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Mafic granulite and amphibolite occur as boudinaged lenses in felsic and metapelitic gneiss in the Guandishan area of the southern Luliang metamorphic complex. Peak assemblages recorded by large granoblastic minerals yield pressure–temperature ( P-T ) conditions of 790 °C and 9.4 kbar in granulite and >750 °C and >6.2 kbar in amphibolite based on standard thermobarometric techniques. Retrogression produced fine-grained resorptive rims in garnet, symplectitic hornblende, orthopyroxene and plagioclase that record P-T conditions of 560–775 °C and 2.8–7.5 kbar in granulite and 740 °C and 5.7 kbar in amphibolite. Mineral inclusion patterns and major element zoning are consistent with a clockwise P-T path that ended with nearly isothermal decompression. Uranium - Pb dating of metamorphic zircons from the granulite and host metapelite reveal two discrete, meaningful age groups of metamorphism in the Guandishan area: most metamorphic zircon grains exhibit peak metamorphic growth at 1935–1920 Ma, whereas a smaller, younger group exhibit growth during retrogression between 1860 and 1815 Ma. Regional metamorphism in the Luliang metamorphic complex was related to the amalgamation of the North China Craton along the Trans-North China Orogen between c. 1.95 and 1.80 Ga.

High-pressure (HP) mafic granulites in the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex from the central segment of the Khondalite Belt of the North China Craton occur as irregular lenses or deformed dike swarms within dioritic–granitic gneisses and meta-sedimentary rocks. The HP mafic granulites contain three distinct mineral assemblages: a peak HP granulite-facies assemblage (M1) that consists of garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + amphibole ± quartz ± Fe–Ti oxides; a post-peak decompression assemblage (M2) that is characterized by symplectites of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase ± amphibole ± Fe–Ti oxides; a late cooling assemblage (M3) represented by symplectites of amphibole + plagioclase + Fe–Ti oxides. Pseudosection modeling using THERMOCALC in the NCFMASHTO system and conventional thermobarometers constrain the P–T conditions of the M1, M2, and M3 assemblages to P = 1.25–1.40 GPa and T = 760–815 °C, P = 0.72–0.80 GPa and T = 825–860 °C, and P = 0.69–0.81 GPa and T = 645–730 °C, respectively. In-situ U–Pb dating of zircons show that the protolith ages of the HP mafic granulites are 2100–2000 Ma and the timing of peak HP granulite-facies metamorphism is 1960–1940 Ma. The medium- to low-pressure amphibolite- to granulite-facies retrogression occurred mainly from 1920 to 1820 Ma. Petrographic investigations, mineral compositions, metamorphic reaction histories, P–T calculations, and geochronological data define a clockwise P–T–t path involving near-isothermal decompression and near-isobaric cooling, which suggests that the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex underwent initial crustal thickening from 1960 to 1940 Ma, followed by relatively rapid exhumation, cooling, and retrogression from 1920 to 1820 Ma. This P–T–t path was likely the result of the Paleoproterozoic continental–continental (or arc) collision during the amalgamation of the North China Craton.

The Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) is well-known as an early Precambrian orogenic belt in the North China Craton (NCC). Three meaningful groups of metamorphic ages have been reported in the metamorphic complexes throughout the TNCO, including c. 1.85 Ga, c. 1.95 Ga, and c. 2.5 Ga. The spatial distributions and relationships of these ages provide notable insight into the formation timing and tectonic evolution of the NCC basement. The Zuoquan and Zanhuang complexes are exposed in the south&ndash, central TNCO and are adjacent to the Eastern Block. In order to place new constraints on the timing of two phases of metamorphism that occurred in the complexes, combined U&ndash, Pb and rare earth element analyses were performed on zircons from different types of metamorphic rocks. Uranium&ndash, Pb zircon dating in this study shows that two groups of metamorphic ages of 1.88&ndash, 1.85 Ga and 2.48&ndash, 2.46 Ga were commonly recorded by metamorphic rocks in the Zanhuang and Zuoquan complexes, respectively. Our previous geochronological studies showed that metamorphic ages of c. 2.51 Ga and c. 1.90 Ga were locally recorded in the Zanhuang and Zuoquan complexes, respectively. These data indicate that metamorphic rocks in the two complexes underwent at least two phases of metamorphism, i.e., 2.51&ndash, 2.46 Ga (Phase I) and 1.90&ndash, 1.85 Ga (Phase II). In combination with previous studies regarding reaction microstructures, metamorphic pressure&ndash, temperature paths, and geochronology, the Phase II metamorphic ages are interpreted to be linked to the collision between the Western and Eastern Blocks along the TNCO between 1.97 Ga and 1.80 Ga, whereas the Phase I metamorphic ages, as a result of an earlier and extensive tectono-thermal event that occurred in the Eastern and Western Blocks of the NCC, were related to underplating of mantle-derived magma. It is inferred that the rocks with c. 2.51&ndash, 2.46 Ga metamorphic ages in the two complexes formed in the Eastern Block and underwent regional metamorphism during that period, and then were tectonically involved in the TNCO and experienced c. 1.90&ndash, 1.85 Ga metamorphism. Metamorphic peaks occurred at different crustal levels in the orogen, resulting in distinct metamorphic ages and peak conditions preserved by metamorphic rocks in the two complexes.

