Extensional tectonics and North China Craton destruction:Insights from the magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (AMS) of granite and metamorphic core complex

The craton is a long-lived stable geologic unit on the Earth's surface. However, since the Mesozoic, the North China Craton(NCC) experienced large-scale lithospheric removal, the fundamental change of physical and chemical characteristics of the lithospheric mantle, widely distributed crustal deformation, and extensive magmatism. This complex evolution contrary to other cratons is called the NCC destruction. Widespread magmatism in the eastern NCC is an important response to the lithospheric removal at depth and crustal deformation on the surface. The plutons emplace under a tectonic context and therefore record the information of the tectonics; especially, the anisotropy magnetic susceptibility(AMS) pattern of the pluton was acquired with the influence of regional stress. In the past fifteen years, about 22 plutons intruding during the different periods from the Late Triassic to the late stage of the Early Cretaceous have been studied with AMS. The emplacement mechanisms of plutons and the contemporary tectonic setting were discussed to constrain their relationship with the NCC destruction in different stages of magmatism. As a result, the Late Triassic, Early Jurassic, and Late Jurassic plutons exhibit consistent N(E)-S(W)trending magnetic lineations. The early stage of Early Cretaceous plutons display NW-SE trending magnetic lineations, while the late stage of Early Cretaceous plutons show magnetic lineations with various orientations. Combined with previous studies, it is concluded that the emplacements of the plutons intruding in these three stages were controlled by weak N(E)-S(W) trending extension, regional NW-SE trending extension, and weak extension in the shallow crustal level, respectively. The transformation of regional extension from the N(E)-S(W) to the NW-SE direction was accompanied by a strain-increasing tendency. The extensional tectonics in the eastern NCC was interpreted to represent the interaction between Mongol-Okhotsk belt, PaleoPacific plate, and eastern Eurasian continent.     

岩石圈地幔分层性对克拉通稳定性的影响

克拉通是大陆岩石圈中长期稳定存在的古老构造单元, 通常被相对年轻的活动带所包围, 二者之间岩石圈厚度的横向差异会诱发边界驱动地幔对流.近年来, 越来越多的证据显示克拉通岩石圈地幔内部存在成分和结构的垂向分层性.在边界驱动地幔对流的环境中, 岩石圈地幔分层性如何影响克拉通的稳定性仍然不清楚.本文利用二维热-力学数值模拟方法, 系统探讨了在边界驱动对流作用下, 克拉通岩石圈地幔密度和黏度的垂向分层性以及中岩石圈不连续面(MLD)的分布样式对克拉通稳定性的影响.模拟结果显示: (1)当克拉通岩石圈内部不存在MLD时, 即使克拉通具有密度分层的岩石圈地幔, 克拉通岩石圈减薄的水平范围也是有限的(＜100 km), 且主要发生在克拉通边缘处; (2)当克拉通岩石圈内部存在一层连续的MLD时, 克拉通岩石圈减薄的水平范围随着克拉通下层岩石圈地幔密度的增加而增大, 岩石圈地幔的减薄方式随着其强度的增加从缓慢丝状剥离转变为快速块状拆沉; (3)当克拉通岩石圈内部存在一层不连续分布的MLD时, 分段MLD之间的间隙可以有效延缓岩石圈地幔的减薄, 间隙越稀岩石圈减薄越快, 反之亦然, 减薄方式表现为: 早期缓慢丝状剥离, 中后期快速块状拆沉.华北克拉通破坏持续时间长(＞100 Ma), 破坏的峰期集中在早白垩世(130~120 Ma), 且现今东部陆块岩石圈破坏的前缘位置与华北中部造山带下方MLD的东端对应.根据模拟结果, 我们推测华北克拉通破坏的时空范围主要是由岩石圈地幔分层性和MLD不连续分布引发的岩石圈地幔逐段拆沉所导致.

