Initial oceanic subduction triggered by arc–continent collision: An example from the convergence between the Paleo-Asian Ocean and the North China Craton

Abstract

The driving mechanisms for initial oceanic subduction beneath a passive continental margin remain unclear. The Paleozoic convergence history between the North China Craton (NCC) and the Paleo-Asian Ocean provides an ideal opportunity to investigate the driving mechanisms of the onset of oceanic subduction. Our detrital zircon U–Pb dating results yield Middle Devonian to Permian ages (391–273 Ma) in Paleozoic strata within China's Aoji region, specifically in the Bainaimiao arc belt situated between the NCC and Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Detrital zircon age spectra, εHf(t) values, and two-stage model ages of the Devonian to Permian sediments suggest zircon contributions from both the NCC and CAOB. Combined with data from various regions along the Bainaimiao arc belt, findings suggest that the Bainaimiao island arc was accreted to the northern margin of the NCC through arc–continent collision during the late Silurian, rendering the NCC margin passive until the end-Devonian. At this point, southward subduction in the Paleo-Asian Ocean beneath the NCC commenced and continued into the Permian, transforming the northern margin of the NCC from passive to active. This initial subduction (ca. 359 Ma) in the Paleo-Asian Ocean resulted from collision-induced magmatism and deformation due to the protracted convergence and also led to a reversal in subduction polarity. Subsequently, in response to Paleo-Asian Ocean subduction, the northern margin of the NCC underwent rapid uplift during the Carboniferous, which led to widespread exposure of the NCC basement rocks in the late Carboniferous.