Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements of Zircons from Mesozoic Volcanic Rocks in Luanping Region, Hebei

Rare earth elements of the zircons from the Mesozoic volcanic rocks in Luanping region, Hebei, were analyzed the results reflect that the average values of δEu and （Lu/Gd）N are 0.49 and 21.8 respectively in the zircons from the top part of Tiaojishan Formation; but the average values of δEu and （Lu/Gd）N are 0.15, 0.06, 0.09 and 14.51, 15.66, 16.25 respectively in the zircons from the lower, and upper part of the Tuchengzi Formation and the bottom bed of the Zhangjiakou Formation. The results show that the characteristics of the zircons from the Tuchengzi Formation are coincident with those of the zircons from the Zhangjiakou Formation, but are different from those of the zircons from the Tiaojishan Formation, and imply that the Tuchengzi Formation has close relation with the Zhangjiakou Formation. Combining the results above with the former isotopic dating results of the volcanic rocks, the authors draw the conclusions as follows ： The Tuchengzi Formation not only has a long interval period with the Tiaojishan Formation, but also is very different from the Tiaojishan Formation in zircon geochemical characteristics. The Zhangjiakou Formation in time, but also is coincident with the Tuchengzi Formation not only is nearly continuous with the Zhangjiakou Formation in geochemistry of zircons. The resuhs imply that the Tuchengzi Formation and the Zhangjiakou Formation were formed in the same geological background, that is, there are not the boundary of the J3-K1 and the interface of the transition of tectonic framework between the Tuchengzi Formation and the Zhangjiakou Formation in the Luanping region. The research shows that the （Lu/Gd）N, δEu are two important parameters which are relatively stable in the analysis of zircons from Crust-source; but the values of ∑LREE of zircons from Crust-source change greatly, especially the abundance of La element, so some ratios of rare earth elements related with La （or ∑LREE） are not usable in determining the characteristics of zircons.

Zircon U-Pb Ages of Bottom and Top Parts of the Zhangjiakou Formation in Lingyuan Area(West Liaoning Province) and Luanping Area (North Hebei Province) and Their Significance

In Lingyuan region of West Liaoning Province, the Zhangjiakou Formation (J_3z) and the Yixian Formation (K_1y) display an angular unconformity. That is, the Lower Mesozoic strata of the Zhangjiakou Formation are ENE (near E-W) oriented, while the overlying strata of the Yixian Formation exhibit an NNE orientation. The results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages show the Zhangjiakou Formation formed from about 130 Ma to 132 Ma in Lingyuan and 135 Ma to 136 Ma in Luanping (North Hebei Province), respectively. Three conclusions can be drawn: (1) The Zhangjiakou Formation in Lingyuan is comparable to that in Luanping, with the volcanic rocks of the Zhangjiakou Formation from Lingyuan being younger than those from Luanping. (2) 5-6 Ma difference between the top of the Zhangjiakou Formation and the bottom of the Yixian Formation in Lingyuan proves the angular unconformity between the two formations; and it reflects that the 5-6 Ma interval period is the main period of the transition of tectonic framework in Mesozoic in North Hebei and West Liaoning. In the interval period, the magmatic action went up to high tide in Mesozoic in the northeast of China. Moreover, after the interval period, the “Rehe fauna” developed into “erupted” period. This reflects that the interval period is also an important biological interface in Northern Hebei and Western Liaoning. (3) The Dabeigou Formation in Luanping should correspond to the upper part of the Zhangjiakou Formation, but not to the lower part of the Yixian Formation.

Revision of the Clam Shrimp Genus Magumbonia from the Upper Jurassic of the Luanping Basin,Hebei,Northern China

The diverse clam shrimp Nestoria-Keratestheria fauna is widely distributed in the Dabeigou Formation in northern Hebei and eastern Inner Mongolia of China. Its important component genus Magumbonia from the Dabeigou Formation in the Luanping Basin, northern Hebei, China, is revised on the basis of a scanning electron microscope （SEM） examination of the type species M.jingshangensis Wang, 1984, which revealed morphological features not recognized previously. These include coarse reticulation on the umbo and prominent growth lines ornamented with densely spaced, small tubercles and fine lirae.

