早三叠世海相碳酸盐碳同位素研究进展

早三叠世是地球发展史上的特殊时期,代表了古、中生代过渡时期的生态重建与复苏.随着各种“异常环境事件”信息在近年陆续被揭示,早三叠世地质学研究成为地学界新的热点领域.海相碳酸盐碳同位素组成记录了碳循环的变化,是理解重大突变期的生态环境事件和地球过程的重要切入点.最近10年的研究表明,过去集中在二叠纪/三叠纪界线附近发现的“负漂移”现象只能代表海洋化学持续了约5 Ma的动荡局面的开始,直到中三叠世才趋于平稳,高频率、大幅度的整体演变型式已很难用过去提出的机制进行解释.全球范围内缺乏可精确对比性以及高达+8‰的正向极值的成因等,都是值得深入思考的问题.     

Discovery of Early Proterozoic Carbon Isotope Shifts

The authors have detailedly and systematically studied the carbon isotopic composition of Early Proterozoic carbonate rocks. Samples which are all dolomicrite were taken from the Jianancun, Daguandong and Huaiyincun Formations of the Hutuo Group in Wutai County Shanxi Province, North China. A total of 209 samples were analysed for their carbon isotope compositions, and the mean sampling interval was 6.9 m. Carbon isotope analysis clearly shows δ13C shifts at the boundary between the Jian'ancun Formation and Daguandong Formation and near the boundary between the Daguandong Formation and Huaiyincun Formation. Like carbon isotope shifts at the Cretaceous-Tertiary, Permian-Triassic and Precambrian-Cambrian boundaries, the discovery of δ13C shifts in the Early Proterozoic has important significance in further studies on Early Proterozoic biotic evolution, regional and global stratigraphic correlation, and carbon geochemical cycles.     

150 Million year history of North China Craton disruption preserved in Mesozoic sediments of the Ordos basin

ABSTRACT

The Ordos Basin, situated in the western part of the North China Craton, preserves the 150-million-year history of North China Craton disruption. Those sedimentary sources from Late Triassic to early Middle Jurassic are controlled by the southern Qinling orogenic belt and northern Yinshan orogenic belt. The Middle and Late Jurassic deposits are received from south, north, east, and west of the Ordos Basin. The Cretaceous deposits are composed of aeolian deposits, probably derived from the plateau to the east. The Ordos Basin records four stages of volcanism in the Mesozoic–Late Triassic (230–220 Ma), Early Jurassic (176 Ma), Middle Jurassic (161 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (132 Ma). Late Triassic and Early Jurassic tuff develop in the southern part of the Ordos Basin, Middle Jurassic in the northeastern part, while Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks have a banding distribution along the eastern part. Mesozoic tectonic evolution can be divided into five stages according to sedimentary and volcanic records: Late Triassic extension in a N–S direction (230–220 Ma), Late Triassic compression in a N–S direction (220–210 Ma), Late Triassic–Early Jurassic–Middle Jurassic extension in a N–S direction (210–168 Ma), Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous compression in both N–S and E–W directions (168–136 Ma), and Early Cretaceous extension in a NE–SW direction (136–132 Ma).     

四川盆地东部地区早中三叠世蒸发岩的锶同位素特征及其地质意义

锶同位素已经成为全球海平面变化、造山运动、古气候和古环境等全球地质事件研究与对比的有效工具之一。本文以四川盆地东部地区早中三叠世蒸发岩的野外剖面和钻孔岩心为主要研究对象,测试了碳酸盐岩、硫酸盐岩和石盐岩的锶同位素组成,并建立了相应的锶同位素演化曲线。研究结果显示,碳酸盐岩的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值平均为0.707 895,硬石膏岩的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值平均为0.708 174,石盐岩的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值平均为0.708 177,同时碳酸盐岩的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值从早三叠世的0.707 413快速增加到中三叠世早期的0.708 515,而后呈现下降趋势。从总体上看,这些⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值与全球早中三叠世同期的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值数据接近,说明四川盆地东部地区早中三叠世钾盐的物质来源大部分为海水,并沉积于海相沉积环境,同时由于火山...     

