U–Pb zircon chronology,geochemistry and isotopes of the Changyi banded iron formation in the eastern Shandong Province: Constraints on BIF genesis and implications for Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the North China Craton

The Changyi banded iron formation (BIF) in the eastern North China Craton (NCC) occurs within the Paleoproterozoic Fenzishan Group. The BIF shows alternating quartz-rich light and magnetite-rich dark bands with magnetite (15–65 vol.%), quartz (25–65 vol.%) and amphibole (15–30 vol.%) constituting the major minerals. Minor garnet, epidote, chlorite, calcite, biotite and pyrite occur locally. The BIF bands are interlayered with amphibolite, hornblende gneiss, biotite quartz schist, garnet biotite schist, biotite gneiss and leptynite, and are intruded by granites. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating on zircons separated from the BIF bands and the wallrocks constrains the depositional age as 2240–2193 Ma and metamorphic age as ~ 1864 Ma. The dominant composition of SiO₂ + Fe₂O₃^T (average value of 92.3 wt.%) of the BIF bands suggests their formation mainly through chemical precipitation. However, the widely varying contents of major elements such as Al₂O₃ (0.58–6.99 wt.%), MgO (1.00–3.86 wt.%), CaO (0.22–4.19 wt.%) and trace elements such as Rb (2.06–40.4 ppm), Sr (9.36–42.5 ppm), Zr (0.91–23.6 ppm), Hf (0.04–0.75 ppm), Cr (89.1–341 ppm), Co (2.94–30.4 ppm), and Ni (1.43–52.0 ppm) clearly indicate the incorporation of clastics, especially continental felsic clastics, as also confirmed by the presence of ancient detrital zircons in the BIF bands. When normalized against Post Archean Average Shale (PAAS), the seawater-like signatures of REE distribution patterns, such as LREE depletion, positive La and Y anomalies, and superchondritic Y/Ho ratios (average value of 36.3), support the deposition in seawater. Strong positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*_PAAS = 1.14–2.86) also suggest the participation of hydrothermal fluids. In addition, the sympathetic correlation between Cr, Co and Ni as well as the Co + Ni + Cu vs. ∑ REE and the Al₂O₃ vs. SiO₂ relations further indicates that the iron and silica mainly originated from hydrothermal fluids. Combined with regional geological investigation and protolith restoration of the wallrocks, a continental rift environment is suggested for the Changyi BIF deposition. The appearance of negative Ce_PAAS anomalies might suggest the influence of the Great Oxidation Event at the time of deposition. The Changyi BIF witnessed the major Paleoproterozoic rifting–collision events in the NCC and their unique distribution in the NCC contrasts with other examples elsewhere in the world.     

Oldest volcanic-hosted submarine iron ores in South China: Evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Paleoproterozoic Dahongshan iron deposit

The Dahongshan iron deposit is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic submarine metavolcanic rocks of the Dahongshan Group in the Yangtze Block, South China. LA-ICP-MS dating of hydrothermal zircon grains from the genetically associated albitite and dolomite albitite show ca. 2008 Ma ages that are consistent with the zircon ages from the host metavolcanic rocks (ca. 2012 Ma), and postdated the post-ore diabase dike (ca. 1724 Ma), marking the Dahongshan iron deposit as the oldest submarine volcanic-hosted deposit so far as known. The ore-hosting metavolcanic rocks in the Dahongshan deposit have low Ni (9.1–77.4 ppm), Cr (1.0–63.0 ppm) and Co contents (5.6–62.9 ppm), suggesting the fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase within the magma chamber. The major and trace element features of the alkaline to tholeiitic metavolcanic rocks are consistent with high-degree partial melting of the mantle wedge metasomatized by melts enriched in high field strength elements (HFSEs), which were derived from the subducted slab in volcanic arc setting. Based on an evaluation of the morphology of orebody, ore fabrics, petrology and melt-fluid inclusions, as well as the geochemical characteristics of the major ore mineral (magnetite), we correlate the iron mineralization in the Dahongshan deposit with hydrothermal process induced by the high-temperature, high-salinity and Fe-rich brines derived through magmatic exsolution. The similar characteristic of Ce and Eu anomalies of the Dahongshan iron deposit and banded iron formations (BIFs) suggest that the Dahongshan deposit was formed in reducing environment, although the two types of iron ores were generated through distinct processes with hydrothermal processes dominating for the submarine volcanic-hosted iron deposits whereas the BIFs were formed through chemical precipitation.     