Advances in the Study of the Non-Marine Ostracods in Luanping Basin, Northern Hebei (North China): A Preliminary Result

The Luanping Basin of northern Hebei, North China, is well known for its continuous nonmarine Lower Cretaceous deposits and the preservation of the Jehol Biota. However, there are still some controversies about the stratigraphic correlation in these regions. Here we report some advances on the study of the nonmarine ostracods of Luanping, focusing on its biostratigraphical utility. Preliminary results indicate that the nonmarine ostracods from Luanping Basin consist of 17 genera and around 44 species. The ostracod assemblages of the Dabeigou, Dadianzi and Xiguayuan formations of this Basin can be assigned to the Luanpingella-Ocrocypris-Eoparacypris (Late Valanginian-Early Hauterivian age), Cypridea-Timiriasevia-Daurina (Late Huaterivian-Barremian age) and Cypridea-Limnocypridea-Lycopterocypris (Aptian stage) zones, respectively. This temporary framework can be served as a stratigraphic correlation tool in northern Hebei, as well as contributed to a better understanding of the evolution of the Jehol Biota.

Paleomagnetic result of the Lower-Cretaceous from Luanping basin, Hebei Province and its tectonic implications

A paleomagnetic study of about 95 samples from 16 sites sampled in the Early Cretaceous in Luanping basin in Hebei Province was reported. Stepwise thermal demagnetization was used to isolate magnetic components. Most samples have a characteristic direction with a high temperature component above 500℃. The tectonic\|corrected data are D =347 8°, I =50 4°, α 95 =7.1°, and the corresponding pole position is at 76.1°N, 346.3°E, with dp =6.4°, dm =3 8°,paleolatitude λ =31.1°N. This result indicates a counterclockwise post\|Cretaceous rotation of 30.7°±9.8° with respect to the stable Ordos basin in the west of North China Block, and a non\|significant northward motion. This rotation could be related to local fault action or structural detachment, or regional NNW\|NWWward motion and collision of Kula\|Pacific plate with eastern China since the Early Cretaceous.

Discovery of lacustrine shale deposits in the Yanshan Orogenic Belt,China: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration

The mechanism of formation of lacustrine deposits within stable orogenic belts and their potential for shale oil and gas exploration are frontier themes of challenge in the fields of sedimentology and petroleum exploration. Orogenic belts witness strong tectonic activities and normally cannot host stable lacustrine basins and deep shale formations. Therefore, basins in orogenic belts are considered to have no potential to form shale hydrocarbon reservoirs. Here we investigate the Luanping Basin located in the Yanshan orogenic belt where previous studies regarded rivers and fan deltas as the major main Mesozoic deposits. Based on detailed field exploration and scientific drilling, we report the finding of a large number of lacustrine shale continental deep-water deposits in the Mesozoic strata. Our finding of the occurrence of active shale oil and gas also in this basin also subvert the previous perceptions.We report SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age that define the bottom boundary of the target interval as 127.6 ± 1.7 Ma belonging to the early Cretaceous strata. Tectonics and climate are considered to be the main factors that controlled the deep-water sedimentation during this period. The drill cores revealed evidence of shale gas and the TOC of shale is 0.33%–3.60%, with an average value of 1.39% and Ro is 0.84%–1.21%, with an average value of 1.002%. The brittleness index of shale is between 52.7% and 100%. After vertical well fracturing, the daily gas production is more than 1000 m^(3). Our findings show that the basin has considerable potential for shale oil and gas. The geological resources of the shale gas in the Xiguayuan Fm. are estimated as 1110.12 × 10^(8) m^(3), with shale oil geological resources of 3340.152 × 10^(4) t. Our findings indicate that the Yanshan orogenic belt has potential exploration prospect. This work not only redefines the Luanping Basin as a rift deep-water Mesozoic Lake Basin, but also rules out the previous notion that the basin is dominated by shallow water sediments. The discovery of shale oil and gas also provides an important reference for subsequent petroleum exploration and development in this basin. Our study shows that shale oil and gas reservoirs can be found in the lacustrine basins of orogenic belts which were strongly influenced by volcanism. These results have significant implications for the sedimentology and oil exploration in the Qinling and Xingmeng Orogenic Belts of China, as well as those in other terranes of the world including the New England Orogenic Belt in Australia.