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With the development of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope analysis as conventional sedimentological research methods, a large number of studies have been conducted in the Tarim, West Kunlun, Tajik, Pamir and Tianshuihai regions and abundant data have been accumulated. Summarizing these data to characterize sedimentary units and source regions is more important than local studies of specific geological epochs; therefore, we compiled a database of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope analyses from the Tarim, West Kunlun, Pamir, Tajik and Tianshuihai terranes. The database contains data from 90 papers, including 35,281 individual U–Pb ages and 4,181 Hf isotope analyses. The database records the literature source, petrologic sample information, regional geological information, geographic coordinates and analytical parameters for each data point in as much detail as possible to allow readers to review, process, analyse and use the data. The database relies on the Deep‐time Digital Earth (DDE) platform and uses an open database update system to enable sharing and collaborative building. We encourage other researchers to contribute relevant published data to facilitate wider use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the assembly of an updated dataset of detrital zircon geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopes for Turkey, Cyprus and Greek peninsula. This first version of the dataset documented 286 samples with detrital zircon U–Pb data and 70 samples with zircon Lu–Hf isotopes from 42 published articles. These samples are mainly distributed in seven geologic‐tectonic units in the Eastern Mediterranean Tethyan region. The compilation of dataset will be periodically accessed in the Deep‐Time Digital Earth repository, containing more updated raw data of (un)published scientific research. We believe that the construction of such a dataset is fundamental to studies of clastic strata and also to understanding of crustal evolution in the Eastern Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretation of the sedimentary paleogeographic environment of the Lower Permian Shanxi Formation (P1s) coal strata in the southeastern Ordos Basin remains a subject of significant debate. In this paper, based on detrital zircon U–Pb source analysis, paleosalinity assessment, the sandstone modal composition, and other methods, we analyzed the P1s source system and constructed a model of the sedimentary evolution. The findings reveal that the primary source of the clastic materials in the study area stems from a mixed-source within the recycling orogenic belt. During the deposition period, the Shanxi Formation developed two predominant material source systems: one in the north, primarily linked to the Paleo-Yinshan Fold Orogenic Belt (YFOB), and the other in the south, originating from the North Qinling Orogenic Belt (NQinOB). These two major source systems converged in the Yichuan–Fuxian area. From the early stages of the Shanxi Formation period (Shan1), there was a regional retreat of the sea in the area. The seawater receded in a southeastward direction, leading to a gradual reduction in the paleosalinity and Sr/Ba-ratio variability during the Shan1 period. The influence of the seawater diminished, transitioning into a deltaic depositional system. This shift towards a terrestrial lakeshore basin reached its full development during the Lower Xiashihezi period. This study concludes that the Shanxi Formation in this area represents the evolution of a deltaic depositional system originating from a shallow sea shelf. This evolution can be divided into three major stages: remnants of the shallow sea shelf, barrier island–lagoon–littoral, and deltaic deposition. Within this framework, the shoreline underwent frequent lateral migration, influencing a broad range of characteristics. In the vertical direction, numerous alternating sets of sandstone bodies and mudstone, shale, and coal beds formed, creating a significant relationship between coal hydrocarbon sources and reservoirs. This study also establishes the stratigraphic-sequence framework of the basin for this period. These results hold great importance for the expansion of natural gas exploration and development efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assembly and break-up of supercontinents have been hot research topics in international earth sciences because they represent a breakthrough in reconstructing the history of continental evolution and deepening the theory of plate tectonics, which is of indispensable importance to the development of earth sciences. With the continuous enrichment of paleomagnetic, paleontological, chronological, and geochemical data in the last two decades, the evolution of the supercontinent from Columbia to Rodinia has gradually gained unified understanding, and the reconstruction of the major plates within the supercontinent has basically been constrained. In contrast, the reconstruction of microplates, such as South China, Tarim, and Kabul, is controversial and has now become a popular topic and frontier area of supercontinent reconstruction. Hainan lies at the southern tip of South China, and a few Proterozoic units are exposed on the island. At present, Hainan is often taken as a part of the Cathaysia Block. However, due to the lack of exposed Mesoproterozoic igneous and supercrustal rocks in Cathaysia, the reconstruction model of the Cathaysia Block and even the South China Craton based solely on Mesoproterozoic units in Hainan are distinct from those based on units in the Yangtze Block and younger Proterozoic units within the Cathaysia Block, which makes the paleoposition of the South China Craton controversial. In this paper, we provide new detrital zircon U–Pb age data for the Baoban Complex, Hainan, together with the available data to comment on the affinities between Hainan and the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks in the Proterozoic, and on this basis, we can reconstruct the South China Craton within the Proterozoic supercontinents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South China Block (SCB) is formed by the amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the Early Neoproterozoic along the Jiangnan Orogen. However, the precise amalgamation time of these two blocks and the location of the united SCB in the Rodinia supercontinent remain highly debatable. Various tectonic models have been proposed and they may have different implications for the crustal thickness evolution of the central SCB in Early Neoproterozoic. To evaluate these models, this paper uses a recently calibrated Eu/Eu*-in-zircon proxy to reconstruct crustal thickness evolution of the central SCB during Early Neoproterozoic. I compiled and screened U–Pb ages and trace elements of 900–700 Ma detrital zircons from the central SCB and then calculated the zircon Eu/Eu* values. The age-binned average zircon Eu/Eu* displays a decreasing trend from 870 to 790 Ma, and thus indicates no significant crustal thickening event occurred during this time interval. This finding seems to be inconsistent with tectonic models that the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks amalgamated during this time interval. Yet, given that available coupled detrital zircon U–Pb and trace element datasets are very limited, additional studies are warranted to further evaluate this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For western Mt. Tamalpais, we incorrectly reported the Dmax value of Kfu3 as 114 Ma and correct it to 96 Ma. Initially, we used a conservative method of calculating maximum depositional age, but we here offer a set of less conservative values. Labels on the Supplementary File data table are corrected from 2-sigma to 1-sigma. A few additional errors, some resulting from those noted above, are corrected. We note that we do not share the alternative views offered in the Comment document about some debatable issues of Franciscan geology. The major conclusions of our paper remain unaltered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital zircon from three coarse-grained marine siliciclastic rocks was analyzed for U–Pb, Lu–Hf, and trace element compositions to constrain the timing of deposition and sediment provenance of the Cunningham Lake formation (formerly siliciclastic unit of the Sitlika assemblage) in north-central British Columbia. This strategy tests previously proposed sedimentary linkages between the Cache Creek terrane and the westerly rocks of the Stikine terrane. All three samples indicate maximum depositional ages at ca. 205–202 Ma (Rhaetian). The samples contain a predominant ca. 225–215 Ma detrital population, sourced from proximal contemporaneous volcanic arcs, and minor Permian to Middle Triassic and Carboniferous arc-derived detrital populations. The absence of Precambrian grains is consistent with the strongly suprachondritic zircon compositions (εHf(t) = +7 to +20), and indicates exclusively juvenile sources for the Cunningham Lake formation. Late Triassic sources of zircon are not known in the Cache Creek terrane and, except within