Two different magma series imply a Palaeogene tectonic transition from contraction to extension in the SE Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Late Cretaceous–early Tertiary granites in the Gyeongsang Basin have distinctly different bulk-rock compositions. Calc-alkaline I-type metaluminous granites display petrographic features implying magma mixing, whereas A-type granites are hypersolvus and peralkaline. I-type plutons mainly consist of enclave-rich granodiorites and enclave-poor porphyritic granites typified by abundant plagioclase phenocrysts; these granitoids contain various mafic clots and magmatic/microgranular enclaves (MMEs). A-type bodies are perthitic alkali-feldspar granites characterized by interstitial annite + riebeckite-arfvedsonite. New SHRIMP-RG zircon U–Pb age dating of an I-type enclave-poor porphyritic granite and an A-type alkali-feldspar granite yielded ages of 65.7 ± 0.7 and 53.9 ± 0.3 million years, respectively. Based on prior geochronologic data and these contrasting ages of granitic magma genesis, SE Korea may have evolved tectonically from latest Cretaceous compression to late Palaeocene extension (i.e. orogenic collapse). The later part of the 66–54 Ma magmatic gap apparently includes the time of tectonic inversion in the SE Korean Peninsula, a far-field effect of the collision of the Indian subcontinent with Eurasia. This process is also reflected in the 69–52 Ma NNE-trending Eurasian apparent polar wandering path.