Timing of late Neoarchean to late Paleoproterozoic events in the North China Craton: SHRIMP U–Pb dating and LA-ICP-MS Hf isotope analysis of zircons from magmatic and metamorphic rocks in the Santunying area,eastern Hebei

Santunying is an important area for revealing nature of the late Neoarchean tectono-magmato-thermal events in the eastern Hebei part of the North China Craton. It is mainly composed of meta-intrusive rocks. Supracrustal rocks sporadically occur in the meta-intrusive rocks. The meta-intrusive rocks are subdivided into the Santunying tonalitic gneiss, Qiuhuayu tonalitic-trondhjemitic gneiss, Xiaoguanzhuang dioritic gneiss and Qingyangshu meta-gabbro. Respectively, SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating on fourteen samples yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 2525–2537, 2532–2546, 2530–2544 and ∼2531 Ma for magmatic zircons from them. Dioritic gneiss of the Xiaoguanzhuang gneiss contain abundant 2544–3487 Ma xenocrystic zircons. SHRIMP U–Pb dating on a garnet-biotite gneiss sample yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2537 Ma for detrital zircons. All rocks underwent strong metamorphism, deformation and anatexis, resulting in formation of leucosomes and residues, with some leucosomes concentrating to form large veins. They record a strong late Neoarchean event by metamorphic zircon ages of 2489–2519 Ma. Some rocks also record metamorphic zircon ages of 1772–1843 Ma. Magmatic zircons from the magmatic rocks show large variations in ε_Hf(t) values ranging from −1.7 to +8.7. Combined with early studies, conclusions are: 1) Intrusive rocks with the involvement of mantle-derived materials have a narrow range of magmatic zircon ages from 2525 to 2546 Ma, and supracrustal rocks were formed during the same period. 2) Ancient crustal remnants (>2600 Ma) are present, consistent with the late Neoarchean arc magmatism involving older continental crust, similar to Phanerozoic Andean margins. 3) The Archean basement underwent a strong tectonothermal event at the end of the Neoarchean, with the metamorphic zircon ages being 10–30 million years younger than the timing of magmatism, a common feature of the North China Craton. 4) A late Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal event widely occurred in the western part of eastern Hebei, which is linked with regional ductile deformation.     

Timing of metamorphism in the Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt: New SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of granulites,gneisses and marbles of the Jiaobei massif in the North China Craton

The Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt lies in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton, with its southern segment extending across the Bohai Sea into the Jiaobei massif. High-pressure pelitic and mafic granulites have been recently recognized in the Paleoproterozoic Jingshan Group (Jiaobei massif). New SHRIMP U–Th–Pb geochronology combined with cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging of zircon has been applied to the determination of the timing of the metamorphism of the high-temperature and high-pressure granulites and associated gneisses and marbles. Metamorphic zircons in these high-pressure granulites, gneisses and marbles occur as either single grains or overgrowth (or recrystallization) rims surrounding and truncating oscillatory-zoned magmatic zircon cores. Metamorphic zircons are all characterized by nebulous zoning or being structureless, with high luminescence and relatively low Th/U values. Metamorphic zircons from two high-pressure mafic granulites yielded ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1956 ± 41 Ma and 1884 ± 24 Ma. One metamorphic zircon from a garnet–sillimanite gneiss also gave an apparent ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 1939 ± 15 Ma. These results are consistent with interval of ages of c. 1.93–1.90 Ga already obtained by previous studies for the North and South Liaohe Groups and the Laoling Group in the northern segment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt. Metamorphic zircons from a high-pressure pelitic granulite and two pelitic gneisses yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1837 ± 8 Ma, 1821 ± 8 Ma and 1836 ± 8 Ma respectively. Two diopside–olivine–phlogopite marbles yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1817 ± 9 Ma and 1790 ± 6 Ma. These Paleoproterozoic metamorphic ages are largely in accordance with metamorphic ages of c. 1.85 Ga produced from the Ji'an Group in the northern segment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt and c. 1.86–1.80 Ga obtained for the high-pressure pelitic granulites from the Jingshan Group in the southern segment. As this metamorphic event was coeval with the emplacement of A-type granites in the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt and its adjacent areas, it is interpreted as having resulted from a post-orogenic or anorogenic extensional event.     

Petrogenesis and zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of newly discovered Mesoarchean gneisses on the northern margin of the North China Craton

