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Abstract\nKEY POINTSDevonian successions in the Calliope and Yarrol provinces of the northern New England Orogen in central to northern Queensland have a lithological assemblage and depositional environments indicative of a close association with a subduction-related volcanic arc. These rocks have been interpreted as related to island arc and backarc settings based on geochemical characteristics of magmatic rocks. We present new detrital zircon ages from the Devonian to lower Carboniferous successions of the Calliope and Yarrol province successions. Most samples have no or relatively few zircon grains extracted except for samples of quartz-rich sandstone in the Middle Devonian Erebus beds of Hunter Island, located 160 km north-northwest of Rockhampton and another sample in the Rockhampton district. The samples with abundant zircon, and some with less common zircon, have prominent peaks of mid Cambrian to Ordovician ages and are consistent with derivation from the northern Thomson Orogen where igneous rocks of this age are documented in the Charters Towers Province. These data indicate a connection between the Devonian arc-flank deposits of the northern New England Orogen and the Thomson Orogen, which had previously been well established for Carboniferous deep-marine sandstones of the subduction complex (e.g. Shoalwater Formation). These results favour an east-facing continental margin arc setting in the Devonian contra to intra-oceanic island arc settings previously proposed. Detrital zircon age spectra from sampled early Carboniferous units of northern New England Orogen association indicate a pulse of felsic magmatism of that age.Devonian quartz-rich sandstones from the northern New England Orogen have abundant detrital zircon ages of mid Cambrian to Ordovician indicating a provenance connection with the Charters Towers Province of the northern Thomson Orogen.These results confirm a provenance linkage to Gondwana and imply that the Devonian tectonic setting was a continental margin arc and associated forearc basinal infill.Geochemical comparisons suggesting an island arc setting have overly influenced previous tectonic interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tianshan range, a Paleozoic orogenic belt in Central Asia, has undergone multiple phases of tectonic activities characterized by the N–S compression after the early Mesozoic, including the far‐field effects of the Cenozoic Indian–Asian collision. However, there are limited reports on the tectonic deformation and initiation of Triassic intracontinental deformation in the Tianshan range. Understanding this structural context is crucial for interpreting the early intracontinental deformation history of the Eurasian continent during the early Mesozoic. Growth strata and syn‐tectonic sediments provide a rich source of information on tectonic activities and have been extensively used in the studies of orogenic belts. Based on detail fieldwork conducted in this study, the middle–late Triassic Kelamayi Formation of the northern Kuqa Depression in the southern Tianshan fold‐thrust belt has been identified as the typical syn‐tectonic growth strata. The youngest detrital zircon component in two lithic sandstone samples from the bottom and top of the Kelamayi growth strata yielded U‐Pb ages of 223.4 ± 3.1 and 215.5 ± 2.9 Ma, respectively, indicating that the maximum depositional age of the bottom and top of the Kelamayi growth strata is 226–220 and 218–212 Ma. The geochronological distribution of detrital samples from the Early–Middle Triassic and Late Triassic revealed abrupt changes, suggesting a new source supply resulting from tectonic activation in the Tianshan range. The coupling relationship between the syn‐tectonic sedimentation of the Kelamayi Formation and the South Tianshan fold‐thrust system provides robust evidence that the Triassic intracontinental deformation of the South Tianshan range began at approximately 226–220 Ma (during the Late Triassic) and ended at approximately 218–212 Ma. These findings provide crucial constraints for understanding the intraplate deformation in the Tianshan range during the Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Erlian Basin is a Mesozoic–Cenozoic rift basin with a large thick Pliocene sandstones deposit, which has important oil, gas, and uranium resources exploration potential. The paleo-sedimentary environment plays an important role in controlling the development of mineral resource. However, provenance and depositional environment of the Pliocene sandstones remain enigmatic. To address it, this study reports the whole rock geochemical compositions of sandstones from the Youqi and Siziwangqi regions to reflect the paleo-sedimentary environment. The Youqi sandstones are classified as litharenite-arkose, whereas the Siziwangqi sandstones exhibit a graywacke affinity. Furthermore, both the Youqi and Siziwangqi sandstones exhibit low CIA, PIA, ICV, and Th/U values, suggesting that their source rocks were of great maturation and experienced low to moderate chemical weathering processes. The Ni/Co, U/Th, and Ce/Ce* values in these sandstones range from 0.4 to 5.9, 0.20 to 0.37, and 0.80 to 1.09, respectively, indicating that these sandstones were formed in an oxygen-rich depositional environment. Additionally, interelement ratios such as Sr/Cu, SiO2/Al2O3, and Rb/Sr suggest a hot and arid paleoclimate during the deposition of these sandstones. Tectonic discrimination diagrams reveal a continental arc environment for the studied sandstones, Combining regional structural background, implying that the Erlian Basin was influenced by both Himalayan and the Pacific-Ocean-surrounding tectonism during the Pliocene period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymetamorphic metapelitic rocks in central‐west Tasmania, southern Australia, contain high‐pressure mineral assemblages that formed during Cambrian‐aged subduction and relict garnet with published Lu–Hf ages of c. 1285–1240 Ma. These garnet ages, along with published detrital zircon data from throughout western Tasmania and western North America, have been used to propose the presence of Mesoproterozoic Laurentian crust in western Tasmania. In this study, we combine zircon petrochronology with compositional information from the inclusion assemblages in relict garnet to extract Mesoproterozoic pressure–temperature data from subduction‐overprinted rocks, which effectively constitute an interpreted remnant of Laurentian crust now residing in central‐west Tasmania. The new data suggest Mesoproterozoic metamorphism involved two stages. The first event is recorded by c. 1480–1235 Ma zircon that formed in a garnet‐absent, plagioclase‐present, high‐thermal gradient environment at pressures no greater than ~5–5.5 kbar. The second event recorded by c. 1285–1240 Ma relict garnet was characterized by the development of a moderate‐pressure kyanite–plagioclase–biotite‐bearing mineral assemblage, which formed at ~8.5 kbar and ~590–680°C. These pressure–temperature constraints are attributed to extension within a deep basin system associated with the cryptic East Kootenay Orogeny in North America, which coincides with the final stages of c. 1450–1370 Ma upper Belt‐Purcell Basin sedimentation. Taking into account new detrital zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic data from central‐west Tasmania in this study and existing zircon provenance data from throughout western Tasmania and the Belt‐Purcell Basin, our results strengthen the hypothesis of a Laurentian footprint that potentially encompasses much of western Tasmania and relates to both Nuna and Rodinian tectonism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serving as one of the largest rivers in terms of both sediment and organic carbon transport fluxes in the world, the Yellow River plays a crucial role in regional biogeochemical process as well as in the global carbon cycle. However, although a large number of studies have been carried out on the flux, composition, source and seasonal variation of total particulate organic carbon in the Yellow River so far, studies on molecular biomarkers at different spatial and temporal scales are still scarce. In this study, we focus on the molecular and hydrogen isotopic properties of leaf wax n-alkanes among different types of samples which obtained from different seasons (flood vs. non-flood) along the lower Yellow River. The molecular distribution of n-alkanes show that the riparian topsoils are subject to inputs from the overlying vegetation, while the suspended sediments from the flood season are characterized by the mixing of soil materials which originate from various stratigraphy with different ages on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Due to the contrasting hydrodynamic conditions, the n-alkanes in suspended sediments also show distinct molecular composition between flood and non-flood seasons. Additionally, considering the effect of climatic factors, the proportion of monocots in flood-season suspended sediments is calculated from a semi-quantitative perspective using δ2Hwax. Our findings may bring to light new considerations for the interpretation of leaf wax proxies in studies of organic matter sources of Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports data on the age and composition of poorly studied Cretaceous clastic rocks of the Lower Amur River area, which are part of the Zhuravlevka–Amur terrane and are attributed to the Berriasian–Valanginian Komsomolsk series. U/Pb dating of detrital zircons yielded reliable dates of 99 and 90 Ma for the Gorin and Pioneer formations, respectively. Thus, a sedimentary complex with a Late Cretaceous sedimentation age was identified for the first time in the Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt based on detrital zircon geochronology. In composition and detrital zircon age distribution pattern, the studied rocks are more similar to sediments of the upper, Hauterivian–Albian part of the Zhuravlevka–Amur terrane section rather than to those of the lower, Berriasian–Valanginian part. In rocks of the Pioneer Formation, the youngest zircon population with an age of about 90 Ma makes up more than 40% of all dated grains. The main source of detrital material of this age was probably proximal andesites hosting the Mnogovershinnoe deposit and granitoids of the Nizhneamurskii Complex. The source of detritus for sediments of the ∼99 Ma Gorin Formation was probably felsic rocks from the Albian–Cenomanian igneous province of Pacific Asia. The discrepancy between the Late Cretaceous age obtained by us and the paleontologically established Berriasian–Valanginian stratigraphic age of the formations requires additional research. New data on the Late Cretaceous age of the Zhuravlevka–Amur sediments of strike-slip marginal-continental basin requires revision of the geologic evolution of the terrane and the entire Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents new data on a comparative analysis of sedimentary rocks from the Mendeleev Rise (Shamshura Seamount), presumably, of the Triassic age with the Aptian sandstones obtained by the underwater sampling of the Alpha–Mendeleev