Destruction geodynamics of the North China craton and its Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics

Much attention has been paid in the last two decades to the physical and chemical processes as well as temporal-spatial variations of the lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton. In order to provide insights into the geodynamics of this variation, it is necessary to thoroughly study the state and structure of the lithospheric crust and mantle of the North China Craton and its adjacent regions as an integrated unit. Based on the velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle constrained from seismological studies, this paper presents various available geophysical results regarding the lithosphere thickness, the nature of crust-mantle boundary, the upper mantle structure and deformation characteristics as well as their tectonic features and evolution systematics. Combined with the obtained data from petrology and geochemistry, a mantle flow model is proposed for the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. We suggest that subduction of the Pacific plate made the mantle underneath the eastern Asian continent unstable and able to flow faster. Such a regional mantle flow system would cause an elevation of melt/fluid content in the upper mantle of the North China Craton and the lithospheric softening, which, subsequently resulted in destruction of the North China Craton in different ways of delamination and thermal erosion in Yanshan, Taihang Mountains and the Tan-Lu Fault zone. Multiple lines of evidence recorded in the crust of the North China Craton, such as the amalgamation of the Archean eastern and western blocks, the subduction of Paleo-oceanic crust and Paleo-continental residue, indicate that the Earth in the Paleoproterozoic had already evolved into the plate tectonic system similar to the present plate tectonics.     

A possible relict mantle wedge: Geochemical evidence from Paleogene volcanics in North China

The major and trace element and isotopic composition were analyzed for the Paleogene volcanics in North China dated by the K-Ar method. The geochemical data show that most volcanics are in calc-alkaline series and the minor is in alkaline series. They differ obviously from Neogene and Quaternary volcanics in geochemistry. In particular, the Paleogene volcanics from the southern part of North China were derived from enriched lithospheric mantle (EMII), which were likely to be a relict mantle wedge formed during the subduction of the Yangtze plate into the North China plate in late Triassic (Indo-Sinian).     

Geologic relationships and geochronology of the Cenozoic volcanoes and interbedded weathered mantles of Yulinshan in Qiangtang, North Tibet

The Yulinshan accumulations of volcanic rocks and interbedded weathered mantles provide a unique chance for studying the processes and environment of the formation of the planation surface in central Tibetan Plateau. Geochemical,⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and K/Ar geochronologic investigations of the weathered mantles and high-potassium volcanic rocks reveal that the volcano-weathered mantle accumulations formed under arid or semi-arid subtropic environment in 30–24 Ma. The sole planation surface of the Qiangtang region finally formed in about 20 Ma.     

中国东南部新生代岩石圈地幔研究

利用中国东南部新生代玄武岩中约２００个深源捕虏体,试图认识该区岩石圈地幔的成分特征,了解其经历的地幔作用过程,通过电子探针（ＥＭＰ）和激光探针（ＬＡＭ－ＩＣＰＭＳ）微束技术,对具代表性的深源捕虏体中的矿物进行了主量元素和微量元素地球化学分析,结合全岩主量元素地球化学特征,提出中国东南部元古代地壳之下主要为新的饱满型地幔,而这种新生代岩石圈地幔的形成与该区晚中生代以来软流圈上涌、岩石圈减薄和伸展作用密切相关。     

Late Mesozoic interaction between crust and mantle in coastal area of Zhejiang-Fujian

This paper summarizes the lithogeochemical features of composite lavas, dikes and plutons composed of early Cretaceous associated basic-acidic igneous rocks from the coastal area of Zhejiang-Fujian. On the basis of the studies on Nd, Sr, Pb isotopic signatures and geochemical characteristics of large ion lithophile elements (L1LE) , light rare earth elements (LREE) and high field strong elements ( HFSE) of these contemporary basic-acidic igneous rocks, it is considered that the source enrichment caused by the subduction of Pacific plate and contamination of crustal rocks and melts during ascending process may lead to the formation of basaltic magmas with a high LILE concentration. These late Mesozoic composite basic-acidic igneous rocks are the products of the interactions between crust and mantle in active continental margin.     

The muscles,body wall and valve-opening mechanism of extant craniid (inarticulated) brachiopods

Specimens of six species of craniid brachiopod were dissected and the musculature, body wall and mantle were examined. New names are proposed for the “brachial protractor” and “brachial retractor” muscles. The “brachial elevator” muscles are part of the anterior adductor muscles, a small bundle of translucent quick-muscle partially enclosed by a larger, curving bundle of the dark-coloured slow-muscle. A new ring muscle is described. The lophophore arms are extended and retracted by the hydrostatic skeleton and brachial muscles respectively. The valves of Novocrania are probably opened by the creation of hydrostatic pressure, within a newly described coelomic chamber, by contraction of the oblique lateral muscles. Neoancistrocrania has an extra pair of dorsal mantle canals arising at the posterior and a dorsally directed pouch in the body wall.