Geological mapping and zircon U–Pb laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) dating has identified a Mesoarchean (2857 ± 17 Ma) geological unit in the Luanjiajie area of the northern margin of the North China Craton, within the northern part of Liaoning Province, China. This unit is dominated by tonalitic and trondhjemite gneisses that form part of a typical tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) rock assemblage. These Mesoarchean gneisses are enriched in Na and depleted in K, yield K₂O/Na₂O ratios of 0.34–0.50, have Rittmann index (σ) values of 1.54–3.04, and are calc-alkaline. They have Eu_N/Eu_N* values of 0.77–1.20 (average of 1.03), indicating that these samples have negligible Eu anomalies, and yield high La_N/Yb_N values (4.92–23.12). These characteristics indicate that these Mesoarchean gneisses have fractionated rare earth element (REE) compositions that are enriched in the light REE (LREE) and depleted in the heavy REE (HREE), with steeply dipping chondrite-normalized REE patterns. These gneisses are also enriched in Rb, Th, K, Zr, and Hf, and are relatively depleted in Ta, Nb, P, and Ti. In summary, the magma that formed these tonalitic and trondhjemite gneisses was most likely derived from the partial melting of lower-crustal basaltic rocks during subduction. The timing of formation (2.85 Ga) of the Luanjiajie tonalite and trondhjemite gneisses probably represents the timing of initiation of plate tectonics within the LongGang Block during a SE-directed subduction event. The presence of inherited zircons with ages of >3.0 Ga within the Luanjiajie gneisses suggests that this area may contain as yet undiscovered rocks that formed before 3.0 Ga.     

Timing of the initiation of the Jurassic Yanshan movement on the North China Craton: evidence from sedimentary cycles,heavy minerals,geochemistry, and zircon U–Pb geochronology

A series of significant geological changes indicated by deformation, magmatic–metallogenic systems, and the climate and environment occurred in East Asia during Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous time, but the timing and development of the ‘Yanshan movement’ on the north margin of the North China Craton has not been well-established. Based on the evidence of tectonic deformation and magmatic activity, previous studies resulted in two views of the beginning of the Yanshan movement: Early Jurassic vs. late Middle Jurassic. In this work, the timing of the initial Yanshan movement was investigated by examining the Jurassic Chenjiabangou section in the Ningwu–Jingle basin overlying the north-central part of the North China Craton. The timing of the initial Yanshan movement was constrained by restoration of stream flow directions, determination of boundaries of sedimentary cycles, identification of heavy mineral assemblages in clastic rocks, quantification of changes in chemical compositions, and zircon U–Pb isotope dating. The results indicate that the basal conglomerates of the Middle Jurassic Yungang Formation (Bathonian) mark the beginning of the Yanshan movements. Evidence supporting this conclusion includes the following. (1) The switch from transgressive lacustrine deposition to regressive lacustrine deposition in the Yungang Formation sedimentary succession indicates a change from extension to compression, possibly reflecting uplift. (2) Early-stage clastic rocks rich in quartz and feldspar are replaced by feldspar detritus in late-stage clastic rocks; the heavy mineral assemblage dominated by zircon at the early stages changed to garnet-dominated assemblage upsection. Moreover, the concentrations of CaO, MgO, CO_2, and Fe₂O₃ + FeO and the Fe₂O₃/FeO ratio changed abruptly near the basal conglomerates of the Middle Jurassic Yungang Formation, suggesting increased denudation. (3) Conglomerates at the bottom of the Middle Jurassic Yungang Formation were deposited approximately 168 million years ago, as inferred from the age of zircons in tuffaceous micrite (160.6 ± 0.55 Ma) at the bottom of the Upper Jurassic Tianchihe Formation (Oxfordian) and the age of zircons in pyroclastic rocks (179.2 ± 0.79 Ma) in the Lower Jurassic Yongdingzhuang Formation (Toarcian). These lines of evidence indicate that initial Jurassic Yanshan movement began 168 million years ago during Middle Jurassic time.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of volcanic rocks in the Xiaoshan and Waifangshan areas along the southern margin of the North China Craton: Constraints from bulk-rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic composition

As part of the Xiong'er volcanic belt along the southern margin of the North China Craton, volcanic rocks in the Xiaoshan and Waifangshan areas have a compositional range from the basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite to rhyolite, which display consistent variation trends in terms of their major and trace elements and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. The variable Yb contents with nearly constant La/Yb and Tb/Yb ratios of volcanic rocks in two areas suggest that the fractional crystallization may have played an important role in the differentiation from the basaltic andesite, through andesite and dacite, to rhyolite. The volcanic rocks in these two areas are characterized by the LILE and LREE enrichments and negative HFSE anomalies, implying hydrous melting of a mantle wedge in a subduction zone. Variable Sr/Nd ratios of the basaltic andesite and andesite are interpreted as a result of the fluid addition from a subducting slab. Non-radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions as well as high Zr/Y and Nb/Y ratios suggest that the volcanic rocks in these areas were derived from an enriched mantle source. On the other hand, the volcanic rocks of the basaltic andesite and andesite possess markedly higher Fe–Ti and HFSE concentrations than those of typical intra-oceanic arcs, implying that the mantle source from which the volcanic rocks were derived was metasomatised by siliceous melts during the Archean to Paleoproterozoic subduction/collision in the Trans-North China Orogen. These data suggest that in the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic, the southern margin of the North China Craton was most likely an Andean-type continental arc in which slab dehydration not only induced the melting of a pre-existing metasomatised mantle source, but also released LILE-enriched fluids into the mantle source, masking the inherent HFSE-enriched characteristics of the volcanic rocks along the southern margin of the craton. The results of this study indicate that the North China Craton, like many other continental components (e.g. North America, Greenland, Baltica, Amazonia, Australia, etc.) of the supercontinent Columbia (Nuna), also underwent a subduction-related outgrowth along its southern margin during the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic time.     