     

华北克拉通地区基于程函方程的面波层析成像

利用布设在华北克拉通地区的流动和固定地震台站记录到的地震波数据,使用基于程函方程的面波成像方法获得了整个华北克拉通地区瑞利波15~150 s周期的相速度,并反演了研究区S波速度结构.中长周期相速度结果显示,在上地幔及岩石圈深度范围内,燕山地区表现为高速特征,华北克拉通中部大同盆地及其以南地区、太行山等区域的低速体与华北盆地的低速体相连,呈现大面积的低速异常,低速体的速度值比青藏高原东北缘的速度值更低;S波速度显示鄂尔多斯岩石圈厚度较厚,克拉通中部和华北盆地岩石圈厚度相差不大,燕山地区岩石圈厚度要厚于华北盆地.本文认为华北克拉通岩石圈破坏存在分区性,克拉通中部和燕山地区均存在一定的克拉通破坏,但破坏程度不同,鄂尔多斯地块北部存在局部克拉通改造,但克拉通稳定性特征依然存在;破坏的主要动力学来源更可能是太平洋板块的西向俯冲.研究发现克拉通中部和东部的强震分布区与克拉通破坏区域重合,大部分强震发生在岩石圈强度边界上,分析认为岩石圈强度的差异是岩石圈强度边界上显示出较高的强震活动性的原因.

     

Dynamics of thinning and destruction of the continental cratonic lithosphere: Numerical modeling

Thinning of the cratonic lithosphere is common in nature, but its destruction is not. In either case, the mechanisms for both thinning and destruction are still widely under debate. In this study, we have made a review on the processes and mechanisms of thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere according to previous studies of geological/geophysical observations and numerical simulations, with specific application to the North China Craton (NCC). Two main models are suggested for the thinning and destruction of the NCC, both of which are related to subduction of the oceanic lithosphere. One is the “bottom-up” model, in which the deeply subducting slab perturbs and induces upwelling from the hydrous mantle transition zone (MTZ). The upwelling produces mantle convection and erodes the bottom of the overriding lithosphere by the fluid-melt-peridotite reaction. Mineral compositions and rheological properties of the overriding lithospheric mantle are changed, allowing downward dripping of lithospheric components into the asthenosphere. Consequently, lithospheric thinning or even destruction occurs. The other is the “top-down” model, characterized by the flat subduction of oceanic slab beneath the overriding cratonic lithosphere. Dehydration reactions from the subducting slab would significantly hydrate the lithospheric mantle and decrease its rheological strength. Then the subduction angle may be changed from shallow to steep, inducing lateral upwelling of the asthenosphere. This upwelling would heat and weaken the overriding lithospheric mantle, which led to the weakened lithospheric mantle dripping into the asthenosphere. These two models have some similarities, in that both take the subducting oceanic slab and relevant fluid migration as the major driving mechanism for thinning or destruction of the overriding cratonic lithosphere. The key difference between the two models is the effective depth of the subducting oceanic slab. One is stagnation and flattening in the MTZ, whereas the other is flat subduction at the bottom of the cratonic lithosphere. In the NCC, the eastern lithosphere was likely affected by subduction of the Izanagi slab during the Mesozoic, which would have perturbed the asthenosphere and the MTZ, and induced fluid migration beneath the NCC lithosphere. The upwelling fluid may largely have controlled the reworking of the NCC lithosphere. In order to discuss and analyze these two models further, it is crucial to understand the role of fluids in the subduction zone and the MTZ. Here, we systematically discuss phase transformations of hydrous minerals and the transport processes of water in the subduction system. Furthermore, we analyze possible modes of fluid activity and the problems to explore the applied feasibility of each model. In order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere, we also consider four additional possible dynamic models: extension-induced lithospheric thinning, compression-induced lithospheric thickening and delamination, large-scale mantle convection and thermal erosion, and mantle plume erosion. Compared to the subduction-related models presented here, these four models are primarily controlled by the relatively simple and single process and mechanism (extension, compression, convection, and mantle plume, respectively), which could be the secondary driving mechanisms for the thinning and destruction of lithosphere.     

