Diachronous decratonization of the Sino-Korean craton: Geochemistry of mantle xenoliths from North Korea

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2010 Diachronous decratonization of the Sino-Korean craton: Geochemistry of mantle xenoliths from North Korea Jin-Hui Yang; Jin-Hui Yang * 1State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 9825, Beijing 100029, China2GEMOC ARC Key Centre, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia *E-mail: jinhui@mail.igcas.ac.cn. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Suzanne O'Reilly; Suzanne O'Reilly 2GEMOC ARC Key Centre, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard J. Walker; Richard J. Walker 3Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William Griffin; William Griffin 2GEMOC ARC Key Centre, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Fu-Yuan Wu; Fu-Yuan Wu 1State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 9825, Beijing 100029, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ming Zhang; Ming Zhang 2GEMOC ARC Key Centre, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Norman Pearson Norman Pearson 2GEMOC ARC Key Centre, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (9): 799–802. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30944.1 Article history received: 07 Dec 2009 rev-recd: 18 Mar 2010 accepted: 12 Apr 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jin-Hui Yang, Suzanne O'Reilly, Richard J. Walker, William Griffin, Fu-Yuan Wu, Ming Zhang, Norman Pearson; Diachronous decratonization of the Sino-Korean craton: Geochemistry of mantle xenoliths from North Korea. Geology 2010;; 38 (9): 799–802. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30944.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Ancient cratons are typically characterized by thick lithospheric-mantle roots that provide them with buoyancy and rigidity. Once formed, cratons, including their roots, move around Earth's surface as parts of rigid plates that are normally unaffected by later magmatism or tectonic activity. Considerable geophysical and geochemical evidence, however, suggests that the ancient lithospheric mantle beneath the Chinese portion of the eastern Sino-Korean craton was replaced by thinner, hotter, juvenile mantle during the Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. The extent and cause of the changes to this lithospheric mantle have been debated. Keys to deciphering the history of the changes include knowledge of both the lateral extent of the lithospheric modifications and the relative timing of change across the craton. Discerning the age and structure of lithospheric mantle underlying North Korea, the easternmost part of the Sino-Korean craton, is thus particularly important. Here we report mineral compositions and Re-Os isotopic data for peridotite xenoliths from North Korean Triassic kimberlite and Tertiary basalts. The data suggest that, from the Triassic to the present, North Korea has been underlain by young, hot and fertile lithospheric mantle, unlike typical cratonic lithospheric roots, but similar to the juvenile lithospheric mantle underlying Chinese portions of the craton. Given the generally ancient nature of the crust composing North Korea, our findings suggest that modification of underlying cratonic roots extended to the eastern edge of the craton. The Triassic eruption age of the kimberlite suggests that the lithospheric changes may have occurred earlier than in China, indicating that lithospheric removal evolved from east to west. These results are most consistent with the conclusion that lithospheric loss was initially triggered by extension that followed the collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.