Crust-mantle interaction during the tectono-thermal reactivation of the North China Craton: constraints from SHRIMP zircon U–Pb chronology and geochemistry of Mesozoic plutons from western Shandong

Chronological, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic analyses have been carried out on the Mesozoic plutons in western Shandong with the aim of characterizing crustal–mantle evolution during the tectono-thermal reactivation of the craton. Detailed SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating reveals two main periods of Mesozoic activity with contrasting compositions. The older magmatic pulse is manifested by monzonites and monzodiorites from Tongshi for which zircon rims yield a concordant age of 177±4 Ma and the cores have a discordant age of ca. 2.5 Ga. Low MgO and Cr, high Na₂O contents and especially their isotopic compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr < 0.7042, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 16.8 and _Nd ~ –12) are consistent with derivation from late Archean–Paleoproterozoic lower crust. Relatively high HREE contents in these Jurassic plutons indicate a garnet-free source (<32 km), in contrast to the garnet-bearing source (>40 km) of the late Mesozoic high Sr and low Y granitoids from the same region. Distinctively different depths of crustal melting suggest dynamic thickening of the crust by magmatic underplating during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The younger dioritic plutons from Laiwu and Yinan were emplaced at 132–126 Ma and show relatively high MgO and Cr contents and large isotopic variability. They were likely derived from enriched lithospheric mantle source and were subjected to crustal contamination during magma evolution. Early Cretaceous mantle melting is coeval with the widespread late Yanshanian granitic magmatism in North China. Early Cretaceous time may correspond to a critical period when a temperature increase due to lithospheric thinning allowed the intersection of the local geotherm and the wet peridotite solidus. While some mantle-derived magmas were erupted, most were trapped at variable crustal depths, triggering large-scale concomitant melting of the crust. Lithospheric thinning must have continued until the late Cretaceous because of the change in the source of mafic magmas from lithospheric to asthenospheric at that time. It is proposed that removal of the lithospheric keel beneath the North China craton may have been initiated as early as the Jurassic, but with the most intense period in the Cretaceous between 130–75 Ma. Such a relatively long timescale (~100 Ma) emphasizes the role of thermomechanical erosion by convective mantle in lithospheric thinning beneath this region.     

U–Pb zircon,Re–Os molybdenite geochronology and Rb–Sr geochemistry from the Xiaobaishitou W (–Mo) deposit: Implications for Triassic tectonic setting in eastern Tianshan,NW China

The Xiaobaishitou W (–Mo) deposit is located in the eastern segment of the Central Tianshan, northwestern China. The deposit represents a skarn system distributed in the contact zones of biotite granite and crystalline limestone of the Mesoproterozoic Kawabulag Group. The Xiaobaishitou deposit is characterized by a typical calc-silicate mineralogy dominated by garnet, diopside and wollastonite, with minor epidote, tremolite, actinolite, chlorite, quartz, fluorite and calcite. The prograde and retrograde skarns are characterized by garnet–clinopyroxene–wollastonite and epidote–tremolite–actinolite–chlorite, respectively, intruded and replaced by mineral assemblages of scheelite–cassiterite–magnetite, quartz–sulfides and calcite–quartz–fluorite in younger order.Six molybdenite samples from the deposit yielded Re − Os isotope model ages ranging from 239.7 ± 3.6 Ma to 251.4 ± 3.6 Ma. The zircon crystals from biotite granite and Mo-mineralized granite yield weighted ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 242 ± 1.7 and 240.5 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. Both the zircon U − Pb and the molybdenite Re − Os ages obtained in this study fall in a narrow span of 242–240 Ma, which suggest that the Xiaobaishitou W (–Mo) system was formed in the Triassic. The Re contents of the molybdenites range from 40.33 to 64.67 ppm, suggesting that the ore-forming materials were derived mainly from continental crust together with the involvement of minor mantle components. Combined with the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of tungsten-bearing quartz veins from other studies, which scatter between 0.707153 and 0.709877, demonstrating mixing between two end-member isotopic compositions of crust and mantle. It can be concluded that the Indosinian Xiaobaishitou deposit was formed in a tectonic transition from collisional crust shortening and thickening to post-collisional extension and thinning.     

