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The cause of magmatic tempo in an active plate margin remains controversial, partly due to lack of structural analysis. During 130–105 Ma, the magmatism in the South China Block (SCB) was significantly reduced (lull) and restricted around the Changle‐Nan'ao Belt (CNB) while the magmatism was highly active (flare‐up) in North China. For unveiling the tectonic role on magmatism, a multidisciplinary study including field and microscopic structural observations, magnetic fabric measurement (AMS), and zircon/monazite dating was conducted on the plutons with oriented minerals in the CNB. Structural analysis and AMS results show a highly clustered NE‐striking vertical foliation developed during the emplacement indicating a syn‐emplacement NW‐SE shortening regime. The geochronology results confirm that the emplacement occurred during 130–105 Ma. Regional geologic correlation indicates that the collision between the Dangerous Grounds‐West Philippines Block and SCB was responsible for this shortening regime. The collected depleted zircon εHf(t) data suggest that a possible collision‐triggered slab break‐off caused the syn‐collisional magmatic activity around the CNB. This study shows that the magmatic lull in the SCB was coeval with a crustal shortening regime due to the arrival of a microcontinent carried by the subduction slab, while the magmatic flare‐up was coeval with an extensional regime due to the subduction roll‐back and retreat as evidenced by the Cretaceous evolution of the SCB before and after the collision and that of North China which is unaffected by the collision. The cause of magmatic tempo in the continental margin is largely due to the tectonic evolution of underlain subduction slabs. Plain Language Summary: Magmatic activity is closely connected to human life as it provides us with useful metals, releases greenhouse gases, triggers natural hazards. It is necessary to explore what controls a magmatic activity. Several previous studies considered that a shortening regime with thickened crust causes strong magmatism (flare‐up). The South China Block (SCB) featured by alternating magmatic flare‐up and lulls, provides an appropriate research target to test this hypothesis. During the Cretaceous, the SCB was dominated by an extensional regime caused by the Paleo‐Pacific oceanic slab subduction. However, our structural analyses on the SCB document a shortening regime caused by the collision between the SCB and a microcontinent carried by the Paleo‐Pacific oceanic slab in the period of the Cretaceous. During the collision, the SCB was generally featured by a magmatic lull, although magmatic activity was only observed around the Changle‐Nan'ao Belt, probably caused by the break‐off of the subducted Paleo‐Pacific oceanic slab. Before and after the collision, the extensional regime caused by Paleo‐Pacific oceanic slab subduction was coeval with magmatic flare‐up. This study questions the previous claims and proposes that the tectonic evolution of the subducting slab may control the magmatic flare‐up and lull in the overlain active continental margin. Key Points: The 130–105 Ma syn‐tectonic plutons intruded the Changle‐Nan'ao Belt in a NW‐SE shortening regime caused by a microcontinent collisionThe shortening/extension regimes were coeval with magmatic lull/flare‐up in the East Asia Continental Margin during the CretaceousThe collision causing break‐off can account for the plutonism in the Changle‐Nan'ao Belt during the magmatic lull of the South China Block [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dabieshan massif is famous as a portion of the world's largest HP-UHP metamorphic belt in east-central China that was built by the Triassic North-South China collision. The central domain of the Dabieshan massif is occupied by a huge migmatite-cored dome [i.e., the central Dabieshan dome (CDD)]. Origin of this domal structure remains controversial. Synthesizing previous and our new structural and geochronological data, we define the Cretaceous Dabieshan as an orogen-scale metamorphic core complex (MCC) with a multistage history. Onset of lithospheric extension in the Dabieshan area occurred as early as the commencement of crustal anatexis at the earliest Cretaceous (ca. 145 Ma), which was followed by primary (early-stage) detachment during 142-130 Ma. The central Dabieshan complex in the footwall and surrounding detachment faults recorded a consistently top-to-the-NW shearing. It is thus inferred that the primary detachment was initiated from a flat-lying detachment zone at the middle crust level. Removal of the orogenic root by delamination at ca. 130 Ma came into the extensional climax, and subsequently isostatic rebound resulted in rapid doming. Along with exhumation of the footwall, the mid-crustal detachment zone had been warped as shear zones around the CDD. After 120 Ma, the detachment system probably