New insights into the Precambrian tectonic evolution and continental affinity of the Qilian block: Evidence from geochronology and geochemistry of metasupracrustal rocks in the North Wulan terrane

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1723-1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Stephen T. Johnston ◽  
Nengsong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
The North ◽  
Chinese Tianshan ◽  
Tarim Craton ◽  
T Values ◽  
Silicate Rocks ◽  
Early Neoproterozoic

Abstract The Qilian block, one of the Precambrian terranes in the Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun orogenic system, is a critical region for reconstruction of the overall architecture and tectonic evolution of NW China. This investigation of zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry of a metasupracrustal sequence in the North Wulan terrane provides new insights into the Qilian block. A Statherian–Calymmian unit (ca. 1.67–1.5 Ga), dominated by Al- and Si-rich gneisses, arkosites, quartzites, and amphibolites with minor calc-silicate rocks and marbles, is interpreted to have been deposited during continental rifting. Detrital zircons show two main age populations of 2685–2276 and 2098–1761 Ma with mostly negative εHf(t) values (–14.0 to +3.6). The sources are characterized by mixed felsic to intermediate igneous rocks as well as recycled components and are interpreted as being derived from the Tarim craton because of the age distribution of their detrital zircons. A Stenian–Tonian unit (ca. 1.1–0.9 Ga) consists mainly of felsic gneisses, quartzites, calc-silicate rocks, marbles, metavolcanic rocks, and amphibolites. The metasedimentary rocks yielded detrital zircon ages clustering at ca. 1.64, 1.43, 1.3–1.2, 1.1, and 0.94 Ga with predominantly positive εHf(t) values (–7.1 to +9.7). One metavolcanic rock has an age of ca. 1110 Ma and εHf(t) values of +6.5 to +9.1. The provenance is dominated by local syndepositional arc-related igneous rocks with older detritus possibly from Laurentia, again based on the age distribution of the detrital zircons. The Central Qilian and Hualong terranes show strong affinities with the North Wulan terrane and together constituted a single coherent Qilian block prior to their involvement in the Qilian–North Qaidam orogen. The Qilian block was probably once part of the Tarim craton and had a strong linkage to South Tarim, which drifted from North Tarim during the breakup of Columbia in the early Mesoproterozoic. We suggest that, from the late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic, the South Tarim–Qilian formed an active continental margin located close to Laurentia during the assembly of Rodinia. The final collision occurred in the early Neoproterozoic with the formation of a significant continent that included the reunified Tarim-Qilian as well as Qaidam-Kunlun and Qinling terranes, Alxa block, Kyrgyz-Chinese Tianshan, and Yili block.

Late Paleozoic tectonism of the Bogda region in  Chinese North Tianshan: Insights from sedimentary provenance analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Wang ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Yigui Han ◽  
Jinlong Yao
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Late Paleozoic ◽  
Provenance Analysis ◽  
The North ◽  
Tectonic Transition ◽  
Isotopic Analyses ◽  
Zircon Morphology ◽  
Detrital Zircon Ages ◽  
T Values

<p>The Chinese North Tianshan (CNTS) extends E-W along the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and has undergone complicated accretion-collision processes in the Paleozoic. This study attempts to clarify the late Paleozoic tectonism in the region by investigating the provenance of the Late Paleozoic sedimentary successions from the Bogda Mountain in the eastern CNTS by U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses of detrital zircons. Detrital zircon U-Pb ages (N=519) from seven samples range from 261 ± 4 Ma to 2827 ± 32 Ma, with the most prominent age peak at 313 Ma. There are Precambrian detrital zircon ages (~7%) ranged from 694 to 1024 Ma. The youngest age components in each sample yielded weighted mean ages ranging from 272 ± 9 Ma to 288 ± 5 Ma, representing the maximum depositional ages. These and literature data indicate that some previously-assumed “Carboniferous” strata in the Bogda area were deposited in the Early Permian, including the Qijiaojing, Julideneng, Shaleisaierke, Yangbulake, Shamaershayi, Liushugou, Qijiagou, and Aoertu formations. The low maturity of the sandstones, zircon morphology and provenance analyses indicate a proximal sedimentation probably sourced from the East ­Junggar Arc and the Harlik-Dananhu Arc in the CNTS. The minor Precambrian detrital zircons are interpreted as recycled materials from the older strata in the Harlik-Dananhu Arc. Zircon ɛ<sub>Hf</sub>(t) values have increased since ~408 Ma, probably reflecting a tectonic transition from regional compression to extension. This event might correspond to the opening of the Bogda intra-arc/back arc rift basin, possibly resulting from a slab rollback during the northward subduction of the North Tianshan Ocean. A decrease of zircon ɛ<sub>Hf</sub>(t) values at ~300 Ma was likely caused by the cessation of oceanic subduction and subsequent collision, which implies that the North Tianshan Ocean closed at the end of the Late Carboniferous. This research was financially supported by the Youth Program of Shaanxi Natural Science Foundation (2020JQ-589), the NSFC Projects (41730213, 42072264, 41902229, 41972237) and Hong Kong RGC GRF (17307918).</p>