Rise during expeditions in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The geochemical characteristics of rocks are very similar, and the data from different-age samples form common fields on various diagrams. Petrographic studies revealed that the sandstones of presumably Late Triassic age, as well as the sandstones of Chukotka and Wrangel Island, are dominated by fragments of shale and felsic effusives. The Aptian samples are dominated by mafic rock fragments. In addition, sharp differences are observed in the age spectra of detrital zircon populations, indicating fundamentally different provenances for the Triassic and Cretaceous sandstones on the Alpha–Mendeleev Rise. Samples from the Shamshura Seamount are characterized by populations similar to those from Triassic rocks of Chukotka and Wrangel Island, suggesting the presence of Triassic rocks in this part of the Mendeleev Rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zircon trace element geochemistry has become an increasingly popular tool to track crustal evolution through time. This has been especially important in early-Earth settings where most of the crust has been lost, but in some fortuitous instances detrital zircons derived from that lost crust have been preserved in younger sediments. To study the formation and geochemical evolution of continental crust from the Hadean to the Paleoarchean, the 3.6 to 3.2 Ga Barberton Greenstone Belt in southern Africa is an excellent target due to its outstanding preservation and presence of detrital zircons that span almost a billion years. Here, we use trace elements, in combination with hafnium and oxygen isotopes, of 3.65 to 3.22 Ga detrital and tuffaceous zircons of the Moodies and Fig Tree groups and compare their geochemistry to previously studied 4.2 to 3.3 Ga detrital zircons from the Green Sandstone Bed of the Onverwacht Group. The major detrital zircon age clusters in the former at 3.55 Ga, 3.46 Ga, and 3.26–3.23 Ga overlap with episodes of TTG emplacement and felsic volcanism in the Barberton area, suggesting a local provenance. In contrast, age clusters at 3.65 Ga and 3.29 Ga of the Moodies and Fig Tree groups as well as 4.2 to 3.3 Ga detrital zircons from the Green Sandstone Bed do not have known intrusive sources and were likely derived from outside the present-day Barberton belt. This indicates that more than half of the felsic igneous events in the detrital zircon record do not have a whole-rock representation that can be directly studied. The similar compositions and inferred crustal evolution histories recorded in zircons from the Fig Tree and Moodies groups, as well as from the Green Sandstone Bed, suggest that they were derived from connected terranes experiencing similar crustal processes diachronously. Together, they show three phases of felsic continent formation, reflecting different crustal processes: (1) long-lived protocrust formed in the Hadean from undepleted mantle sources. These zircons are vastly different from younger zircons and, hence, Barberton TTGs are not good analogues of Hadean crust formation. (2) At 3.8 Ga, onset of significant crustal growth though cyclic juvenile additions and hydrous melting, possibly within a volcanic plateau setting but an arc-like setting cannot be excluded based on this data. (3) Between 3.4 and 3.3 Ga, felsic crust is generated through a previously unrecognized episode of crustal growth by shallow melting of mafic, mantle-derived sources. This is immediately followed by the onset of crustal thickening through the transport of surface-altered, hydrated materials to deep crustal levels. Since there is geological evidence for extension and shortening at that time this may reflect the onset of horizontal movement. Whether this last geodynamic setting reflects modern-style plate tectonics or not, continent formation and the onset of plate tectonics in the Barberton area occurred through complex multi-stage processes spanning almost a billion years, most of which is only accessible through the detrital zircon record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aridification of Central Asia in the Late Mesozoic led to drastic environmental changes characterized by widespread aeolian deposits. We systematically investigated fluvial‐aeolian deposits in the Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation, Upper Jurassic Kalazha Formation, and Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group in the Junggar Basin to the north of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt via unmanned aerial vehicle‐based photogrammetry, scanning electron microscope, grain‐size analysis, and detrital zircon geochronology. Paludal and deltaic environments transitioned to a fluvial‐aeolian environment from the late Middle Jurassic to the Late Jurassic. Fan delta and incisive braided river deposits accumulated in the earliest Cretaceous and evolved into a lacustrine environment with aeolian deposits in the lakeshore. Aeolian deposits are characterized by moderate‐ to well‐sorted and subangular to subround sandstones with large‐scale, high‐dip cross‐bedding, inversely graded lamination, dominant saltation grains, crescent‐shaped, and dish‐shaped impact structures. Aeolian deposits contain heavy minerals including more ilmenite, zircon, garnet, and, tourmaline and less magnetite and epidote than the fluvial deposits. The preserved aeolian sediments of the Kalazha Formation extend west–east for more than 100 km, suggesting a wide desert area during the latest Jurassic. The detrital zircon age patterns indicate that the provenance of the aeolian deposits was similar to that of coeval fluvial deposits. The cooccurrence of fluvial and aeolian deposits and the similar provenances but orthogonal flow directions indicate that the aeolian deposits were mainly sourced from the nearby fluvial material within the basin. The evolution of the fluvial‐aeolian system responded to a complete base‐level cycle controlled by the aridification and tectonics. Due to decreased sediment supply caused by aridification, the base level rose, leading to the change from braided rivers to meandering rivers, along with the deposition of aeolian sediments. Due to the tectonic reactivation in the Late Jurassic, the base level fell, causing the occurrence of alluvial fans and the expansion of the aeolian sediments. Previous studies revealed that the Tianshan in the Jurassic exhibited low relief. The fluvial‐aeolian system played an important role in maintaining the limited relief in southern Central Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Clarens Formation is a widespread aeolianite deposited over southern Gondwana and represents the final phase of erg evolution in the main Karoo Basin during the Early Jurassic. Previous age assessments of the formation hinge on limited detrital zircon data, supplemented by relative ages from the biostratigraphy and geochronology of the adjacent Karoo units. This study refines the depositional history of the Clarens Formation, including its sediment source dynamics as well as basin‐wide geochronological framework, based on U–Pb dating of detrital zircon grains, together with petrographic and sedimentological characterization. The abundant presence of heavy minerals like zircon, tourmaline and rutile suggests large‐scale detritus recycling, while the uniform sandstone composition on a regional scale is an indication of sediment homogenisation across the basin. Based on the prominent detrital zircon age fractions, the sediments are interpreted as having been reworked from pre‐existing rocks of the Karoo Supergroup (Permian), the Damara and Saldania Orogenic belts (650–490 Ma), whereas minor sources can be assigned to the Namaqua‐Natal Mobile Belt (1.35–1.1 Ga) and the western Sierras Pampeanas (1.30–1.33 Ga). Unstable minerals (hornblende, garnet, titanite, feldspar) provide evidence for a nearby granitic source east and southeast of the basin, related to likely Grenvillian rocks (1.0–1.3 Ga). An Early Jurassic zircon age fraction is linked to volcanic activity in the Chon Aike Magmatic Province that, at the time, was situated south and southwest of the study area. Maximum depositional ages derived from these detrital zircon dates suggest that the sedimentation of the Clarens Formation spanned an interval of ~10 Ma during the Pliensbachian and early Toarcian. More specifically, the lower part of the formation is of early Pliensbachian age or younger (~191–192), while the upper part is of early Toarcian age or younger (~181–183 Ma). These age patterns are particularly prominent in the south of the basin that was situated closer to the volcanic source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorite minerals, mainly in the form of clay coats, play a critical role in determining the reservoir quality of siliciclastic rocks. They can positively influence reservoir quality by preserving porosity during deep burial, but they can also play a negative role by reducing permeability through pore filling. The main aim of this research is to determine the optimal conditions for chlorite growth in sedimentary basins. This study investigates the Lower Cretaceous turbidite sandstone of the Agat Formation in the North Sea. We used a source‐to‐sink approach to investigate the impact of sediment source composition, chemical weathering and depositional environment on chlorite formation. Understanding the interplay between these processes can help refine exploration and exploitation strategies, optimise hydrocarbon recovery, and reduce exploration risks. Representative samples from two hydrocarbon fields (the Duva and Agat fields) were investigated using petrography, geochemistry, heavy mineral identification and quantification, and U–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons. Our results show a strong heterogeneity in the sediment provenance between the two turbidite systems. In the Duva field, the sandstone is derived from a mixture of mafic and felsic sources, producing Fe‐rich sediments. Intense chemical weathering generates fine fraction materials rich in kaolinite, vermiculite, and hydroxy‐interlayered clays, which are transported into shallow marine settings. Subsequent interaction with seawater results in the formation of glauconitic materials, Fe‐illite, and phosphatic concretions. These Fe‐rich materials are remobilised into deep marine settings, providing precursors for the development of authigenic Fe‐clays such as berthierine and chlorite. Conversely, in the Agat field, the sandstone is predominantly sourced from felsic rocks that underwent low chemical weathering, producing sediment rich in quartz and feldspar with a low amount of clays. With few Fe‐rich materials transported into the basin, the development of chlorite in the Agat field was less pervasive. Basin configuration and depositional environment exerted additional control on chlorite distribution. In the confined turbidite system (e.g. Duva field), chlorite is typically found as coating, whereas in less confined turbidite systems (e.g. Agat field) chlorite shows complex distribution related to depositional environment and dewatering processes. Our findings demonstrate the importance of considering the entire sediment