western Stikine terrane, are uncommon among the Intermontane terranes that amalgamated with the Cache Creek terrane during Late Triassic–Early Jurassic. The Stikine suite (ca. 230–214 Ma) and coeval volcanic rocks in western Stikinia are the most probable sources of Late Triassic detritus for the Cunningham Lake formation. Stikinia's Paleozoic basement is the probable source of Carboniferous detrital zircon. Volcanic arc–backarc complexes in the Cache Creek terrane are the most likely sources of Permian to Middle Triassic detritus in the Intermontane terranes. Accordingly, the siliciclastic rocks of the Cunningham Lake formation represent an overlap sedimentary succession that links Stikinia to the Cache Creek terrane by the latest Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jiao-Liao-Ji belt (JLJB), in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton, is a major Paleoproterozoic orogen and underwent a complicated tectonic evolution during 2.2–1.8 Ga. The Liaohe Group, an important stratigraphic unit in the JLJB, is key to understanding the complex evolution of this belt. In this paper, we present new detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope data for meta-sedimentary rocks from the Gaixian Formation in different areas of the JLJB, in addition to compiled data for other formations of the Liaohe Group, to establish the depositional age and source of detrital materials of the group. U–Pb age results show that the age ranges of zircons from the different samples are broadly similar. The youngest zircon group is ca. 2.06 Ga, and the youngest single-grain age is ca. 2.0 Ga, constraining the depositional age of the Gaixian Formation to between 2.0 Ga and the metamorphic age of ca. 1.9 Ga. The zircon age data indicate that the provenance was primarily Archaean basement of the Nangrim Block and Paleoproterozoic volcanic rocks of the Li'eryu Formation. On the basis of the new geochronological data and results from previous studies, it is inferred that the JLJB underwent a successive process of rifting–subduction–collision, with the different formations of the Liaohe Group being deposited in different stages from rift to passive continental margin and then to active continental margin. Zircon Hf isotope data from the JLJB and adjoining Longgang and Nangrim blocks indicate that a major crustal growth event occurred at 2.9–2.5 Ga, followed by crustal growth and intense recycling of ancient crust at ca. 2.2 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cathaysian Coastal Mountains are thought to be an ancient high‐topographic feature that existed along the margin of South China. They are characterised by extensive Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatism; however, their formation mechanism and timing remains uncertain. In this paper, we present sedimentological and detrital zircon analyses from Cretaceous–Eocene strata and drainage sediments from Hainan Island. Our analyses show a change in provenance from a proximal Cathaysian Coastal arc source in Cretaceous strata to a widely distributed intra‐island granite source in the Eocene strata and modern river sediments. Reconstruction of the crustal thickness evolution for the South China margin from Eu/Eu*‐in‐zircon proxy shows significant crustal thickening during the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous, thereby suggesting the existence of the Cathaysian Coastal Mountains. Together with a compilation of detrital zircon U‐Pb ages in the northern basins of the South China Sea margin, we conclude that the Cathaysian Coastal Mountains extended from the Red River region to Taiwan along the South China margin during the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous and then collapsed/eroded from northeast to southwest during the Eocene–Miocene. This large mountain range supplied detrital sediments to the marginal basins in the northern South China Sea and formed a topographic barrier that prohibited moist Pacific air to reach the relatively arid inland area of South China during the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Precambrian evolution of the East Kunlun Orogen (EKO), which is largely obscured by extensive Phanerozoic polyphase orogenesis and magmatism, is key to understanding the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. In this paper, detrital zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope data from Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks in the Wanbaogou area of the South Kunlun Belt (SKB) are used to reconstruct the Precambrian history of the SKB. A total of 280 detrital zircon grains collected from 5 metasedimentary samples of the Cambrian Shasongwula Formation and the Silurian Nachitai Group exhibit a broad age spectrum, with major peaks at ca. 2.49 and 0.98 Ga and subordinate peaks at ca. 1.72 and 0.78 Ga. Also present are some 4.0–3.0 Ga detrital zircons that have similar Hf model ages (Hf-TDMC) of ca. 3.5 Ga, indicating reworking of 3.5 Ga crust in the SKB during the Archean. The ca. 2.49 Ga detrital zircons from the SKB, which have positive εHf(t) values (mean of 1.92), match detrital zircons with a peak age of ca. 2.49 Ma from the Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Cathaysia block but are dissimilar to detrital zircons from the North China Craton (NCC) or the Yangtze Block. The ca. 0.98 Ga detrital zircons for the SKB are universal in the Cathaysia block, Yangtze Block, North Qaidam belt, and Qilian block, reflecting the Neoproterozoic assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent and have εHf(t) values of − 13.73 to 9.72. The subordinate age peak at ca. 1.72 and 0.78 Ga for the SKB is consistent with the age peak of detrital zircons from the Cathaysia block. Comparison of the detrital zircon ages from the SKB, Cathaysia block, and East and West Yangtze blocks suggests that the SKB has a close affinity with the Cathaysia block before 0.78 Ga. Combining these data with the results of previous research on the Precambrian history of these blocks indicates that the SKB was a part of the Cathaysia–Yangtze–Kunlun–Qaidam–Qilian (CYKQQ) connection during global Grenvillian orogenesis at 1.0–0.89 Ga and was separated from the united CYKQQ block before the Pan-African period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present a brief introduction to the procedure, methods and results of the collection and summarization of an updated detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology database for the Qilian‐Qaidam‐Kunlun collage in northern Tibet. A total of 620 samples with 59,830 raw data were compiled from 121 published papers, including 70 samples with in‐situ detrital zircon Lu–Hf isotopes. Samples from seven different geologic subunits are categorized. For sediments with different ages of deposition, we highlight the characteristics of age spans, probability density distributions, major peaks and εHf(t) values. Further syntheses of this metadata collection, the detailed raw data of which will be periodically accessible in the Deep‐Time Digital Earth repository, would be effectively applied to a variety of scientific attempts concerning the geologic history of the Qilian‐Qaidam‐Kunlun collage, in particular, provenance analyses, crustal evolution studies and supercontinent reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U–Pb dating of detrital zircon is widely used in geology to identify the source of sediments and constrain palaeogeography and tectonic history. We collected the detrital zircon from the Paleoproterozoic to early Palaeozoic strata to understand the North China Craton's geological chronological characteristics. After screening and sorting out data information, we managed and analysed 84 papers from 2006 to 2022. Three hundred seventy‐nine samples comprising 29,431 pieces of U–Pb ages of detrital zircons gathered from the Proterozoic to Ordovician sedimentary rocks in North China Craton (NCC). Detrital zircons within five areas in the NCC, i. e., Xuhuai Basin, Zhaertai‐Bayan Obo‐Huade Basin, Yanliao Basin, Xiong'er Basin and Alxa Block, are discussed in detail. Meanwhile, we collected 2,588 pieces of Lu‐Hf detrital zircon data in the study. This Database can be helpful in understanding and explaining the tectonic evolution of the NCC from the Paleoproterozoic to the Early Palaeozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the advent of detrital geochronology, significant progress has been made in the study of sedimentary sources. The detrital zircon U–Pb age spectrum, especially when combined with zircon Hf isotopes, provides a powerful tool for determining the provenance location, nature, and evolutionary history of sediments. The Western Qinling–Songpan tectonic junction, located in central China, is a giant structure on the crustal scale. A total of 20,640 zircon U–Pb ages of 281 sandstone samples from the Songpan–Ganzi and Western Qinling terranes were obtained. Among these, 1,636 zircons from 33 samples contained Hf isotopic data. Moreover, we compiled data on papers, samples, analytical methods, and results and obtained a total of 76 zircon U–Pb and 60 Hf isotope data heads. The obtained dataset has multiple data