Tectonic controls on the Pleistocene–Holocene Wudalianchi volcanic field (northeastern China)

Abstract

The Wudalianchi volcanic field developed during the Pleistocene–Holocene but is dormant at present. Its latest eruption occurred in 1719–1721 AD. The volcanic rocks are high-potassium alkaline basalts derived from the upper mantle (c. 100–120 km depth) as indicated by geochemical data. The field is located in an old tectonic transition zone surrounded by four regional normal faults. The volcanic craters are aligned along NE–NNE-striking fractures and faults, although a NNW-striking sub-surface fracture zone probably controlled the eruptions beginning at 1.33±0.08 Ma. Beneath the volcanic field, the Moho interface lies at a depth of 33.5–35 km. Eruptions evolved from fissure type to central type eruptions. The field is characterized by an intraplate tectonic setting in a non-orogenic compressional regime which resulted from the subduction of the West Pacific plate beneath the eastern Asian continental margin starting 3–2 Ma ago.