Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.3 Ga) A-Type Granites on the Northern Margin of the North China Craton: Response to Break-Up of the Columbia Supercontinent

Abstract

Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.3 Ga) magmatism in the North China Craton (NCC) was dominated by mafic intrusions (dolerite sills) with lesser amounts of granitic magmatism, but our lack of knowledge of this magmatism hinders our understanding of the evolution of the NCC during this period. This study investigated porphyritic granites from the Huade–Kangbao area on the northern margin of the NCC. Zircon dating indicates the porphyritic granites were intruded during the Mesoproterozoic between 1285.4 ± 2.6 and 1278.6 ± 6.1 Ma. The granites have high silica contents (SiO2 = 63.10–73.73 wt.%), exhibit alkali enrichment (total alkalis = 7.71–8.79 wt.%), are peraluminous, and can be classified as weakly peraluminous A2-type granites. The granites have negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.14–0.44), enrichments in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g., K, Rb, Th, and U), and depletions in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). εHf(t) values range from –6.43 to +2.41, with tDM2 ages of 1905–2462 Ma, suggesting the magmas were derived by partial melting of ancient crustal material. The geochronological and geochemical data, and regional geological features, indicate the Mesoproterozoic porphyritic granites from the northern margin of the NCC formed in an intraplate tectonic setting during continental extension and rifting, which represents the response of the NCC to the break-up of the Columbia supercontinent.