scholarly journals Proterozoic−Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the Qilian Shan and Eastern Kunlun Range, northern Tibet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Wu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Andrew V. Zuza ◽  
Peter J. Haproff ◽  
Xuanhua Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China ◽  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
North China ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
South China Craton ◽  
Late Neoproterozoic ◽  
North And South ◽  
North Qilian ◽  
Early Neoproterozoic

The Proterozoic−Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the Qilian Shan, Qaidam Basin, and Eastern Kunlun Range was key to the construction of the Asian continent, and understanding the paleogeography of these regions is critical to reconstructing the ancient oceanic domains of central Asia. This issue is particularly important regarding the paleogeography of the North China-Tarim continent and South China craton, which have experienced significant late Neoproterozoic rifting and Phanerozoic deformation. In this study, we integrated new and existing geologic field observations and geochronology across northern Tibet to examine the tectonic evolution of the Qilian-Qaidam-Kunlun continent and its relationships with the North China-Tarim continent to the north and South China craton to the south. Our results show that subduction and subsequent collision between the Tarim-North China, Qilian-Qaidam-Kunlun, and South China continents occurred in the early Neoproterozoic. Late Neoproterozoic rifting opened the North Qilian, South Qilian, and Paleo-Kunlun oceans. Opening of the South Qilian and Paleo-Kunlun oceans followed the trace of an early Neoproterozoic suture. The opening of the Paleo-Kunlun Ocean (ca. 600 Ma) occurred later than the opening of the North and South Qilian oceans (ca. 740−730 Ma). Closure of the North Qilian and South Qilian oceans occurred in the Early Silurian (ca. 440 Ma), whereas the final consumption of the Paleo-Kunlun Ocean occurred in the Devonian (ca. 360 Ma). Northward subduction of the Neo-Kunlun oceanic lithosphere initiated at ca. 270 Ma, followed by slab rollback beginning at ca. 225 Ma evidenced in the South Qilian Shan and at ca. 194 Ma evidenced in the Eastern Kunlun Range. This tectonic evolution is supported by spatial trends in the timing of magmatism and paleo-crustal thickness across the Qilian-Qaidam-Kunlun continent. Lastly, we suggest that two Greater North China and South China continents, located along the southern margin of Laurasia, were separated in the early Neoproterozoic along the future Kunlun-Qinling-Dabie suture.

A Tarim-North India connection in northern Gondwana: Constraints from provenance of early Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the Altyn Tagh orogen, southeastern Tarim

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Liu ◽  
Toshiaki Tsunogae ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Yigui Han ◽  
Jinlong Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Early Paleozoic ◽  
The North ◽  
Altyn Tagh ◽  
Tarim Craton ◽  
Tethys Ocean ◽  
Final Closure