Spectral gamma‐ray logs and palaeoclimate change? Permian–Triassic,Persian Gulf

Spectral gamma ray (SGR) logs are used as stratigraphic tools in correlation, sequence stratigraphy and most recently, in clastic successions as a proxy for changes in hinterland palaeoweathering. In this study we analyse the spectral gamma ray signal recorded in two boreholes that penetrated the carbonate and evaporate‐dominated Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) in the South Pars Gasfield (offshore Iran, Persian Gulf) in an attempt to analyse palaeoenvironmental changes from the upper Permian (Upper Dalan Formation) and lower Triassic (Lower Kangan Formation). The results are compared to lithological changes, total organic carbon (TOC) contents and published stable isotope ( δ ¹⁸O, δ ¹³C) results. This work is the first to consider palaeoclimatic effects on SGR logs from a carbonate/evaporate succession. While Th/U ratios compare well to isotope data (and thus a change to less arid hinterland climates from the Late Permian to the Early Triassic), Th/K ratios do not, suggesting a control not related to hinterland weathering. Furthermore, elevated Th/U ratios in the Early Triassic could reflect a global drawdown in U, rather than a more humid episode in the sediment hinterlands, with coincident changes in TOC. Previous work that used spectral gamma ray data in siliciclastic successions as a palaeoclimate proxy may not apply in carbonate/evaporate sedimentary rocks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxygen isotope equilibrium between eclogite minerals and its constraints on mineral Sm-Nd chronometer

Sm-Nd and oxygen isotope analyses were carried out for mineral separates of ultrahigh pressure eclogites from the Sulu terrane in eastern China. The results show a direct correspondence in equilibrium or disequilibrium state between the oxygen and Sm-Nd isotope systems of eclogite minerals. The omphacite-garnet pairs of oxygen isotope equilibrium at eclogite-facies conditions yield meaningful Triassic Sm-Nd isochron ages, whereas those of oxygen isotope disequilibrium give non-Triassic ages of geological meaninglessness. This can be reasonably interpreted by the fact that the rates of oxygen diffusion in garnet and pyroxene are lower than, or close to, those of Nd diffusion, and thus attainment of isotopic equilibrium in the omphacite-garnet O system suggests achievement of Nd isotope equilibrium in the same mineral pairs. The presence or absence of fluid in the eclogite protoliths is a major rate-controlling factor for isotopic equilibration during high-grade metamorphism. It appears that the state of oxygen isotope equilibrium between cogenetic minerals can provide a critical test for the validity of the Sm-Nd mineral chronometer. In addition, the exact timing of the ultrahigh pressure metamorphism in the Dabie-Sulu terranes is constrained at Early Triassic rather than Late Triassic.     

西藏聂拉木三叠系土隆群-曲龙共巴组稳定碳同位素组成及对比

古生代-中生代之交生物灭绝后,三叠纪海洋长期、复杂的生物和环境变化过程受到高度关注.基于牙形石、菊石生物时代及土隆地区三叠系全岩稳定碳同位素曲线,识别出6次负偏和5次正偏.其中早三叠世碳同位素的N1-N4四次负偏和P1-P4四次正向偏移过程,能与我国华南、日本等多个剖面进行对应,反映我国藏南所在的高纬度地区经历了与低纬度地区相同的全球碳循环异常.首次报道了土隆剖面识别出的晚三叠世卡尼期碳同位素负偏,其幅度达到3.3‰,可对应意大利、日本以及我国川西北地区和华南南盘江盆地所记录的卡尼期极端气候事件.中卡尼期温度升高,降雨量急剧增多,风化作用显著加强,陆源硅质碎屑输入增强,可能是土隆剖面岩性剧烈变化的环境驱动因素.      

Evinosponges in the Triassic Esino Limestone (Southern Alps): documentation of early lithification and late diagenetic overprint

A carbonate buildup of Middle Triassic age, the Esino Limestone, outcrops in the Southern Calcareous Alps of Lombardy (N Italy). Along its margin and within the open subtidal facies, the Esino Limestone contains calcite cement-filled cavities of cm to m size. These features, known as evinosponges, may form pervasive networks within the host rock. The filling consists of concentric, isopachous layers of fibrous low-Mg calcite crystals characterized by strong undulose extinction and bent cleavages. The cement crusts are non-luminescent under cathodoluminescence, but both cements and host rock are cross-cut by micro-fractures filled with bright-luminescent calcite, related to late void-filling sparite. Mixing of different carbonates is reflected in stable isotope data. On the hand specimen scale, the oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of cements and host rock show little variation. When compared on a regional scale, the values cover a broad range from δ¹⁸O(PDB)=?5‰ to ?12‰ and from δ¹³O =0‰ to +3‰. The linear covariant trends defined by the oxygen and carbon isotope data for different sampling regions reflect the admixture of late, isotopically depleted calcite with an isotopically enriched non-luminescent calcite of early diagenetic origin. The Esino Limestone fibrous cements, which were probably precipitated in the marine or marine-meteoric phreatic environment, were affected by late diagenetic processes that caused mineral deformation and isotopic depletion through recrystallization and the admixture of a later calcite. These later calcites precipitated from penetrative fluids possibly related to Late Triassic volcanic activity and/or to the Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeogene alpine orogeny.     