experienced a migration accommodated to the crustal adjustment, which led to secondary (late-stage) detachment with localized ductile shearing at ca. 110 Ma. The migmatite-gneiss with HP/UHP relicts in the CDD (i.e., the central Dabieshan complex) was product of the Cretaceous crustal anatexis that consumed the deep-seated part of the HP-UHP slices and the underlying para-autochthonous basement. Compared with the contemporaneous MCCs widely developed along the eastern margin of the Eurasian continent, we proposed that occurrence of the Dabieshan MCC shares the same tectonic setting as the 'destruction of the North China craton'. However, geodynamic trigger of the Cretaceous continental-scale NW-SE extension in eastern Asia is still a mystery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Penglaitan section, as the Global Stratotype Section for the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary (GLB), displays continuous deposition with a complete succession of pelagic conodont zones across the GLB. However, there is no reliable radiometric age from the Penglaitan section itself to constrain the GLB. Here, we report SIMS zircon U-Pb ages from two bentonite layers (Bed 7c) in the Penglaitan Global Stratotype Section near the GLB. The sample PL-62-1 yields a weighted mean 238U/206Pb age of 257.1 ± 2.2 Ma, and the sample PL-62-2 yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 257.0 ± 4.2 Ma. Therefore, we consider 257.0-257.1Ma as the age of deposition of Bed 7c (the end of the C. postbitteri postbitteri conodont Zone, ca. 86 cm above the GLB), and, considering the depositional rate of chert, we suggest 258.6Ma as the age of the GLB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the Middle to Late Permian, the Laibin area in Guangxi, South China, was situated on the slope of an isolated carbonate platform, on which continuous marine successions were deposited. Two global stratotype sections for the boundary between the Guadalupian (Middle Permian) and Lopingian (Late Permian) are located at Penglaitan and Tieqiao in the Laibin area, respectively, and thus are chosen for study. At the two locations, 14 facies are recognized in the Maokou and Heshan Formations, and they are further grouped into four facies associations (basin, lower slope, upper slope, and platform margin). Six main transgressive-regressive (TR) sequences are identified in strata from the Roadian (Middle Permian) to the Wuchiapingian (Late Permian). They are conformable marine sequences that were little influenced by regional uplift (Dongwu Movement) and so provide a good record of the sea-level changes in South China at this time. Based on the significant taxonomic selection and controversial marine faunal loss in the end-Guadalupian mass extinction, and the Middle-Late Permian sea-level changes recorded by the TR sequences in the Laibin area, it is suggested that this extinction event might have been triggered by the reduction and loss of shallow-marine habitat area caused by the end-Guadalupian regression. The global cooling and Emeishan volcanism also occurring at this time could have further enhanced this extinction event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Granitoids play an important role in deciphering both crustal growth and tectonic evolution of Earth. In the eastern end of the Yinshan–Yanshan belt of North China Craton, the Yiwulüshan massif is a typical region that presents the tectonic evolution features of this belt. Our field work on the host rocks has demonstrated two phases of opposite tectonics: compressional and extensional, however, the deformation is almost invisible in the intrusive rocks. To improve the understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Yiwulüshan massif and the Late Mesozoic tectonics of East Asia, a multidisciplinary study has been carried out. In this study, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and gravity modeling have been applied on these Jurassic plutons (Lüshan, Jishilazi and Guanyindong), which intrude into the Yiwulüshan massif. According to laboratory measurements and microscopic observations on thin sections, the AMS of the Yiwulüshan massif is characterized by secondary fabrics, indicating that the intensive post solidus deformation has reset the (primary) magmatic magnetic fabrics. A relatively gentle NW dipping magnetic foliation has been identified with two distinct groups of magnetic lineations of N34°E and N335°E orientations, namely LM1 and LM2, relatively. Gravity modeling reveals a southward thinning of the massif with a possible feeding zone rooted in the northern part of the massif. Integrating all results from structural observation, geochronological investigation, AMS measurement and gravity modeling, two tectonic phases have been identified in the Yiwulüshan massif, posterior to the Jurassic (180–160Ma) magmatism in the Yinshan–Yanshan area. The early one concerns