Crustal azimuthal anisotropy in the trans-North China orogen and adjacent regions from receiver functions

The North China Craton (NCC) is an important part of eastern China. Recent studies have shown that the eastern NCC (ENCC) has undergone significant lithospheric thinning and destruction since the late Mesozoic. Destruction of the cratonic lithosphere is necessarily accompanied by crustal deformation. Therefore, a detailed crustal deformation model can provide basic observational constraints for understanding the process and mechanisms of the destruction of the NCC. In this study, we estimated the crustal azimuthal anisotropy beneath 198 broadband stations in the NCC with a joint analysis of Ps waves converted at the Moho from radial and transverse receiver function data. We also performed a harmonic analysis to test the reliability of the measured anisotropy. We obtained robust crustal azimuthal anisotropy beneath 23 stations that are mostly located on the western margin of the Bohai Bay Basin, Yin-Yan orogenic belt, and Taihang Mountains, which reflects the crustal deformation characteristics in those regions. The crustal shear wave splitting time was found to range from 0.05 s to 0.68 s, with an average value of 0.23 s, which reveals a distinct crustal anisotropy in the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) and its adjacent areas. Our analysis of the results suggests that the strong NW-SE tectonic extension in the late Mesozoic and Cenozoic played an important role in crustal anisotropy in this region. In addition, the E-W trending crustal anisotropy on the margin of the Bohai Bay Basin indicates an effect of the ENE-WSW trending horizontal principal compressive stress. The crustal anisotropy in the Yin-Yan orogenic belt may be an imprint of the multiple-phase shortening of a dominant N-S direction from the early-to-middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. Stations in the Taihang Mountains show large splitting times and well-aligned NW-SE fast directions that correlate with those measured from SKS splitting and that are possibly related to the lithospheric modification and magmatic underplating from the Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic in this area.     

Transform faults as lithospheric boundaries,an example from the Dead Sea Transform

The relationship between the distribution of Pliocene basaltic volcanism and the Dead Sea Transform fault is studied in the Korazim block, north of the Sea of Galilee. In this area, the Dead Sea Transform is divided into two segments. Early (Miocene) slip occurred along the western segment, while recent (Plio-Pleistocene) slip was mainly restricted to the eastern segment. Late Pliocene alkali-basalts from the Korazim block are geochemically distinct (concentrations of silica and alkalis and ratios of incompatible elements) from the Late Pliocene basanites of the nearby Upper Galilee to their west but are similar to Late Pliocene basalts from the adjacent Golan to the east. It is argued that the geochemical differences are due to derivation of magmas from different lithospheric domains and that these domains were emplaced next to each other during an early sinistral movement along the western segment of the transform. It is suggested that though being less active, the western segment formed a sharp boundary and prevented intermixing of lithospheric magmas ascending on both its sides during the Late Pliocene. During the Early Pliocene, alkali basalts erupted in southern Korazim, but not in the adjacent areas to the east and west (restoring for the 25–30 km along the eastern segment). These basalts were probably channeled from the south with both western and the eastern segments acting as barriers.     

海洋板块俯冲作用下上覆大陆岩石层减薄机制的动力学模拟

几乎所有大陆岩石层的减薄现象,可能都与海洋板块的俯冲作用相关,但是两者之间的内在联系迄今仍不十分明确,为此,我们设计了一系列包含洋-陆俯冲系统的二维数值模型,来探讨海洋板块的俯冲作用对上覆大陆岩石层变形行为的影响,尤其对大陆岩石层减薄效应的制约.模型结果表明,海洋板块俯冲过程中的地幔楔熔体对大陆岩石层地幔的热侵蚀以及由熔体上升所诱发的地幔局部对流的强烈扰动会导致上覆大陆岩石层的减薄效应.这种效应不仅表现在横向上的向陆内蔓延,还表现在垂向上的向浅部发展.且多类动力学参数都能制约大陆岩石层的减薄效应.具体地,随着汇聚速率和洋壳厚度的增加,上覆大陆岩石层在横向上的减薄范围越大,在垂向上的减薄程度也越深;而随着俯冲海洋板块年龄的增加,上覆大陆岩石层在横向上的减薄范围增大,但在垂向上的减薄程度会减小;随着上覆大陆岩石层厚度的增加,其横向减薄范围会减小,但在垂向上的减薄程度会加深.本文研究成果能为揭示华北克拉通减薄/破坏的动力学过程提供一定的理论参考依据.