routing system, from source to sink, when predicting chlorite occurrence and its impact on reservoir quality in deep marine settings. This integrated approach can guide exploration and development efforts in deepwater clastic reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary basins adjacent to subduction‐related continental arcs provide important archives for deciphering the intricate history of convergent plate margins. The east‐west trending Gangdese magmatic arc was one of the most predominant topographic features located at the southern margin of Tibet before the arrival of the Indian plate. However, the detailed Cretaceous growth and evolution across the arc system remains ambiguous. Stratigraphy of the adjacent Xigaze forearc basin provides a well‐preserved and well‐exposed record of the tectonic and magmatic evolution of the arc throughout the Cretaceous period. We report new stratigraphic, sedimentological, geochronological, and provenance analyses of the Quarry Ridge sandstone in the Xigaze forearc basin along with compiled zircon U‐Pb ages (n = 9674) and Lu‐Hf isotopic signatures (n = 3389) from the Gangdese arc, the Xigaze forearc basin, and the Linzhou retroarc foreland basin to reconstruct the Early to middle Cretaceous magmatism and uplift of the Gangdese arc and concurrent sedimentary responses within both basins. Exhumation of the arc initiates at around 113 Ma suggested by arc detritus first arriving in both basins. Another episode of inferred uplift occurs at around 108 Ma, which resulted in coarse‐grained sedimentation in adjacent basins, preventing Central Lhasa detritus from reaching the Xigaze forearc basin further south and a facies and provenance change within the Linzhou basin. Finally, a third episode at around 101 Ma is reflected by deposition of the progradational Quarry Ridge clastic succession and marks the initiation of a substantial coarse‐grained depositional stage in the Xigaze forearc basin. Our study emphasizes the connection between coarse‐grained deposition in the forearc basin and arc magmatism and uplift. This study also provides an orogen‐scale assessment of the history of arc magmatism, uplift, and sedimentation across the Gangdese magmatic arc system, which supports interpretations that Tibet was already characterized by complex and substantial topographic relief during the Cretaceous before the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central Inner Mongolia, located at the intersection of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) and the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, is crucial for deciphering the Late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution associated with the subduction and closure of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). Our study focused on petrology, detrital zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb geochronology and whole‐rock geochemistry for the Late Carboniferous to Permian sandstones within the Shuanmazhuang, Dahongshan, Naobaogou, and Laowopu formations in Siziwang Banner, central Inner Mongolia. This comprehensive analysis shed light on the dynamic interplay between the NCC and the South Mongolia Block. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages in investigated samples mainly cluster between 250 and 2650 Ma, with significant peaks at 2.4–2.5 Ga, 1.8–2.0 Ga, 400–430 Ma, and 250–320 Ma, respectively. The geochemistry data are characterized by SiO2 contents (56.29–77.95 wt. %), Na2O / K2O ratios (0.45–1.58) and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios between 4.33 and 7.44. Moreover, they exhibit the slight enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (Rb and Ba) and the depletion in high field strength elements (Nb, Ta, Th, and U). These facts indicate that the sedimentary detritus predominantly originates from felsic sources, probably deriving from the Late Carboniferous–Permian continental island arc‐related intermediate‐acid igneous rocks, the Late Ordovician‐Silurian magmatic rocks in the Bainaimiao arc and the basements of the NCC. Furthermore, our present results also suggest that during the Early–Middle Permian, accelerating oceanic crust subduction triggered significant magmatic events in Siziwang Banner, leading to rapid uplift and the erosion of arc magmatic rocks, as well as the abundant corresponding sediments. Subsequently, the gradual convergence and eventual collision between the NCC and the Southern Mongolian Block took place at the end of the Permian, representing final closure of the PAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geology of New York City (USA) consists primarily of metasedimentary rocks that were deformed during the series of orogenies between ca. 470 Ma and ca. 300 Ma that culminated in the amalgamation of Pangea. The rocks in New York City play a key role in understanding the tectonic history of these orogenies because they lie at a critical location at the boundary between the Northern and Southern Appalachian Mountains. The primary question addressed here is where these metasedimentary rocks originated prior to the assembly of Pangea. Through detrital zircon and whole-rock Nd isotope analyses, we show that all the metasedimentary rocks of New York City, mapped as the Manhattan Schist and the Hartland Group, are primarily derived from Laurentia as indicated by detrital zircon populations dominated by 1200-900 Ma grains and εNd values between -7 and -13. The results presented here do not necessitate an exclusively Laurentian source for the detrital material found in New York City, but the data strongly suggests protoliths represent sedimentary units that are primarily derived from the Laurentian margin. Another important result from this study is the limited contributions from any rift volcanics and/or Gondwanan material(s). There is some subtle variability across our zircon sample suite, but there is no convincing evidence for major changes in bulk provenance signal that would be consistent with derivation from vastly different continental sources for these rocks. The shared provenance signal observed here is counter to the previous suggestions that a major terrane boundary, often called Cameron's Line, exists in New York City, separating Laurentian rocks from those of a Gondwanan affinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siliciclastic muds (clay-and silt-sized sediment) concentrate physical and chemical weathering products. However, both rock composition and climate can affect the mineralogy and geochemistry of these sediments. We quantitatively assessed the influence of provenance and climate on muds collected from end-member climates to test, which, if any, of these potential weathering signatures are indicative of climate in finegrained, fluvial sediments. Granulometry, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the studied muds indicated that provenance and mineral sorting hinder interpretation of (paleo)climate signals. These issues also affect chemical index of alteration (CIA) values, as well as mafic-felsic-weathering (MFW), Al2O3-(CaO* + Na2O)-K2O (A-CN-K), and Al2O3-(CaO* + Na2O + K2O)-(FeOT + MgO) (ACNK-FM) ternary plots, decreasing their utility as paleoclimate proxies. CaO content is heavily weighted within the calculations, resulting in even felsic-sourced sediment commonly plotting as mafic owing to the relative enrichment in CaO from preferential sorting of Ca-rich minerals into the mudsized fraction during transport. These results cast doubt on the indiscriminate use of CIA values and ternary plots for interpreting chemical weathering and paleoclimate within muds, particularly from glacial systems. Most notably, the positive correlations between CIA and climatic parameters (mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation) diminished when sediments that had formed in nonglacial settings were filtered out from the data sets. This implies that CIA may only be applicable when used in nonglacial systems in which the composition of the primary source material is well constrained-such as soil/paleosol profiles. Within this end-member climate data set, CIA was only useful in discriminating hothumid climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the late Mesozoic topography and drainage system of the Tibetan Plateau is essential for understanding the Cenozoic tectonic dynamics of the plateau. However, systematic analyses of the pre-Cenozoic surface uplift history and sediment-routing systems of the Tibetan Plateau remain sparse. Here we present new results for paleocurrents and U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology from the Lanping Basin, a key junction in the southeastern (SE) Tibetan Plateau, and integrate multidisciplinary data sets to constrain sediment provenance and reconstruct paleotopography and its drainage system throughout the Cretaceous. Our results indicate that mid- to Late Cretaceous (ca. Albian-Santonian) tectonically induced surface uplift occurred in the SE Tibetan Plateau, leading to the build-up of an extensive topographic barrier, and resultant rain shadows in the interior of east Asia. Superimposition of this topographic pattern by uplands in the eastern margin of Asia meant that the Cretaceous topography of east Asia was characterized by an enclosed paleo-relief pattern that was high in both the east and west, with drainage from the east and west to the south, contrasting with previously proposed configurations. This topographic pattern interrupted the atmospheric circulation pattern and generated widespread intracontinental desertification and drainage network evolution in east Asia. Our study constrains a key part of the late Mesozoic growth of the Tibetan Plateau prior to the Cenozoic collision between India and Eurasia and will improve our understanding of the paleoclimate, atmospheric circulation, and modern drainage system evolution of the east Asian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weathering, erosion, and sediment transport in modern landscapes may be investigated via direct observation of attributes such as elevation, relief, bedrock lithology, climate, drainage organization, watershed extent, and others. Studies of ancient landscape evolution lack this synoptic perspective, however, and instead must rely more heavily on downstream records of fluvial deposits. Provenance analysis based on detrital grain ages has greatly enhanced the utility of such records but has often focused broadly on regional to continental scales. This approach may overlook important details of localized watersheds, which could lead to significant misinterpretation of past sediment dispersal patterns. The present study, therefore, explores the impact of geographic and stratigraphic sampling density on detrital zircon provenance, based on a high-density investigation of U-Pb ages (N = 23, n = 4905) obtained from a narrow chronostratigraphic range (~2 m.y.) within a relatively small (~25,000 km²) area of an Eocene nonmarine sedimentary basin. Based on multidimensional scaling and DZmix modeling, these strata comprise seven distinct, approximately isochronous detrital zircon (DZ) chronofacies, defined as ". . . a group of sedimentary rocks that contains