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Abstract: LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb ages, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data are presented for mafic–ultramafic complexes from the southern Liaoning–southern Jilin area with the aim of determining the nature of the Mesozoic lithospheric mantle and to further constrain the spatial extent of destruction of the North China Craton (NCC). The complexes consist of olivine-websterite, gabbro, dolerite, and gabbro-diorite. Zircons from the complexes show typical zoning absorption, are euhedral–subhedral in shape, and yield high Th/U ratios (1.23–2.87), indicating a magmatic origin. Zircon U–Pb age data indicate that they formed in the Early Cretaceous (129–137Ma). Geochemically, they have SiO2 =44.3–49.8%, MgO=6.8–26.5%, Cr=102–3578ppm, and Ni=31–1308ppm, and are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), as well as a wide range of Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions [(87Sr/86Sr)i =0.70557–0.71119; εNd (t)=−5.4 to −20.1; (206Pb/204Pb)i =15.13–17.85; Δ7/4=−11.49 to 16.00; Δ8/4=102.64–203.48]. Compared with the southern Liaoning mafic–ultramafic rocks, the southern Jilin mafic–ultramafic rocks have high TiO2 and Al2O3 contents, high εNd (t) values, low (La/Yb) N values, low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and low radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions. These findings indicate that the primary magmas of the southern Jilin complexes were derived from lithospheric mantle that was previously metasomatized by a melt derived from the delaminated ancient lower crust, whereas the primary magmas of the southern Liaoning complexes originated from partial melting of a lithospheric mantle source that was previously modified by melt derived from the broken-off Yangtze slab. Therefore, the lateral extent of the NCC destruction should include the southern Liaoning–southern Jilin area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]