<p>Amalgamation of northern Gondwana involves a wealth of present-day East Asian blocks (e.g., South China, North China, Alxa, Tarim, Indochina, Qiangtang, Sibumasu, Lhasa, etc.) due to consumption and closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. Locating the Tarim craton during assembly of northern Gondwana remains enigmatic, with different models separating Tarim from Gondwana by a paleoceanic domain throughout the Paleozoic, advocating a long-term Tarim-Australia linkage in the Neoproterozoic to the early Paleozoic, or suggesting a Tarim-Arabia connection in the early Paleozoic.</p><p>This study carried out field-based zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotopic analyses for early Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the Altyn Tagh orogen, southeastern Tarim. New dating results revealed that the early Paleozoic sedimentary rocks were deposited from ca. 494 to 449 Ma. Provenance tracing indicates the ca. 494-477 Ma sedimentary rocks were primarily sourced from the local Altyn Tagh orogen to the south of the North Altyn Ocean (one branch of the Proto-Tethys Ocean between southeastern Tarim and northern Gondwana). In contrast, the ca. 465-449 Ma sedimentary rocks have remarkably increasing ca. 840-780 Ma, 2.0-1.7 Ga, and 2.7-2.4 Ga detrital zircons, indicating an augmented supply of detritus from the Tarim craton to the north of the North Altyn Ocean. Such a significant provenance shift between ca. 477 and 465 Ma marks the timing of the final closure of the North Altyn Ocean. Combined with the timing of the final closure of other branches of the Proto-Tethys Ocean, the entire Proto-Tethys Ocean might have been progressively closed at ca. 500-420 Ma, resulting in the connection of most East Asian blocks with northern Gondwana. Based on detrital zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic comparison, Tarim most likely shared a North Indian affinity with many East Asian blocks (such as North Qilian, North Qinling, South China, Indochina, South Qiangtang, etc.). This new finding argues against an Australian or Arabian affinity for the Tarim craton.</p><p>This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Projects (grants 41730213, 42072264, 41902229, 41972237, and 41888101), Hong Kong Research Grants Council General Research Fund (grant 17307918), and Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to Prof. Toshiaki Tsunogae (No. 18H01300) and to Dr. Qian Liu (No. 19F19020). JSPS fellowship is also much appreciated.</p>

Detrital zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopes study of the Longshoushan Belt in the southwestern margin of the Alxa Block: Constraints on the tectonic evolution and affinity of the Alxa Block

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingna Liu ◽  
Changqing Yin ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Jiahui Qian ◽  
Kaiyuan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North China Craton ◽  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
North China ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Hexi Corridor ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
The North ◽  
Southwestern Margin ◽  
North Qilian

<p>     The tectonic evolution and affinity of the Alxa Block has long been controversial. The NW-SE trending Longshoushan Belt is in the southwestern margin of the Alxa Block, separated the Qilian Block. In this study, we present zircon U-Pb and Hf-isotope data of the middle and eastern Longshoushan, which could constrain the provenance and formation age of the Longshoushan Belt, and further constrain the tectonic evolution and affinity of the Alxa Block. The U-Pb ages of the detrital zircons from the amphibolite-facies metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks of the middle Longshoushan range from 3006 to 1981 Ma (peak at 2010 Ma), which were consistent with the Alxa Block and the western North China Craton, indicating that the middle Longshoushan was deposited in the Palaeoproterozoic, not in the Archean, and had tectonic affinity with the Alxa Block and the western North China Carton. Combined with the identical crustal growth events at 2.4-2.5 Ga of the middle Longshoushan, the Alxa Block and the western North China Craton, the Alxa Block was an integrated part of the Western Block of the North China Craton. The U-Pb ages of the detrital zircons from the greenschist-facies metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks of the eastern Longshoushan range from 3389 to 529 Ma (peak at 2.5 Ga and 1.0 Ga), which were highly consistent with Hexi Corridor, indicating that the eastern Longshoushan was deposited in the Cambrian, and had an affinity with the Hexi Corridor. In the Early Palaeozoic, the North Qilian Ocean subducted the Alxa Block and formed a typical trench-arc-basin system. With the closure of the North Qilian Ocean, the Central Qilian Block collided with the Alxa Block, formed the eastern Longshoushan, which was a foreland basin in the Hexi Corridor.</p>

The tectonic evolution of the Bogda region from Late Carboniferous to Triassic time: evidence from detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and sandstone petrography

2017 ◽  
Vol 155 (5) ◽  
pp. 1063-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIALIN WANG ◽  
CHAODONG WU ◽  
ZHUANG LI ◽  
WEN ZHU ◽  
TIANQI ZHOU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Upper Triassic ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Late Carboniferous ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Lower Permian ◽  
Geological Evidence ◽  
Upper Carboniferous

