Geochronological Framework and Geodynamic Implications of Mafic Magmatism in the Liaodong Peninsula and Adjacent Regions,North China Craton

Mafic rocks are widespread on the Liaodong Peninsula and adjacent regions of the North China Craton. The majority of this magmatism was originally thought to have occurred during the Pre-Sinian, although the precise geochronological framework of this magmatism was unclear. Here, we present the results of more than 60 U-Pb analyses of samples performed over the past decade, with the aim of determining the spatial and temporal distribution of mafic magmatism in this area. These data indicate that Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic mafic rocks are not as widely distributed as previously thought. The combined geochronological data enabled the subdivision of the mafic magmatism into six episodes that occurred during the middle Paleoproterozoic, the late Paleoproterozoic, the Mesoproterozoic, the Late Triassic, the Middle Jurassic, and the Early Cretaceous. The middle Paleoproterozoic （2.1-2.2 Ga） mafic rocks formed in a subduction-related setting and were subsequently metamorphosed during a ca. 1.9 Ga arc-continent collision event. The late Paleoproterozoic （ca. 1.87-1.82 Ga） bimodal igneous rocks mark the end of a Paleoproterozoic tectono- thermal event, whereas Mesoproterozoic mafic dike swarms record global-scale Mesoproterozoic rifting associated with the final breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. The Late Triassic mafic magmatism is part of a Late Triassic magmatic belt that was generated by post-coilisional extension. The Middle Jurassic mafic dikes formed in a compressive tectonic setting, and the Early Cretaceous bimodal igneous rocks formed in an extensional setting similar to a back-arc basin. These latter two periods of magmatism were possibly related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.

Genesis of the Maoling gold deposit in the Liaodong Peninsula:Constraints from a combined fluid inclusion,C-H-O-S-Pb-He-Ar isotopic and geochronological studies

The large tonnage Maoling gold deposit(25 t@3.2 g/t)is located in the southwest Liaodong Peninsula,North China Craton.The deposit is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic metamorphic rocks.Four stages of mineralization were identified in the deposit:(stageⅠ)quartz-arsenopyrite±pyrite,(stageⅡ)quartz-goldarsenopyrite-pyrrhotite,(stageⅢ)quartz-gold-polymetallic sulfide,and(stageⅣ)quartz-calcitepyrrhotite.In this paper,we present fluid inclusion,C-H-O-S-Pb-He-Ar isotope data,zircon U-Pb,and gold-bearing sulfide(i.e.arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite)Rb-Sr age of the Maoling gold deposit to constrain its genesis and ore-forming mechanism.Three types of fluid inclusions were distinguished in quartzbearing veins,including liquid-rich two-phase(WL type),gas-rich two-phase(GL type),and daughter mineral-bearing fluid inclusions(S type).Fluid inclusions data show that the homogenization at temperatures 197 to 372°C for stageⅠ,126 to 319°C for stageⅡ,119 to 189°C for stageⅢ,and 115 to 183°C for stageⅣ,with corresponding salinities of 3.7 to 22.6 wt.%,4.7 to 23.2 wt.%,5.3 to 23.2 wt.%,and 1.7 to14.9 wt.%Na Cl equiv.,respectively.Fluid boiling was the critical factor controlling the gold and associated sulfide precipitation at Maoling.Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopic analyses for quartz yielded δ^(18)O=-5.0‰ to 9.8‰ and δD=-133.5‰ to-77.0‰.Carbon stable isotopic analyses for calcite and ankerite yielded δ^(13)C=-2.3‰to-1.2‰ and O=7.9‰ to 14.1‰.The C-H-O isotope data show that the oreforming fluids were originated from magmatic water with meteoric water input during mineralization.Hydrothermal inclusions in arsenopyrite have ^(3)He/^(4)He ratios of 0.002 Ra to 0.054 Ra,and ^(40)Ar/^(36)Ar rations of 1225 to 3930,indicating that the ore-forming fluids were dominantly derived from crustal sources almost no mantle input.Sulfur isotopic values of Maoling fine-grained granite range from6.‰1 to 9.8‰,with a mean of 7.7‰,δ^(34)S values of arsenopyrite from the mineralized phyllite(host rock)range from 8.9‰ to 10.6‰,with a mean of 10.0‰,by contrast,δ^(34)S values of sulfides from ore vary between 4.3‰and 10.6‰,with a mean of 6.8‰,suggesting that sulfur was mainly originated from both the host rock and magma.Lead radioactive isotopic analyses for sulfides yielded^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb=15.830–17.103,^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb=13.397–15.548,^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb=35.478–36.683,and for Maoling fine-grained granite yielded ^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb=18.757–19.053,^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb=15.596–15.612,and ^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb=38.184–39.309,also suggesting that the ore-forming materials were mainly originated from the host rocks and magma.Zircon U-Pb dating demonstrates that the Maoling fine-grained granite was emplaced at 192.7±1.8 Ma,and the host rock(mineralized phyllite)was emplaced at some time after2065.0±27.0 Ma.Arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite give Rb–Sr isochron age of 188.7±4.5 Ma,indicating that both magmatism and mineralization occurred during the Early Jurassic.Geochronological and geochemical data,together with the regional geological history,indicate that Early Jurassic magmatism and mineralization of the Maoling gold deposit occurred during the subducting Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath Eurasia,and the Maoling gold deposit is of the intrusion-related gold deposit type.