     

Subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate resulted in lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond in the North China Craton

The North China Craton (NCC) witnessed Mesozoic vigorous tectono-thermal activities and transition in the nature of deep lithosphere. These processes took place in three periods: (1) Late Paleozoic to Early Jurassic (～170 Ma); (2) Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (160–140 Ma); (3) Early Cretaceous to Cenozoic (140 Ma to present). The last two stages saw the lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain response within the North China Craton due to subduction and retreating of the Paleo-Pacific plate, and is the emphasis in this paper. In the first period, the subduction and closure of the Paleo- Asian Ocean triggered the back-arc extension, syn-collisional compression and then post-collisional extension accompanied by ubiquitous magmatism along the northern margin of the NCC. Similar processes happened in the southern margin of the craton as the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys ocean and collision with the South China Block. These processes had caused the chemical modification and mechanical destruction of the cratonic margins. The margins could serve as conduits for the asthenosphere upwelling and had the priority for magmatism and deformation. The second period saw the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk ocean and the shear deformation and magmatism induced by the drifting of the Paleo-Pacific slab. The former led to two pulse of N-S trending compression (Episodes A and B of the Yanshan Movement) and thus the pre-existing continental marginal basins were disintegrated into sporadically basin and range province by the Mesozoic magmatic plutons and NE-SW trending faults. With the anticlockwise rotation of the Paleo-Pacific moving direction, the subduction-related magmatism migrated into the inner part of the craton and the Tanlu fault became normal fault from a sinistral one. The NCC thus turned into a back-arc extension setting at the end of this period. In the third period, the refractory subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) was firstly remarkably eroded and thinned by the subduction-induced asthenospheric upwelling, especially those beneath the weak zones (i.e., cratonic margins and the lithospheric Tanlu fault zone). Then a slightly lithospheric thickening occurred when the upwelled asthenosphere got cool and transformed to be lithospheric mantle accreted (～125 Ma) beneath the thinned SCLM. Besides, the magmatism continuously moved southeastward and the extensional deformations preferentially developed in weak zones, which include the Early Cenozoic normal fault transformed from the Jurassic thrust in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt, the crustal detachment and the subsidence of Bohai basin caused by the continuous normal strike slip of the Tanlu fault, the Cenozoic graben basins originated from the fault depression in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt, the Bohai Basin and the Sulu Orogenic belt. With small block size, inner lithospheric weak zones and the surrounding subductions/collisions, the Mesozoic NCC was characterized by (1) lithospheric thinning and crustal detachment triggered by the subduction-induced asthenospheric upwelling. Local crustal contraction and orogenesis appeared in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt coupled with the crustal detachment; (2) then upwelled asthenosphere got cool to be newly-accreted lithospheric mantle and crustal grabens and basin subsidence happened, as a result of the subduction zone retreating. Therefore, the subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate is the outside dynamics which resulted in mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond within the North China Craton. We consider that the Mesozoic decratonization of the North China Craton, or the Yanshan Movement, is a comprehensive consequence of complex geological processes proceeding surrounding and within craton, involving both the deep lithospheric mantle and shallow continental crust.     

Late Cretaceous-Early Cenozoic volcanism of Southern Mongolia: A trace of the South Khangai mantle hot spot