Molybdenite Re–Os and U–Pb zircon dating and genesis of the Dayana W-Mo deposit in eastern Ujumchin,Inner Mongolia

The Dayana W-Mo deposit in eastern Ujumchin of Inner Mongolia is a quartz-vein type deposit in the mid-western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Biotite monzogranite, quartz porphyry and hornfels host W-Mo in quartz veins. Based on spatial relationships, molybdenite was deposited first followed by wolframite. This contribution presents precise laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb zircon dating and geochemical analysis of the biotite monzogranite. The U–Pb dating shows that the monzogranite is 134 ± 1 Ma. Major and trace element geochemistry shows that the monzogranite is characterized by high SiO₂ and K₂O contents, a “Right-inclined” shape of the chondrite normalized REE patterns, enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs) such as Nb, P, Ba. The monzogranite is high-K calc-alkaline, has a strong negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.04–0.45), low P₂O₅ content, high A/CNK of > 1.2, enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; such as Rb, Th, U, Nd, and Hf), and notably depleted in Ba, Sr, P, Ti, and Nb. These characteristics define the Dayana monzogranite as a highly fractionated peraluminous granite. Re–Os isotopic analysis of seven molybdenite samples from the deposit yield an isochron age of 133 ± 3 Ma (MSWD = 2.2), which indicates that the monzogranite and ore have the same age within error, are probably genetically related, and related to a major Early Cretaceous mineralizing event in China known as the Yanshanian.     

Paleo- to Eoarchean crustal evolution in eastern Hebei,North China Craton: New evidence from SHRIMP U–Pb dating and in-situ Hf isotopic study of detrital zircons from paragneisses

In the Caozhuang complex in eastern Hebei, North China Craton, the Paleo- to Eoarchean crustal evolution was earlier revealed by the preservation of detrital zircon grains older than (or as old as) 3.8 Ga in fuchsite-quartzite. In order to test if the Eoarchean antiquity is also preserved in rocks other than the fuchsite quartzite, we collected two paragneisses, a hornblende gneiss and a garnet–biotite gneiss, from Huangbaiyu village and dated their detrital zircon grains. The zircon dating of the hornblende gneiss yielded concordant ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages ranging from 3684 to 3354 Ma. However, an older date of 3782 Ma with 18% discordancy was also obtained. Detrital zircon grains from the garnet–biotite gneiss gave a similar ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age range, from 3838 to 3342 Ma. The metamorphic domains of the zircon grains from both samples, including the strongly recrystallized cores and rims, recorded an overprinting metamorphism at ca. 2.5 Ga, which correlates with the most widespread tectono-thermal event in the North China Craton. In situ zircon Hf-isotope analyses on the dated zircon grains yielded a wide range of model ages (T_DM1) from 4.0 to 3.3 Ga with corresponding ε_Hf(T) from −36.0 to +4.8. This suggests that the evolution of the crustal segment in this area has involved multiple phases of juvenile crustal addition as well as recycling of older crustal rocks. The new geochronological results imply the presence of a significant amount of Eoarchean crustal fragments in the eastern Hebei area. The sedimentary protoliths of the paragneisses and other high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Caozhuang complex were probably deposited between 3.4 and 2.5 Ga.     

In situ zircon U–Pb dating and O isotopes of the Neoarchean Hongtoushan VMS Cu–Zn deposit in the North China Craton: Implication for the ore genesis

The Hongtoushan volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is the largest Archean Cu–Zn deposit in China, located in the Qingyuan greenstone belt on the northern margin of the North China Craton. The Cu–Zn mineralization was stratigraphically controlled by the interbeds (~ 100 m in thickness) of mafic–felsic volcanic sets and overlain by banded iron layers. However, the relationship between VMS deposits and associated volcanics has not been examined. This study ultimately clarifies the times and sources of the volcanics and mineralization. Based on in situ zircon U–Pb and O isotope on VMS-hosting mafic, felsic volcanic rocks, banded and massive sulfide ores and postmineralization pegmatite vein, we considered that there were two main formation stages for the Qingyuan Cu–Zn deposits; one was exhalative-hydrothermal sedimentation and another was further Cu–Zn enriched by later hydrothermal processes. The timing of the first stage occurred at 2571 ± 6 Ma based on the magmatic zircons in the VMS-hosting mafic volcanic rocks, from which the inherited zircons also indicate the existence of 2.65–3.12 Ga ancient supercrustal rocks in the Qingyuan district. A modern mantle-like δ¹⁸Ozircon value of 5.5 ± 0.1‰ (2SD) for this volcanism was well preserved in the inherited core domains of ore samples. It suggests that the mafic volcanics was most likely sourced from partial melting of juvenile crust, e.g., TTG granites. A large-scale metamorphic or hydrothermal event is documented by the recrystallized zircons in sulfide ores. The timing is tightly constrained by the hydrothermal zircon U–Pb ages. They are 2508 ± 4 Ma for the banded ore, 2507 ± 4 Ma for the massive ore and 2508 ± 2 Ma for the postmineralization pegmatite vein. These indistinguishable ages indicate that the 2507 Ma hydrothermal systems played a significant role in the upgrading of the VMS Cu–Zn orebodies. The weighted δ¹⁸O values of hydrothermal zircons show a successively increasing trend from 6.0 ± 0.1‰ (2σ) for the banded ore, 6.6 ± 0.2‰ (2σ) for the massive ore to 7.3 ± 0.2‰ (2σ) for the later pegmatite vein. This variation might be induced by gradual inputting of the δ¹⁸O-rich oceanic crust and/or oceanic sediment during the hydrothermal cycling system. Considering its modern mantle-like oxygen isotope composition of 2571 Ma volcanism, a submarine volcanic hydrothermal system involving mantle plumes is a preferred setting for the Neoarchean VMS Cu–Zn deposits in the Qingyuan greenstone belt.     

