Detrital Zircon and Apatite Records of Late Mesoproterozoic–Early Neoproterozoic Deposition at the Northeastern Margin of the North China Craton: Implications for the Reconstruction of Rodinia

Abstract

Detrital zircon and apatite U-Pb-Hf isotope and trace element analyses of the late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic strata in southern Jilin provide detailed information on the sediment provenance and tectonic setting of the northeastern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). Here, we present U-Pb and Lu-Hf analyses of 712 detrital zircons, and U-Pb analyses of 347 detrital apatites from the Baifangzi, Diaoyutai and Qiaotou formations. The Baifangzi and Diaoyutai formations are dominated by Neoarchean (2.5–2.6 Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (1.8–1.9 Ga) zircons, indicating a predominant NCC provenance. The Qiaotou Formation is dominated by Mesoproterozoic (1.5–1.7 Ga and 1.1–1.3 Ga) zircons with mainly positive ε_Hf(t) values, which are similar to those from eastern Laurentia, implying a significant provenance transition. The detrital apatite age spectra of the Baifangzi and Diaoyutai Formations show major populations at 1.8–1.9 Ga and 1.1–1.3 Ga. Based on their trace element compositions, the Mesoproterozoic apatites were mainly sourced from metamorphic rocks, indicating regional metamorphism occurred in the NCC during 1.1–1.3 Ga. Combining these data with regional studies, we propose that the NCC was adjacent to eastern Laurentia during the assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent.

Keywords

detrital zircon / detrital apatite / provenance / North China Craton / Rodinia

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2025 Geological Society of China