The Gobi-Tien Shan volcanic area (in Southern Mongolia) is part of the South Khangai volcanic region (SKVR). The formation of its lava fields was related to three stages of volcanic activity: the Late Cretaceous (88–71 Myr), Paleocene-Early Eocene (62–47 Myr), and Early Oligocene (37–30 Myr). Volcanic occurrences of different age are represented by trachybasalt, trachyandesitobasalt, basanite, and melanephelinite with similar geochemical characteristics, which are also close to the geochemical characteristics of OIB basalt. The isotope composition (Sr, Nd) of the rocks indicates that the magma sources were formed as a result of mixing of a moderately depleted PREMA mantle and an EM-I mantle enriched in neodymium.The patterns of migration of volcanic centers of different ages over the area of interest have been studied. The earliest (Late Cretaceous) volcanic occurrences were concentrated mainly in the south of the area, the Paleocene-Early Eocene eruptions took place at the center of the area, and the Early Oligocene volcanism occurred in the northern area. The observed migration of the volcanic activity centers is related to lithospheric plate motions relative to a localized source of hot mantle (the South Khangai mantle hot spot), which controlled volcanic activity within SKVR. In the lithospheric structure of this region, local asthenospheric high, reaching a depth of ～50 km, correspond to this hot spot.     

华北克拉通热结构差异性特征及其意义

华北克拉通破坏存在空间上的差异性,至今其内在的动力学机制仍存在较大的争议,这种差异性在岩石圈热结构上必然有所表现.广义上岩石圈热结构包括热流结构、温度场结构和热岩石圈厚度,是揭示岩石圈演化及其内在动力学过程的重要基础.基于二维地震剖面和大地热流数据,建立二维稳态热传导有限元模型,对华北克拉通东部岩石圈热结构进行模拟计算并与西部进行对比分析,在此基础上对比热岩石圈与地震岩石圈厚度差异的变化.结果显示,华北克拉通东、西部岩石圈热结构有着较为明显的差异,地幔热流值波动范围分别在24~44/20.5~24.5 mW·m-2,壳幔比1.61~0.70/1.84~1.51,以1300℃等温线计算得到的热岩石圈厚度变化范围在75~139 km/128~162 km.华北克拉通东部相对西部有着较高的深部地幔热流值和较小的地震/热岩石圈厚度差异,这可能意味着东部软流圈地幔有效黏度相比西部低,估算差异可达2~3个数量级.     

Thinning and destruction of the cratonic lithosphere:A global perspective

It has been proposed that the North China Craton(NCC)was thinned up to a thickness of100 km during the Phanerozoic,and underwent an associated craton destruction.Evidently,it is an important topic worthy of future study to understanding the mechanism of cratonic destruction and its role played in the continental evolution.After synthesized the global cratons of India,Brazil,South Africa,Siberia,East Europe(Baltic)and North America,we found that lithospheric thinning is common in the cratonic evolution,but it is not always associated with craton destruction.Most cratons was thinned by thermal erosion of mantle plume or mantle upwelling,which,however,may not cause craton destruction.Based on the studies of the North American and North China Cratons,we suggest that oceanic subduction plays an important role in caton destruction.Fluids or melts released by dehydration of the subducted slabs metasomatize the mantle wedge above and trigger extensive partial melting.More importantly,the metasomatized mantle lost its original rigidity and make craton easier to be deformed and then to be destoyed.Therefore,we suggest that the widespread crust-derived granite and large-scale ductile deformation within the continental crust can be regarded as the petrological and structural indicators of craton destruction,respectively.     

鄂尔多斯盆地深部热结构特征及其对华北克拉通破坏的启示

基于二维稳态热传导方程,利用有限元数值模拟方法,选取东西向横穿鄂尔多斯盆地地质与地球物理解释大剖面进行了深部温度场数值模拟研究,得到了华北克拉通西部的鄂尔多斯盆地下伏岩石圈热结构特征.地幔热流变化范围:21.2~24.5 mW·m-2,体现为东高西低特征.壳幔热流比(Qc/Qm)介于1.51~1.84之间,为"热壳冷幔".与华北东部地幔热流对比表明,西部的鄂尔多斯盆地相对处于稳定的深部动力学环境.在岩石圈热结构研究基础上,对克拉通地震岩石圈与热岩石圈厚度差异进行了对比,研究表明:鄂尔多斯盆地西部地震岩石圈与热岩石圈厚度差异约达140 km,而东部的汾渭地堑,渤海湾盆地二者差异逐渐减小.华北克拉通自西向东,地震岩石圈厚度与热岩石圈厚度差异不断减小,意味着华北克拉通岩石圈下部的软流圈地幔黏性系数自西向东逐渐降低,本文从地热学角度可能印证了太平洋俯冲脱水作用对华北克拉通的影响.     