In-situ SIMS uraninite U–Pb dating and genesis of the Xianshi granite-hosted uranium deposit,South China

The southeastern part of the Nanling metallogenic province, China is host to numerous granite-hosted vein-type hydrothermal uranium deposits. The geology and geochemistry of these deposits have been extensively studied. However, accurate and precise ages for the uranium mineralization are scarce because the uranium minerals in these deposits are usually fine grained, and may have formed in several stages. Therefore, the ages previously obtained by the bulk dating techniques are possibly a mixed age.The Xianshi uranium deposit, located in the southeastern part of the Guidong granite complex, is a major uranium deposit in South China. The uranium mineralization from this deposit is mainly fine grained uraninite in quartz or calcite veins which are spatially associated with the Cretaceous mantle-derived mafic dykes. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that the dominant uranium mineral occurs as a rare form of uraninite (U₃O₇). Three distinct generations of uranium minerals have been identified based on petrographic and field relations. Stage 1 uraninite has the lowest UO₂ and highest PbO contents whereas Stage 3 uraninite has the highest UO₂ and lowest PbO contents.Uraninite from the Xianshi deposit was dated using an in-situ SIMS U–Pb dating technique. The results show three distinct age groups: 135 ± 4 Ma, 113 ± 2 Ma and 104 ± 2 Ma, which are in excellent agreement with the ages of three episodes of mantle-derived mafic dykes. Therefore, the Xianshi uranium deposit has experienced at least three hydrothermal events that are responsible for the deposition of uranium ores, which are genetically related to the emplacement of three sets of mafic dykes.     

Temporal–spatial distribution and tectonic setting of porphyry copper deposits in Iran: Constraints from zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology

Porphyry copper deposits (PCDs) in Iran are dominantly distributed in Arasbaran (NW Iran), the middle segment of the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), and Kerman (central SE Iran), with minor occurrences in eastern Iran and the Makran arc. This paper provides a temporal–spatial and geodynamic framework of the Iranian porphyry Cu (Mo–Au) systems, based on geochronologic data obtained from zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating of host porphyritic rocks and molybdenites in 15 major PCDs. The dating results define a long metallogenic duration (39–6 Ma), and suggest a long history of tectonic evolution from the accretionary orogeny related to early Cenozoic closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean to subsequent collisional orogeny for the Iranian porphyry copper systems.The oldest porphyry mineralization occurred in the eastern part of Iran after the closure of a branch of the Neo-Tethyan (Sistan) Ocean between the Lut and Afghan blocks in the late Eocene (39–37 Ma). This was followed by mineralization in the Kerman porphyry copper belt over a time interval of about 20 m.y., where two metallogenic epochs have been recognized, including late Oligocene (29–27 Ma) and Miocene (18–6 Ma). The Bondar-e-Hanza deposit formed in the late Oligocene, while and the remaining dated deposits belong to Miocene epoch. According to the deposits' characteristics and their ages, the Miocene epoch can be divided into early, middle, and late stages. The Darreh Zar, Bakh Khoshk, Chah Firouzeh and Sar Kuh deposits formed during the early–middle Miocene. The largest porphyry deposits occur in the middle stage during the middle Miocene (14–11 Ma) and include the Sar Cheshmeh, Meiduk, Dar Alu and Now Chun deposits. These deposits were formed during crustal thickening, uplift, and rapid exhumation of the belt. The final stage of porphyry mineralization occurred during the late Miocene (9–6 Ma), and formed the Iju, Kerver, Kuh Panj and Abdar deposits.There were two porphyry mineralization stages in the Arasbaran porphyry copper belt in NW Iran, including an older late Oligocene (29–27 Ma) and a younger early Miocene (22–20 Ma) events. The Haft Cheshmeh deposit belongs to the older stage, and the world-class Sungun and Masjed Daghi deposits formed during the early Miocene.In the middle segment of the UDMA (Saveh–Yazd porphyry copper belt), PCDs formed during middle Miocene time (17–15 Ma). The geochronological results reveal that the porphyry mineralization moved from the northwest to southeast of UDMA over the time.Our dating results, combined with the possible late Eocene–Oligocene timing for collision between the Arabian and Iranian plates, support a model for Iranian PCD formation by partial melting of previously subduction-modified lithosphere in a post-subduction and post-collisional tectonic setting.     