The Early Palaeozoic high-grade metamorphism at the active continental margin of West Gondwana in the Andes (NW Argentina/N Chile)

The evolution of the Early Palaeozoic orogen of West Gondwana in the Cambrian to Ordovician basement of the Andes between ~18° and 32° S is investigated for pressure and temperature conditions and age of metamorphism. It is characterized by mid-crust temperatures commonly above the wet granite solidus (~650°C). Widespread felsic migmatite and rare granulite formed at pressures of ca 0.5?C0.7?GPa, locally 1.0?GPa. These rocks represent the deepest exhumed sections of the Early Palaeozoic crust. High pressure?Clow temperature rocks are absent. The crystallization ages, compiled from the literature in combination with new data, for near peak metamorphic conditions of these high-grade metamorphic rocks in NW Argentina and N Chile are ~530?C500?Ma and ~470?C420?Ma. Both age groups are spatially overlapping. Radiogenic isotope signatures (Sr, Nd, Pb) are used to characterize the Early Palaeozoic basement. The Pb and Sr isotope compositions of the Early Palaeozoic basement indicate mixing arrays between pre-Palaeozoic unradiogenic and radiogenic crust. Crustal residence ages (Sm?CNd T_DM) indicate a prominent event of crust formation around ~2?Ga, which is known continent-wide. This material was recycled during Midproterozoic and Early Palaeozoic orogenies without prominent additions of new crust present in the isotope record, i.e. accretion of compositional exotic material is absent.     

Organic carbon content and carbon isotope variations across the Permo-Triassic boundary in the Gartnerkofel-1 borehole,Carnic Alps,Austria

The Gartnerkofel borehole is one of the most thoroughly studied and described Permo-Triassic sections in the world. Detailed bulk organic carbon isotope studies show a negative base shift from ? 24‰ to ? 28‰ in the Latest Permian which latter value persists into the Earliest Triassic after which it decreases slightly to ? 26‰. Two strongly negative peaks of > ? 38‰ in the Latest Permian and a lesser peak of ? 31‰ in the Early Triassic are too negative to be due to a greater proportion of more negative organic matter and must be due to very negative methane effects. The overall change to more negative values across the Bulla/Tesero boundary fits the relative rise in sea level for this transition based on the facies changes. A positive shift in organic carbon isotope values at the Late Permian Event Horizon may be due to an increase in land-derived organic detritus at this level—a feature shown by all Tethyan Permo-Triassic boundary sections though these other sections do not have the same values. Carbonate carbon isotope trends are similar in all sections dropping by 2–3 units across the Permo-Triassic boundary. Gartnerkofel carbonate oxygen values are surprisingly, considering the ubiquitous dolomitization, compatible with values elsewhere and indicate reasonable tropical temperatures of 60 °C in the Latest Permian sabkhas to 20–40 °C in the overlying marine transition beds. Increased land-derived input at the Late Permian Event Horizon may be due to offshore transport by tsunamis whose deposits have been recognized in India at this level.     

Opening and closure history of the Mudanjiang Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Geochronological and geochemical constraints from early Mesozoic intrusive rocks