a specified suite of detrital zircon age populations" (Lawton et al., 2010). Four of these DZ chronofacies reflect long-distance transport from extrabasinal source areas. DZ chronofacies CO-1 and CO-2 are interpreted to derive from a primary sediment source in central Colorado (USA), corroborating previously proposed long-distance sediment transport via the Aspen paleoriver. DZ chronofacies ID-1 and ID-2 are interpreted to have been delivered to the basin from central Idaho by the Idaho paleoriver. In contrast, DZ chronofacies UT-1 and UT-2 are interpreted to reflect local drainage from the Uinta Uplift south of the basin, and DZ chronofacies WY-1 is interpreted to have been sourced from the Rawlins, Granite, and Sierra Madre uplifts to the north and east via the Toya Puki paleoriver. Lateral transitions between different DZ chronofacies in some cases occur over distances as little as 5 km, implying that depositional systems carrying sand from disparate watersheds directly competed to fill available basin accommodation. The results of this study reveal a high degree of complexity of Eocene rivers that converged on the Greater Green River Basin, indicating that their deposits contain a rich record of finescale landscape evolution across much of the Laramide foreland and Cordilleran orogen. These results illustrate the need for adequate sample density when assessing basin-scale provenance and offer a cautionary consideration for researchers using sandstone (and incorporated authigenic cement) in other nonmarine basins as the basis for paleoaltimetry or detrital thermochronology studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital zircon dating allows us to elucidate the age and provenance of siliciclastic strata of the Sarydjaz and Ichkebash formations in the Middle Tianshan of eastern Kyrgyzstan, previously thought to be of the Middle or Late Ordovician age. New data indicate that the upper part of the Ichkebash Formation contains Lower Silurian sediments, previously unknown in this region. The Kanachu Formation, which lies stratigraphically above, is also not older than the Silurian in age. The absence of marine fauna at these levels apparently reflects the predominant development of deltaic facies. The paleocurrent indicators and the ages of detrital zircons point to its provenance in the North Tianshan (NTSh). Grains with ages from the Late Cambrian to the Silurian, synchronous with the main stage of the Early Paleozoic magmatism in the NTSh, predominate in the Ichkebash Formation. The occurrence of Precambrian detrital zircons in all dated samples and especially in the Sarydjaz Formation indicates the erosion of Precambrian rocks. The provenance most likely located in the Chu-Kendyktas Massif, where the Precambrian detrital zircons in the Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks demonstrate a similar distribution of the ages. The foredeep in the Middle Tianshan was formed in the Late Ordovician and Early Silurian generally subsynchronously with the main orogenic event in the NTSh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary basins provide a deep time archive of tectonic and Earth-surface processes that can be leveraged by detrital mineral U-Pb dating and geochemistry to track paleogeography, magmatism, and crustal evolution. Zircon preserves the long-term (billions of years) record of supercontinent cycles; however, it is biased toward preserving felsic crustal records. Detrital rutile complements the detrital zircon record by providing constraints on the time and temperature of rifting and mafic magmatism, metamorphism, exhumation of the middle and lower crust, subduction, and amagmatic orogenesis. We use detrital zircon U-Pb and detrital rutile U-Pb geochronology and trace element analysis of Permian to Eocene siliciclastic rocks in the southern Pyrenees to capture supercontinent cycles of ocean basins opening and closing. Detrital rutile age spectra show peaks at ca. 100 Ma associated with rifting and hyperextension in the Pyrenean realm, 200 Ma associated with the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, and 330 Ma, 375 Ma, and 400 Ma associated with subduction and Rheic Ocean crust formation. Zr-in-rutile thermometry and rutile Cr-Nb systematics provide further insight into metamorphic facies (peak metamorphic temperatures) and source rock lithology (mafic versus felsic affinity). Detrital zircon age spectra have peaks at ca. 300 Ma, 450 Ma, and 600 Ma associated with major orogenic events and felsic magmatism, and Th/U ratios provide information on relative zircon formation temperatures. Comparison of these independent records shows that detrital rutile reflects rifting, magma-poor orogenesis, and oceanic lithospheric processes, while detrital zircon detects continental lithospheric processes. Integrated detrital zircon and rutile data sets archive past geological events across multiple Wilson cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Late Palaeozoic to Early Mesozoic, the eastern segment of the Palaeo–Tethys Ocean closed, resulting in the collision and amalgamation of the South and North Hainan Islands. However, the exact location of the collision and amalgamation remains controversial. The main collision locations are the Baisha, Jiusuo–Lingshui and Changjiang–Qionghai faults. The U–Pb age of detrital zircons was used to determine the main source area of the Middle Triassic basin in the eastern part of Hainan Island and the closed position of the eastern section of the Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean. The U–Pb dating of detrital zircons revealed that the Middle Triassic Lingwen Formation contains four age groups: 235–258, 335–446, 766–986 and >1000 Ma. Notably, rock masses aged 248–252 Ma that were formed in a post‐orogenic tension setting have been identified in the western region of Hainan Island, whereas no igneous rocks from this period have been discovered in the eastern region. The detrital zircon samples from the Lingwen Formation revealed a peak at 249 ± 2 Ma U–Pb age, which is important evidence indicating that the Changjiang–Qionghai Fault is the product of collision between the southern and northern Hainan terranes. Affected by the bipolar subduction of the eastern segment of the Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean, the collision and amalgamation of the South and North Hainan terranes occurred, and experienced a post‐collision (extensional) process at ca. 249 ± 2 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bengal Basin is a well‐known foreland basin that archives the tectonic evolution of the Himalayan and Indo‐Burman Ranges (IBR). The Dupi Tila Formation is the youngest among the stratigraphic successions of the Bengal Basin, which witnessed the last phase of the Himalayan uplift. However, there is still controversy regarding sediment provenances since the Himalayan and IBR are in the late Neogene exhumation stage. In this study, the petrographical and geochemical compositions of the Dupi Tila sandstones from the Lalmai Anticline of the Bengal Basin are examined to infer the source rocks, tectonic settings, palaeoclimate and weathering intensity in provenance areas. The detrital modes and geochemical discriminations, as well as Chondrite‐normalized rare earth elements patterns with enrichment in light rare earth elements and nearly flat heavy rare earth elements and negative Eu anomalies (average Eu/Eu* = 0.77) indicate dominantly felsic source rocks. The geochemical data also suggest that these source rocks in provenance areas were influenced by weak to moderate chemical weathering (chemical index of alteration: 65.64–75.62) and multiple recycling under warm and humid to semi‐humid climatic conditions. The detrital zircon ages show three dominant peaks at ca. 100, 500 and 1000 Ma with minor 1700 Ma. The amount of young zircon grains (<120 Ma) is noticeably higher (~18%) in this Lalmai outcrop compared to the Dupi Tila samples from the Sylhet Trough and Chittagong‐Tripura Fold Belt. Results from integrated zircon geochronology and geochemistry indicate that the detritus are likely derived from a recycled orogen provenance related mainly to active continental margin setting with subordinate influence from passive setting. Therefore, the regionally extensive Himalayan Orogen appears to be the primary sediment source, with additional mixing from the IBR and recycled sediments originating from the Gangdese batholith of the Trans‐Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment, development and abandonment and/or destruction of ancient civilizations were catalytically controlled by geomorphic features such as lakes and rivers and the climate. This paper examined the possible influence of tectonism and climate on six habitations of the ancient Vaigai River Basin civilization in South India, using multiple proxies such as grain size, geochronology and geochemistry of the sedimentary archives. The tectonic setting of the basin changed between the active margin and passive margin; the discriminant diagrams suggested varying provenance and changing climatic conditions over the mid‐ and‐late Holocene. Tectonic activism and quiescence, base‐level change in the channel morphology led to the burial/marooning of the first habitation surface. Overall, arid conditions were punctuated with catastrophic flooding and peak discharge (flood) destroyed the second, third and fourth habitation sites. These flooding events were characterized by moderate weathering (CIA) and high values of Al, Fe and Rb/Sr and low Ca/Mg in the sediment records. The abandonment/destruction of the fifth habitation also occurred during an arid interval (droughts), possibly caused by weak monsoon. Along with the interactions between tectono‐climatic and fluvial geomorphic factors, the new results provided avenues to (a) check and recognize the archives for 8.2 and 4.2 ka‐like events in this part of the world, and (b) the utility of integrated analyses to constrain on the civilizational histories of the mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital composition of sandstone is the most important data for siliciclastic studies including sandstone classification, provenance analysis, oil and gas exploration. A large amount of detrital composition data has accumulated over the past decades, however, they are scattered in publications without unified standards. Here we constructed a global dataset of detrital components of sandstones from 646 peer‐reviewed publications using Gazzi‐Dickinson method. A total of 19,861 samples from Precambrian to Quaternary are involved in this dataset. For each sample, we present details on reference information, geographic information, geological background, depositional age and the original data. It is a high‐quality dataset for the information on each sandstone sample from different studies which was standardized. The dataset can be used widely, such as for stratigraphic comparison, provenance analysis, exploring the general laws of the source‐to‐sink process and geological engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrital zircon records significant information in the 'source‐sink' system. With the application of in situ laser ablation