AbstractField-based mapping, sandstone petrology, palaeocurrent measurements and zircon cathodoluminescence images, as well as detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology were integrated to investigate the provenance of the Upper Carboniferous – Upper Triassic sedimentary rocks from the northern Bogda Mountains, and further to constrain their tectonic evolution. Variations in sandstone composition suggest that the Upper Carboniferous – Lower Triassic sediments displayed less sedimentary recycling than the Middle–Upper Triassic sediments. U–Pb isotopic dating using the LA-ICP-MS method on zircons from 12 sandstones exhibited similar zircon U–Pb age distribution patterns with major age groups at 360–320 Ma and 320–300 Ma, and with some grains giving ages of > 541 Ma, 541–360 Ma, 300–250 Ma and 250–200 Ma. Coupled with the compiled palaeocurrent data, the predominant sources were the Late Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the North Tianshan and Palaeozoic magmatic rocks of the Yili–Central Tianshan. There was also input from the Bogda Mountains in Middle–Late Triassic time. The comprehensive geological evidence indicates that the Upper Carboniferous – Lower Permian strata were probably deposited in an extensional context which was related to a rift or post-collision rather than arc-related setting. Conspicuously, the large range of U–Pb ages of the detrital zircons, increased sedimentary lithic fragments, fluvial deposits and contemporaneous Triassic zircon ages argue for a Middle–Late Triassic orogenic movement, which was considered to be the initial uplift of the Bogda Mountains.

scholarly journals U-Pb ZIRCON DATING OF MIDDLE EOCENE CLASTIC ROCKS FROM THE GERCUS MOLASSE, NE IRAQ: NEW CONSTRAINTS ON THEIR PROVENANCE, AND TECTONIC EVOLUTION

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (1C) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Nabaz Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
Middle Eocene ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Passive Margin ◽  
Accretionary Complex ◽  
Depositional Sequence ◽  
Clastic Rocks ◽  
The North

The provenance of Middle Eocene clastic rock from the Gercus Molasse, NE Iraq was determined by detrital zircon (DZ) U-Pb geochronology. The Gercus Molasse in the Iraqi segment of the north-eastern Zagros Thrust Zone provides an ideal example of foreland system evolution with respect to the transition from passive margin to the accretionary complex terrene-flexural foreland basins. The DZ U-Pb age spectra from the Gercus Molasse suggest that the foreland sediments either influx from multiple provenances or are the result of recycling from the accretionary complex terrane. During pre-accretion, however, the radiolarite basin (Qulqula Radiolarite, 221 Ma) located along Arabian passive margin likely acted as an intermediate sediment repository for most or all of the DZ. Representative DZ U-Pb measurements revealed that the Gercus clastic rocks fall into several separable age population ranges of 92-102 (Albian-Cenomanian), 221 (Upper Triassic), 395-511 (Cambrian), 570- 645 (Neoproterozoic), 1111 (Mesoproterozoic), and lesser numbers of Paleoproterozoic (1622-1991 Ma) ages. The source of Proterozoic detrital Zircons is enigmatic; the age peaks at 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, and 1.9 Ga (Proterozoic) does not correspond to any known outcrops of Precambrian rocks in Iraq, and it may be useful to continue to search for such basement. The detrital zircons with age populations at 0.63–0.86 Ga probably originated from the Arabian-Nubian Shield. The age peak at 0.55 Ga correlates with Cadomian Magmatism reported from north Gondwana. The age peaks at ~0.4 Ga is interpreted to represent Gondwana rifting and the opening of Paleotethys. The youngest ages populations at 93 Ma indicate that fraction of DZ were transported directly from the contemporaneously active magmatic arc (Zagros Ophiolite segments). The paleogeography and tectonic evolution of the Neogene Zagros foreland basin were reconstructed and divided into two tectonic stages. The early stage is defined by the Campanian accreted terranes (i.e. orogenic wedge) form loads sufficient to produce flexural basin with a deepest part is situated next to the tip of the loads. This flexural basin is filled by the flysch clastics of the Maastrichtian– Early Eocene (i.e. referred to by the Tanjero-Kolosh flysch sequence). The late stage is marked by a synchronized modification of the clastics fill of the basin and changes in dip directions to compensate for the reduction of the load by both erosion and extension and the basin, therefore, was sealed by a shallowing upwards depositional sequence ending with the terrestrial Gercus Formation.