a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (~141Ma) compressional event with a top-to-the-south to southwest sense of shear. The second one shows an Early Cretaceous (~126Ma) NW–SE ductile extensional shearing. At that time, sedimentary basins widened and Jurassic plutons started to be deformed under post solidus conditions. In fact, the NW–SE trend of the maximum stretching direction is a general feature of East Asian continent during Late Mesozoic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With a cratonic nucleus, the North China Craton (NCC) experienced a complex tectonic evolution with multiphase compressional and extensional events during Mesozoic times. Along the northern part of the NCC, the Yinshan–Yanshan fold and thrust belt was a typical intraplate orogen. Jurassic and Cretaceous continental sedimentation, magmatism, widespread intraplate characterize the Yinshan–Yanshan orogenic belt. The geodynamic significance of these tectonic events is still in dispute. In the western part of the Liaoning province, the Yiwulüshan massif crops out at the eastern end of the Yinshan–Yanshan orogenic belt. The Yiwulüshan massif presents an elliptical domal shape with a NE–SW striking long axis. The structural evolution of this massif brings new insights for the understanding of the Mesozoic plutonic–tectonic history of the NCC. A multidisciplinary study involving structural geology, geochronology, Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) and gravity modeling have been carried out. The presentation of the new results splits into two parts. Part I (this paper) deals with field and laboratory structural observations, and presents the main geochronological results. The AMS, gravity modeling data will be provided in a companion paper (Part II). The early compressional deformation (D1) corresponds to a Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous southward thrusting. The subsequent deformation is related to the Early Cretaceous exhumation of the Yiwulüshan massif. A detailed structural analysis allows us to distinguish several deformation events (D2, D3, and D4). The Cretaceous extensional structures, such as syntectonic plutons bounded by ductile normal faults, metamorphic core complexes, and half-graben basins are recognized in many places in East Asia. These new data from the Yiwulüshan massif constitute a link between Transbaikalia, Mongolia, North China and South China, indicating that NW–SE extensional Mesozoic tectonics occurred throughout the entire region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In orogenic belts, a basal décollement zone often develops at depth to accommodate the shortening due to folding and thrusting of the sedimentary cover. In the Early Mesozoic intracontinental Xuefengshan Belt of South China, such a décollement zone is exposed in the core of anticlines formed by the emplacement of the late-orogenic granitic plutons. Our detailed, multi-scale structural analysis documents a synmetamorphic ductile deformation. In the basal décollement, the Neoproterozoic pelite and sandstone, and the intruding Early Paleozoic granites were deformed and metamorphosed into mylonites and orthogneiss, respectively. The metamorphic foliation contains a NW-SE stretching lineation associated with top-to-the-NW kinematic indicators. The ductile shearing of these high-strained rocks can be correlated with NW-verging folds and thrusts recognized in the Neoproterozoic to Early Triassic sedimentary cover. Monazite U-Th-Pb chemical dating, and zircon SIMS U-Pb dating provide age constraints of the ductile shearing between 243 and 226 Ma, and late-orogenic granite emplacement around 235-215 Ma. In agreement with recent geochronological data, these new results show that the Xuefengshan Belt is an Early Mesozoic orogen dominated by the NW-directed shearing and thrusting. At the southeastern boundary of the Xuefengshan Belt, the Chenzhou-Linwu fault separates the Early Mesozoic domain to the NW from the Early Paleozoic domain to the SE. The tectonic architecture of this belt was possibly originated from the continental underthrusting to the SE of the South China block in response to northwest-directed subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition was one of the most critical intervals in Earth history. During this interval, widespread chert was precipitated, commonly as a stratal wedge in carbonates, along the southern margin of the Yangtze Platform, South China. The chert wedge passes into a full chert succession further basinward to the south-east. Four lithotypes of chert are identified across the marginal zone in western Hunan: mounded, vein, brecciated and bedded chert. The mounded chert is characterized by irregular to digitiform internal fabrics, generally with abundant original vesicles and/or channels that mostly are lined by botryoidal chalcedony cements with minor quartz and barite crystals. The host chert (or matrix) of these