technology, a large number of high‐quality detrital zircon data have been published since 2000. In this study, a total of 41,342 detrital zircon U–Pb ages and 6,129 Hf isotopes were compiled from the published literatures of the Middle East (Iranian and Arabian plates). Through data filtering and recalculation, valid data were employed for further analysis. The detrital zircons from the Middle East show a Cambrian–Precambrian age population of 500–1,000 Ma, with a major age peak of ~620 Ma and dispersed εHf(t) values of −35 to +20. The Alborz Mountains and central Iran terrane show a Permo–Triassic age range of 200–300 Ma. The Mesozoic–Cenozoic detrital zircons are mostly occurred in the Zagros orogenic belt and Makran accretionary complex, with three obvious age ranges of 145–180 Ma, 80–110 Ma and 15–65 Ma. The Mesozoic zircons yield positive εHf(t) values, while Cenozoic zircons have varied εHf(t) values. This database allows for the further exploration of the provenance analysis and application in constraining the timing of the major tectonic events in the Middle East, and may also help to explore the affinities of plates, thus guiding future palaeogeographic research efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing hypotheses attribute the regional loss of 1.2–1.0 Ga detrital zircon from the Cambrian Sauk Sequence in southwestern North America to differing tectonic controls on surface topography. We test three hypotheses with source‐to‐sink detrital zircon provenance analysis via tandem in situ and isotope dilution U–Pb geochronology paired with geochemical and Hf‐isotope tracers. Our data indicate that the lower‐to‐middle Sixtymile Formation in Grand Canyon was derived from ca. 1.1 Ga rocks of the Llano Uplift and the ca. 539–523 Ma Wichita igneous province, approximately 1400 km away. In contrast, new U–Pb geochronology links the upper Sixtymile and Tapeats formations to the 513–510 Ma Florida Mountains intrusive complex, southern New Mexico, and proximal 1.4 and 1.7 Ga basement approximately 650 km away. We attribute a regional provenance shift to plume–lithosphere interactions on the Iapetan margin, tectonism along 'leaky' intracratonic transverse fault zones and the rift‐to‐drift transition on the Cordilleran margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topography of the Harlik Mountain has a strong impact on the formation of current arid climate in the Turpan-Hami Basin. However, it is still controversial if Harlik Mountain experienced significant exhumation during the Middle to Late Cenozoic according to the previous thermochronology studies. The features of the Oligocene to Miocene sediments in the foreland basin could provide productive information for resolving the debates. The peak ages of detrital apatite fission track analysis of the Oligocene–Miocene sandstone in the Turpan-Hami Basin are well comparable with the cooling age records of the Harlik Mountain rocks, indicating that the Oligocene–Miocene Taoshuyuanzi Formation in the basin was mostly derived from the Harlik Mountain. The stratigraphic sequence exhibits coarsening upward, reflecting that the source area was in a tectonically active period during the deposition process. Heavy mineral assemblages also suggest that the unstable minerals in the sediment increased significantly at the end of the deposition. Moreover, the proportion of apatite increased up-section, while the garnet content decreased significantly, indicating that the Carboniferous metamorphic rocks have been gradually eroded out and more intrusive rocks have been exposed to the surface. These observations suggest that the Harlik Mountain experienced exhumation during the Oligocene to Miocene, and the denudation depth afterward was probably less than 2.5 km according to the previously apatite (U-Th)/He data. The Oligocene–Miocene exhumation probably acted as one of the triggers for the heavy drought of the Turpan-Hami Basin during the Middle–Late Neogene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemical compositions can be used to determine the tectonic setting of sedimentary basins, while where the link of source to sink is no longer preserved, detrital zircon age patterns can aid in resolving the original basin setting. The metasedimentary Legoupil Formation, located at Cape Legoupil and the Schmidt Peninsula, could give a hint for the tectonic evolution of Antarctic Peninsula. In this contribution, we constrain the sedimentary provenance of the Legoupil Formation through geochemistry and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology. The petrography and geochemical features indicate that the provenance of the Legoupil Formation could be felsic rocks. Detrital zircon grains record a steady supply of Permian and Ordovician material into the Legoupil Formation. The youngest concordant zircon ages of 262 Ma suggest that the depositional time of Legoupil Formation is no older than Late Permian. The detrital zircon age spectrum of Legoupil Formation suggests that the Legoupil Formation sediments should be derived from regional sources endemic to western Gondwana prior to its breakup. Together with the previous studies, geochemistry and detrital zircons reflect an active continental margin tectonic setting and the detrital zircon spectra of Legoupil Formation are similar to the ones deposited in forearc tectonic setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large-sized Tarangaole uranium deposit and its neighboring Daying and Nalinggou deposits, located in the northeastern margin of the Ordos Basin, constitutes a major uranium resource base in northern China. In order to further clarify the sedimentary material source, uranium source and regional sediment–tectonic setting of the uranium-fed clastic rocks (i.e., Zhiluo Formation(J2z)) in the district, this paper carried out whole-rock geochemistry, heavy minerals composition and in situ U-Pb dating of detrital zircons for sandstones from the lower section of the Zhiluo Formation. The results have shown that the average chemical differentiation index (CIA) for the host rocks is 73.16 and the chemical weathering degree is moderate. Heavy minerals are mainly composed of ilmenite, garnet, chlorpyrite, zircon, pyrite, apatite, hematite, etc. The U-Pb dating of detrital zircon generally indicates three age peaks, i.e., 260~Ma, 1850~Ma and 2450~Ma, respectively. In conclusion, the source rocks may have been formed at active continental margins, e.g., in a continental margin arc environment. The sedimentary materials mainly come from khondalite series, TTGs, granulite, and mafic–ultramafic intrusive rocks distributed among the Daqing–Ula Mountains and adjacent areas, etc. The Late Paleozoic U-rich intermediate and acidic magmatic rocks spreading over the eastern part of the Ula–Daqing and Wolf mountains have provided the main uranium sources for the formation of major U deposits in the northern Ordos Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the provenance of sedimentary systems is key to better understanding the sedimentary framework and improving exploration-associated decision-making and deployment. With regard to the provenance of sedimentary systems, there is still poor understanding in the initial rifting stage due to imbalanced and insufficient exploration and a common lack of seismic data, which have seriously hindered oil exploration in the Qintong Sag, Subei Basin. This study aimed at investigating the provenance in the direction of the fault-terrace zone in the southeast part of the Qintong Sag and aimed to examine whether large-scale sedimentary systems are formed by these sediment sources. Integrated analysis of heavy minerals, sandstone petrologic maturity, drilling cutting dates, 3D seismic data, and well logs was employed to identify the provenance. This study is the first time that large-scale provenance from the direction of the fault-terrace zone has been discovered in the third member of the Paleocene Funing Formation (referred to as the third Mbr of the Funing Fm in this paper) in the Subei Basin, east China. The documentation shows that sediments from the northwest Wubao Low Uplift and the southeast Taizhou Uplift can be distinguished in the Qintong Sag, with the large-scale delta system in the central and eastern part of the Qintong Sag comprising sediments from the Taizhou Uplift, improving upon previous understanding of the sedimentary framework. The deposition formed by the Taizhou Uplift provenance system was characterized by gradual weakening of the hydrodynamic forces, a decreasing sediment supply, and shrinking of the retrogradational delta depositional systems with good reservoir qualities, which are characterized by high-quality source–reservoir–cap combinations and are likely to develop into a hydrocarbon-rich belt. The discovery of the Taizhou Uplift provenance proves that there may be major provenance and large-scale sedimentary systems from the fault-terrace zone of the rift basins in the initial rifting stage. The experience of rapid retrogradation showed that these large-scale delta systems are likely to only flourish in the initial rifting stage. This study is helpful for improving the understanding of sediment provenance and the sedimentary framework of lacustrine rift basins in the initial rifting stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive assessment of the critical elements contained in coal is essential for understanding the geological processes that affect the enrichment of these elements, which can then be used to fully utilize coal in an economically and environmentally friendly manner. In order to understand the geology of an area and the impact of demolition rock on the formation and enrichment of trace elements, as well as rare earth elements (REE) in coals, we have presented a range of recent geochemical and mineralogical data from the k7 coal seam in the Karaganda Formation of the Karaganda Coal Basin. The study revealed that the geochemical characteristics of coal-bearing deposits in the Karaganda Basin reflect the features of its geological evolution. Despite high tectonic activity and volcanic activity in the Paleozoic era, the specific composition of the rocks on the slopes and bases of coal-bearing valleys has determined the low potential for rare metals in the basin. It has been found that the coal in the Karaganda Basin is, in general, similar in terms of concentrations of most trace elements to the average for world coal. The main area of provenance of the trace elements was established using discriminant diagrams. It was established that the main source of the trace elements, including REEs in the basin coals, was the Tekturmas accretionary complex that represented the main upland (anticlinorium) during the coals' formation. SEM studies identified micro-mineral forms that indicated the presence of trace elements of Zr, Ti, Se, and Fe in the samples of stratum k7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital zircon (DZ) geochronology is based on a multistage, hierarchical sampling process in which sampling errors (statistical variance) and non-sampling errors (sampling bias) are endemic. Most of these errors are related to 1) initial collection of a non-random grab sample (typically from outcrop); 2) processing the grab sample to obtain a non-random grain-size sample of restricted grain size(s) (effectively a processed population); 3) randomly and/or non-randomly selecting DZs (often based on their size, shape, and colour) from the grain-size sample to obtain a hand-picked sample (effectively an analysed population); and 4) randomly and/or non-randomly radiometrically dating only certain DZs (due to limitations of instrument spot size and grain imperfections) from the hand-picked sample to obtain an analysed sample. Claims that hand-picked samples and analysed samples are randomly chosen are questionable, since these samples likely represent haphazard sampling attempting to emulate randomness. Non-randomness has major implications for calculations that determine sample size and inter-sample 'sameness' comparison, as both techniques generally depend on randomly chosen samples. The use of inter-sample comparison is particularly troublesome in that sameness is determined for the analysed sample, which is not representative of the initial grab sample. Yet more bias occurs with a 'leap of inference', the generalization of DZ ages from the analysed sample to the target population (the strata of interest) or to a general population (DZs derived from ultimate and proximate sources). Sampling bias can be reduced by unambiguously defining the sampled population (the population that inferential statistics apply), selecting representative samples (if possible, randomization should be used at every stage in the sampling process), and preserving the representativeness of subsamples by using correct sampling devices such as a microsplitter. It may be timely for standardized sampling, interpreting, and reporting guidelines so that detrital geochronology data are scientifically meaningful and replicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling Orogenic Belt (QOB), formed by the subduction and collision between the North China Block (NCB) and the South China Block (SCB), is a key area for exploring the tectonic process and timing of integration between the two blocks. A range of tectonic models have been proposed with regard to the subduction and collision of the QOB, but controversy in the timing and integration process still remain debatable, especially in the late Palaeozoic orogeny. The South Qinling Belt (SQB) is located between the Shangdan and Mianlue sutures, widely dispersed sediments outcropped in the SQB provide natural ground for the detrital zircon study, that could trace the sedimentary provenance and continental crustal evolution history, thus provide important evidence for the late Palaeozoic evolutionary processes in the QOB. In this study, we applied a detailed geochronological U‐Pb zircon dating of the Silurian, Devonian and Permian sedimentary rocks from the SQB. The result of the U‐Pb isotopic data shows distinct age populations at 439–474 Ma of the Silurian samples, ca. 400–490 Ma of the Devonian samples and 260–310 Ma of the Permian samples, respectively. By comparing the regional geochronological data, we sum up that the Silurian detrital zircons are mainly derived from the SQB and the northern margin of SCB (N‐SCB), the Devonian detrital zircon age populations are dominated by the North Qinling Belt (NQB) and SQB and the Permian sediments mainly stemmed from the southern margin of the North China Block (S‐NCB) and the NQB. A mutual age population of the Devonian sediments at ca. 400–490 Ma from the NQB constrains the closure of the Shangdan Ocean between the NCB and the SCB before the middle Devonian times. Ca. 260 ~ 380 Ma age population of the Permian sediments show similarities with the age data from the northern margin of the NCB, indicating an uplift event of NQB before the late Permian, and further constrains the closure of Mianlue ocean later than Permian times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western margin of SW Gondwana was a place of active convergence between the Gondwana shield and the oceanic lithosphere of the Panthalassa Ocean during most of the Paleozoic. However, several studies have indicated that especially to the north of latitude 22°S, the Devonian-early Carboniferous was a time of relative quiescence without magmatic activity, metamorphism, or deformation. This interval has been termed the "Devonian Problem." As the Devonian-Carboniferous is extensively well represented by over 4000-m-thick sedimentary sequences in the Tarija Basin in the Southern Bolivian Subandean Zone, provenance analyses--U-Pb isotope analysis on detrital zircon, Sr-Nd whole-rock isotope analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD)--were conducted on stratigraphically controlled sedimentary units to attempt to constrain the tectonic setting of the basin during that time. U-Pb on zircon provenance analysis indicates that only the Carboniferous units show input from comparatively young sources (<14%), with ages between 420 Ma and 320 Ma, which can be correlated with a Devonian magmatic arc. The dominant source areas for Devonian-Carboniferous sediment were the Sierras Pampeanas to the southwest and the Arequipa-Antofalla Massif and Famatinian Arc to the west, besides a few zircon grains (<18% of dates) that were possibly derived from pre-Andean inliers with ages typically >1800 Ma. The combined Sr-Nd isotope and XRD results for the pelites and the multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis indicate that the Carboniferous units most likely represent reworked material from older units, with a minor contribution from the western part of the basin. All currently available data lead us to propose that the Tarija Basin developed during the Devonian-Carboniferous in a foreland basin setting related to the convergent margin, with important glacial sedimentary input from the continent during the Carboniferous. The absence of a contribution from a concomitant magmatic arc for the Devonian units of the Tarija Basin and the scarce magmatic zircon input (<14%) into the Carboniferous units indicate a shift from flat-slab subduction during the Devonian to normal subduction during the Carboniferous following complete delamination of the flat slab. Our comparison of the detrital record for the Tarija Basin with that of the Paraná, Chaco-Paraná, Sauce Grande, Paganzo, Navidad Arizaro, Madre de Dios, and Karoo basins supports an active margin setting for the SW margin of Gondwana during this time interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Levant Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean contains an ∼3-km-thick, predominantly siliciclastic section of Oligocene-Miocene age, which hosts large hydrocarbon reservoirs ("Tamar Sands Play"). Here, we present a provenance study of Oligocene-Miocene sandstones based on detrital zircon U-Pb-Hf and heavy mineral assemblages. Samples were retrieved from four boreholes across the Levant Basin: Myra-1, Dolphin-1, Leviathan-1, and Karish North-1. Our investigations revealed that the sediments are dominated by Neoproterozoic and older Precambrian zircons with variable Hf isotopic composition, indicating that they were mainly reworked from Paleozoic-Mesozoic sandstones of African-Arabian provenance, with minor derivation from the Neoproterozoic basement of the Arabian-Nubian Shield. Variations in the proportions of pre-900 Ma zircons were encountered in various levels of the siliciclastic section. These zircons were markedly enriched (44%-57%) in the Rupelian and Aquitanian-Burdigalian intervals, accompanied by abundant detrital apatite peloids in the heavy mineral fraction, and relatively sparse (21%-38%) in the Chattian-Aquitanian and Langhian-Tortonian intervals, alongside scarce Mesozoic-Cenozoic zircons. These findings allow us to associate the deep-basin detrital record with two sedimentary transport systems that reached the Levant Basin from both NE Africa and Arabia simultaneously until the late Miocene, when sediment transport from Arabia ceased. While Rupelian and Aquitanian-Burdigalian sediments, including the main section of the "Tamar Sands," were derived mainly from Arabian sources via the Levant continental margin, Chattian-Aquitanian and Langhian-Tortonian sediments were primarily sourced from NE Africa via the Nile Delta. Detrital contribution from the Eurasian side of the Eastern Mediterranean was not identified, suggesting that sand originating in the Arabia-Eurasia collision belt did not reach the Levant Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he article discusses the Upper Jurassic Galice Formation in the Western Klamath Mountains, focusing on its formation within an intra-arc basin during the Nevadan orogeny, and how new detrital zircon U-Pb age analyses provide insights into its provenance and age range. Topics include the complex provenance of the Galice Formation, inferred sediment transport pathways, and implications for tectonic models of the Nevadan orogeny.

Within the Tethyan belt, the NW-Iranian block is bound by two sutures, the Sevan-Akera suture in the north, and the Zagros suture in the south, where the pre-Cambrian geology is poorly constrained. Lower-Middle Cambrian sandstone in NW Iran is represented by quartz and feldspar dominated sub-arkose and sub-litharenite with well-developed cross bedding structures. They are interlayered with shale and limestone and overlain unconformably by Middle Cambrian dolomite. Here we describe and present U–Pb ages of the detrital zircon and rutile together with in-situ ε-Hf data from Lower to Middle Cambrian sandstones. Some zircons are characterized by oscillatory zoning and Th/U ratios of 0.3 to 2.0, pointing to an igneous provenance. Ages of the detrital zircons range from 481 to 2762 Ma, whereby the majority of zircons have ages between 524 and 1000 Ma (Neoproterozoic), and small peaks at 1800–2000 and 2400–2600 Ma. Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic zircons (1100–1750 Ma) are absent in the detrital record which is a distinctive feature of Gondwana-related detrital zircons. Detrital rutile has elevated Cr contents and variable Zr content (88 to 1087 ppm), suggesting derivation mainly from amphibolite-facies meta-basic rocks. U–Pb rutile ages range from 561 to 1253 Ma. Initial ε-Hf values of the Neo-Proterozoic zircons range from -10 to 20, suggesting an association of highly depleted mantle and crustal magmas. Thus, the Lower-Middle Cambrian sandstones in Iranian Azerbaijan were supplied from a Neoproterozoic igneous and metamorphic provenance. Sandstone whole-rock major and trace elements are in accordance with a detrital material provenance from continental granitoids and Precambrian recycled sediments. These results support the hypothesis that Iranian Azerbaijan Cambrian detritus was supplied from repetitive recycling of the crystalline basement and related sedimentary cover of the Saharides and the Arabian-Nubian Shield and deposited in a passive-margin setting in northern Gondwana land. Our results show a close geological tie between Iranian Azerbaijan, Sanandaj-Sirjan, Zagros, Alborz, and other Gondwana-Land-derived units in terms of Early Paleozoic detritus sources. Northwest Iranian Block was probably a passive continental margin in Late Ediacaran-Cambrian after the so-called Cadomian orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Punta del Este Terrane, located in southeastern Brazil and eastern Uruguay, is a tectonostratigraphic terrane recognized in the Dom Feliciano Belt, the southern segment of Mantiqueira Province (Brasiliano Orogen). The northern sector of the terrane, called here by the Jaguarão Domain, is constituted by Arroio Telho, Arroio Grande, Matarazzo metamorphic complexes, and the Arroio Pedrado Gneisses. The first is composed of low to medium-grade metasedimentary rocks. Metasiliciclastic schists and marbles constitute the second, with serpentinites, magnesian schists, amphibolites, and metagabbros. The Matarazzo Complex comprises pure and siliceous dolomitic marble, metadolerite, and metagabbro. Arroio Pedrado unit comprises granodioritic to monzogranitic augen-gneisses. The rocks of the complexes were poly-deformed and intruded by high-K calc-alkaline peraluminous and metaluminous granitoids. The Pedro Osório, Arroio Grande, and Cerro Amaro dextral shear zones delimited the domain to the north. To the south and east, the units of the Jaguarão Domain were covered by coastal plain sediments. In gravimetric maps, the domain shows a high-density relief in contrast with the rocks of the granite belt (Pelotas Batholith). U-Pb zircon data from garnet-muscovite granites present crystallization ages of 587–568 Ma, which point to a widespread Ediacaran magmatism in the northern Punta del Este Terrane. U-Pb zircon provenance data of the metasedimentary sequences indicate main Meso- to Paleoproterozoic contribution, with subordinate Tonian to Cryogenian age populations. The geochronological results of the supracrustal rocks indicate a sedimentary deposition in an extensional setting, in which posterior deformation and metamorphism/magmatism compatible with a syn-orogenic setting in the context of the Dom Feliciano Belt framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Murchison and Maruia basins are situated on the Australian Plate adjacent the Alpine Fault, an ideal place to study Cenozoic Australian–Pacific plate boundary evolution. Sandstone provenance was investigated using petrographic and detrital zircon U–Pb geochronologic methods and primarily varies geographically. Secondary up-section variation tracks spatiotemporal changes in basement exhumation. Eocene–middle Miocene western Murchison Basin sandstone is arkosic, derived locally from Devonian–mid-Cretaceous granitoids. Early Miocene–?Pliocene eastern Murchison and Maruia basin sandstone is lithic-/plagioclase-rich, reflecting a mixed provenance: proximal Carboniferous–mid-Cretaceous granitoids, and distal mid-Cretaceous Median Batholith and Permian–Triassic Eastern Province metasedimentary sources in the Pacific Plate. This confirms early Miocene Pacific Plate exhumation during initial Alpine Fault evolution began in northern Fiordland/western Otago but the contrast between eastern and western Murchison Basin indicates limited westward sediment dispersal. Higher proportions of Brook Street Terrane (BST) detrital zircon in middle Miocene eastern Murchison Basin sandstone suggests accelerated Pacific Plate exhumation at c. 15 Ma. By c. 10 Ma, the eastern Murchison Basin BST source had switched to the Australian Plate due to Waimea–Flaxmore fault reverse reactivation and dextral plate boundary strike-slip displacement, which by the late Miocene/Pliocene led to Rakaia Terrane-affinity Haast Schist replacing Caples Terrane as the main Maruia Basin sediment source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Northeast China Block is a major component of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and its tectonic evolution has attracted much research attention. Ordovician strata are important in reconstructing the tectonic evolution of the Northeast China Block. This paper presents the results of sedimentological, zircon U–Pb, and geochemical analyses of sandstones of the Luohe Formation in the Wunuer area, Northern Great Xing'an Range, Northeast China. Lithological data, sedimentary structures, and grain-size analysis indicate that the Luohe Formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment. Detrital zircon U–Pb dating yields age peaks of 463, 504, 783, 826, 973, and 1882 Ma for sandstones from the Luohe Formation. The youngest zircon grain age of 451 ± 6 Ma represents the maximum depositional age of the Luohe Formation. The peak age at 463 Ma is consistent with the timing of post-collisional magmatism and the formation of the Duobaoshan island arc, while the peak at 504 Ma is consistent with the timing of magmatic activity related to the collision between the Erguna and Xing'an blocks. The peaks at 788, 826, 973, and 1882 Ma correspond to magmatism in the Erguna block, these ages indicate that the sandstones of the Luohe Formation were derived mainly from the Erguna block. Sandstone modal compositional analysis indicates that the provenance of the Luohe Formation was mainly a magmatic arc. The geochemical compositions of the sandstones suggest that the source rocks have continental island arc signatures. Based on the depositional age, sedimentary environment, provenance, and regional geology, it is concluded that the Luohe Formation was deposited in a back-arc basin setting during the formation of the Duobaoshan island arc–basin system in response to subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the late Permian and Triassic, the continental Mitu Group formed in extensional basins along the length of the Cordillera Oriental and Altiplano of present-day Peru. Given the presence of coeval arc systems only in northern Chile and southern Ecuador but not in Peru the tectonic setting of the Mitu basin has been interpreted variably as orthogonal continental rift, sinistral transtensional rift, aulacogen and back-arc basin. The Mitu Group comprises continental mass flow and alluvial fan, fluvial, aeolian and minor lacustrian facies and hosts thick piles of subalkaline and alkaline intermediate and felsic ignimbrites and mafic lavas. The age of the Mitu Group had originally been established as ranging from the Late Permian to the late Triassic on the basis of structural considerations and scarce biostratigraphic data. Recently, U-Pb zircon ages from ignimbrites and sedimentary rocks have been taken to constrain the Mitu Group to the Middle and Late Triassic. We performed a sedimentological, heavy mineral, and zircon geochronological and Lu-Hf isotope study of the Mitu Group in 14 sections mainly in southern and central Peru, and one section in northern Peru. Ten new U-Pb concordia ages on ignimbrites intercalated in the Mitu Group successions offer a new robust stratigraphic framework and constrain the stratigraphy of the Mitu Group between 260 and 205 Ma. In combination with maximum likelihood ages of deposition derived from detrital zircon, U-Pb geochronology places the deposition of the Mitu Group between ca. 270 and 194 Ma (lower Guadalupian into the Sinemurian). Detrital zircon U-Pb age distributions and heavy mineral assemblages reflect a strongly recycled Precambrian Amazonian and Palaeozoic proto-Andean provenance. The Palaeozoic detrital age patterns are highly variable, and temporally and spatially random. A local provenance can generally not be identified. εHf(t) values in zircon obtained from ignimbrites and sedimentary rocks indicate variable degrees of crustal recycling. In the course of the Palaeozoic, εHf(t) values become on average progressively less negative, with a large proportion particularly of Mitu age zircons' εHf(t) values encompassing less evolved and moderately juvenile compositions. Along strike of the basin stratigraphic thicknesses, and rates and times of accumulation vary strongly with larger thicknesses and rates being registered in southern Peru. This suggests that the Mitu basin had been divided into a number of subbasins with individual histories of subsidence, accumulation, and volcanism. Absent a magmatic arc, late Permian-Triassic Peru evolved in a sinistral plate tectonic and regional framework expressed particularly in the sinistral Late Gondwanide orogeny predating the Mitu Group. We interpret that a sinistral transform fault linked the subduction zones in southern Ecuador and northern Chile and that the Mitu Group basin has formed by sinistral transtensional and transpressional movements along a related transcurrent fault inboard of the transform margin. In the broader framework of the accretionary Terra Australis orogen along the western Gondwana margin, this interpretation fits its evolution in the Andean segment in an internally consistent way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cobar Basin, in central New South Wales, is an Early Devonian extensional basin that formed in the western Lachlan Orogen. The basin was filled with shallow- to deep-water sequences of the Cobar Supergroup and hosts small to large polymetallic deposits. Detrital zircon geochronology and whole-rock geochemical data collected from the Amphitheatre Group of the Cobar Supergroup provide constraints on the history of basin fill and illustrate the dynamic interplay between basin provenance and mineralisation, corresponding to the evolving tectonic regime. Data reveal provenance dissimilarity between the southern and northern parts of the basin. In the south, units of the Amphitheatre Group received abundant detritus from ca 430–410 Ma magmatic rocks situated to the southwest and southeast of the basin. By contrast, the northern successions were predominately sourced from recycled Ordovician basement found to the northwest, north, northeast of the basin, along with contributions associated with the Macquarie Arc. This spatial provenance variation, however, is less significant in the younger formations: the northern and southern sequences both exhibit an increase in older recycled detritus upwards with time. This reflects a progressive modification of basin paleogeography, during the transition from rift phase to sag phase. The rift-phase basin geography is characterised by fault-restricted deposition with predominant sediments derived from local proximal sources. The subsequent sag-phase subsidence exhibits a uniform depositional system with more homogenised basin input. This provenance variation is coeval with the stratigraphically controlled mineralisation features within the Amphitheatre Group successions, implying a provenance influence on mineralisation. Data suggest the different sediment source regions have produced distinct detrital mineral compositions between the major mineral-hosting and mineral-barren formations. The enrichment of some detrital minerals in the mineral-hosting units, such as feldspar, muscovite, Ti-minerals (and carbonate), is suggested to be an important factor for mineralisation in the basin. Detrital zircon geochronology and whole-rock geochemistry illustrate the history of basin fill for the Cobar Basin. Spatial and temporal variation of basin provenance reflects a modification of basin geography, corresponding to the evolving tectonic regimes. The change in basin source regions is one of key controls on the mineralisation within the