Neoarchean suprasubduction zone ophiolite discovered from the Miyun Complex: Implications for Archean–Paleoproterozoic Wilson cycle in the North China Craton

Abstract

The North China Craton (NCC) offers a window to Archean–Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution. Following the amalgamation of microblocks during Neoarchean, the NCC witnessed another protracted Wilson cycle in the Paleoproterozoic with subduction-accretion-collision process. Here we report a newly identified suprasubduction zone ophiolite suite from the Miyun complex in the NCC where a rare and near-complete ophiolite succession is preserved including serpentinite, lherzolite, olivine clinopyroxenite, websterite, gabbro, dolerite, diorite, monzonite, metabasalts and trondhjemite, in association with Banded Iron Formation (BIF). The geochemical features of the suite are consistent with those of suprasubduction ophiolite complexes, with the mafic and intermediate members displaying Island Arc Tholeiite (IAT) and Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB) affinity. Zircon grains from lherzolite define three groups of 207Pb/206Pb weighted mean ages at 2500 ± 12 Ma marking the formation age, and 2237 ± 47 Ma, and 1843 ± 30 Ma representing subsequent thermal events. The majority of zircon grains in olivine clinopyroxenite, gabbro, and quartz monzonite yield 207Pb/206Pb weighted mean ages of 2510 ± 19 Ma, 2495 ± 10 Ma, and 2486 ± 21 Ma respectively. Those from the trondhjemite show weighted mean age of 2476 ± 9.4 Ma. The compiled age data from all the rock types in the Miyun suite show two distinct age peaks at ca. 2486 Ma and 1832 Ma, corresponding to the timing of magma differentiation and subsequent metamorphism. The zircon Lu-Hf isotope data display distinct positive ɛHf(t) values in the range 0.35–7.05, suggesting magma derived from Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic depleted mantle (juvenile) source. The zircon TDM ages show a peak at 2670 Ma, confirming Neoarchean components. The timing of magma formation in the Miyun ophiolite is broadly identical to those of the other rare Neoarchean – early Paleoproterozoic ophiolite suites described from the NCC including those from Yishui and Zunhua. Furthermore, evidence from the recently reported Alaskan-type intrusions and arc root mafic-ultramafic complexes around Miyun complex with ages in the range of 2.4–2.0 Ga suggest continued subduction-related magmatic processes, with final collision in latest Paleoproterozoic at around 1.84 Ga. We propose that following the assembly of ancient microblocks along multiple zones of ocean closure marked by major greenstone belts of 2.6–2.5 Ga, and high-grade metamorphism along the margins of the microblocks during Archean–Paleoproterozoic transition, the NCC went through another major Wilson cycle from early to late Paleoproterozoic involving prolonged subduction, accretion and collision of larger crustal blocks and intervening arc complexes, leading to final cratonization.