interfaces, which can be well associated with research or applications in different fields, for provenance analysis, climate change, and paleogeographic reconstruction studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally accepted that oceanic plate subduction has occurred along the eastern margin of Asia since about 500 Ma ago. Therefore, the Japanese Islands have a >500 Ma history of oceanic plate subduction in their geological records. In this paper, the accretionary history of the Japanese Islands is divided into six main stages based on the mode and nature of tectonic events and the temporal gaps in the development of accretionary processes. In the first stage, oceanic plate subduction and accretion started along the margin of Gondwana. After detachment of the North and South China blocks in Devonian time, accretionary complexes developed along island arcs offshore of the South and North China blocks. After the formation of back arc basins such as the Japan Sea, accretionary processes occurred only along the limited convergent margin, e.g. Nankai Trough. Detrital zircons of sandstones revealed the accretionary history of Japan. An evaluation of a comprehensive dataset on detrital zircon populations shows that the observed temporal gaps in the development of the Japanese accretionary complexes were closely related to the intensity of igneous activity in their provenance regions. Age distributions of detrital zircons in the accretionary complexes of Japan change before and after the Middle Triassic period, when the collision of the South and North China blocks occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents U–Pb zircon dates (SHRIMP-II) and isotopic-geochemical data (SIMS and Sm–Nd method) on detrital zircon and its sedimentary host rocks of the Daldyn Group at the Anabar Shield. The rocks were metamorphosed to the granulite facies. The oldest Eoarchean (3.7 Ga) source of terrigenous material (determined based on single zircon grains) is confirmed by the Nd model age of the protolith: TNd(DM)2 = 3.69–3.71 Ga. The rocks are dominated by zircon dated at 3.5 Ga, which reflects that the area from which the terrigenous material was brought consisted mostly of Paleoarchean magmatic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provenance analysis of sediments provides important constraints on basin formation and orogenic processes. With the aim to define the sedimentary provenance and tectonic evolution of the southern margin of the North China Craton, this paper presents new detrital zircon U-Pb data from Early Triassic sediments in the Yiyang area. The results showed major peaks at 1848, 458, 425, and 268 Ma and subordinate peaks at ca. 2500, 872, and 957 Ma on age spectra from the Liujiagou Formation. The Heshanggou Formation exhibited a major age peak at 445 Ma and subordinate peaks at 755 and 947 Ma. Integrated with the analysis of sandstone detrital compositions, we suggest that the sources of the Liujiagou Formation were mainly a mixture of the southern margin of the North China Craton and the North Qinling Orogenic Belt, whereas the Heshanggou Formation was derived primarily from the North Qinling Orogenic Belt. Age comparisons of detrital zircon geochronology collected from different basins in the North China Craton indicated that the paleogeography of the North China Craton during the Early Triassic was strongly asymmetric, wherein the uplifted highland along the southern margin of the North China Craton was relatively lower than the northern margin. Meanwhile, the marked shift in source region from the Liujiagou to the Heshanggou formations provides a constraint regarding the conversion from denuded zone to deposited zone along the southern margin of the North China Craton in the Early Triassic, which controlled the evolution of the provenance and sedimentary system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The break-up processes of the northern margin of East Gondwana remain uncertain, especially regarding the Lhasa Terrane. In this paper, we conduct a systematic field geological survey, detrital zircon U Pb dating, and zircon trace element and Hf isotope analyses in the Carboniferous rift basin in the eastern part of the Lhasa Terrane, including the Nuocuo and Laigu Formations, to reconstruct the break-up history of East Gondwana. The overall Carboniferous depositional environment in the eastern part of the Lhasa Terrane changed from near-shore and shallow marine to slope and moderately deep sea facies, reflecting a transgression. The weighted average age of several of the youngest detrital zircons from the Nuocuo Formation is 346.8 ± 6.4 Ma (4 grains), whereas that of the Laigu Formation is 328.7 ± 6.1 Ma (6 grains). The detrital zircon ages in the Carboniferous strata show similar distributions, dominated by zircons from the Indian continent (∼950 Ma), Australian continent (∼1170 Ma), and Lhasa Terrane (∼340 Ma). The paleogeographic position of the Lhasa Terrane was near the Indian and Australian continents during the Carboniferous. The increase of the ∼340 Ma detrital zircon age peak from the Mississippian to the Pennsylvanian demonstrated that the rift basin recorded a Mississippian magmatic event. The ε Hf (t) and oxygen fugacity values of partial zircons of ∼340 Ma are similar to those of zircons from intraplate magmatic rocks, further implying the intracontinental rifting in the Lhasa Terrane. Combined with the previous research on magmatic rocks in East Gondwana, including the Lhasa, South Qiangtang, and Himalayan Terranes, our study on sedimentation found that the Lhasa Terrane was in a passive continental margin rifting context during the Mississippian and the rift gradually expanded to become the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean basin. [Display omitted] • Carboniferous strata in eastern part of the Lhasa terrane are transgressive sequence. • These strata record the Carboniferous magmatism in the Lhasa terrane. • Carboniferous detrital zircons may mainly originate from intraplate magmatism. • The Lhasa terrane broke up and the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean opened in ∼340 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basal succession of the Condamine Valley, which overlays the boundary between the Surat and Clarence-Moreton basins (eastern Australia), contains a clay-rich horizon 'the Transition Zone' that marks a pronounced unconformity between the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures and the Quaternary Condamine Alluvium. This paper provides insights into the tectonic and drainage evolution of the Condamine Valley through integrated analysis of U–Pb ages of detrital zircon from three samples (494 concordant analyses), stable oxygen isotope analysis on eight authigenic clay samples, X-ray fluorescence of primary and trace elements, and hyperspectral mineral analysis from two drill cores (Lone Pine 17 and Daandine 164). The Transition Zone is interpreted to consist of both weathered Jurassic sediments and Cenozoic clay deposits. Two sequential cycles of erosion, deposition and pedogenesis, related to geomorphological and climatic conditions are recognised. Distinctive oxygen isotope signatures of the two weathering fronts demonstrated an initial Early Cretaceous phase (δ18O = 11.9–15.7‰ VSMOW) associated with laterisation and possible uplift, followed by Paleogene (δ18O = 16.4–17.3‰ VSMOW) silcretisation of reworked Jurassic sediments. Detrital zircon geochronology yielded Jurassic maximum constraints for the age of deposition of three samples that are indistinguishable within error, the oldest of which (163 ± 8 Ma from the lateritic profile) corresponds to the age of the underlying Walloon Coal Measures. The two overlaying samples from a silcrete profile and granular alluvium yielded overlapping yet younger ages of 150 ± 6 Ma and 156 ± 9 Ma, respectively. Vitrinite reflectance used as a proxy for the thermal condition of the coal strata enabled an estimated 2–3 km of burial and subsequent (likely Early Cretaceous) uplift. Geochemical insights from the Condamine Valley correspond to broad-scale climatic and tectonic conditions, suggesting that 'transition zone equivalents' and corresponding groundwater dynamics may occur in similar sedimentary settings throughout eastern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The paper reports first geochemical data on the Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Mel'gin trough of the Bureya continental massif, as well as geochronological data on detrital zircons from these rocks. It is established, that sandstones of the Chergilen and Allin formations of the Mel'gin trough are dominated by detrital zircons with Late Riphean (peaks on relative probability plots at 0.78, 0.82, 0.94, and 1.04 Ga) and Early Riphean (peaks on relative probability plots at 1.38, 1.45, 1.64 Ga) ages. Single grains have Middle Riphean, Early Proterozoic and Late Archean ages. We can suppose that the sources of Late Riphean detrital zircons in sandstones of the Chergilen and Allin formations are rocks of gabbro‒granitoids (940‒933 Ma) and granite‒leucogranite (804‒789 Ma) associations identified in the Bureya continental