The Coastal Zone Loess of the Liaodong Peninsula, Liaoning Province

This Paper discusses the origin of the Coastal Zone Loess on the Liaodong Peninsula, Liaoning Province.The loess is composed mainly of proximal materials transported by low-altitude air flow and less commonly ofinland distal materials carried by high-altitude air flow. The main provenance is the Liaodong Bay. When thesea level declined during glacial period, the bottoms of the Liaodong Bay and Bohai Sea emerged, wheredesertization occurred. As a result, submarine sediments were transported by strong northwesterly winds to theeastern coastal zone of the peninsula and deposited there. These materials mixed with the windblown dust car-ried by atmospheric circulation from the interior of the continent, forming the loess.

Geochronological Framework and Geodynamic Implications of Mafic Dykes in the Liaodong Peninsula, North China Craton

The North China Craton,one of the oldest continental nuclei on Earth,is bounded to the north by the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and to the south by the Qinling–Dabie ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt.The Liaodong

Precambrian Mantle Characteristics as Recorded by the Episodic Mafic Magmatism in the Liaodong Peninsula

1 Introduction Mafic rocks are widespread throughout the Liaodong Peninsula and vicinity,northeastern North China Craton,providing important constraints on their mantle source characteristics of individual episodes,as they have

Lower activity time constraint on the ore-controlling Erdaogou fault in the Qingchengzi orefield of the Liaodong Peninsula,NE China

The Erdaogou fault,also known as the 101 fault,comprises the most important NE strike component in the ore-controlling system in the Qingchengzi orefield,Liaodong Peninsula.Due to the poor outcrop conditions in the field,the Erdaogou fault lacks activity time constraint.We demonstrate the constraint activity time of the fault since we observe a lamprophyre that was cut through by the Erdaogou fault in the Taoyuan area,central to the Qingchengzi orefield.Zircon grains from the lamprophyre dyke exhibit typical oscillatory zoning and yield weighted mean U–Pb age of 223.8±1.1 Ma(MSWD=1.5).The lower activity time limit of the Erdaogou fault is thus first constrained as 224 Ma or so and is correlated with the crystallization age of the Xinling and Shuangdinggou plutons within the orefield.Taking previous mineralization studies into consideration,a Triassic tectonic-magmatism-mineralization model is approved in the Qingchengzi orefield.

