Metamorphic P-T paths and zircon U-Pb ages of the intermediate to felsic granulites from the Jianping Complex, the North China Craton:Implications for the Neoarchean tectonic regime

Abstract

The Jianping Complex (JPC), located at the northwestern margin of the Eastern Block in the North China Craton (NCC), is one of the high-grade complexes that subjected to granulite facies metamorphism. It has been suggested that the JPC at least experienced two phases of Precambrian metamorphism. This study focuses on the late Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic metamorphic evolution of the felsic and intermediate granulites with ‘red-eye socket’ texture. Typical peak stage minerals including plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and quartz, as well as post-peak growth of garnet, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole and quartz were identified. Phase equilibria modelling for two selected samples was performed using THERMOCALC 3.45. Based on the petrographic observations and the modelling results, anticlockwise P-T paths are recovered for the granulites. Peak stage metamorphic P-T conditions are constrained to be 940–1000 °C/8.0–8.5 kbar, and the post-peak final solidus assemblages were stable at the conditions of 880–900 °C/9.5–10.5 kbar. U-Pb dating of three granulites yields magmatic ages of ~2.50–2.53 Ga and metamorphic ages of ~2.49 Ga, suggesting the short interval between the emplacement and the granulite facies metamorphism. Anticlockwise P-T paths can result from intrusion and underplating of mantle-derived magmas in several potential tectonic settings, among which scenarios of magmatic arc and mantle plume are both possible for the NCC at ~2.5 Ga. Comprehensively considering the lithological, metamorphic, geochronological, and structural characteristics of the Neoarchean basement rocks in the NCC, we favor the mantle plume model in this study. • The intermediate to felsic granulites from the JPC preserved ‘red-eye socket’ texture. • Anticlockwise P-T paths with peak conditions of 940–1000 °C/8.0–8.5 kbar were retrieved. • The timing of the magmatism and metamorphism are ~2.50–2.53 Ga and ~ 2.49 Ga.