Palaeoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, North China Craton: Geochemical and isotopic evidence from ca. 2.17 Ga felsic tuff

Abstract

The Palaeoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt (JLJB) in the North China Craton remains controversial, particularly in the absence of adequate evidence for oceanic plate subduction. Here, we report SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sm-Nd isotope data on felsic tuffs from the Anshan-Helan-Lianshanguang area in the Liaodong Peninsula which provides important insights into the early tectonic evolution of the JLJB. The zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages suggest formation of the tuffs crystallized at ca. 2.17 Ga, which coincide with the crystallization of the voluminous Liaoji granitoids in this belt. The felsic tuffs show calc-alkaline features and are characterized by a wide range of SiO 2 (61.89-72.55 wt.%), MgO (1.35-5.80 wt.%), Cr (36.0-67.8 ppm) and Ni (5.88-28.8 ppm) contents, and low TiO 2 (0.42-0.64 wt.%) and total Fe 2 O 3 (2.14-5.64 wt.%) concentrations. They also display enrichment in LREE and depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti similar to the features of continental arc andesites. Their wide variation in whole-rock εNd(t) (−2.6 to +3.4)combined with the synchronous magmatic activity in this region suggests that they were derived from mixing of mafic (e.g., those in the Liaohe suite) and felsic (e.g., the Liaoji granitoids) magmas, followed by fractional crystallization. In view of the widespread distribution of magmatism, including the Helan felsic tuffs and Liaoji granitoids, and the synchronous sedimentary rocks in the Liaodong Peninsula, we propose that the evolution of the JLJB involved an initial back-arc extension stage, followed by arc-continent collision. KEYWORDS back-arc and arc-continent collision, felsic tuff, Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, Liaohe Group, North China Craton, Palaeoproterozoic

Tectonic setting of the South Liaohe Group in the Jiao‐Liao‐Ji Belt, North China Craton: Geochemical and geochronological constraints from metasedimentary rocks

“…The arc–continent collision occurred ca. 1.95–1.85 Ga. Progress in the study of metamafic and volcanic‐sedimentary rocks in the Liaohe Group in recent years indicates the opening and closure of the back‐arc basin (Tian et al, 2017, 2020; Xu, Liu, & Liu, 2017, Xu, Liu, Santosh, et al, 2018, Xu, Liu, Tian, et al, 2018; Xu & Liu, 2019; Xu, Liu, Liu, et al, 2020; Xu, Liu, Wang, et al, 2020). On the basis of a detailed investigation of these metapelitic rocks, this study suggests that the metapelitic rocks in the South Liaohe Group should have formed in a back‐arc basin; this interpretation supports the arc–continent collision model rather than the rift closure model.…”

“…The present study area in the northern part of Xiuyan County is located in the northern segment of the JLJB and is dominantly composed of the South Liaohe Group. Conventionally, the South Liaohe Group is subdivided from the bottom upward into the Li'eryu, Gaojiayu, Dashiqiao, and Gaixian formations (BGMRLP, 1989; S. Z. Li, Zhao, Santosh, Liu, & Dai, 2011; F. L. Liu, Liu, Wang, Liu, & Cai, 2015; Xu & Liu, 2019; Xu, Liu, Wang, et al, 2020; Zhao et al, 2005). The metasedimentary rocks include sillimanite/garnet‐biotite plagiogneiss, (magnetite‐tourmaline‐graphite‐biotite) felsic granular rock, graphite‐bearing marble, dolomitic marble, metamorphic sandstone, and (sillimanite‐garnet) mica schist.…”

“…Metasedimentary rocks are widely distributed in the South Liaohe Group along the JLJB. Generally, the study of metasedimentary rocks is based on the geochronology of detrital zircon or volcanic interlayers to reflect their provenance and depositional age (e.g., S. Z. Li et al, 2005; Z. Li, Chen, Liu, Zhang, & Yang, 2015; J. Liu et al, 2018; F. L. Liu, Liu, Wang, Liu, & Cai, 2015; X. P. Lu et al, 2006; Luo et al, 2004, 2008; Meng et al, 2014; H. C. Wang et al, 2015; F. Wang, Liu, et al, 2017; Xu, Liu, Santosh, et al, 2018, Xu, Liu, Tian, et al 2018, Xu et al, 2020; Xu & Liu, 2019; Xu, Liu, Wang, Santosh, & Dong, 2020; Yuan et al, 2015). However, there are few geochemical studies on metasedimentary rocks (J. Liu et al, 2018; F. Wang, Liu, et al, 2017).…”

“…Liu et al, 2018;F. L. Liu, Liu, Wang, Liu, & Cai, 2015; X. P. Lu et al, 2006;Luo et al, 2004Luo et al, , 2008Meng et al, 2014;Xu, Liu, Santosh, et al, 2018Xu & Liu, 2019;Xu, Liu, Wang, Santosh, & Dong, 2020;Yuan et al, 2015). However, there are few geochemical studies on metasedimentary rocks (J.…”

Formation of Foliations and their Related Minerals from Diagenetic to Medium‐grade Metamorphic Rocks: A Case Study of the Hongyanjing and Liao‐Ji Backarc Basins, China

“…The Liao-Ji basin was suggested as a backarc basin in the northeast of China (Tian et al, 2017;Xu et al, 2020), which belongs to a Paleoproterozoic orogenic belt (the Jiao-Liao-Ji Orogenic Belt). Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks deposited in the backarc basin experienced three phases of deformation, minerals and minerals assemblages having experienced a transition from low-grade (such as chlorite) to medium-/high-grade (such as kyanite).…”