IMPACTS OF TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES EXPERIENCING EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION DURING NORTHWARD PROGRESSION ON THE RAINFALL OF LIAODONG PENINSULA

Both of Typhoon Winnie (9711) and Matsa (0509) underwent an extratropical transition (ET) process when they moved northward after landfall and affected Liaodong Peninsula. However, Matsa produced half as much rainfall as Winnie, although it struck Liaodong Peninsula directly while Winnie passed through the Bohai Sea. The relations between the ET processes and the precipitation over Liaodong Peninsula are examined. The result shows that the precipitation difference between Winnie and Matsa was closely related to the interactions between the westerly systems and typhoons during their ET processes. Winnie was captured by the upper westerly trough and then coupled with it when moving to the mid-latitudes, and the positive anomaly of moist potential vorticity (MPV) was transported downward from the upper troposphere over the remnant circulation of the tropical cyclone (TC). It was favorable to the interaction between tropical warm and wet air and westerly cold air, causing convective cloud clusters to form and develop. The rain belt composed of several meso-β cloud clusters over the Liaodong Peninsula, resulting in heavy rainfall. On the other hand, Matsa did not couple with any upper trough during its ET process and the positive anomaly of MPV in the upper troposphere and its downward transfer were weak. Only one meso-β cloud cluster occurred in Matsa’s rain belt during its ET process that tended to lessen rainfall over Liaodong Peninsula.

THE CHARACTERISTIC AND CAUSE OF SEA WATER INTRUSION AND POLLUTION IN SOUTH LIAODONG PENINSULA

Based on various patterns of groundwater and their abundance characters in south Liaodong Peninsula, the distribution, stage, pattern and characters of sea water intrusion in the serious sea water intrusion areas are analysed. The reasons to cause sea water intrusion are uneven precipitation, limited recharge of surface water, artificial overpumping, lithology and geological structure. It can provide scientific basis for reasonable utilization of limited water resource in line with the local conditions.

MOTION AND INTENSITY AND IMPACT CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CYCLONE AFFECTING THE LIAODONG PENINSULA

Conventional data and the Yearbook on Tropical Cyclones (TC) data from 1971 to 2000 are used to study the climate and disaster features of TC affecting the Liaodong Peninsula. Results indicate that interannual change of TC activities is obvious. Different sources of TC have different impacts on the area of interest. Intensity and moving speed of TC vary substantially in the progress of northward movement. Besides, tracks and damage distributions of TC are quite different.

Zircon U-Pb age,geochemical and Nd isotopic data of Middle Jurassic high-Mg dioritic dike in Liaodong Peninsula,NE China

Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age,geochemical and Nd isotopic data are presented for a newly recognized high-Mg dioritic dike from Haicheng,Liaodong Peninsula,NE China,to constrain its petrogenesis. The zircons from the high-Mg diorite exhibit striped absorption and oscillatory growth zoning in the cathodoluminescence( CL) images,and have high Th/U ratios( 0. 05--0. 9),indicating a magma origin. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating indicates that206 Pb /238 U ages of 12 spots of zircons are between 167 Ma and 178 Ma,yielding a weighted mean206 Pb /238 U age of 172 ± 2 Ma( MSWD = 4. 1),which represents the forming age of the high-Mg dioritic dike,i. e. Middle Jurassic. Geochemically,the samples have SiO2= 55. 4--60. 6 wt. %,Na2 O = 2. 2--2. 76 wt. %,K2 O = 1. 32--2. 02 wt. % and( Na2 O + K2O) = 3. 82--4. 47 wt. %,belonging to sub-alkaline series and displaying a calc-alkaline evolutionary trend. They are characterized by high MgO( 4. 75--6. 85 wt. %),Mg#( 55--61),Cr( 130--262 ppm),Ni( 63--130 ppm),Sr( 568--857 ppm),and Ba( 484--1 130 ppm) contents,with geochemical features analogous to those of high-Mg adakites. They show variable εNd( t) values(-1. 3 to- 3. 9),with a weighted value of- 2. 7,which plot intermediately between the field of the ancient continental crust and the depleted mantle source,indicating that both the lower crust and mantle source are necessary for the generation of the parent magma of the Haicheng high-Mg diorites. The Haicheng high-Mg dioritic dike in the Liaodong Peninsula and the Jurassic magmatism in the eastern North China Craton formed under a continental crustal thickening setting that may be related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate.