The formation and rejuvenation of continental crust in the central North China Craton: Evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope

The Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) along the central part of the North China Craton (NCC) is considered as a Paleoproterozoic suture along which the Eastern and Western Blocks of the NCC were amalgamated. Here we investigate the Precambrian crustal evolution history in the Fuping segment of the TNCO and the subsequent reactivation associated with extensive craton destruction during Mesozoic. We present zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb and Lu–Hf data on TTG (tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite) gneiss, felsic orthogneiss, amphibolite and granite from the Paleoproterozoic suite which show magmatic ages in the range of 2450–1900 Ma suggesting a long-lived convergent margin. The ε_Hf(t) values of these zircons range from −11.9 to 12 and their model ages suggest magma derivation from both juvenile components and reworked Archean crust. The Mesozoic magmatic units in the Fuping area includes granite, diorite and mafic microgranular enclaves, the zircons from which define a tight range of 120–130 Ma ages suggesting a prominent Early Cretaceous magmatic event. However, the ε_Hf(t) values of these zircons show wide a range from −30.3 to 0.2, indicating that the magmatic activity involved extensive rejuvenation of the older continental crust.     

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.     

The genesis of the ores and granitic rocks at the Hongshi Au deposit in Eastern Tianshan,China: Constraints from zircon U–Pb geochronology,geochemistry and isotope systematics

The Hongshi gold deposit is located in the southwestern margin of the Kanggur–Huangshan ductile shear zone in Eastern Tianshan, Northwest China. The gold ore bodies are predominantly hosted in the volcanogenic metasedimentary rocks of the Lower Carboniferous Gandun Formation and the Carboniferous syenogranite and alkali-feldspar granite. The syenogranite and the alkali-feldspar granite yield SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages of 337.6 ± 4.5 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.3) and 334.0 ± 3.7 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.1), respectively, indicating that the Hongshi gold deposit is younger than 334 Ma. The granitoids belong to shoshonitic series and are relatively enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, K, Ba, and Pb) and depleted in high field-strength elements (Nb, Ta, P, and Ti). Moreover, these granitoids have high SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and K₂O contents, low Na₂O, MgO, and TiO₂ contents, low Nb/Ta ratios, and slightly positive Eu anomalies. The ε_Hf(t) values of the zircons from a syenogranite sample vary from + 1.5 to + 8.8 with an average of + 5.6; the ε_Hf(t) values of the zircons from an alkali-feldspar granite sample vary from + 5.0 and + 10.1 with an average of + 7.9. The δ³⁴S values of 10 sulfide samples ranged from − 11.5‰ to + 4.2‰, with peaks in the range of + 1‰ to + 4‰. The above-mentioned data suggest that the Hongshi granitoids were derived from the melting of juvenile lower crust mixed with mantle components formed by the southward subduction of the paleo-Tianshan ocean plate beneath the Aqishan–Yamansu island arc during the Early Carboniferous. The Hongshi gold deposit was formed by post-collisional tectonism during the Permian. The granitoids most likely acted as impermeable barriers that prevented the leakage and runoff of ore-bearing fluids. Thus, the granitoids probably played an important role in controlling gold mineralization.     

Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb chronology of charnockites in the Yinshan Block,North China Craton: tectonic evolution involving Neoarchaean ridge subduction