Heterogeneous destruction of the North China Craton: Coupled constraints from seismology and geodynamic numerical modeling

The prevailing academic view regards mantle flow and the metasomatism triggered by the subduction of the Pacific plate as the cause and mechanism for the destruction of the North China Craton (NCC). However, the geodynamic destruction process remains ambiguous, necessitating detailed information at this stage. Combining the structural images obtained by the exploration of dense seismic arrays and the geodynamic simulations inspired by numerical modeling, this paper arrives at the following conclusions: the spatial variation of the P- and S-wave velocities, as well as their velocity ratio in the mantle transition zone, are key evidences of the nonuniform dehydration of the Pacific plate, the subducted plate induces hot upwellings in the mantle transition zone (MTZ), resulting in the heterogeneous distribution of the melt/fluid beneath the craton, characterized by small scale anomalies in the seismic velocity field, and as revealed by dense seismic array observation, the heterogeneities in the upper mantle structure and deformation are the synthetic results of lithospheric strain localization and the heterogeneous distribution of the melt/fluid. It is known that the nonuniform dehydration of the Pacific slab and the heterogeneous distribution of the melt/fluid have occured in the Cenozoic. If these scenarios could have already occurred in the Early Cretaceous, their interaction with the NCC lithosphere would be the dynamic mechanism for the heterogeneous lithospheric destruction of the NCC. The inference in this study is significant for further reconciling the multidisciplinary evidences in the NCC.     

Convective destabilization of a thickened continental lithosphere

Removal or delamination of the lithospheric mantle in a late stage of mountain building is a process often invoked to explain syn orogenic extension, high temperature metamorphism, magmatism and uplift. One mechanism that could explain the lithospheric root detachment is the development of convective instabilities within the peridotitic lithosphere due to its high density. This mechanism is studied by two-dimensional convective numerical simulations in the simple case of a strongly temperature dependent viscous rheology appropriate for upper mantle rocks. We neglect here the weakening effect of a brittle rheology and of a crustal layer, and therefore we did not model tectonic deformations. Depending on the upper mantle viscosity and activation energy, a 300 km thick root can be inferred to be either indefinitely stable or to thicken with time or to thin with time. When the lithosphere is initially thicker than its equilibrium thickness, the convective flow at the base and on the sides of the lithospheric root is strong enough to cancel downwards heat conduction and to progressively remove the root. This flow is due to the finite density perturbations induced by the topography of the isotherms on the base and at the sides of the root. We derive two general parameterizations of the convective removal duration as a function of the equilibrium thickness, the thickening factor, the root width, and the rheological temperature scale. Using these relationships, and assuming that the lithospheric equilibrium thickness is about 100 km, the removal duration of a 250 km thick root ranges from 55 to 750 Myr depending on the root width. It is too small to explain the long term stability of cratonic lithospheric root, but too long to explain any sudden change in the stress and strain states in mountain belts development.     

Discussion on the relationship between the Yanshanian Movement and cratonic destruction in North China

The relationship between the Yanshanian Movement, destruction of the North China Craton(NCC), and subduction of the western Pacific plate is crucial to reconstructing the middle-late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Asian continent and margin. The Yanshanian Movement was a globally important change in crustal tectonics during the Middle-Late Jurassic.Previous research has systematically studied the formation and evolution of the Yanshanian Movement, focusing on the timing and location of tectonic movements, and the sedimentary and volcanic strata. However, the question of whether the tectonic activity occurred globally, and the characteristics of the Yanshanian Movement remain debated. The main argument is that if a tectonic movement can only be characterized by a regional or local disconformity, and if the tectonic movement occurred in an intracontinental setting, with extensive deformation but with no disconformity despite volcanic eruptions and magmatic intrusions, accompanied by changes in crustal structure and composition, should it be defined as a tectonic event or process? This question requires further analysis. The main aim of this study is to distinguish whether the Yanshanian Movement is a local feature of the eastern Asian continent, or a global tectonic event related to subduction of the Pacific Plate. In this paper, based on previous research, we discuss the spatial and temporal evolution of the Yanshanian Movement, the controlling tectonic mechanisms, and its relationship to the reactivation and destruction of the NCC and the subduction of the western Paleo-Pacific slab.We emphasize that the Yanshanian Movement in the Middle-Late Jurassic is distinct from the lithospheric thinning responsible for Early Cretaceous extension and magmatism related to the destruction of the NCC. The various tectonic stages were constrained by different dynamics and tectonic settings, or by different tectonic events and processes. Therefore, it is possible that the deformation and reactivation of the NCC contributed to its destruction, in addition to lithospheric thinning. Finally, we discuss whether the Yanshanian Movement was associated with the destruction of the NCC.     