mounds is dominated by amorphous cryptocrystalline silica, commonly disseminated with pyrite. The vein chert, with minor quartz locally, generally cross-cuts the overlying dolostone and chert horizons and terminates under the mounded and/or bedded chert bodies. The brecciated chert commonly occurs as splayed 'intrusions' or funnel-shaped wedges and cross-cuts the topmost dolostones. The bedded chert, the most common type, generally is thin to medium-bedded and laminated locally; it is composed of amorphous silica with minor amounts of black lumps. Microthermometry of fluid inclusions from vein and void-lining minerals (mainly quartz and barite) revealed homogenization temperatures from 120 to 180°C for the trapped primary fluids. Compositionally, these chert deposits generally are pure, with SiO2 > 92 wt%, and only minor Fe2O3 and Al2O3 contents, most of which show positive Europium anomalies in rare earth element patterns, especially for the mounded chert. All these data suggest that the marginal zone chert deposits resulted from a low-temperature, silica-rich hydrothermal system, in which the mounded chert was precipitated around the releasing vents, i.e. as silica chimneys. The vein and splayed brecciated chert, however, was formed along the syndepositional fault/fracture conduits that linked downward, while the bedded chert was precipitated in the quieter water column from the fallout of hydrothermal plumes onto the sea floor. These petrological and geochemical data provide compelling evidence and a new clue to the understanding of the extensive silica precipitation; rapid tectono-depositional and oceanic changes during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition in South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithologically, two kinds of chert can be recognized in the Middle-Upper Permian from the Tieqiao section in Laibin area, Guangxi, i.e., calcic chert occurring mainly in the Maokou Formation and pure chert mainly in the Wujiaping Formation. Geochemical data show that both kinds of chert contain very low AlO (0-0.23%) and TiO (0.001%-0.024%) and low ΣREE (0.55-19.94 ppm, averaging 9.97 ppm), as well as high ratio of FeO/TiO (17-443, averaging 111) and low ratio of AlO/(AlO+FeO) (0-0.26, averaging 0.09). Given that the average value Ce anomalies in chert deposited in the ridge-proximal environment is about 0.29, and that in the pelagic environment is about 0.60, the low Ce anomalies in the Tieqiao chert (0.24-0.46, averaging 0.35) imply that they were deposited in an ocean basin with influence of submarine hydrothermal fluid and no input of terrigenous materials. The vertical variation of the silica abundance in strata (SAIS) in the Middle-Upper Permian strata, together with the Eu anomalies and the ratios of σREE/Fe, indicates a relationship between the hydrothermal activity and the Emeishan basalt eruption, and that submarine hydrothermal activity was stronger in the Upper Permian (the Wujiapingian Stage) than in the Middle Permian (the Maokou Stage). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field investigation shows that the boundary between the Kuqa Basin and the Tianshan Mountains can be divided into two sections with the Yanbulak area as the dividing point. In the western section, the Mesozoic strata overlie unconformably on the Paleozoic rocks. The basin-dipping faults developed in both Mesozoic and Paleozoic rocks. The eastern section is characterized by basin-dipping normal faults separating the Paleozoic strata and Tertiary. The brittle structural analysis was carried out along the basin-range boundary. 360 measurements of striations have been obtained at a total of 25 sites. Paleostress reconstruction indicates that the basin-range boundary was in an extensional condition, with some superimposed strike-slip, during the Late Tertiary. The extension could be explained by the vertical block uplift of the Tianshan Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of eclogite pebbles were discovered in Middle to Upper Jurassic conglomerates from the Hefei Basin north of the Dabie ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrain, China. Type A eclogite pebbles are characterized by idioblastic garnet with well preserved chemical zonation. Si content in phengite is lower than 3.5 per formula unit (pfu). The maximum metamorphic pressure is lower than 2.5 GPa, and the temperature is below 600 °C. Type B eclogite pebbles contain coesite pseudomorphs in xenoblastic garnet. Si content in phengite is higher than 3.5 pfu. The maximum metamorphic pressure is 2.8–4.0 GPa at 700 °C indicating UHP metamorphism.Types A and B eclogite pebbles are comparable with eclogites occurring in the southern portion of the Dabie UHP terrain. Based on the petrologic similarities and northeastwards directed paleocurrents, we infer that the eclogite pebbles were eroded from the Dabie UHP terrain. Sandstones containing detrital phengite with Si content higher than 3.5 pfu are also derived from UHP rocks. These petrologic and stratigraphic data place time constraints on exhumation and erosion history of the Dabie UHP terrain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the uranium-lead isotope composition of rutile, omphacite and garnets in the eclogite in China. Determination of the cooling ages of minerals in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks; Performance of magnetic and heavy liquid separations; Completion of the chemical and mass-spectrometric analyses.

