Early–Late Carboniferous Tectonic Evolution of the Northern North China Craton (NE China): Constraints From Zircon Ages, Geochemistry, and Crustal Thickness Modeling

Abstract

The tectonic evolution of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) remains controversial. In this study, we obtained zircon U–Pb ages, geochemical data, and Sr–Nd isotopic data for volcanic rocks, and detrital zircon ages for sedimentary rocks from the Yufutun, Tongqigou, and Benxi formations in central‐southern Jilin Province, NE China. Dating of basalts and andesites from the Yufutun Formation yields Late Carboniferous ages (302–307 Ma). The basalts exhibit relatively flat rare earth element patterns, with high ratios of Nb/Ta (17.65–20.55), Sm/Nd (0.30–0.36), and initial ⁸⁷ Sr/ ⁸⁶ Sr (0.7064–0.7068), indicating derivation from a primitive mantle source with geochemical characteristics similar to those of back‐arc basin basalts. The andesites show high Th (3.44–4.97 ppm) and Ce (33.96–44.79 ppm) values and low initial ⁸⁷ Sr/ ⁸⁶ Sr ratios (0.7039–0.7042), suggesting a mixed source of crustal and lithospheric mantle components and geochemical affinities similar to arcs. The youngest detrital zircon ages obtained from sedimentary rocks of the Yufutun, Tongqigou, and Benxi formations are 342 ± 3 Ma, 311 ± 7 Ma, and 317 ± 5 Ma, respectively. Geochemical data from sediments of the Yufutun and Benxi formations indicate a passive margin, while siliceous rocks of the Tongqigou Formation indicate an active margin. Whole‐rock trace elements and detrital zircon Eu/Eu* ratios were used to estimate crustal thickness, suggesting that subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean initiated around 330 Ma and that collision between the NCC and the marginal arcs began at 270 Ma, with scissor‐like closure occurring from west to east along the northern margin of the NCC.