Late Paleozoic- Early Mesozoic tectonics of Hainan Island: Key to understanding Paleotethyan geology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiying He ◽  
Peter Cawood ◽  
Yuejun Wang
Keyword(s):  
South China ◽  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
Hainan Island ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Late Paleozoic ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Early Mesozoic ◽  
History Of ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
T Values

<p>In Southeast Asia, establishing the origin and associated tectonic setting of Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic igneous rocks is complicated by structural overprinting and the complex tectonic evolution of the Paleotethyan regime. Hainan Island, located at the south-eastern margin of the Paleotethys, and lacking significant tectonic overprints is a key to understand amalgamation history of the Indochina and South China blocks and to constraining the tectonic evolution of Paleotethys ocean in southeast Asia.</p><p>The Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic record of igneous rocks on Hainan Island includes the following. 1) ca. 350 Ma island arc andesites and ca. 330 Ma metabasites, the latter with both MORB- and arc-like geochemical affinities, positive ε<sub>Nd</sub>(t) values of +5.86 – +9.85 and rare inherited zircons with a zircon age of 1400 Ma inferred to be derived from a MORB source with the input of a slab-derived component. Together with the ~350 Ma island arc andesites, the Carboniferous tectonic environment is supposed to be a continental back-arc basin setting. 2) Late Permian gneiss granitoids (272-252 Ma) characterized by a gneissic foliation and calc-alkaline I-type geochemical affinities with negative Nb-Ta and Ti anomalies, related to metasomatized mantle wedge modified by the sediment-derived component in a continental arc setting. 3) ca. 257 Ma arc-like andesites, which further validate a subduction-related setting. 4) Peraluminious Early-Middle Triassic massive granitoids (251–243 Ma) with slightly high A/CNK ratios, δ<sup>18</sup>O values (up to 11.75 ‰) and Sr/Y ratios, inferred to have formed in a compressive regime from a mixed source of greywacke and metabasite. 5) Middle-Late Triassic (242–225 Ma) high-K calc-alkaline granitoids with high zircon temperatures (842–867°C) and geochemical signatures of A-type granites. They show slightly low whole-rock ε<sub>Nd</sub>(t) and zircon ε<sub>Hf</sub>(t) values, suggestive of the derivation from a metabasite–greywacke source in an extensional setting. 6) ca. 240 Ma gabbro-dolerites showing enrichment in LILEs, depletion in HFSEs, negative ε<sub>Nd</sub> (t)-ε<sub>Hf</sub> (t) values (−8.45 to −1.05 and −5.9 to −2.7, respectively) and crustal-like δ<sup>18</sup>O values (7.26–8.70‰), it is implied that the Hainan Island entered into post-collisional environment in response to the asthenosphere upwelling shortly after the closure of back-arc basin.</p><p>Thus, Hainan Island provides a record of Carboniferous back-arc basin opening, followed by an extended Permian–Triassic history of subduction-related consumption leading to orogenic assembly and extensional collapse between the South China and Indochina blocks. Such a tempo-spatial pattern is consistent with that along the Song Ma–Ailaoshan suture zone rather than the magmatic history of eastern South China and indicates that the Paleotethys extended west to at least Hainan Island in the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic.</p>

Detrital zircon records of late Paleoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic northern North China Craton drainage reorganization: Implications for supercontinent cycles

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 2135-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaohui Liu ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Fulai Liu ◽  
Jianrong Shi ◽  
Lei Ji
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
North China Craton ◽  
North China ◽  
Rift Zone ◽  
Fennoscandian Shield ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Sediment Provenance ◽  
The North ◽  
Khondalite Belt ◽  
Early Neoproterozoic