Cobar Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crustal evolution of the southernmost ∼2000–1800 Ma Trans‐Hudson orogen (THO) is enigmatic due to burial by Phanerozoic sediments. We provide new insights through petrochronologic analysis of a paragneiss drill core sample. Detrital zircon age peaks at 2625, 2340, and 1880 Ma and Hf isotopes suggest Paleoproterozoic arc development proximal to Archean source(s). Phase equilibria modeling and ternary feldspar thermometry suggest peak conditions of ≥1 GPa, ≥900°C, the first recognition of extreme, ultra‐high temperature metamorphism in the THO. The largely isobaric P‐T path, rapid heating rate, and ∼20 Myr duration (1872–1850 Ma) of peak conditions suggest that this metamorphism occurred in a back‐arc tectonic setting. The sample records post‐peak (1850–1815 Ma) mid‐crustal residence, slow cooling, and exhumation. Further retrogression occurred during Proterozoic regional exhumation (1630–1470 Ma) and Phanerozoic (360–220 Ma) reheating and/or fluid influx. Evidence for Paleoproterozoic arc(s) supports geophysical data for Archean cratonic and Paleoproterozoic arc crust in this region. Plain Language Summary: The Trans‐Hudson orogeny was a Himalayan‐scale collisional mountain building event approximately 1.8 billion years ago that formed the core of North America. The southern portion of the Trans‐Hudson orogen (THO) is poorly understood because it is almost entirely buried by younger rocks. It is unknown whether the southern THO is underlain by Archean or Proterozoic crust. The timing, conditions, and setting of high‐grade metamorphism in this region are also poorly known. We carried out petrologic, geochemical, and geochronologic analyses on a metasedimentary rock sample recovered from drill core. Detrital zircon and tracer isotopic data show derivation from both Paleoproterozoic and Archean sources. This suggests that Paleoproterozoic magmatic arc(s) developed on or near Archean crust. The rock sample experienced extreme temperatures (≥900°C, ≥1 GPa) and partial melting between approximately 1870 and 1850 million years ago perhaps in a back‐arc tectonic setting. This marks the first recognition of extreme, ultra‐high temperature metamorphism in the THO. Later retrograde metamorphism occurred in the Mesoproterozoic and Phanerozoic. These constraints provide new understanding of the enigmatic southern THO and highlight the ability of a combined petrologic, geochemical, and geochronologic study to extract a comprehensive record of crustal evolution from a single sample. Key Points: Paleoproterozoic arc(s) buried beneath North Dakota developed proximal to, or on, Archean craton(s)Metamorphic temperatures of >900°C are the first recognition of ultra‐high temperature (UHT) metamorphism in the Trans‐Hudson orogenBack‐arc setting for UHT metamorphism indicated by isobaric P‐T path and short timescales of heating and peak conditions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Situated in the western Sierras Pampeanas of San Luis, the Nogolí Metamorphic Complex has become a key geological locality for unraveling the construction of the western Gondwana margin on the South American tectonic plate. This study presents a comprehensive analysis, encompassing new petrological and geochronological data, along with a meticulous structural examination of two distinct regions within the Nogolí Metamorphic Complex. Our primary aim is to assess the age and provenance of the protoliths, thereby shedding light on their geodynamic evolution. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages, obtained from a quartz–feldspathic-schist paleosome within a metatexite exposure in the La Barranquita area, disclosed a polymodal distribution. The predominant age population, centered around 616 ± 11 Ma, suggests a late Neoproterozoic source (Brasiliano–Pan African orogen). A secondary, yet significant, age peak at 542 ± 12 Ma points to a late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian origin (Pampean orogen). Additionally, a peak ranging from 930 to 1144 Ma indicates contributions from an early Neoproterozoic source (Grenvillian–Sunsas orogen). The maximum depositional age was determined to be 533 ± 14 Ma, based on the calculation of the youngest grain cluster at 2σ uncertainty. This polymodal zircon-age spectrum indicates that the sedimentary protolith of the Nogolí Metamorphic Complex derived from a Cambrian-age crystalline basement situated along the western margin of Gondwana. Contrary to models invoking continent–continent collision in western Gondwana during the early Cambrian, our findings better support a ridge–trench collision as the most plausible hypothesis for the origin of the Pampean orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New U–Pb ages of detrital and igneous zircons of the Uppermost Unit of Crete shed light on its provenance and on Eohellenic to Eoalpine imprints in the eastern Mediterranean. The detrital zircons of all nappes show Variscan ages and are characterized by a Minoan-type age spectrum, which is typical for the NE margin of Gondwana. Parts of the metasedimentary rocks are unexpectedly young. Their detrital zircon ages continue via the Permian until the Late Triassic, Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. The high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Asterousia crystalline complex are likely equivalents of the low-grade metamorphic trench and fore-arc deposits of the Vatos nappe pointing to Late Cretaceous slab roll back. The presence of both late Permian detrital zircons and Late Cretaceous arc-type granitoids suggest that the Uppermost Unit of Crete is derived from the late Permian/Late Cretaceous magmatic belt situated north of the Sava–Vardar–Izmir–Ankara Suture in the Strandja–Rhodope area. To achieve their recent position on Crete, the nappes had to travel more than 500 km. The traveling path is well tracked by rocks of the Upper Cycladic Unit, which are similar to those of the Uppermost Unit of Crete. The large displacement of the Cretan nappes was controlled not only by nappe transport, but probably also by dextral strike–slip along the North Anatolian Fault Zone and related counterclockwise rotation of the Anatolian block since the Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of tectonics, volcanism and climate in controlling temporal and spatial variations in rift‐basin sedimentation is still poorly understood. Here, we tackle this issue by the analysis of mid‐Cretaceous sediments deposited in the Songliao Basin, northeastern China. We present new zircon U–Pb, apatite fission‐track and trace‐element data from the northeastern basin, which are discussed within the framework of the published geochronology dataset. Our results reveal a major provenance change from syn‐rift tectonic extension to post‐rift thermal subsidence at ~103 Ma. During the syn‐rift stage, the detrital inputs were dominantly from transverse rivers sourced from the surrounding mountains including graben shoulders and volcanoes. During the post‐rift stage and coeval thermal subsidence, the basin sedimentation was controlled by coexisting transverse and axial drainage systems sourced from uplifting regions in the south. We conclude that tectonics, not climate, exerted a major control in sediment provenance change in the mid‐Cretaceous Songliao Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of studying the material composition of Early–Middle Permian terrigenous rocks of the Reshetnikovo Formation in the Laoeling–Grodekovo terrane of southwestern Primorye. Studies were carried out to reconstruct paleogeodynamic environments of the accumulation of rocks and to determine the tectonic type and composition of parent rocks in sources areas. It has been established that, in terms of mineral and geochemical parameters, sandstones of the Reshetnikovo Formation are petrogenic or "first cycle" rocks. They correspond to arkoses and, only partially, subarkoses and lithite arenites. They are characterized by a fairly high maturity of clastic material. Their appearance is related to the destruction of largely weathered parent rocks in sources areas. Paleogeodynamic interpretation of the obtained data indicates that sedimentation occurred in the Early–Middle Permian in basins of a passive continental margin (intra- and intercontinental rifts and aulacogens). Sedimentation processes were governed mainly by continental sources areas: cratons and uplifted basement blocks, which were projections of the crystalline basement framed by rift zones. Mainly felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks were eroded with the participation of ancient sedimentary rocks. The U–Pb isotopic dating of detrital zircons made it possible to establish the age and possible location of magmatic complexes, whose destruction produced rocks of the Reshetnikovo Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian, a rift was formed by post‐collisional extension after ocean closure or an island arc‐related basin formed by Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO) subduction in the Xi Ujimqin area. Nevertheless, the closure time of the PAO is still under debate. Thus, to identify the origin of the PAO, the geochemistry and U‐Pb age of zircons were analyzed for the extra‐large deep marine, polymict clastic boulders and sandstones in the Shoushangou Formation within the basin. The analyses revealed magmatic activity and tectonic evolution. The conglomerates include megaclasts of granite (298.8 ± 9.1 Ma) and granodiorite porphyry (297.1 ± 3.1 Ma), which were deposited by muddy debris flow. Results of this study demonstrated that the boulders of granitoids have the geochemistry of typical I‐type granite, characterized by low Zr + Nb + Ce + Y and low Ga/Al values. The granitoid boulders were formed in island arc setting, indicating the presence of arc magmatism in the area that is composed of the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian subduction‐related granitoid in southern Xi Ujimqin. Multiple diagrams for determining sedimentary provenance using major and trace elements indicate that Shoushangou sediments originated from continental island arc‐related felsic rocks. Detrital zircon U‐Pb age cluster of 330‐280 Ma was obtained, indicating input from granite, ophiolite, Xilin Gol complex, and Carboniferous sources to the south. The basin was geographically developed behind the arc during the Early Permian period because the outcropped intrusive rocks in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian form a volcanic arc. The comprehensive analyses of source areas suggest that Shoushangou sediments developed in a backarc basin in response to the northward subduction of the PAO. The backarc basin and intrusive rocks, in addition to previously published Late Carboniferous to Early Permian magmatic rocks of arc unit in Xilin Gol, confirm the presence of an Early Permian trench‐arc‐basin system in the region, represented by the Baolidao arc and Xi Ujimqin backarc basin. This study highlights the importance and potential of combined geochemical and geochronological studies of conglomerates and sandstone for reconstructing the geodynamic setting of a basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]