Reports the discovery of metamorphic slabs within metamorphic eclogite complexes in China. Discussion on volcanic clastic rock; Conclusion.

Summarizes the result of a multidisciplinary study on the Dabie Orogen and Hefei Basin. Petrotectonic division in the Dabie Mountains and Hefei Basin; Deep structure of the Dabie Orogen and Hefei Basin; Evolution of the Dabie Orogen and Hefei Basin; Discussion on the geodynamics of the mountain-building and basin-forming process; Concluding remarks.

Abstract: The Ordo-Silurian transition was a critical interval in geological history, during which profound biotic, climatic and oceanic changes occurred. In order to explore the oceanic palaeoredox changes, multiple geochemical proxies, including ratios of S/C, FeHR/FeT, FeP/FeHR and DOP values, are presented here from three sections (Wangjiawan, western Hubei, Sanjiaguan, northern Hunan, and Nanbazi, northern Guizhou) across the Ordo-Silurian boundary on the Yangtze Platform. These palaeoredox data indicate a predominance of stratified, anoxic (ferruginous) ocean on the Yangtze block during this transition, which was interrupted by a brief episode of oceanic oxygenation in the early Hirnantian. This oxygenation, temporally coinciding with the end-Ordovician glaciation and global glacio-eustatic sea level fall, likely resulted from enhanced circulation of polar cold, dense oxygen-rich water onto the low-latitude shelf. The prior and subsequent longer-term episodes of anoxic ocean, particularly the later one which started in the late Hirnantian, occurred in parallel with the rapid climatic warming and sea level rise, which could have slowed down oceanic circulation, thereby enhancing oceanic stratification, anoxia and organic preservation. Oceanic redox changes, together with rapid climatic and sea-level fluctuations, were likely responsible for the stepwise massive demise of the Ordo-Silurian biotic crisis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Tongcheng massif, a structure lying to the east of the central Dabieshan domain, previously considered a unique unit metamorphosed under Ultrahigh-Pressure (UHP) conditions, similar to those involved in the South Dabieshan and wrenched by the Tan–Lu fault during the Mesozoic. Detailed field survey and laboratory work in the areas of structural geology and petrology indicates that the Tongcheng massif is a tectonic stack of allochthonous sheets. From the bottom to the top, this massif is divided into three units: Lower, Middle and Upper Unit. The Lower Unit suffered an UHP metamorphism with a P-T condition of about 3.21–3.31 GPa and 590–651 °C. Eclogites in the Middle Unit underwent high pressure (HP) and medium temperature metamorphism at 2.46–2.64 GPa and 500–565 °C. In the Upper Unit, the peak metamorphic P-T conditions for eclogites were estimated as 1.54–2.36 GPa and 389–510 °C. These petrological results correspond well to the geometry of the field observation. Structural analysis indicates that the Tongcheng massif has experienced polyphase deformation. The earliest event (D1) corresponds to top-to-north (northeast) shearing associated with the early exhumation stages of HP-UHP rocks during the late Triassic. The D2 deformation overprints D1 and coincides with a domal structure similar to a metamorphic core complex of early Cretaceous age. The D3 deformation is expressed by a pervasive ENE-WSW trending, subvertical foliation and a subhorizontal lineation or penetrative slickenline with a sinistral sense of shear, probably related to the NE-SW contraction during the NW-SE subhorizontal extension, the strike slip deformation raised by the N-S compression during the early Cretaceous. The D4 event is represented by a brittle NE striking, moderately to steeply dipping to the SE fault with down-dip slickenlines. Kinematic indicators show a normal displacement with the east side moving downward. Half-grabens of late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic age are widespread throughout Eastern China. Based on structural analysis, mineral chemistry data and, in particular, the results of P-T calculations for eclogites in different units, a geodynamic scenario for the evolution of the HP-UHP orogenic belt of the Dabieshan is proposed, and the significance of the Tan–Lu fault is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Abundance of organic matter, carbon isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ 13Corg) and sulfur isotopic compositions of iron sulfide (δ 34Ssulfide) across the Ordovician–Silurian (O–S) boundary was analysed from two sections (Wangjiawan, western Hubei; Nanbazi, northern Guizhou) on the Yangtze Platform, South China. The organic abundance across the O–S boundary at these two sections is generally high, except for the Hirnantian interval. At Wangjiawan section in western Hubei, the δ 13Corg values vary from about −30.8‰ VPDB in the mid-Ashgill to −27.6‰ in the upper Hirnantian interval, which abruptly return to the pre-Hirnantian values. At Nanbazi section in northern Guizhou, δ 13Corg values vary from −30.5‰ to −26.6‰ from the mid-Ashgill to the upper Hirnantian horizons, which shift negatively to the low spike at −29.2‰ in the lowermost Rhuddanian, then increase slightly to relatively persistent values around −28‰. Similar variation patterns of δ 34Ssulfide values are unravelled at the two sections, showing a positive excursion from the mid-Ashgill to the upper Hirnantian, then a sharp negative shift in the lowermost Rhuddanian, although with different background values of δ 34Ssulfide from these two sections. These data, together with those from other areas, demonstrate large climatic fluctuations from warming to cooling, then to warming, oceanic changes from and anoxic to oxygenated, to anoxic water columns, during the O–S transition. Climatic fluctuations, together with multiple oceanic anoxia and sea-level fluctuations, were likely responsible for the stepwise massive demise of the O–S biotic crisis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Qinling–Dabie–Sulu orogen is the most prominent Phanerozoic orogenic belt in China. The discovery of ultra-high pressure (UHP) minerals in zircon inclusions suggests that the crust was subducted to deeper than 120 km into the mantle and then exhumed to shallow crustal. Recently, low temperature thermochronology has been applied to constrain the final exhumation of Dabie Shan, while there are few studies describing the Cenozoic exhumation history of the Sulu belt. Here we report some (U–Th)/He ages for various lithologies from Sulu Orogenic belt and its northern part-Jiaobei terrane. The single grain He ages range between 18 and 154 Ma, and most of the samples having large intra-sample age scattering. Several reasons such as invisible U/Th-rich inclusions, grain size effect, slow cooling rate, and zonation of parent nuclide or radiation damage effect may account for this dispersion. For all samples, the pattern of the single grain age data exhibits a peak at ~ 45 Ma which is consistent with the borehole fission-track age pattern in adjacent Hefei Basin. Both (U–Th)/He and fission track ages of the Sulu area suggest an enhanced exhumation/cooling in Early-Middle Eocene in the southern part of Tan-Lu fault zone. This enhanced cooling event coincides with rapid subsidence of North China Basin and rapid uplift of its surrounding reliefs, which indicates basin-mountain coupling. This Eocene event is widespread in central China and could be far-field consequence of India–Asia collision. The convergence rate between Pacific Plate and Eurasia decreased substantially during early Tertiary and reached a minimum in Eocene (~ 30–40 mm/yr) while at the same time the collision between India and Asia was completed. Therefore, the Cenozoic exhumation history of the Sulu Orogenic Belt was a combined result of far-field effect of India–Asia collision and declined subduction rate of the Pacific Plate under Eurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corresponding to the Early Mesozoic continental subduction between the North China Block (NCB) and the South China Block (SCB), the Tongbaishan–Hong'an–Dabieshan–Sulu massifs are famous for their HP–UHP metamorphism. More than 50% of the HP–UHP Orogenic Belt was significantly reworked by Early Cretaceous extensional tectonics. This Early Cretaceous event with a fast cooling period, at 130–120 Ma, superimposed on the Early Mesozoic HP–UHP orogenic belt and intensively changed the architecture of this orogen. Each individual segment documents different Early Cretaceous extensional structures, namely the central Tongbaishan domain is a metamorphic core complex (MCC) represented by an A-type non-cylindrical antiform; the central Dabieshan domain is a typical Cordilleran-type migmatite-cored MCC; the Southern Sulu UHP domain is a “wedge-shaped” structure exhumed by a simple detachment fault. These late stage extensional structures expose the previous HP–UHP orogenic belt as fragments along the NCB–SCB boundary. The geodynamic setting of this Early Cretaceous extensional tectonics along the HP–UHP orogen is a part of a 1000 km-scale crustal extension belt that is widespread in eastern Eurasia continent from Trans-Baikal to the central part of SCB. Convective erosion or delamination of the mantle lithosphere might be considered as a possible mechanism for mantle removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of K-feldspar from Cretaceous granites in Yanshan Belt have recorded two rapid cooling events. [•] The first cooling phase was consistent with widespread extension in Yanshan belt and Eastern China. [•] The second cooling phase was in accordance with regional uplift in Yanshan Belt. [•] Rapid cooling events in Yanshan Belt were probably a shallow response to the destruction of the North China Craton. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intracontinental orogens remain less understood than accretionary or collisional orogens that are related to plate margin interactions. In the center of the South China block, the Xuefengshan Belt provides a well-exposed example of such an intracontinental orogen of Early Mesozoic age. Detailed field tectonic observations indicate that the Xuefengshan Belt can be divided into a Western Outer Zone characterized by km-scale box-fold structures, and an Eastern Zone, separated from the Western Outer Zone by the SE-dipping Main Xuefengshan Thrust. In the Eastern Zone, NW verging folds coeval with a pervasive slaty cleavage and a NW–SE trending lineation are the dominant structures. From west to east, the dip of the cleavage surface exhibits a fan-like pattern. The bulk architecture of the Xuefengshan Belt results from polyphase deformation: D1 is characterized by a top-to-the-NW ductile shearing; D2 corresponds to SE-directed back thrusting and folding; D3 consists of upright folds with vertical cleavage and lineation. At depth, a high strain zone characterized by greenschist facies metamorphic rocks and a top-to-the-NW ductile shearing corresponds to a ductile décollement zone that accommodated the deformation of the Neoproterozoic to Early Triassic sedimentary series. Kinematic compatibility suggests that the synmetamorphic ductile shearing was coeval with the D1 event in the sedimentary cover. The Xuefengshan Belt is interpreted as an Early Mesozoic intracontinental orogen, which possibly originated from the SE-directed continental subduction of a piece of the South China block in response to northwestwards subduction of the Pacific plate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Xuefengshan Belt, characterized by large-scale fold and thrust structures and widespread granites, is a key area to decipher the tectonic evolution of the South China block. In this belt, two magmatic episodes are recorded by Early Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic granites. In this paper, we carried out precise SIMS zircon U and in situ Lues measurements on these granitic plutons. Our study indicates that the Early Paleozoic and the Early Mesozoic granites are late-orogenic products of the Early Paleozoic orogen and the Middle Triassic Xuefengshan orogen, respectively. In the Xuefengshan Belt, the Early Paleozoic event is poorly registered, since this area corresponds to the outer zone of the early Paleozoic orogen. The Silurian–Early Devonian granites are late-orogenic plutons emplaced after the main tectonic and metamorphic stage in the Wuyi–Baiyun–Yunkai belt, coeval with a widespread, subsequent extensional event in eastern and southern South China. On the other hand, Triassic granites are formed in an intracontinental environment with weakly to strongly peraluminous signatures. Zircon Uresented here, associated with a summary of newly acquired data in the same region, suggest that the emplacement of anatectic granites occurred around 225–215Ma, not in a rather wide range of ca. 245–200Ma. In situ zircon εHf(t) values indicate a crust-derived source without a mantle-derived input for the two generations of granites. Combining our data with recent studies, we infer that the central area of the South China block has experienced two tectonothermal events: the Early Paleozoic magmatism developed as a result of the collapse of the Early Paleozoic orogen, while these Early Mesozoic granites can be the late-orogenic products of the intracontinental Xuefengshan orogen, most likely manifesting the far field effect by the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific ocean plate at the southeastern margin of the South China block. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Tarim and Junggar basins in central Asia are capped by a thick pile of conglomerates, called the Xiyu Formation, that are commonly linked to a change in climate and/or accelerated uplift near the Plio-Pleistocene boundary. In order to better understand their origin and significance, we carried out a combined structural and magnetostratigraphic study in the Quilitage syncline (southern Tianshan), where the base of the Xiyu conglomerates is observed at both sides of the syncline. A balanced cross-section shows that, even at a local-scale, the base of the Xiyu conglomerates cannot be regarded as a single continuous stratigraphic layer. On the southern flank of the Quilitage syncline, we collected 172 samples collected for magnetostratigraphic dating identify 17 polarity chrons that date the new section from 5.2 to ~1.7Ma and constrain the base of the Xiyu conglomerate here at ~1.7Ma. This is 4.2Ma younger than the age of the Xiyu previously found on the northern limb of the same syncline. Together with other magnetostratigraphic studies carried out around the Tianshan, our study unambiguously demonstrates that the onset of deposition of the Xiyu conglomerates is diachronous, and that the conglomerates are systematically younger toward the basin. Consequently, the Xiyu Formation should not be considered as a chronostratigraphic marker related to any particular tectonic or climatic event, but is instead a prograding gravel wedge that has prograded over the underthrusting forelands. A synthesis of chronologic and structural results yields progradation rates over the last 10Ma on the order of ~2.0mm/yr and ~3.9mm/yr south and north of the Tianshan Mountains respectively. These rates are comparable to the shortening rate across the Tianshan range, suggesting that underthrusting is the main factor governing the progradation rate of the Xiyu Formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Magnetostratigraphic and rock magnetic results from 1006 horizons in Paleogene and Neogene sediments between the upper Kumugeliemu Formation and the base of the Kuche Formation within the Kuche Depression of the Tarim Basin, NW China, are used to evaluate postcollisional uplift and deformation in the Tian Shan Range. Characteristic remanences with both normal and reversed polarity were isolated by thermal demagnetization, generally between 300 and 690 °C, and a composite magnetostratigraphy is constructed from data at 969 accepted levels correlating with polarity chrons C12n to C3r dated between ∼31.0 and ∼5.5 Ma on the CK95 geomagnetic polarity time scale. Observed height-dependent changes of rock magnetic parameters (k m and AMS ellipsoid parameters) indicate that these sediments were influenced by weak deformation with the succession accumulated before ∼15 Ma recording the effects of compressive deformation. This finding, together with two substantial increases in accumulation rate at ∼16–17 and ∼7 Ma, define a framework for Cenozoic uplift and deformation of the Tian Shan Range. We argue that thrusting in the south of the range was probably initiated at ∼20 Ma and followed by rapid uplift at ∼16–17 Ma. On the assumption that sediment accumulation in western China was still predominately tectonically controlled at ∼7 Ma, another later pulse of rapid uplift with a much larger regional influence is also recognized in the Tian Shan. The Kuche Depression was subjected to two postcollisional phases of rotational deformation with clockwise rotation prior to ∼12 Ma (∼1.36°/Ma) succeeded by counterclockwise rotation (at ∼1.64°/Ma) after ∼12 Ma and possibly continuing to the present day. This rotational deformation is not temporally related to the history of basin formation resolved from the magnetostratigraphy and may be linked to block interactions with adjoining terranes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the early summer of 2012 and 2013, mass mortalities of blood ark shell (Scapharca [Anadara] broughtonii), broodstocks were reported in several hatcheries on the coast of northern China. Clinical signs including slow response, gaping valves and pale visceral mass were observed in diseased individuals. In response to these reported mortalities, 238 samples were collected from hatcheries at 6 sites. Microscopic changes including lysed connective tissue, dilation of the digestive tubules, eosinophilic inclusion bodies, nuclear chromatin margination and pyknosis were found in affected animals. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed herpes-like viral particles within the connective tissue of the mantle. Quantative PCR (qPCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) analysis using primers specific for ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) indicated significant higher prevalence of OsHV-1 DNA in cases associated with mass mortalities than those without mass mortalities (p = 0.0012 for qPCR, p < 0.0001 for nPCR). qPCR also indicated that samples associated with mass mortalities carried high viral DNA loads, while the loads in apparently healthy samples were significantly lower (t = 3.15, df = 92, p = 0.002). Sequence analysis of the C2/C6 region of nPCR products revealed 5 newly described variants, which were closely related to each other. Phylogenetic analysis of the 5 virus variants and 48 virus variants reported in previous studies identified 2 main phylogenetic groups, and the 5 virus variants identified here were allocated to a separate subclade. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mass mortalities of bivalve broodstocks associated with OsHV-1 infection.