massif. It is impossible to determine which rocks were sources for Middle Riphean and older detrital zircons in the Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Bureya continental massif, because the pre-Late Riphean complexes have not been identified yet in its structure. The most probable geodynamic setting for the accumulation of the Cambrian deposits of the Mel'gin trough is an active continental margin, which is consistent with manifestation of the Early Cambrian granitoids magmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Moroccan Atlas developed through a multiphase tectonic history including Permian‐Jurassic continental rifting and Cretaceous‐Cenozoic intracontinental shortening. New detrital zircon (DZ) U–Pb geochronologic results from the Ourika‐Zat region in the Marrakech High Atlas constrain the sediment provenance of prerift sediment sources and synrift and postrift basin fill. Prerift Precambrian‐Cambrian units contain Neoproterozoic DZ from the Pan‐African orogeny. Ordovician rocks contain diagnostic 0.95‐ to 1.28‐Ga DZ that are absent in the West African Craton, suggesting distal sediment sources. Permian rift basin fill contains Permian zircons that constrain maximum deposition age and diagnostic of northern Meseta domain sediment sources. New mapping and cross‐section construction demonstrate that Permian basin fill accumulated in a half‐graben above a southward dipping normal fault that likely guided subsequent inversion. Triassic rift basin fill thickens southward, above a likely northward dipping normal fault. The change in rift basin geometry was accompanied by catchment reorganization, the introduction of southern rift flank sediment sources, and subbasin integration. The southern catchment expanded to encompass Meso‐Archean rocks of the Reguibat Shield situated >800 km southward. Existing and new provenance results from postrift strata document onset of recycling of Atlas rift basin fill during the mid‐Cretaceous and before the onset of compressional inversion. These results highlight the interaction between deformation and sediment routing in an extensional basin and sediment dispersal patterns across continental margins during multiphase deformation. Stratigraphic, structural, and provenance characteristics reveal that the Atlas rift shares similarities with high‐angle and supradetachment basin models, emphasizing the diverse nature of extensional styles. Plain Language Summary: Throughout Earth history, the plates on the planet's surface have broken apart and collided together via plate tectonics. During these events, the Earth's crust can be deformed and eroded along linear zones called rifts (when plates break apart) and mountain ranges (when plates collide). Sediment produced during these events can be transported across the Earth's surface and preserved as sedimentary rocks in basins. This study investigates the Marrakech High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where a rift formed and was followed by construction of a mountain range. The paper uses new geologic mapping, a cross section, and new studies of the preserved sedimentary rocks to investigate the Atlas Mountains spanning a Permian–Triassic rift, and Cretaceous to recent mountain building. The information gained from this study tells geoscientists that the earlier rift acted as a weakness in the Earth's crust. This weakness was used again as a site of compression during later collision. These results help geoscientists understand how continental crust forms and evolves during different phases of compression and extension. It also shows how the drainage patterns across continents can be sensitive to plate tectonic forces, which impacts the sediment and nutrients that eventually flow into the ocean. Key Points: Permian–Triassic half‐graben extensional basins guided deformation during Cretaceous‐Cenozoic inversionSediment provenance evolved from northern to southern rift flank sources during Permian–Triassic rifting, with phases of catchment expansion and subbasin integration identifiedSediment provenance results support early Cretaceous unroofing of High Atlas that predates onset of compressional inversion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital geochronology and thermochronology have emerged as primary methods of reconstructing the tectonic and surficial evolution of the Earth over geological time. Technological improvements in the acquisition of detrital geo‐thermochronologic data have resulted in a rapid increase in the quantity of published data over the past two decades, particularly for the mineral zircon. However, existing tools for visualizing and analysing detrital geo‐thermochronologic data generally lack flexibility for working with large datasets, hampering efforts to utilize the large quantity of available data. This paper presents detritalPy, a Python‐based toolset that is designed for flexibility in visualizing and analysing large detrital geo‐thermochronologic datasets. Any number of samples, or groups of samples, can be selected for plotting and/or analysis. Functionality includes: (a) plotting detrital age distributions using the most commonly employed visualization types, (b) plotting sample locations within an interactive mapping interface, (c) calculating and plotting maximum depositional age, (d) creating multi‐dimensional scaling plots and (e) calculating inter‐sample similarity and dissimilarity matrices, among other functions. detritalPy is implemented using a Jupyter Notebook, requires no significant coding expertise, and can be modified as needed to meet users' specific requirements. It is anticipated that detritalPy will provide a platform for analysing detrital geo‐thermochronologic data within a 'Big Data' framework, providing a much needed toolset for efficient utilization of ever‐increasing quantities of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic system is the major hydrocarbon source rock and of crucial importance for understanding the Mesozoic intra-continental tectonics in West China. This paper presents systematic detrital zircon geochronology of the Jurassic outcropping at the Dameigou locality in the northern Qaidam Basin, and reports ~1000 single-grain U-Pb zircon ages that have implications for the provenance, the corresponding basin property as well as the tectonic setting of West China during Jurassic. Zircon ages exhibit two major clusters at ~250 and ~2400 Ma whereas two minor clusters at ~450 and ~850 Ma, suggesting primary sources from the East Kunlun Shan and Oulongbuluke Block, secondary sources from the North Qaidam UHP belt and South Qilian Shan. Combined with observation of lithology and sedimentary facies, two rifting periods were inferred in the earliest Jurassic and the early stage of the Middle Jurassic, respectively, accompanied by further extension throughout the Jurassic. Our results do not support a foreland basin related to the Jurassic southward thrusting of the South Qilian Shan, but favor that the Mesozoic intra-continental tectonics in West China were characterised by pulsed responses to specific collisions rather than a persisting contractional setting during Jurassic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower Cretaceous Liupanshan Group is generally exposed in the western Ordos block. The internal texture and age histogram of detrital zircons from sedimentary rocks are important for the understanding upon their formation backgrounds and provenance. This paper reports LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of detrital zircons from Lower Cretaceous sandstone in the SW margin of the Ordos block, western China. The detrital zircons have four major age peaks at about 1803±18 Ma, 2020±36 Ma, 2255±54 Ma and 2500 Ma. Combined with previous work, age peaks can be specifically divided into: 2.5 Ga magmatism, 2.2 ~ 2.0 Ga magmatism, 1. 