The tectonic evolution of the ancient Mudanjiang Ocean within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is strongly debated. The ocean played an important role in the amalgamation of the Songnen and Jiamusi massifs; however, the timings of its opening and closure have remained ambiguous until now. In this study, we analyzed early Mesozoic intrusive rocks from the eastern Songnen and western Jiamusi massifs in the eastern CAOB. The new zircon UPb ages, Hf isotope data, and whole-rock major and trace element data are used to reconstruct the tectonic evolution of the Mudanjiang Ocean. Zircon UPb dating indicates that early Mesozoic magmatism in the eastern Songnen Massif occurred in three stages: Early to Middle Triassic (ca. 250 Ma), Late Triassic (ca. 211 Ma), and Early Jurassic (ca. 190 Ma). The Triassic intrusive rocks typically consist of bimodal rock suites, which include gabbros, hornblende gabbros, and granitoids. The compositional information indicates an extensional environment that was probably related to the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. We integrated the results with observations from Triassic A-type granitoids and coeval sedimentary formations in the eastern Songnen Massif, as well as depositional ages of metasedimentary rocks from Heilongjiang Complex. We conclude that the opening of the Mudanjiang Ocean took place in the Early to Middle Triassic. The Early Jurassic intrusive rocks are bimodal and include olivine gabbros, hornblendites, hornblende gabbros, gabbro diorites, and granitoids. The bimodal rock suite indicates a back-arc style extensional environment. This setting formed in relation to westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasia during the Early Jurassic. Following subduction, the closure of the Mudanjiang Ocean and subsequent amalgamation of the Songnen and Jiamusi massifs happened during the late Early Jurassic to Middle Jurassic. This sequence of events is further supported by ages of metamorphism and deformation acquired from the Heilongjiang Complex. Based on these observations, we conclude that the Mudanjiang Ocean existed between the Middle Triassic and Early Jurassic, making it rather short-lived.     

D–H evidence for the timing of kaolinization in Northeast Bavaria, Germany

The δD_SMOW values of sedimentary kaolins from the western border of the Bohemian Massif, northeast Bavaria, that did not suffer a deep burial (less than 1000 m) nor a hydrothermal overprint, change systematically from Late Triassic (−50‰) to Mid-Jurassic and Late Cretaceous (−56‰ to −66‰) to Upper Oligocene–Mid-Miocene (−77‰ to −90‰). All analyzed clays are far from hydrogen isotope equilibrium with present-day meteoric waters. Combined oxygen and hydrogen isotope data of selected samples indicate low temperatures of formation (<30°C) and no evidence for preferential D/H exchange with younger waters. The hydrogen isotopic evolution of kaolins is interpreted as reflecting a systematic isotopic change of paleo-meteoric waters in that region. This can be related mainly to the northward drift of stable Europe after the break-up of Gondwana. Increasing continentality, surface uplift and global cooling are additional factors responsible for decreasing δD_SMOW values since the Mid-Cretaceous.

Kaolinite hydrogen isotope ratios of two large residual economic deposits (Tirschenreuth: δD_SMOW=−80‰ to −76‰; Hirschau–Schaittenbach: δD_SMOW=−70‰ to −63‰) can be used in combination with additional geological evidence to constrain the timing of weathering in these areas. A late Early Cretaceous kaolinization age is suggested for the Early Triassic sandstone-hosted deposits near Hirschau–Schnaittenbach, whereas a Late Oligocene to Mid-Miocene age is indicated for the Carboniferous granite-hosted Tirschenreuth deposits.     

Relation of Isotope Geochemical Steep Zones with Geophysical Fields and Tectonics in the Junction Area of the Cathaysian, Yangtze and Indochina Plates

Through lead isotope geochemical mapping in the Yunnan-Guizhou area geochemical steep zones (GSZ) have been established, which clearly reveal the junction relationship of the Cathaysian, Yangtze and Indo-China plates. GSZ are closey related to gravity Mono gradient zones and lithospheric thickness. The GSZ between the Yangtze and Cathaysian plates is consistent with the Shizong-Mile tectonic belt, where island arc basalts are well developed. The Yangtze-Indo-China GSZ is parallel to the Jingdong-Mojiang volcanic belt in rift-island arc environments. The evidence of geology, geophysics and geochemistry all indicates that Cathaysia was subducted towards the Yangtze plate and that the Yangtze plate was underthrust beneath the Indo-China, which took place from the Early Carboniferous to the Early Triassic.     

Using geochemical indicators to investigate groundwater mixing and residence time in the aquifer system of Djeffara of Medenine (southeastern Tunisia)