Garnet-bearing metapelites are cropped out in the Zanhuang metamorphic complex located in the central section of the N–S trending Trans-North China Orogen. Petrological studies indicate that these garnet-bearing metapelites preserve three distinct metamorphic assemblages (M1–M3). The cores of garnet porphyroblasts and fine-grained inclusions of plagioclase + quartz ± biotite ± apatite ± magnetite ± rutile ± ilmenite define the prograde metamorphic stage (M1). The assemblage of the peak metamorphic stage (M2) consists of biotite + plagioclase + quartz ± kyanite ± hornblende ± magnetite ± ilmenite in equilibrium with the lowest-XMn garnet rims. The peak metamorphism was followed by a near-isothermal decompressional stage (M3) and the development of symplectitic coronas of biotite + plagioclase + quartz ± hornblende ± magnetite surrounding garnet porphyroblasts. Quantitative phase equilibria modeling and traditional thermobarometric estimations were applied to yield P–T conditions of 4.5–5.9 kbar and 551–596 °C for stage M1, 9.6–12.3 kbar and 770–830 °C for stage M2, and ∼4.7 kbar and ∼635 °C for stage M3. The combination of the mineral inclusions, mineral compositions, and metamorphic reactions in the Zanhuang metapelites defines a clockwise P–T path with nearly isothermal decompression, which is considered to have been related to the amalgamation of the Eastern and Western Blocks to form the North China Craton. Abundant U–Pb spot analyses of metamorphic zircons from the gneiss and amphibolite reveal two discrete, meaningful ages of metamorphism within the Zanhuang complex: the first age dates to ∼2507 Ma, and the second age dates to ∼1839 Ma. The first age group (∼2507 Ma) was most likely associated with a regional Neoarchean granulite-facies metamorphic event within the North China Craton, whereas the second age group (∼1839 Ma) is interpreted as the result of a Paleoproterozoic orogenic event that occurred in the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO).

Meta-mafic rocks in the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex, in the central segment of the Paleoproterozoic Khondalite Belt of the North China Craton, are composed predominantly of garnet-bearing mafic granulites, mafic granulites, and amphibolites. They occur mainly as irregular lenses and as a set of deformed dyke/sill swarms within dioritic–granitic orthogneisses and Al-rich paragneisses. An integrated study involving laser Raman and scanning electron microscope analyses of mineral inclusions from zircons, cathodoluminescence imaging, and LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of zircons, shows that magmatic zircons in these meta-mafic rocks record four age groups of 2500–2450, 2300–2100, 1970–1930, and ca. 1850 Ma, indicating multiple mafic magmatic events occurred within the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex. In addition, four groups of metamorphic zircons with ages of ca. 2450, ca. 1950, ca. 1900, and ca. 1850 Ma are present within these meta-mafic rocks. Zircons of the first (oldest) group contain medium- to low-pressure (MLP) granulite facies mineral inclusions of orthopyroxene + clinopyoxene + amphibole + plagioclase + quartz, and yield ages of ca. 2450 Ma, representing the timing of the early MLP granulite facies metamorphic event within the Daqingshan–Wulashan reworked basement complex. In contrast, zircons of the second group are free of mineral inclusions, and yield ages of ca. 1950 Ma, which is considered to be the timing of the regional high-grade metamorphic and structural event probably caused by the collision of the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks. Zircons of the third group contain MLP granulite facies mineral inclusions of orthopyroxene + clinopyoxene + amphibole + plagioclase + quartz, similar to the zircons of the first group, but yield younger ages of ca. 1900 Ma, interpreted as the timing of the regional MLP granulite facies metamorphism that most likely occurred during the early stage of post-orogenic exhumation of the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex. Zircons of the fourth group contain MLP amphibolite facies mineral inclusions of clinopyoxene + amphibole + plagioclase + quartz, and yield the youngest ages of ca. 1850 Ma, which probably represent the timing of the regional amphibolite facies metamorphism during the late stage of post-orogenic exhumation of the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex. Combined with previous geological data of the Khondalite Belt, it is speculated that the multiple mafic magmatism and contemporaneous high-grade metamorphism of the Daqingshan–Wulashan Complex from the Khondalite Belt were most likely generated by an orogenic process involving early subduction–collision and late exhumation in an active continental margin arc.