85~ 1.95 Ga metamorphism and 1.8 Ga magmatism. The Ordos block and the NCC experienced cracking after cratonization about 2.5 Ga, magmatic events related to cracking during .0 Ga, subduction and associated metamorphic events occurred in the orogenic belt and the northern Khondalite series during 1.95~ 1.85 Ga. After 1.8 Ga the NCC entered the post-orogenic period, the cracking happened, and the Xiong'er, Yanliao, Helan and other rift systems appeared, and then the Changcheng system was deposited on the top of the craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Revisiting Qinling tectonic evolution by 5383 zircon U-Pb and 2079 Lu-Hf data. • Determining spread, subduction, and collision of the Mianlue and Shangdan oceans. • The collapse of Qinling Orogen occurred in the late Early Cretaceous. This paper presents 5383 detrital zircon U–Pb and 2079 Lu–Hf isotopic data, shedding new light on the Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the Qinling Orogen. The Silurian rocks are characterized by negative ε Hf (t) values of early Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic zircon, which in the Devonian to Carboniferous samples show both positive and negative ε Hf (t) values. Late Paleozoic zircon peak with negative ε Hf (t) values occurs in the upper Carboniferous to Cretaceous strata. The Permian to Cretaceous strata show peaks at 1.9 Ga and 2.5 Ga. Early Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic peaks are back in Upper Triassic to Cretaceous rocks. A Mesozoic peak with negative ε Hf (t) values occurs in Cretaceous rocks. In terms of the sources of detrital zircon, the South Qinling Belt and Yangtze Block are major contributors for Silurian strata; South Qinling and North Qinling belts are major sources for Lower Devonian to upper Carboniferous rocks; early Carboniferous detrital zircon related to subduction of Mianlue oceanic slab emerges in upper Carboniferous rocks; North China Block is an important source for Lower Permian to Upper Triassic rocks; Lower Cretaceous strata exhibit diverse provenance, including North Qinling Belt, North China Block, and South Qinling Belt. Provenance changes suggest that the initial spreading of the Mianlue Ocean occurred in the Early Silurian during which the South Qinling Terrane and Yangtze Block had not completely separated. The Mianlue Ocean evolved into a mature stage of spreading in the Early Devonian. Meanwhile, the closure of the Shangdan Ocean took place. The Mianlue Ocean started to subduct in the early Carboniferous. Its final closure occurred in the Late Triassic, leading to uplift and exhumation of Qinling Orogen and cutting off detritus transport from North China Block in the Jurassic. The Qinling Orogen underwent collapse in the late Early Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary basins are valuable archives of tectonic processes involved in continental rifting. The northern Rocky Mountains preserve the Belt Supergroup, one of the most complete records of Mesoproterozoic strata on Earth; however, debate remains about its tectonic origin. We investigated a recently identified package of Mesoproterozoic strata at Leaton Gulch near Challis, Idaho, using a combination of traditional and newer sedimentological tools. Results suggest that the Leaton Gulch stratigraphic section was deposited in a fluvial setting ca. 1,380–1,317 Ma, spanning the poorly documented interval between late Belt Supergroup deposition at ∼1,370 Ma and recently characterized Deer Trail Group strata that are less than 1,300 Ma. Detrital zircon age distributions from Leaton Gulch demonstrate a similar provenance signature to Missoula Group rocks of the upper Belt Supergroup; however, Leaton Gulch strata are up to ∼70 Ma younger than most prior age constraints on Belt Supergroup rocks. Regional metabentonites (interpreted as metamorphosed reworked tuffs) found within Leaton Gulch and Missoula Group strata show dominantly radiogenic εHf(t), with a range of −8 to +15, interpreted as a mix of primary mantle and remelted metasedimentary sources. Zircon trace element data of the metabentonite from Leaton Gulch suggest a 1,450–1,300 Ma geochemically consistent and moderate–high silica melt source. Collectively, the strata of Leaton Gulch record basin sedimentation during a critical window of Mesoproterozoic time. We speculate that sedimentation during late‐stage Belt Supergroup deposition thickened and stepped westward, abandoning the main Belt basin, culminating with breakup of the Nuna Supercontinent. Plain Language Summary: Sedimentary basins serve as important records of continental breakup. One of the most complete basin records in North America is the 1470–1370 million year old Belt Supergroup, but its tectonic origin is still poorly understood. We investigated recently identified Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks near Challis, Idaho. By measuring the sedimentary rocks and determining the age and chemistry of detrital (transported as ancient sediments) zircons within them, we conclude that the rocks at Leaton Gulch were deposited in a river setting between 1380 and 1317 million years ago. Leaton Gulch rocks therefore span a poorly documented interval between the Belt Supergroup and younger (∼1,300 Ma) Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Deer Trail Group preserved in eastern Washington. Detrital zircons from Leaton Gulch rocks record a sediment provenance similar to that of upper Belt Supergroup rocks. Regionally distributed metabentonites (ancient volcanic ash), found both at Leaton Gulch and in Belt Supergroup rocks, have chemical signatures consistent with continental rifting. Leaton Gulch rocks therefore record the sedimentation and rifting after deposition of the Belt Supergroup predicted by paleogeographic reconstructions. Late‐stage Belt Supergroup rocks thickened and stepped westward through time, ultimately abandoning the main Belt basin, culminating with the breakup of one of Earth's earliest supercontinents, Nuna. Key Points: Fluvial deposition occurred <1,380–1,317 Ma between Belt Supergroup deposition and late‐stage breakup of the Nuna supercontinentLeaton Gulch strata record continued sediment sourcing from the Belt Supergroup or local recycling of Belt Supergroup sedimentary rocksTiming of deposition and detrital zircon results are consistent with westward stepping of rifting after deposition of the Belt Supergroup [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Depositional age, attribute and provenance of the Huangsong terrains were revealed. • Precambrian terranes existed in the early Paleozoic in the west of Khanka Massif. • Khanka Massif was tectonically linked with Songnen Massif in Paleozoic. • Tectonic transformation of Late Paleozoic was identified in west of Khanka Massif. The Khanka Massif, as the easternmost micro-massif of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, its tectonic attributes and Paleozoic tectonic evolution remain controversial. In this paper, we present detrital zircon U–Pb age data for sedimentary rocks from the Huangsong Group, in order to provide constraints in this regard. The Huangsong Group has previously been described as the Precambrian basement of the Khanka Massif, consists of slightly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, and from bottom to top is divided into the Yangmu and Yanwangdian suites. Unexpectedly, the depositional ages of the Yangmu suite are (from bottom to top) 220–205 Ma, 249–239 Ma, and 509–485 Ma. The depositional ages of the Yanwangdian suite are (from bottom to top) 426–390 Ma and 232–220 Ma. Clearly, the rocks do not have a logical stratigraphic sequence and, therefore, we propose that the "Huangsong Group" represents a stack of tectonic terrains with diverse ages (early Paleozoic to early Mesozoic) rather than a continuous sedimentary sequence. The potential sediment sources were mainly a nearby magmatic arc and batholiths, because the zircons are euhedral–subhedral, exhibit well-developed oscillatory zoning, and have high Th/U ratios. The occurrence of Precambrian detrital zircon grains implies the existence of remnants of Precambrian basement along the western margin of the Khanka Massif in the early Paleozoic. A comparison of magmatism in the regional massifs revealed there was a tectonic affinity between the western margin of the Khanka Massif and eastern margin of the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif in the Paleozoic. Based on the detrital zircon age populations and trace element contents, we conclude that the western Khanka Massif experienced a change from a stable to an active margin setting during the late Paleozoic, which was caused by subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic lithosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rio Grande fluvial system has evolved dramatically over the past 8 Ma, undergoing channel migrations, drainage capture and integration events, volcanic damming, and carving and refilling of paleocanyons. This paper is motivated by the need for a synthesis aimed at understanding processes driving regional drainage development, especially the roles of rifting, volcanism, and climate change. Major conclusions supported by our synthesis of published data are as follows: 1) 20–8 Ma southward drainage from the San Juan volcanic field into the deepening Rio Grande rift resulted in deposition of thick basin fill of the Santa Fe Group by rivers flowing on a south-sloping alluvial plain in the north and by alluvial fans within fault-segmented internally drained rift basins. 2) The ancestral Rio Chama river system developed by ~ 8 Ma to link northern New Mexico basins (Española and northern Albuquerque basins). 3) The ancestral Rio Grande joined the Rio Chama by 5 Ma and linked drainage from the San Juan Mountain headwaters to central New Mexico as an integrated axial river system. 