The big mantle wedge and decratonic gold deposits

The Circum-Pacific subduction zone is a famous gold metallogenic domain in the world, with two important gold metallogenic provinces, the North China Craton and Nevada, which are related to the destruction of the North China Craton and the Wyoming Craton, respectively. Their ore-forming fluids were possibly derived from the stagnant slab in the mantle transition zone. The oceanic lithospheric mantle usually contains serpentine layers up to thousands of meters thick. During plate subduction, serpentine is dehydrated at depths of 200 km and transformed into high-pressure hydrous minerals, known as Phases A to E, which carries water to the depth of 300 km. The overlying big mantle wedge is hydrated during the breakdown of these hydrous facies in the mantle transition zone. The dehydration of the subducted slab in the big mantle wedge releases sulfur-rich fluid, which extracts gold and other chalcophile elements in the surrounding rocks, forming gold-rich fluid. Because the cratonic geotherm is lower than the water-saturated solidus line of lherzolite, the fluid cannot trigger partial melting. Instead, it induces metasomatism and forms pargasite and other water-bearing minerals when it migrates upward to depths of less than 100 km in the cratonic lithospheric mantle, resulting in a water-and gold-rich weak layer. During the destruction of craton, the weak layer is destabilized, releasing gold-bearing fluids that accelerate the destruction. The ore-forming fluids migrate along the shallow weak zone and are accumulated at shallow depths, and subsequently escape along deep faults during major tectonic events, leading to explosive gold mineralization. The ore-forming fluids are rich in ferrous iron, which releases hydrogen at low pressure through iron hydrolysis. Therefore, decratonic gold deposits are often reduced deposits.     

南海东北部及其邻近地区的Pn波速度结构与各向异性

利用中国地震台网和ISC台站1980～2004年的地震数据,反演了南海东北部及其邻近地区的Pn波速度结构和各向异性.上地幔顶部的速度变化揭示出区域地质构造的深部特征：华南地区速度较高并且变化平缓,具有构造稳定地区的岩石层地幔特征;华南沿海尤其是滨海断裂带附近出现低速异常,表明该断裂可能穿过壳幔边界深达上地幔顶部.南海北部至台湾海峡较高的速度与华南地区类似,反映出大陆边缘和陆架地区的岩石层地幔性质;西沙海槽附近较高的速度不仅反映了华南大陆向南的延伸,而且与海槽裂谷拉张引起的地幔上拱有关,整个南海北部没有发现大规模地幔热流的活动痕迹.相比之下,南海东部次海盆的上地幔顶部存在明显的低速异常,对应于海底扩张中心的地幔上涌区,表明岩石层地幔强烈减薄甚至缺失;台湾东部－吕宋－菲律宾北部的低速异常与地震、火山活动以及岩浆作用紧密相关,揭示了西太平洋岛弧俯冲带的活动特征;南海东北部的洋－陆边界清晰,南海东部和菲律宾海西部较高的速度代表了海洋岩石层地幔的性质.Pn波各向异性反映出区域性构造应力状态及岩石层地幔的变形痕迹：华南地区的各向异性较小,说明这一构造稳定地区的岩石层地幔变形程度较弱;南海北部的快波方向与地壳浅表层构造的伸展方向一致,主要反映了中、新生代以来的大陆边缘张裂和剪切作用对岩石层地幔结构的影响;琉球－台湾－吕宋岛弧两侧各向异性十分强烈,平行于海沟的快波方向表明菲律宾海板块和欧亚大陆的相互作用导致俯冲板块前缘的岩石层地幔强烈变形;台湾东南海域快波方向的变化可能与欧亚大陆和菲律宾海板块俯冲机制的转换以及岩石层被撕裂有关.     

