 207 Pb/206 Pb ages of 2521±25 Ma and 1921±14 Ma, respectively). Mineral inclusions in the zircon identified by Raman spectroscopy are all silicate minerals, and none of the zircon grains has the extremely high Th/U characteristic of carbonatite, which are consistent with crystallization of the zircon from silicate, and the zircon is suggested to be derived from trapped basement complex. Hf isotopes in the zircon from the studied carbonatite are different from grain to grain, suggesting the zircons were not all formed in one single process. Majority of εHf(t) values are compatible with ancient crustal sources with limited juvenile component. The Hf data and their TDM2 values also suggest a juvenile continental growth in Paleoproterozoic during the period of 1940–1957 Ma. Our data demonstrate the major crustal growth during the Paleoproterozoic in the northern margin of the NCC, coeval with the assembly of the supercontinent Columbia, and provide insights into the plate tectonic of the NCC in Paleoproterozoic.     

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

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

Cratonic reactivation and orogeny: An example from the northern margin of the North China Craton

Reactivation of cratonic basement involves a number of processes including extension, compression, and/or lithospheric delamination. The northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), adjacent to the Inner Mongolian Orogenic Belt, was reactivated in the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic. During this period, the northern margin of the NCC underwent magmatism, N–S compression, regional exhumation, and uplift, including the formation of E–W-trending thick-skinned and thin-skinned south-verging folds and south-verging ductile shear zones. zircon U–Pb SHRIMP ages for mylonite protoliths in shear zones which show ages of 310–290 Ma (mid Carboniferous–Early Permian), constraining the earliest possible age of deformation. Muscovite within carbonate and quartz–feldspar–muscovite mylonites from the Kangbao–Weichang and Fengning–Longhua shear zones defines a stretching lineation and gives ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 270–250 Ma, 250–230 Ma, 230–210 Ma, and 210–190 Ma. Deformation developed progressively from north to south between the Late Paleozoic and Triassic. Exhumation of lower crustal gneisses, high-pressure granulites, and granites occurred at the cratonic margin during post-ductile shearing (~ 220–210 Ma). An undeformed Early Jurassic (190–180 Ma) conglomerate overlies the deformed rocks and provides an upper age limit for reactivation and orogenesis. Deformation was induced by convergence between the southern Mongolia and North China cratonic blocks, and the location of this convergent belt controlled later deformation in the Yanshan Tectonic Province. This province formed as older E–W-trending Archean–Proterozoic sequences were reactivated along the northern margin of the NCC. This reactivation has features typical of cratonic basement reactivation: compression, crustal thickening, remelting of the mid to lower crust, and subsequent orogenesis adjacent to the orogenic belt.     

Phanerozoic amalgamation of the Alxa Block and North China Craton: Evidence from Paleozoic granitoids,U–Pb geochronology and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf–O isotope geochemistry

The North China Craton (NCC) has been considered to be part of the supercontinent Columbia. The nature of the NCC western boundary, however, remains strongly disputed. A key question in this regard is whether or not the Alxa Block is a part of the NCC. It is located in the vicinity of the inferred boundary, and therefore could potentially resolve the issue of the NCC's relationship to the Columbia supercontinent. Some previous studies based on the Alxa Block's geological evolution and detrital zircon ages suggested that it is likely not a part of the NCC. The lack of evidence from key igneous rock units, however, requires further constraints on the tectonic affinity of the western NCC and Alxa Block and on the timing of their amalgamation.In this study, new zircon U–Pb age and Hf–O isotopes and whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data for the Paleozoic granitoids in or near the eastern Alxa Block were used to constrain the petrogenesis of these rocks and the relationship between the Alxa Block and NCC. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Pb zircon dating indicates that the Bayanbulage, Hetun, Diebusige and South Diebusige granitoids were formed at ca. 423 Ma, 345 Ma, 345 Ma and 337 Ma, respectively. The Late Silurian (Bayanbulage) quartz diorites have variable SiO₂ (58.0–67.9 wt.%), and low Sr/Y (20–24) values, while the Early Carboniferous (Hetun, Diebusige and South Diebusige) monzogranites have high SiO₂ (71.5–76.7 wt.%) and Sr/Y (40–94) values. The Late Silurian quartz diorites display relatively homogeneous and high zircon δ¹⁸O (8.5–9.1‰) and ε_Hf(t) (− 8.6 to − 5.3) values, high whole-rock ε_Nd(t) values (− 9.2 to − 7.6) and highly radiogenic Pb isotopes (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.13–18.25), whereas the Early Carboniferous monzogranites exhibit relatively low and variable zircon δ¹⁸O (5.7–7.2‰) and ε_Hf(t) (− 23.1 to − 7.4) values, low whole-rock initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7043–0.7070) and ε_Nd(t) (− 19.1 to − 13.5) values and variable Pb isotopes (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 16.06–18.22). The differences in whole rock Nd model ages and Pb isotope compositions of the Paleoproterozoic–Permian rocks in either side of the west fault of the Bayanwulashan–Diebusige complexes suggest that the Alxa Block is not a part of the NCC, and that the western boundary of the NCC is probably located on this fault. Furthermore, the linear distribution of the Early Paleozoic–Early Carboniferous granitoids, the high zircon δ¹⁸O values of the Late Silurian quartz diorites, the Early Devonian metamorphism and the foreland basin system formed during the collision between the Alxa Block and the NCC indicate that a Paleozoic cryptic suture zone likely existed in this area and records the amalgamation of the Alxa Block and North China Craton. Together with detrital zircon data, the initial collision was considered to have possibly occurred in Late Ordovician.     