4) The Rio Grande extended its reach progressively southward to central New Mexico (Palomas basin) by 4.5 Ma, to southern New Mexico (Mesilla basin) by 3.1 Ma, to Texas (Hueco basin) by 2.06 Ma, and joined the Pecos River to reach the Gulf of Mexico by ~ 800 ka. 5) The change from aggradation to bedrock incision to carve the Rio Grande valley took place after 1 Ma with differential incision rates of 10 to 150 m/Ma. Volcanism concurrent with the development of the river system provides a unique opportunity to apply multiple geochronometers to the study of its incision and drainage evolution. This paper reports seventeen new and 79 previously unpublished 40 Ar/ 39 Ar basalt ages in the context of a compilation of published geochronology. We also report detrital zircon ages for nineteen samples of ancestral Rio Grande-Rio Chama sediment, and compare them to eleven detrital K-feldspar samples to evaluate this potentially powerful new detrital grain analysis. The elongate geometry of 4.8 Ma basalt mesas in the Española basin suggests that the course of the Rio Grande connecting northern and central New Mexico drainage was established by ~ 5 Ma. Detrital zircon age spectra for ancestral Rio Grande alluvium underlying these basalt flows contain 10–12% of 37–27 Ma grains suggesting that the ~ 5 Ma Rio Grande was carrying detritus from, and likely had its headwaters in, the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The 5 Ma to 3 Ma accumulation of an ~ 240-m-thick section of basalt flows on the Taos Plateau was accompanied by inset relationships downstream (Española basin), documenting the existence of a developing 5 to 2.5 Ma Rio Grande valley with an axial river. Coincident timing and inferred pre-volcanic knickpoints suggest that the construction of the Taos Plateau volcanic field in northern New Mexico helped drive downward integration to southern New Mexico by 4.5 Ma. Changes in ancestral Rio Grande sediment provenance from 2.6 Ma to 1.6 Ma document a northward shift of the Rio Grande-Rio Chama confluence and indicate that surface uplift of the Jemez Mountains diverted and reconfigured the river system, and likely drove further downstream integration. The Taos Plateau volcanic field reduced through-flowing surface drainage from the San Juan Mountains relative to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains until the ~ 440 ka spillover of Lake Alamosa in south-central Colorado, and we view this event as a re-integration, not initial integration, of upper Rio Grande drainage. Progressive downward integration of Rio Grande rift basins from 8 to 1 Ma was facilitated by a combination of processes: increased river gradients in the upper basin due to construction of volcanic fields and potential epeirogenic uplift; increased discharge due to climate change events; waning rift extension that allowed aggradation to exceed subsidence; dampening of topographic divides between basins by aggradation; probable groundwater connectivity; and lake spillover events. Downward integration events may crudely correlate to climate change “events” at 6 Ma (onset of the southwestern monsoon) and 2.6 Ma (global change toward glacial-interglacial climate). Magmatic influences included the building of the 6–2.5 Ma Taos Plateau volcanic field, construction of the 10 to 0 Ma Jemez Mountains, and 6 Ma to 0 Ma Jemez lineament volcanism that was likely associated with mantle-driven surface uplift in a northeast-trending zone across northern New Mexico. River damming events were driven by volcanism in the northern Rio Grande rift, while basin spillover/groundwater sapping events were punctuated by a combination of pluvial climates and continued headwater uplift in the southern Rocky Mountains. Integration of the Rio Grande system to the Gulf of Mexico by ~ 800 ka was facilitated by headwater uplift as well as the onset of ~ 100 ka high-amplitude glacial-interglacial cycles at ~ 900 ka that provided higher discharge and bedrock incision rates during the Pleistocene. We conclude that magmatic and tectonic forcing dominated over the last ~ 8 Ma, but were amplified by climate change events to determine the fluvial evolution of the Rio Grande system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Longxi region contains different kinds of Cenozoic sediments, including eolian deposits, reworked loess, fluvial and lacustrine deposits. The provenance evolution of these sediments is of great significance in exploring the uplift, tectonic deformation and associated with geomorphic evolution of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau. In this paper, we used the single-grain zircon provenance analysis to constrain the provenances for the Paleogene alluvial conglomerates and for the Neogene fluvial-lacustrine sediments, and compared them with results from the loess deposits since the Miocene. The results show that: (1) the Paleogene alluvial conglomerates contain a large number of detrital zircons ranging from 560 to 1100 Ma that were derived from the Yangzi Block. However, the sediments of early Miocene have much fewer zircons of this age span, which are characterized by an abundance of zircon ages in the ranges of 200-360 Ma. This indicates that the Paleogene alluvial conglomerates mainly come from the middle and/or southern West Qinling, and the early Miocene sediments are primarily from the northern West Qinling; (2) Late Neogene fluvial sediments (11.5 Ma onward) in Tianshui-Qinan region are dominated by zircon ages of 380-450 Ma. This zircon population is similar to that of the exposed intrusive rocks of southern part of the Liupan Mountains, implying that the southern part of Liupan Mountains probably had already uplifted by 11.5 Ma; (3) Late Miocene lacustrine sediments in Tianshui region have a zircon age spectra that is remarkably different from coeval fluvial deposits, but is similar to the zircon age distributions of the Miocene loess in Qinan region, late Miocene-Pliocene Hipparion red clay and Quaternary loess. This indicates that fine particles within these Miocene lacustrine sediments in Tianshui region may be dominated by aeolian materials. This study reveals that provenance changes of Cenozoic sediments in Tianshui-Qinan region and its geomorphic evolution are closely related to the multi-stage uplift of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau. In particular, the major uplift of the Northern Tibetan Plateau during late Oligocene-early Miocene may have not only provided the source areas and wind dynamic conditions for the deposits of the Miocene loess, but also provided the geomorphic conditions for its accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract With the development of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope analysis as conventional sedimentological research methods, a large number of studies have been conducted in the Tarim, West Kunlun, Tajik, Pamir and Tianshuihai regions and abundant data have been accumulated. Summarizing these data to characterize sedimentary units and source regions is more important than local studies of specific geological epochs; therefore, we compiled a database of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope analyses from the Tarim, West Kunlun, Pamir, Tajik and Tianshuihai terranes. The database contains data from 90 papers, including 35,281 individual U–Pb ages and 4,181 Hf isotope analyses. The database records the literature source, petrologic sample information, regional geological information, geographic coordinates and analytical parameters for each data point in as much detail as possible to allow readers to review, process, analyse and use the data. The database relies on the Deep‐time Digital Earth (DDE) platform and uses an open database update system to enable sharing and collaborative building. We encourage other researchers to contribute relevant published data to facilitate wider use.

Abstract This paper describes the assembly of an updated dataset of detrital zircon geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopes for Turkey, Cyprus and Greek peninsula. This first version of the dataset documented 286 samples with detrital zircon U–Pb data and 70 samples with zircon Lu–Hf isotopes from 42 published articles. These samples are mainly distributed in seven geologic‐tectonic units in the Eastern Mediterranean Tethyan region. The compilation of dataset will be periodically accessed in the Deep‐Time Digital Earth repository, containing more updated raw data of (un)published scientific research. We believe that the construction of such a dataset is fundamental to studies of clastic strata and also to understanding of crustal evolution in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The present paper outlines the results of a detailed study of calcareous nannofossils and small foraminifera made on Campanian marine deposits from the southwestern part of the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, part of the marine-to-continental transitional Petrești succession that yielded the oldest temporally well-constrained continental vertebrate remains in this area. These results are integrated with new and previously published palynostratigraphic information as well as with novel detrital zircon geochronometry data. All three groups of fossils (calcareous nannofossils, small foraminifera, and palynomorphs) convergently indicate an early to middle Late Campanian age for the marine part of the Petrești section. Based on detrital zircon analyses, the most likely maximum depositional age of the studied deposits is 76 ± 1.7 Ma, thus confirming the age supported by microfossil assemblages. Palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the fossil assemblages recovered from the marine part of the Petrești section suggests that despite their flysch-like facies, these beds were deposited