Stable isotopes (??²H, ??¹⁸O and ??¹³C) and radiocarbon (¹⁴C) have been used in conjunction with chemical data to evaluate recharge mechanisms and groundwater residence time, and to identify inter-aquifer mixing in the Djeffara multi-aquifer in semi-arid southeastern Tunisia. The southern part of this basin, the Djeffara of Medenine aquifer system, is comprised of two main aquifers of Triassic and Miocene sandstone. The Triassic aquifer presents two compartments; the first one (west of the Medenine fault system) is unconfined with a well-defined isotope fingerprint; the second compartment is deeper and confined. Multi-tracer results show groundwater of different origins, ages and salinities, and that tectonic features control groundwater flows. Fresh and brackish groundwater from the unconfined part of the Triassic aquifer was mostly recharged during the Holocene. The recharge rates of this aquifer, inferred by ¹⁴C ages, are variable and could reach 3.5?mm/year. Brackish water of the deep confined part of the Triassic aquifer has stable isotope composition and ¹⁴C content that indicates earlier recharge during late Pleistocene cold periods. Brackish to saline water of the Miocene aquifer presents variable isotope composition. Groundwater flowing through the Medenine fault system is mainly feeding the Miocene aquifer rather than the deep confined part of the Triassic aquifer.     

早三叠世下扬子古海洋地球化学环境的修复过程

巢湖平顶山北坡剖面下三叠统岩石化学成分分析表明, SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Fe₂O₃、FeO、MgO、Na₂O、K₂O、TiO₂、P₂O₅及微量元素Ba、V、Be、Nb、Zn、Cu、Ni、Co、Pb主要富集在下三叠统格里斯巴赫(Griesbachian)、迪纳(Dienerian)及斯密斯(Smithian)亚阶中, 形成了8次显著的正异常, 异常的强度、规模由下向上呈下降趋势; 微量元素Sr和常量元素CaO主要富集在下三叠统上部斯帕斯(Spathian)亚阶中, 其含量由下向上呈逐渐增加趋势.前者含量与碳酸盐岩的碳同位素组成(δ13C)呈负相关关系, 后者含量与碳酸盐岩的碳同位素组成(δ13C)呈正相关关系.海相碳酸盐岩碳同位素组成(δ13C)指示初始生产力大小, 同时亦是海洋生态环境改善的指示标志; 负相关表明环境恶化、生物萧条, 正相关表明环境适宜、生物繁盛.据常量元素和微量元素分布异常特点在下三叠统地层中识别出8次地质事件, 其规模及影响强度由早到晚逐渐变小及减弱; 晚二叠世末期及早三叠世初期的火山喷发将各种有害元素大量输向海洋, 导致海水中粘土矿物、微量元素含量异常增高, 海洋生态环境恶化.随着时间推移, 火山活动逐渐平息, 海洋中各种有害组分逐渐排除, 海水得到净化, 生态环境渐渐恢复.      

The northern Qiangtang Block rapid drift during the Triassic Period: Paleomagnetic evidence

As one of the pivotal Gondwana–derived blocks, the kinematic history of the northern Qiangtang Block (in the Tibetan Plateau) remains unclear, mainly because quantitative paleomagnetic data to determine the paleoposition are sparse. Thus, for this study, we collected 226 samples (17 sites) from Triassic sedimentary rocks in the Raggyorcaka and Tuotuohe areas of the northern Qiangtang Block (NQB). Stepwise demagnetization isolated high temperature/field components from the samples. Both Early and Late Triassic datasets passed field tests at a 99% confidence level and were proved to be primary origins. Paleopoles were calculated to be at 24.9°N and 216.5°E with A₉₅ = 8.2°(N = 8) for the Early Triassic dataset, and at 68.1°N, 179.9°E with A₉₅ = 5.6° (N = 37) for the Late Triassic, the latter being combined with a coeval volcanic dataset published previously. These paleopoles correspond to paleolatitudes of 14.3°S±8.2° and 29.9°N±5.6°, respectively. Combining previously published results, we reconstructed a three-stage northward drift process for the NQB. (1) The northern Qiangtang Block was located in the subtropical part of the southern hemisphere until the Early Triassic; (2) thereafter, the block rapidly drifted northward from southern to northern hemispheres during the Triassic; and (3) the block converged with the Eurasian continent in the Late Triassic. The ∼4800 km northward movement from the Early to Late Triassic corresponded to an average motion rate of ∼11.85 cm/yr. The rapid drift of the NQB after the Early Triassic led to a rapid transformation of the Tethys Ocean.     