Zircon U‐Pb/Lu‐Hf and monazite chemical dating of the Tirodi biotite gneiss: implication for latest Palaeoproterozoic to Early Mesoproterozoic orogenesis in the Central Indian Tectonic Zone

In this investigation, we reconstruct the latest Palaeoproterozoic to Early Mesoproterozoic orogenic events along the southern margin of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ), using sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U‐Pb zircon dating and Lu‐Hf isotope analyses of zircon and Th‐U‐Pb chemical dating of monazite from samples of the Tirodi biotite gneiss (TBG) unit in the Sausar Mobile Belt (SMB), the latter constituting the southernmost litho‐tectonic component of the CITZ. U‐Pb zircon dating of one migmatitic gneiss sample from the type locality of the Tirodi biotite gneiss in the northern domain of the SMB has yielded an age of 1618 ± 8 Ma, which is considered to be the time of magmatic crystallization of its protolith. Combined U‐Pb zircon and monazite chemical dating of two granite gneiss samples from the southern domain of the SMB broadly constrain magmatic crystallization between 1603 ± 23 Ma and 1584 ± 17 Ma and an overprinting metamorphic recrystallization event at 1572 ± 7 Ma. Monazites from the granite gneiss samples also record a terminal metamorphic event at 1415 ± 23 Ma. Lu‐Hf isotopic analyses of zircons reveal fundamentally different source rock reservoirs for the protoliths of these magmatic rocks across the SMB. While the type TBG from the northern domain was derived from an Early Palaeoproterozoic source T(Hf) from 2093 to 2523 Ma, with a mean value at 2379 Ma) of essentially juvenile material with minor crustal components (εHf(t) from −3.3 to + 3.7), the granite from the southern domain had a mature crustal source (εHf(t) from −12.5 to −21.9) of Palaeoarchaean age T(Hf) from 3051 to 3630 Ma, with a mean value at 3218 Ma). When integrated with metamorphic information previously obtained from the 1.6 Ga ultra‐high temperature granulite facies metamorphic event in the SMB, the discrete magmatic and metamorphic events between 1.62/1.60 Ga and 1.42 Ga can be correlated with the formation of an Early Mesoproterozoic accretionary orogen in the CITZ. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

A slab break-off model for mafic–ultramafic igneous complexes in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt,northern Tibet: insights from early Palaeozoic accretion related to post-collisional magmatism

ABSTRACT

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) in northern Tibet provides an important record of the amalgamation of the Wanbaogou oceanic basalt plateau and the Qaidam Block. Here we report geochemical, geochronological, and Hf isotopic data for newly identified late Silurian–Early Devonian mafic–ultramafic igneous complexes from the EKOB at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. These complexes are dominantly composed of gabbro and pyroxenite rocks. Three complexes yield zircon U–Pb ages of 398.8 ± 1.8, 420.2 ± 1.2, and 413.4 ± 0.78 Ma. The ε_Hf(t) values of zircons range from +0.8 to +3.3 with T_DM1 ages of 897 to 998 Ma. Modelling of the geochemical data indicates that these igneous complexes have a hybrid origin, involving depleted mantle fluids derived from a previous subduction event and crustal materials. The geochemical and geochronological data suggest that these complexes formed in a post-collisional setting linked to break-off of a subducted oceanic slab, which occurred after the Wanbaogou oceanic basalt plateau amalgamated with the Qaidam Block in the late Silurian–Early Devonian.     

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.