in a continental shelf setting, under suboxic conditions and frequent fluctuations in nutrient supply to the seafloor, but quite stable environmental conditions within the water column. The synthesis of all currently available biostratigraphic and geochronologic data from the Petrești succession suggests a middle-late Late Campanian start for the expansion of the emergent land areas that made up the latest Cretaceous Hațeg Island, earlier than previously accepted dates (Maastrichtian) for this event. Furthermore, it documents the establishment of a diversified continental vertebrate faunal assemblage by the second half of the Late Campanian on these emergent lands while also providing further evidence for a later, post-Campanian arrival of certain iconic Hațeg Island dinosaur groups such as titanosaurs and hadrosauroids. Finally, our data show that kogaionid multituberculate mammals were already members of the earliest known Hațeg Island faunas, extending the fossil record of this group from the Maastrichtian into the later part of the middle Late Campanian. • Integrated study of a key Upper Cretaceous succession in Transylvania, Romania. • It hosts a rare instance of continuous end-Cretaceous marine-continental transition. • Both biostratigraphy and geochronometry restricts marine beds to the Upper Campanian. • Continental vertebrate remains occur within the upper part of the local succession. • Oldest well-constrained occurrence of these vertebrates in the marine Upper Campanian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric mineral dust is a poorly constrained yet extremely important component of the climate system. Provenance studies from geologic dust archives are crucial to understand the drivers of the dust cycle over long time scales. Our multi‐technique provenance analysis of a rare Paleogene (35–27 Ma) eolian dust sequence from Ulantatal, ∼400 km northwest of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), shows that Paleogene dust transporting winds generally varied between northwesterly and westerly, the same as those in the late Neogene‐Quaternary bipolar icehouse. We propose that, as today, westerly wind circulation patterns would have been modulated by an Arctic Oscillation (AO)‐like situation, and that the warm Eocene favored a long‐term negative phase of AO, leading to meridional westerly circulation and the dominance of a northwesterly dust transport pathway. After the Eocene‐Oligocene transition (EOT), long‐term positive phase of AO‐like conditions initiated, leading to stronger and more zonal westerlies. The Siberian High (SH) also formed or strengthened at the EOT and started to control dust storm activity along the northwesterly transport pathway. We argue that increased Paleogene Northern Hemisphere (NH) ice volume was the ultimate driver of this modern‐type dust transport regime in the Ulantatal region, possibly also controlling initial Ulantatal dust sequence formation via the development of the SH and modern‐type eolian regime. The similarity between the Ulantatal and late Neogene northern CLP dust provenance signals suggests that the increased NH ice volume, via its control on the northwesterly dust transport, could have promoted increased loess formation also in the late Miocene. Plain Language Summary: Understanding the effects and responses of atmospheric mineral dust to climate changes in the geologic past is crucial for predicting future scenarios. Analysis of the source of dust deposited 35–27 million years ago in Ulantatal, Inner Mongolia, China reveals that the Central‐East Asian atmospheric circulation during this time interval was similar to that of today. Specifically, dust transport was dominated by northwesterly and westerly winds despite a significantly warmer global climate. We also propose that Arctic Oscillation (AO)‐type conditions, stemming from the temperature difference between the high and low latitudes, modulated planetary westerly winds during this period. Our results suggest that during warmer phases, a negative AO type dominated and resulted in wave‐like westerly wind patterns and a northwesterly dust transport pathway to Ulantatal. During cooler phases, the westerly circulation became stronger and more zonal. The Siberian High pressure system was possibly strengthened during increased Northern Hemisphere (NH) ice volume and further affected northwesterly dust transport. Our findings suggest that NH ice volume increase was possibly also responsible for the formation of the Ulantatal dust sequence itself. Our results imply that even under significantly warmer conditions than today, polar ice affects the long‐term dustiness in this highly populated region. Key Points: The provenance of a Paleogene (35–27 Ma) eolian dust sequence in Ulantatal, Inner Mongolia, China, reveals a modern‐type eolian regimeGlobal cooling and possibly expansion of Northern Hemisphere ice volume modulated the dust provenance by strengthening the Siberian HighLong‐term negative (positive) phase of Arctic Oscillation‐like conditions were favored in the warmhouse Eocene (coolhouse Oligocene) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports geochronological data of detrital zircons from the country rock and sedimentary xenoliths of the Cilincuo pluton (79±0.7 Ma) in the southern Yidun arc belt and the inherited zircons from the Late Triassic granites in the eastern Yidun arc belt, eastern Tibet Plateau. Detrital zircons ages from the sedimentary xenoliths have four prominent peaks at 2.5-2.4 Ga, 1.9-1.8 Ga, 480-400 Ma, and 350-300 Ma, whereas those from the country rock exhibit another four prominent peaks at 1.9-1.8 Ga, 850-700 Ma, 480-400 Ma, and 300-250 Ma. Based on comparison with age data from previous studies, we suggest that the sedimentary xenoliths are from the Lanashan Formation and the major provenance of them is Qiangtang Block, Zhongza massif and South China Block, whereas the country rock belongs to the Lamaya Formation and the major provenance of them is similar to those of the neighbouring Songpan-Garzê terrane. In addition, the inherited zircons from the Late Triassic granites in the eastern Yidun arc belts have a prominent Neoproterozoic age population (900-700 Ma), which suggests that there is an old basement with west Yangtze Craton affinity beneath the Triassic sediments. Combining with previous studies, we propose that the provenances of the formations vary from the Lanashan Formation to the Lamaya Formation which may indicate a record of the final closure of the Garzê-Litang Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sulu orogenic belt (SOB) separates the North and South China blocks in East Asia and formed during Triassic continent-continent collision. However, late Mesozoic post-collisional exhumation is poorly understood due to lack of surface evidence for Paleo-Pacific subduction and associated effects. This paper interprets the tectonic history of the SOB using detrital zircon age data from Early Cretaceous sedimentary units along with previously published geochronologic and geochemical data to reconstruct sedimentological and tectonic history. Detrital zircon age distributions obtained from sedimentary units include a 2.0 Ga subpopulation that appears only in turbidite units to the southeast. This sediment probably derived from the Yangtze Block. Terrestrial facies from the Jiao-Lai basin to the northwest appear to derive from the North China Block. Geochronologic and geochemical data indicate that Early Cretaceous, post-collisional volcanism was compositionally bimodal (mafic-felsic) with associated intrusive activity that peaked at 120 Ma. Seismic images of northerly regions of the study area indicate this occurred in an extensional setting. Sedimentary facies and field structural analyses revealed an unconformity interpreted to reflect rapid uplift with NW–SE compression to the south. Given observed sinistral movement along the Tan-Lu fault, we interpret northwest and southeast regions of the SOB as experiencing transtensional and transpressional tectonics, respectively, driven by continuous subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Intrusion of the Late Yanshannian granitoids marked the final formational stage of this unique tectonic setting. Image 1 • Sedimentary basins aside the Sulu orogenic belt contain different source materials. • Thickening of the Sulu orogenic belt allowed different tectonic settings around it. • Structural analyses indicate a NW-SE transpression in the southeast. • The Jiaolai basin and bimodal magmatism occurred due to transtension in the NW. • Intrusion of the ∼111 Ma A-type granitoids ended this tectonic framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The closure time of the Jinshajiang Ocean (a branch ocean of the Paleo-Tethys) has been widely debated due to the complex structure and strong deformation of the northern-central Tibetan Plateau. In this paper, the U-Pb-Hf isotope compositions of detrital zircons from Tongtian River sand sediments from the northern-central Tibetan Plateau were analyzed via laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The U Pb ages of the detrital zircons from Tongtian River sand sediments were