川东地区早三叠世碳、锶同位素演化及地质意义

早三叠世作为地球发展史上一个高度的反常时期,人们对其关注程度远不及二叠纪/三叠纪界线。海相碳酸盐的碳、锶同位素组成与演化是了解重大突变期的生态环境事件和地球过程的重要切入点。根据前人公布的川东地区早三叠世锶、碳同位素数据,绘制同位素演化散点图,根据曲线的演化特征以及不同地区的对比,分析其控制因素和地质过程。研究表明,川东地区早三叠世锶同位素演化曲线单调上升,具有很高的全球一致性,由河流注入到海水的高放射成因的锶含量增加是加剧87Sr/86Sr比值单调上升的主要原因。碳同位素演化曲线在短时间内发生的一系列高频率、大幅度波动,大量的磷酸盐注入海洋使菌藻类大量繁殖,海洋的初级生产力增强,有机碳埋藏量增大,使δ13C偏高。甲烷水合物吸收与释放等暂时性效应不是引起曲线来回波动的主要因素,海洋水体倒转等持续性效应可以很好地解释曲线异常,但对其驱动机制有待进一步研究。此外δ13Ccarb和δ13Corg的同步研究并参考早寒武世是下一步研究的重点。     

西藏色龙西山二叠系-三叠系界线剖面稳定碳同位素特征

古生代-中生代之交的生物灭绝过程和原因一直是科学家关注和致力解决的关键古生物学问题之一.色龙西山剖面的牙形石分带工作取得了重要进展,为认识该地区地层序列和沉积历史提供了新的证据.全岩碳同位素分析表明,在长兴阶与印度阶附近该剖面存在着碳同位素负偏,可以同我国华南多个剖面进行对比,揭示了古生代-中生代之交的碳同位素变化和生物灭绝模式具有全球对比性.新识别出的奥伦尼克阶底部（Neospathodus waageni带底部）碳同位素值大幅度负偏及之后的正偏,与华南等地的变化规律一致,反映了二叠纪末期到早三叠世长期的、复杂的生物和环境变化过程.      

地层证据——对大别造山带汇聚历史的制约

大别造山带的汇聚演化历史一直存在不同的认识,来自扬子陆块和华北陆块显生宙以来的地层记录以及北淮阳地区的地层记录可能为两个陆块的汇聚模式提供制约。通过对扬子陆块与华北陆块显生宙以来岩相古地理进行比较,其中3个阶段相似, 2个阶段差别很大。以浊积岩发育作为俯冲阶段的标志,磨拉石建造出现作为闭合的标志,显生宙以来,大别造山带曾经历了两次俯冲和两次汇聚,俯冲时间分别是晚奥陶世—早志留世和早三叠世,汇聚的时间分别为中 晚泥盆世和中三叠世,早期的汇聚具有软碰撞特征,以上认知得到了北淮阳地区地层、古生物和沉积记录的支持,同时也与大别山造山带榴辉岩的同位素年龄数据基本吻合。高压 超高压变质岩在晚三叠世处于快速折返阶段,早侏罗世以前到达地表,其平均折返隆升速率为39～66mm/a。     

Hornblende thermobarometry of the Carboniferous granitoids from the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift: implications for the tectonic evolution of the northern margin of North China block

Summary Hornblende thermobarometry has been widely used to estimate the emplacement pressure (P) and temperature (T) of calc-alkaline igneous rocks. Application of hornblende thermobarometry to the newly discovered Carboniferous granitic plutons from the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift (IMPU) provides useful information on the exhumation and geotectonic evolution of the northern margin of the North China block (NCB) during the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic. Emplacement depths estimated from aluminum-in-hornblende geobarometry indicate that the Longhua, Daguangding and Boluonuo plutons were emplaced at depths of 15.7–18.7 km. Temperatures of emplacement calculated with the hornblende-plagioclase thermometer range from 676 °C to 780 °C. Because most of these plutons are unconformably overlain by Jurassic-Cretaceous volcanic or sedimentary rocks and, regionally, the oldest strata overlying them are the Nandaling and Xiahuayuan Formations of Early Jurassic age, most of these plutons must have been exposed at the surface prior to the Early Jurassic. Therefore, the large-scale uplift and exhumation of the IMPU occurred from the Late Carboniferous to Early Jurassic; at least 15 km thick crustal rocks in the IMPU must have been eroded during this period. It is also inferred that the IMPU was not always an uplifted domain from the Neoproterozoic to Early Triassic. Some Meso-Neoproterozoic and, possibly Paleozoic sedimentary rocks or Early-Middle Triassic volcanic rocks were present in the IMPU until the Late Triassic, but were almost entirely eroded before the end of Triassic. The exhumation of the crystalline rocks and formation of the IMPU is a result of this strong erosion during the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at Tables 1-2 available as electronic supplementary material