Uranium Mineralization Type and Its Recognition Remark in Liaodong Peninsula

Liaodong peninsula is located in the northeastern part of North China Platform. The basement of platform in this district is composed of Archean-Paleoproterozoic metamorphic rocks and granitic complex with sedimentary rocks covering. Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks sporadically occur in some subsidence basins. Multiple tectonic movements and metamorphism and magmatism with multi-mineralization following formed various U deposits. Based on knowledge obtained from long standing working, this paper presents an overview of crust evolution and different U mineralization at last propcaes the form- ing conditions and recognition for U ore.

The genesis and resource potential of gold deposits in the Liaodong Peninsula

Plenty of gold deposits related to Late Mesozoic craton destruction are widely distributed in eastern North China Craton. However, significant differences in research degrees, ore-forming characteristics, and proven reserves exist among different regions in the North China Craton. The Liaodong Peninsula has similar regional geological characteristics to those of the Jiaodong Peninsula, with both experiencing craton destruction during Late Mesozoic, but the two areas have substantial differences in terms of gold mineralization and the proven gold resources. Based on regional geology, Mesozoic magmatictectonic evolution and ore geology, combined with integrated geophysical exploration and big data AI resource prediction, in this paper, we propose that the ore-forming materials of Late Mesozoic gold deposits in Liaodong were mainly originated from mantle-derived melts and/or fluids induced by craton destruction. The gold deposits were primarily controlled by NE-NNEtrending faults, mainly classified as fracture-controlled altered rock-type and sulfide-bearing quartz vein-type. Moreover, our study predicts that the Yalu River fault zone and its related secondary faults, as well as the periphery and deeper parts of known goldfields, are the important regions for future gold resource exploration. The Yalu River metallogenic belt has an enormous potential for gold resources, and the Liaodong Peninsula has a potential to add thousands of tons of gold resources.

Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous tectonic switching in Liaodong Peninsula of the North China Craton and the implications for gold mineralisation

Constraining the processes of deformation during tectonic switching from compression to extension is difficult because of the scarcity or absence of associated sedimentary and magmatic rocks and weak metamorphism.The east margin of the eastern North China Craton experienced Early to Middle Jurassic compression and Early Cretaceous extension.However,the period of tectonic quiescence lasting~13 million years(between 153 and 140 Ma)during which this transition occurred is poorly understood.This paper reports the identification of small-scale N-S-trending thrust and sinistral strike-slip faults(TSS)and NWtrending thrust and dextral strike-slip faults(TDS)in the Tongyuanpu-Aiyang region,which is part of the northern Liaodong Peninsula.Calculation of the tectonic stress field using striations,fault planes and kinematics reveals a NW-SE-oriented maximum principal axis(σ1),and sub-horizontalσ2 andσ3.Assemblages of N-S-trending TSS and NW-trending TDS were arranged with right stepping and resulted in local uplift and erosion at the junctions between fault terminations,which partitioned the Early and Middle Jurassic basins into residual smaller volcanic-sedimentary basins.These basins were unconformably overlain by small Early Cretaceous volcanic-sedimentary basins,such as those at Tongyuanpu and Fangjiaweizi.Magmatic ages and the timing of basin formation constrain the initiation of tectonic switching to 156–153 Ma,and its termination to 140–139 Ma.We suggest that R-R’Riedel shears controlled the formation of the N-S-trending TSS and NW-trending TDS.The R-R’shears were produced by continued sinistral strike-slip and northward growth along the Bohai Bay segment of the Tan-Lu fault zone during the Late Jurassic to early Early Cretaceous,simultaneous with a gradual weakening in the tectonic stress field during a switch in the direction of subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate from NW-ward to NNW-ward.This tectonic switching might have promoted the dissolution of gold and migration of gold-bearing fluids.