The Yinshan Block, part of the Neoarchaean basement of the Western Block of the North China Craton, is composed of granite–greenstone and granulite–charnockite complexes. We report research on a suite of charnockites from the granulite–charnockite complex and characterize their geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotopic composition. The charnockites can be divided into intermediate (SiO₂ = 59–63 wt.%) and silicic (SiO₂ = 69–71 wt.%) groups. U–Pb zircon data yield protolith formation ages of 2524 ± 4 Ma, 2533 ± 15 Ma, followed by metamorphism at 2498 ± 3 Ma, 2490 ± 11 Ma, respectively, for these groups. Although the intermediate charnockites are characterized by higher Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃^T, MnO, MgO, CaO, P₂O₅, K₂O, Sr, and ΣREE content than the silicic charnockites, the ages and Hf isotopic composition of zircons and REE patterns of both intermediate and silicic charnockites are remarkably consistent, which indicates that they are genetically related. These charnockites are predominantly metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, calc-alkalic to calcic, and magnesian – characteristics generally related to a subduction setting. High-Sr + Ba granites with low K₂O/Na₂O characteristics, shown by these charnockites, imply a mixture of mafic and felsic magmas generated from an enriched mantle + lower crust. High MgO, Ni, Cr and Mg#, low K₂O/Na₂O, and metaluminous to slightly peraluminous natures imply that the source rocks most likely were amphibolites. Coeval calc-alkaline magmatism and high-T granulite-facies metamorphism under low-H₂O activity in the area lead us to propose a model involving mid-ocean ridge subduction within a Neoarchaean convergent margin. The arc-related rocks accreted along the continent margin, and became a barrier when the lithospheric mantle ascended through the slab window. Melt derived from the decompressing mantle mixed with melt derived from the overlying, juvenile lower crust melt, which was warmed and metamorphosed by the ascending lithospheric mantle.     

SIMS zircon U–Pb dating of the Late Cretaceous dinosaur egg-bearing red deposits in the Tiantai Basin,southeastern China

Dinosaur eggs or fragments are abundant and extensively distributed in China. They can be very informative in biostratigraphic division and correlation of continental strata where other fossils are relatively lacking. Despite remarkable discoveries of vertebrate fossils, particularly dinosaur eggs and skeletons from the middle and Late Cretaceous of both northern and southern China, there is hardly any direct evidence for the ages of the vertebrate-bearing terrestrial deposits. To constrain their depositional ages, here we have obtained SIMS U–Pb zircon ages from the tuffs interbedded with dinosaur egg-bearing sediments from the Laijia and Chichengshan formations of the terrestrial red deposits of the Late Cretaceous in the Tiantai Basin, Zhejiang Province, southeastern China. The SIMS zircon U–Pb ages from the Laijia and Chichengshan formations are about 96–99 Ma (Cenomanian) and 91–94 Ma (Turonian), respectively, providing direct time constraints on the vertebrate and dinosaur egg evolution in the Late Cretaceous as well as a basis for correlation with terrestrial Cretaceous deposits in other regions of southern and northern China.     

Petrology,geochemistry and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes of the Cretaceous dykes in the central North China Craton: Implications for magma genesis and gold metallogeny

The Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), a Paleoproterozoic suture that amalgamates the Western and Eastern Blocks of the North China Craton (NCC), witnessed extensive magmatism and metallogeny during Mesozoic, associated with intraplate tectonics and differential destruction of the cratonic lithosphere. Here we investigate a suite of porphyry dykes surrounding the Mapeng batholith in the Fuping Complex within the TNCO in relation to the Mesozoic gold and molybdenum mineralization. The major element chemistry of these dykes show a range of SiO₂ (57.92 to 69.47 wt.%), Na₂O (3.20 to 4.77 wt.%), K₂O (3.12 to 4.60 wt.%) and MgO (0.51 to 3.67 wt.%), together with high concentration of LREE and LILE, and relatively low contents of HREE and HFSE. The rocks display (La/Yb)_N = 13.53–48.11, negative Nb, Ta, Th, U and Zr anomalies, and distinctly positive Ba, K and Sm anomalies. The mineralogy and geochemistry of the porphyry dykes indicate the rocks to be high-K calc-alkaline, and I-type, with adakitic features similar to those of the adjacent Mapeng batholith. The source magma for these rocks was derived from a mixture of reworked ancient continent crust and juvenile mantle materials. The zircon U–Pb data from these rocks show ages in the range of 124 to 129 Ma, broadly coinciding with the emplacement age of the Mapeng intrusion. The inherited zircons of ca. 2.5, 2.0 and 1.8 Ga in the dykes represent capture from the basement rocks during melting. The zircon Lu–Hf isotopic compositions show negative ε_Hf(t) values varying from − 27.8 to − 11.3, with Hf depleted model ages (t_DM) ranging from 1228 Ma to 1918 Ma and Hf crustal model ages (t_DM^C) of 1905 Ma to 2938 Ma, suggesting that the Mesozoic magmatism and associated metallogeny involved substantial recycling of ancient basement rocks of the NCC. We present an integrated model to evaluate the genesis of the porphyry systems and their relation to mineralization. We envisage that these dykes probably acted as stoppers (impermeable barriers) that prevented the leakage and run-off of the ore-bearing fluids, and played a key role in concentrating the gold and molybdenum mineralization.