distributed in six major groups: 2685–2346 Ma, 2035–1676 Ma, 1220–580 Ma, 544–407 Ma, 297–157 Ma, and 46–20 Ma. The ε Hf (t) values (range from −30 to +19) of the detrital zircons varied within a wide range from negative to positive, indicating that the zircons were sourced from diverse host magmas. The 46–20 Ma zircons and their Hf isotope compositions reveal that the far-field effect of the Cenozoic India-Eurasia plate collision triggered reworking of the Neoproterozoic basement of the North Qiangtang terrane. The U-Pb-Hf isotope compositions of these detrital zircons indicate that the Tongtian River sand sediments are composed of a mixture of materials from the Bayan Har-Songpan Ganzi terrane and the North Qiangtang terrane, with a contribution ratio of 3:7. The U Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions of the zircons from the Tongtian River sediments and regional igneous rocks suggest that the ε Hf (t) values of the Permian zircons are predominantly positive while those of the Triassic, especially the Late Triassic, are negative. This marked shift most likely indicates that the closure of the Jinshajiang Ocean occurred by at least the Late Triassic. [Display omitted] • Fluvial sediments in the Tongtian River are contributed by the BST and the NQT in a ratio of 3:7. • Far-field effect of the India-Eurasia plate collision triggered the reworking of the NQT basement. • The closure time of the Jinshajiang Ocean occurred at least in the Late Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of U‒Th‒Pb (LA-ICP-MS) geochronological studies of detrital zircon from metagraywackes of the Kodar Group of the Udokan complex of the Aldan Shield are presented. It is established that the age of terrigenous rocks of the Kodar Group of the Kodar Subzone of the Kodar–Udokan Trough is 2.02−1.91 Ga. The accumulation of rocks of the Kodar Group was separated from the accumulation of rocks of the Chinei and Kemen groups of the Udokan complex and the formation of Cu mineralization of ~1.90–1.87 Ga ago by a deformation and metamorphism stage. Our geochronological data allow us to raise a question on the recognition of the Kodar Group or, at least, its lower part as an individual complex. The rocks of the Kodar Group of the Kodar Subzone were sourced from the Archean (~2.76–2.92 Ga) igneous and metamorphic complexes of the Chara–Olekma Geoblock of the Aldan Shield, as well as unidentified (at the present level of erosion) island arc or active continental margin complexes with an age of ~2.02 Ga in the western–northwestern and southern (in the present-day coordinates) framework of the Chara–Olekma Geoblock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pennsylvanian rocks of the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains are mature quartzose sandstones. This paper uses detrital zircon geochronology on seven samples from the Wood River Formation, Tensleep Sandstone, and Weber Sandstone to determine if these sandstones have a common provenance, representing eastern Laurentian and Appalachian sand reworked within shallow-marine and eolian environments from the Wyoming craton westward to the Pioneer thrust plate of south-central Idaho. Our work suggests that this continental sand blanket was mixed with local sources on the south in the Yavapai-Mazatzal provinces of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains and in samples from the western Cordilleran thrust belt in south-central Idaho. In total, these Pennsylvanian sandstones contain a broad spectrum of detrital zircon U-Pb ages including, from old to young: A) minor Archean-age (3300-2550 Ma) populations; B) Paleoproterozoic (2000-1600 Ma), Mesoproterozoic (1470-1350 Ma), and major "Grenvillian" (1250-950 Ma) populations; and C) Cryogenian- to Ediacaran-age (665-565 Ma) and minor Paleozoic (495-410 Ma) populations. We interpret these detrital zircon ages to represent provenance mainly from the Appalachian mountain belt of eastern North America; however, central Appalachian versus northern Appalachian derivation is not clearly distinguished. The Weber Sandstone from the north flank of the Uinta Mountains in northeast Utah contains a strong 1700-1640 Ma age population derived from the Yavapai-Mazatzal provinces in the adjacent Ancestral Rocky Mountains. The shallow-marine Hailey Member of the Wood River Formation in south-central Idaho yields a population of >1800 Ma detrital zircons reworked from the uplifted Mississippian Copper Basin Formation. Both the Hailey and Wilson Creek Members of the Wood River Formation contain unique 640-490 Ma grains that may represent provenance from the Big Creek-Beaverhead plutonic belt of east-central Idaho and/or eastern Klamath terrane in the Klamath Mountains of northwest California and southwest Oregon. These new data support published models for Pennsylvanian-Permian transport of siliciclastic sediment with sources mainly from the North American craton, north of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, into continental margin basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Palaeozoic Solonker‐Xar Moron‐Changchun‐Yanji Suture (SXCYS) is considered to mark the location of the final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean, which separated the North China Craton to the south and the amalgamated blocks to the north in Northeast China. There has always been controversy about its eastern extension in Northeast China and the final closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. To explore this issue, we collected gabbro and quartz‐diorite samples in the Hunchun area for the genesis of mafic magma and age dating, and five groups of Permian to Triassic sandstones belonging to both sides of the potential suture locations in the middle and east Jilin Province for the provenance analysis to discuss the final closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean and the possible positions of the eastward termination of the SXCYS. The gabbro reveals a Middle Permian concordia average age of 266.9 ± 5.2 Ma, and the quartz diorite reveals a Late Permian Concordia average age of 258.8 ± 4.8 Ma. Lithological and geochemical analysis reveal the two rock samples belong to low‐K arc tholeiites from the oceanic island and calk‐alkaline volcanics from the active continental margin, respectively, which implies that during the middle to late Permian, the SW margin of the Jiamusi–Khanka Block (JB) continuously experienced the subduction process from the Paleo‐Asian Ocean Plate. The final closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean should be later than the Late Permian. Meanwhile, four groups of sandstone from the east Jilin reveal typically Jiamusi–Mongolia Block (JMB) provenance features, with age components of ~500 Ma, ~0.9–1.5 Ga implying that the Wangqing, Hunchun, Kaishantun area belongs to the northern part of the SXCYS from late Early Permian to Middle Triassic, with youngest age components of 288.2 ± 2.8, 275.5 ± 1.8, 250 ± 1.7, and 244.9 ± 1.7 Ma, respectively. The late Early Permian sandstone from the middle Jilin reveals the youngest age component of 273.8 ± 3.4 Ma and the age component of 487 ± 3 Ma also revealing JMB feature. Comparing to previous studies, we propose that the Paleo‐Asian Ocean finally closed during Middle to Late Triassic. A possible ENE fault separates the eastern extension of SXCYS into two parts, which means the possible position of the eastward extension of the SXCYS should go along the Wangqing‐Kaishantun with NNW direction in the west, Hunchun‐Laoheishan with NW direction in the east. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper concerns the heavy mineral composition of Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene sedimentary successions in the Mandawa Basin. The nature of the heavy mineral assemblages in 38 samples was investigated to assess changes in sediment provenance through time. Further, the geochemistry of detrital amphiboles and garnets and the detrital zircon populations were used to determine possible sediment source terranes. Based on the heavy mineral compositions the sandstones were grouped into four heavy mineral assemblages: garnet-dominated, amphibole-dominated, epidote-dominated and zircon-dominated. Garnet-dominated sandstones are abundant in most Middle Jurassic to Middle Eocene samples and represent the main sediment input into the Mandawa Basin. Amphibole-dominated sandstones occur in a few Lower Cretaceous samples deposited in close proximity to their sediment source in the Masasi Spur area. A change in provenance is observed in the epidote-dominated sandstones of Middle Eocene and Early Oligocene age. This change coincides with a climatic shift towards a wetter and cooler climate associated with an uplift phase in East Africa. The detrital zircon population in the investigated samples share the same age fractions and are indistinguishable within analytical error. Mineral chemistries and zircon ages imply that the sediments deposited in the Mandawa Basin were mainly derived from several high-grade sources within the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt to the west of the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]