Lithospheric transformation of the northern North China Craton by changing subduction style of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate: Constraints from peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths in the Yangyuan basalts

Abstract

Mechanisms of lithospheric transformation beneath the North China Craton (NCC) were widely discussed, but the northern NCC was less studied compare to the eastern part. In this research, In-situ major and trace element and Sr isotopic compositions of spinel peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths carried by the Yangyuan Tertiary basalt were analyzed to constrain subduction style of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate (PAOP) and its influence on the northern NCC. These xenoliths were classified into dunite, pyroxenite, and two groups of lherzolites according to their petrography and chemical features. The petrography and mineral chemistry suggest that the dunite, pyroxenite, and Group 1 lherzolites are residues of partial melting which experienced subsequent hydrous metasomatism. Correlations between 87Sr/86Sr with the Zr/La and Zr/Nb ratios in clinopyroxenes from these xenoliths suggest that the metasomatic agents should be fluids derived from the subducted PAOP. Mineral RbSr isochron of the pyroxenite show that the minimum age of the metasomatism event should be 295 ± 38 Ma. Major element compositions of minerals in the Group 2 lherzolites are more fertile compare to the dunite and Group 1 lherzolites. Clinopyroxenes in these xenoliths exhibit LREE-depleted REE patterns with relatively high HREE contents and 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70403–0.70482). Chemical zonations are preserved in several clinopyroxenes with incompatible elements depleted from core to rim, which should be the results of melt depletion after metasomatism. Patches of silica-rich glasses were present along the grain boundaries. These glasses have sediment-like Pb isotopic compositions and trace elements distribution patterns and thus are supposed to represent the melt from recycled sediments. Combined with geophysical and tectonic evidences, we propose that roll-back of the southward low-angle subducted PAOP in the late stage of subduction contributed to remelting of the PAOP subduction-modified mantle wedge beneath the northern NCC.