To further understand the metamorphic evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), a combined study of petrography, pseudosection modeling and conventional thermobarometry was completed on garnet-sillimanite-bearing metapelitic rocks of the Jiehekou Group from the southern Luliang metamorphic complex, in the central segment of the TNCO. The Luliang metapelitic rocks preserve peak assemblages of garnet, biotite, sillimanite, plagioclase and quartz, with or without K-feldspar, that reflect c. 750 °C and 7.0 kbar. Garnet has mostly homogeneous grain cores with sparse mineral inclusions, enclosed successively by: (1) rims of higher spessartine and lower pyrope content and (2) symplectitic intergrowths of cordierite, biotite and plagioclase that present a spectacular “white-eye socket’ reaction microstructure. Quantitative phase equilibria modeling and traditional thermobarometric calculation results are consistent with this retrograde microstructure having developed during decompression to T ≈ 650 °C and P

The Zhifu Group exposed in the northeastern Jiaobei Terrane is subdivided from base to top into the Laoyeshan, Bingying and Dongkou formations, and comprises mainly quartzites and muscovite- and tourmaline-bearing quartz schists. In order to define its provenance and depositional age, and to constrain the crustal growth and recycling of the source regions, we have conducted LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating and in situ Hf isotopic study of detrital zircons from three quartz schists samples collected from the Zhifu Group. Most of the analyzed zircon grains have oscillatory zoning and Th/U ratios >0.4, suggesting igneous origins. 270 detrital zircons U–Pb analyses yield U–Pb ages of 1709–3679 Ma that cluster into three major age populations of 1.7–1.9 Ga with a peak at 1844 Ma, 1.9–2.0 Ga with a peak at 1936 Ma and 2.4–2.55 Ga with a peak at 2465 Ma, and two minor age populations of 2.2–2.35 and 2.6–2.7 Ga. The peaking age of 1844 Ma for the youngest age population indicates that the Zhifu Group must be deposited after 1844 Ma. Detrital zircons with ages of 1.7–2.35 Ga can be linked to pre- and post-tectonic polyphase magmatic events along the JLJB, and most of the zircons have negative ɛ Hf( t ) values from +1.76 to −18.02 and two-stage Hf model ages ( T DM2 ) concentrating at ∼2.7–3.0 Ga, indicating that source rocks of these zircons were derived from recycling of ancient crusts. Detrital zircons with ages of 2.4–2.9 Ga may have been sourced from the Archean granitoid (mainly TTG) gneisses in the Jiaobei Terrane, and these zircons have ɛ Hf( t ) values from +6.4 to −7.53 and T DM2 of 2.6–3.4 Ga (peak at ∼2.7–3.0 Ga), suggesting that source rocks of these zircons were mainly derived from juvenile crusts associated with a major crustal growth at ∼2.7–3.0 Ga, and a limited amount of ancient crustal component. The two detrital zircons with ages of 3631 and 3679 Ma have negative ɛ Hf( t ) values of −4.42 and −1.51 and T DM2 of 4137 and 4000 Ma, respectively, implying the recycling of ancient continental crust (>3.6 Ga) and crustal growth prior to 4.1 Ga in the NCC.

Amphibolites and metapelites exposed in the Zanhuang metamorphic complex situated in the south-middle section of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) underwent upper-amphibolite-facies metamorphism and record clockwise P–T paths including retrograde isothermal decompression. High-resolution zircon U–Pb geochronological analyses indicate that the metamorphic peak occurred during ~ 1840–1860 Ma, which is in accordance with the ubiquitous metamorphic ages of ~ 1850 Ma retrieved by miscellaneous geochronologic methods throughout the metamorphic terranes of the northern TNCO, confirming that the south-middle section of the TNCO was involved in the amalgamation of the Eastern and Western Blocks of the North China Craton during the Palaeoproterozoic.

Garnet-bearing metapelites and amphibolites are exposed in the south and middle parts of the Zanhuang complex, which is located in the central segment of the nearly NS-striking Trans-North China Orogen. These rocks preserve three metamorphic mineral assemblages forming at the prograde, peak and post-peak decompression stages. The prograde metamorphic stage (M1) is represented by mineral inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts, the peak metamorphic stage (M2) is represented by garnet rims and matrix minerals, whereas the retrograde stage (M3) is represented by amphibole + plagioclase symplectite rimming garnet porphyroblasts in the amphibolites and biotite + plagioclase symplectite rimming garnet porphyroblasts in the metapelites. All garnet porphyroblasts in the metapelites preserve prograde chemical zoning except for the ubiquitous, quite narrow zones from the underwent post-peak decompression. It has been determined through thermobarometric computation that the metamorphic conditions are 650–710°C at 8.2−9.2 kbar for the M1 (inclusion) assemblages, >810°C at >12.5 kbar for the metamorphic peak M2 (matrix) assemblages, and 660–680°C at 4.4–4.5 kbar for the retrograde M3 (symplectite) assemblages. These rocks are thus determined to have undergone metamorphism with clockwise P–T paths involving nearly isothermal decompression (ITD) segments, which is inferred to be related to the amalgamation of the Eastern and Western Blocks to form the coherent basement of the North China Craton along the Trans-North China Orogen in the late Paleoproterozoic (1.88–1.85 Ga).