Early Cretaceous extensional structures in the Liaodong Peninsula:Structural associations,geochronological constraints and regional tectonic implications

Various extensional structures,e.g.,half grabens,detachment faults,and metamorphic core complexes,were formed in the Liaodong Peninsula.There are two metamorphic core complexes (mcc's) in the western part of the Peninsula,i.e.the Liaonan mcc and the Wanfu mcc.They share the same lower plate and constitute a conjugate mcc pair.The Dayingzi detachment fault system and the three half grabens are exposed in the central and eastern parts,respectively.U-Pb dating of zircons from syntectonic plutons in the lower plates of the detachment faults and volcanic rocks from half graben basins indicates that their formation spans from 135 to 106 Ma,although the individual structure may be formed at a particular stage.Despite the differences in age of formation,in the regional attitudes,and in rooting depths,the extensional structures have great similarities in their kinematics,geometrical asymmetry,and coeval tectono-magmatic activities etc.Macroscopically,the extensional structures constitute conjugate associations,but a particular one generally has asymmetric patterns.Early Cretaceous extensional structures extend from the Liaodong Peninsula to North China,Northeast China,South China,and eastern Mongolia and Transbaikal area in Russia.The extensional structures from different areas share many common features.The Liaodong Peninsula is the miniature of the East Asia with respect to the formation of extensional structures in Early Cretaceous.It is suggested that the interaction of the Izanagi Plate with Eurasia Plate is responsible for the extension of crust.The structural mobility of the lithosphere,partly attributed to the fluid flow at the depth,and detachment faulting in both the crustal and mantle lithosphere provide important constraints on the development of Early Cretaceous extensional structures in the East Asia.

Identification of Mesoproterozoic zircons in a Triassic dolerite from the Liaodong Peninsula, Northeast China

Thick Neoproterozoic strata are widespread in the Dalian region, Liaodong Peninsula, Northeast China. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of dolerite intruded into Neo-proterozoic strata gives its emplacement age as 211±2 Ma. However, abundant 0.9—1.1 Ga zircons are identified in the dolerite. The age of 1125±38 Ma corresponds with the Grenvillian collisional event. The zircons of 904±15 Ma ages have high Th/U ratios (1.31—2.25) and magmatic oscillatory zones, being possibly related to later magmatism induced during amalgamation of Rodinia.

Late Mesozoic extensional tectonics of the Liaodong Peninsula massif:Response of crust to continental lithosphere destruction of the North China Craton

Unlike most Precambrian cratons that have thick sub-continental lithospheric roots,the Archean lithosphere beneath the North China Craton is thin (reduced from 200 km to about 80 km),and has been replaced by a geochemically juvenile lithospheric mantle.This is a unique regional geological event,which has attracted worldwide attention.In the North China Block,Late Mesozoic extensional tectonics is evident by low-angle detachment faults,syntectonic plutons bounded by ductile faults,metamorphic core complexes (MCC) and widespread Jurassic to Cretaceous half-grabens filled by continental terrigenous deposits and volcanic rocks.At a regional scale,these structures share the same NW-SE extensional direction,while maintaining their own individual kinematics.In other words,the MCC feature a top-to-the-NW sense of shear,and syntectonic plutons are typified by a top-to-the-SE shearing deformations.Geochronological results indicate that the extensional structures were formed between 130-120 Ma.These extensional events lead to magmatic rock emplacement,distributed at the footwall of the detachment faults.Two different exhumation stages can be identified based on regional structural and magmatic interpretation:a Jurassic slow or negligible exhumation and a Cretaceous fast one assisted by normal faulting.These two cooling stages correspond to distinct geodynamic processes that occurred during the Jurassic and Cretaceous.Extensional tectonics appear to have been insignificant before the Early Cretaceous,and the process may be demonstrated by partial melting of the crust.The second stage,dominated by an extensional regime,developed after ca 120 Ma,and is tentatively correlated with crustal extension caused by lithospheric removal of the North China Craton.