郯庐断裂带中南段的岩石圈精细结构

郯庐断裂带是中国东部规模最大的构造活动带,有着复杂的形成演化历史,对中国东部的区域构造、岩浆活动、矿产资源的形成和分布以及现代地震活动都有重要控制作用.2010年在郯庐断裂带中南段的江苏宿迁市附近,采用深地震反射探测方法对郯庐断裂带及其两侧地块的岩石圈结构进行了解剖.结果表明,该区莫霍面和岩石圈底界均向西倾,其中,地壳厚度约为31~36 km,岩石圈厚度约为75~86 km,且岩石圈厚度在郯庐断裂带下方出现突变.郯庐断裂带在剖面上表现为由多条主干断裂组成的花状构造,其内部发育有断陷盆地和挤压褶皱,具有伸展、挤压和走滑并存的构造形迹,暗示郯庐断裂带的形成和演化经历了多期复杂的构造活动.这一断裂带错断了近地表沉积层,向下切割莫霍面和岩石圈地幔,属岩石圈尺度的深大断裂构造系统.软流圈高温高压热物质沿断裂带的上涌、岩浆底侵或热侵蚀作用造成岩石圈出现拉张伸展和岩石圈减薄,并可能使岩石圈组构及其物质成分发生改变.本项研究结果不但可进一步加深对郯庐断裂带深、浅部结构的认识,而且还可为分析研究华北克拉通东部的深部过程和浅部构造响应提供资料约束.     

云南岩石圈热结构

本文探讨了云南深部热流及岩石圈地温分布的横向变化特征，并将岩石圈热结构概括为３种类型；典型现代构造活动区热结构，中间过渡型地质区热结构和稳定地质区热结构。最后，简单讨论了地热与地震活动的关系。     

A review on developments in the electrical structure of craton lithosphere

Cratons have a long history of evolution. In this paper, applications of the magnetotelluric method used in the study of craton lithosphere over the past 30 years were reviewed, examining case studies of cratons in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The nuclei of the Archean cratons, for example the Kalahari Craton and Rae Craton, are usually characterized by thick and highly resistive lithospheric roots. During or after the formation of the cratons, tectonothermal events, such as collision, mantle plume, and asthenosphere upwelling led to the formation of high-conductivity zones in the craton lithosphere, which could be attributed to the increased hydrogen content (of nominally anhydrous minerals), higher iron content, and formation of graphite films or sulfides along the grain boundary of minerals. These conductive zones are characterized by resistivity discontinuities in craton lithosphere. In particular, the conductive zones include (1) large-scale lithospheric mantle conductors beneath the Slave Craton, Gawler Craton, and central part of North China Craton(Trans-North China Orogen); (2) near-vertical high-conductivity zone associated with the fossil subduction zone beneath the Dharwar Craton and Slave Craton; and (3) regional lateral electrical discontinuities, such as a conductive anomaly under the Bushveld Complex of the Kaapvaal Craton. The eMoho refers to the electrical discontinuity in the crust-mantle boundary. In existing research, this has been detected under the condition of extremely high lithospheric resistivity with only a slight decrease in the lower crust, and in the case of a very thin conductive lower crust or the lack thereof. In the resistivity model, the unique “mushroom-like” lower crust-lithosphere mantle conductor and very thin lower crust layer of the North China Craton may represent lithosphere destruction and/or thinning. We also find that some of the cratons are still not well understood. Therefore, extensive three-dimensional inversion and joint interpretation of geochemical, geophysical, and geologic data are necessary to understand the tectonic evolutionary history of craton lithosphere.