Abstract Statherian through Tonian strata of the Langshan–Zha’ertai–Bayan Obo–Huade rift zone (LZBH) at the northern margin of the North China Craton provide an excellent record of changes in sediment provenance related to the supercontinent dispersal and amalgamation. During the late Paleoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic, the LZBH developed over the Yinshan Block and was flanked by the Khondalite Belt to the south, the Trans–North China Orogen and Yanliao rift zone to the east, ultimately preserving a >7000-m-sequence of fluvial, marginal marine, and offshore marine sediments. In order to decipher the influence of these tectonic features on sediment delivery to the area, we evaluated 4955 U-Pb and 1616 Lu-Hf analyses from 66 samples across the entire LZBH, of which 1002 U-Pb and 271 Lu-Hf analyses from 12 samples are newly reported herein. The detrital zircon results indicate three stratigraphic intervals with internally consistent age peaks: (1) Changcheng to lower Jixian system (Statherian–lower Calymmian), (2) upper Jixian system (upper Calymmian), and (3) Qingbaikou system (Tonian). Statistical analysis of the detrital zircon results reveals two distinct changes in sediment provenance. The first transition, between the lower and upper Calymmian, reflects a provenance change from the basement of the Yinshan Block and the Khondalite Belt to a mixed signature, indicating derivation from both basement and Statherian rift-related magmatic products. Such a transition implies establishment of east–west drainage systems traversing the Paleoproterozoic Trans–North China Orogen caused by continued rifting since Statherian and pre-magmatic uplift during breakup of the North China Craton from the Columbia supercontinent. The second transition is indicated by the presence of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons with juvenile Hf isotopic features since Tonian time and the up-section and northward increase of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons. Their provenance is interpreted to be the Fennoscandian shield by a pancontinental drainage system related to aggregation of the Rodinia supercontinent. Thus, the detrital zircon spectra in the LZBH document the transition from initial unroofing of local uplifted basement of the Yinshan Block and Khondalite Belt to the distant Yanliao rift zone, then to the more distant Fennoscandian shield.

Tectonic origin of the Bainaimiao arc terrane in the southern Central Asian orogenic belt: Evidence from sedimentary and magmatic rocks in the Damao region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Zhou ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Yigui Han ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
Xianzhi Pei
Keyword(s):  
North China Craton ◽  
North China ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Isotopic Study ◽  
Northern Margin ◽  
The North ◽  
Tarim Craton ◽  
Bayan Obo ◽  
Tectonic Origin

As a main part of the North China craton collage system, the tectonic origin of the Bainaimiao arc terrane is still hotly debated, especially its relationship with the North China craton. Thus, we report on a field-based petrological and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic study of (meta-)sedimentary and volcanic rocks from the Bainaimiao arc terrane and northern margin of the North China craton in the Damao region. The lower and middle successions of the Bayan Obo Group from the northern North China craton, including the Dulahala, Jianshan, Halahuogete, and Bilute Formations, were deposited ca. 1.81−1.35 Ga and show age peaks at 1.85, 1.90, 2.0, and 2.5 Ga. This age pattern is in accordance with the coeval and extensively outcropped metamorphosed basement rocks of the northern North China craton. The upper succession, including the Bayinbaolage and Hujiertu Formations, deposited ca. 1.19−0.92 Ga, shows age peaks at ca. 1.35, 1.57, and 1.69 Ga, and sediments were derived from coeval rift-related magmatism characterized by a significant increase in positive εHf(t) values in detrital zircons. Thus, the Bayan Obo Group can be subdivided into North China craton basement−derived sediments and Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic rift-derived sediments, and the change of the provenance was probably caused by the ca. 1.35−1.30 Ga rifting event related to the breakup of the Nuna supercontinent. In the Bainaimiao arc terrane, zircon U-Pb geochronological results of (meta-)sedimentary rocks indicate they were formed in the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic and have mainly late Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic ages (ca. 0.6−0.9, 1.1−1.2, 1.4−1.7, and 1.8−2.0 Ga) with peaks at ca. 0.86, 0.96, 1.15, 1.47, 1.66, 1.75, 1.80−1.87, and 1.94 Ga. The abundant Neoproterozoic ages for the Bainaimiao arc terrane detrital zircons are distinct from the scarcity of these ages in the northern North China craton, southern Siberia (age peaks at ca. 1.87, 1.92, and 2.0 Ga), and Mongolia (age peak at ca. 0.62, 0.83, 0.93, 1.84, and 2.0 Ga), but they are similar to the features of the Tarim craton (age peaks at ca. 0.62, 0.85, 1.15, 1.47, 1.66, 1.75−1.80, 1.85, and 1.94 Ga). Together with the recognition of a possible preexisting Proterozoic basement (ca. 0.7−2.0 Ga) in the Bainaimiao arc terrane, as evidenced by the Hf model ages of continental arc magmatism in the Bainaimiao arc terrane, this late Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic detritus probably resulted from local recycled sedimentation, and the preexisting Bainaimiao arc terrane basement rifted away from a continent with Tarim craton affinity. The rifting probably occurred between ca. 0.6 and 0.52 Ga, because the reworking of the Precambrian rocks in the North China collage system occurred between ca. 520 and 230 Ma.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document