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating for lamprophyre from Liaodong Peninsula: Constraints on the initial time of Mesozoic lithosphere thinning beneath eastern China

It is undebated fact that the lithospheric mantle beneath eastern China was considerably thinned during the Mesozoic time. However, it has no adequate evidence for the exact timing when the lithosphere thinning started. The Liaodong Peninsula is located in the eastern segment of the North China Craton and is one of the important domains to explore the event of lithosphere thinning. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating and geochemical study were carried out for the lamprophyre dike swarm that intruded into the magnesite ore-beds in the Dashiqiao Formation of Paleoproterozoic Liaohe Group at the Huaziyu magnesite ore district, Liaodong Peninsula. The results indicate that these lampro- phyre dikes were intruded in late Jurassic (155±4 Ma) and show some geochemical characteristics of potassic magmas. It is now accepted that the lithosphere thinning took place in the late Mesozoic, and the peak thinning stage occurred in early Cretaceous (130―120 Ma). Considering the potassic mafic magmatism marking the onset of the lithospheric thin- ning, we therefore suggest that the studied late Jurassic potassic lamprophyre dike swarm could imply that the late Jurassic is the time that lithosphere thinning started.

The Dayingzi detachment fault system in Liaodong Peninsula and its regional tectonic significance

Large scale lithosphere thinning is an important characteristic of the destruction of the North China Craton (NCC) during the late Mesozoic. A series of extensional structures were developed under extensional setting, among which is the Dayingzi detachment fault system (DFS). The DFS is constituted by three parts, volcano-sedimentary basins at the hanging wall, the Dayingzi-Huanghuadian detachment fault zone, and Paleoproterozoic metamorphic rock series and Mesozoic plutons at the foot-wall. In the section across the detachment fault zone, there is a sequence of tectonites including fault gouge, microbreccia, cataclastic-mylonites, mylonites, and gneissic biotite monzonite granite. Microstructural characteristics of tectonites and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns of quartz indicate that the rocks from the footwall experienced a process from upper greenschist facies to lower greenschist facies. SHRIMP and LA-ICP MS U-Pb dating of zircons from the volcanic rocks in the basins, the tectonic evolution of the DFS is summarized as follows: 1) regional extension started at 135.0±1.2 Ma ago, when the detachment fault cut through the middle crust. Faulting induced the upwelling of magma and eruption of volcanic rocks and deformed a series of medium-acid volcanic rocks; 2) after 135.0±1.2 Ma, a large scale detachment faulting was active cross-cutting the mid-upper crust. The western margin of Jurassic and Triassic granite was ductilly and brittly sheared; besides, the Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary rocks were tilted when the master fault approached the surface; 3) at around 127±1 Ma, the detachment fault stopped its activity and was intruded by the unsheared Cretaceous granite near Chaoyang. Comparison with the Liaonan metamorphic core complex (MCC) and other extensional structures in Liaodong Peninsula led to a general trend of including three zones in the Peninsula: MCC zone, detachment fault systems (DFS) zone, and half graben zone. MCC commonly cuts through the mid-lower crust, DFS through the mid-upper crust, and half graben through the upper crust. Therefore, development of the extensional structures in Liaodong Peninsula indicates that they are the results of crustal extension and thinning at different crustal levels. They may provide a deep insight into the dynamic mechanism, history of destruction and lithosphere thinning of the North China Craton (NCC).

Leakage of mantle helium from the Liaodong Peninsula, China

The isotopic compositions of helium have been investigated in hot spring gases sampled from the Liaodong Peninsula, China. The 3He/ 4He ratios range from 0.14 Ra (0.14 times the atmospheric 3He/ 4He ratio of 1.40×10 -6) to 0.72 Ra. 3He/ 4He versus 4He/ 20Ne ratios and He contents suggest that a small amount of mantle-derived helium reaches the earth’s surface. Helium isotope ratios of the hot spring gases show a distribution pattern similar to the regional heat flow values, indicating that the positive thermal anomaly occurring in the area is closely associated with the presence of mantle-derived helium. The observations described above provide some significant evidence that the molten magma originating from partial melting of the upper mantle may have intruded into the continental crust along the activity fault. The coupling of the presence of mantle He and heat flow anomalies to seismic activity in studied region seem to imply that there is an internal relationship between mantle degassing and seismic