Mesozoic decratonization of the North China block

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2008 Mesozoic decratonization of the North China block 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, China *E-mail: jinhui@mail.igcas.ac.cn. 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 Simon A. Wilde; Simon A. Wilde 2Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University of Technology, P.O. Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elena Belousova; Elena Belousova 3Australian Research Council's National Key Centre for Geochemical Evolution and Metallogeny of Continents (GEMOC), Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William L. Griffin William L. Griffin 3Australian Research Council's National Key Centre for Geochemical Evolution and Metallogeny of Continents (GEMOC), Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2008) 36 (6): 467–470. https://doi.org/10.1130/G24518A.1 Article history received: 17 Oct 2007 rev-recd: 13 Feb 2008 accepted: 15 Feb 2008 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jin-Hui Yang, Fu-Yuan Wu, Simon A. Wilde, Elena Belousova, William L. Griffin; Mesozoic decratonization of the North China block. Geology 2008;; 36 (6): 467–470. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G24518A.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 Cratons are old, stable parts of the continental crust that have survived at least since Proterozoic time and have not undergone strong magmatism or tectonism since their stabilization. Traditionally, the growth of continental crust in the North China craton is considered to have been complete by Paleoproterozoic time, Phanerozoic events being largely restricted to surrounding orogenic belts. However, the eastern part of the North China craton contains large volumes of Mesozoic igneous rocks, with widespread metamorphic core complexes and pull-apart basins. Hf isotope compositions of magmatic zircon grains from igneous rocks in the Liaodong Peninsula indicate that widespread late Mesozoic granitoids formed by partial melting of ancient crust, but with significant input of a mantle component via magma mixing and crustal assimilation. This magmatism has resulted from removal and modification of lithospheric mantle, accompanied by asthenospheric upwelling. The Hf isotopic signatures thus record the addition of juvenile crust beneath the eastern part of the North China craton, which appears related to major extension and possibly slab rollback of the Pacific plate. Whatever the mechanism, it is apparent that since ca. 200 Ma, ancient lithosphere beneath the eastern North China craton has been progressively reactivated and replaced, resulting in “decratonization.” Tertiary to Holocene volcanism in the area and major subsidence around the Gulf of Bohai suggest that the effects of the process are continuing. Similar processes probably operated in the geological past, leading to significant modification of continental crust and requiring reconsideration of mechanisms for continental breakup and dispersal and of continental growth rates. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.