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During the Mesozoic, the North China Craton experienced intense tectonic movements that resulted in the formation of numerous gold deposits on the Liaodong and Jiaodong Peninsulas in northeastern China. To investigate the relationship between deep crustal structure and gold mineralization in the Liaodong Peninsula, we deployed 334 dense seismic stations in the Wulong goldfield (WLGF) with the idea of analysing numerous receiver functions at different array stations. The purpose focused on knowing the potential for gold mineralization in the area. The study revealed the following: (1) The WLGF is characterized by a crustal thickness of approximately 32 km and an average Vp/Vs ratio of 1.76. The high value of the Vp/Vs ratio near the Wulong gold deposit suggests that mantle materials have penetrated into the crust and contributed to the mineralization process. (2) A low-velocity layer located at a depth of 10-18 km below the WLGF seems to support the existence of a potentially brittle-ductile transition zone. Also, hydrothermal magma upwelling channels are observed in the upper crust beneath the Wulong gold deposit. (3) The presence of a discontinuous low-velocity layer in the middle crust beneath the Liaodong Peninsula suggests promising prospects for gold ore exploration. The receiver functions method based on a dense seismic array employed in this study can offer valuable references and guidance for the fine exploration and research of ore deposits in other regions globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opening of oceans within accretionary orogens is important for understanding the Wilson cycle. The Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean (MOO) began opening within the early Paleozoic accretionary collage of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), representing a world‐class example to constrain the geodynamic history of ocean opening in accretionary orogens, but the kinematics and mechanisms associated to this process are highly debated. We report on a newly‐discovered bimodal volcanic suite and associated volcanic‐sediments that comprise part of the Altay‐Sayan Rift System, which indicate a widespread Early Devonian extensional event within the CAOB. This extension regime is attributed to a Devonian mantle plume, which is thought to have impinged upon and weakened the lithosphere of the Early Paleozoic collage, and drove the opening of the MOO. Opening of the MOO suggests continent breakup in accretionary orogens tends to focus along intervening weak orogenic lithosphere between the rigid microcontinents. Plain Language Summary: The opening of oceans within subduction related accretionary orogens is a process that is common within the geologic record. The tectonic mechanisms involved in this process, however, are not well understood. The Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean began opening within the Early Paleozoic accretionary collage of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, providing an opportunity to constrain the geodynamic history of ocean opening in accretionary orogens, but the kinematics and mechanisms related to this process are highly debated. We report on newly‐discovered bimodal volcanic suite (410–415 Ma) and associated volcanic‐sedimentary rocks in Northwest Mongolia, which comprise part of the Altay‐Sayan Rift System (also termed Altay‐Sayan Large Igneous Province). This giant rift system represents a widespread Early Devonian extensional event associated with a mantle plume. The ascent of this mantle plume is thought to have impacted and weakened the lithosphere of northern Early Paleozoic collage, ultimately leading to the opening of the Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean between microcontinents that had earlier accreted to Siberia Craton. Our model suggests continent breakup in accretionary orogens tends to focus along weak orogenic lithosphere between the rigid microcontinents. Key Points: The 415–410 Ma bimodal volcanic suite and associated volcanic‐sediments document a widespread extension regime related to a mantle plumeThe Devonian mantle plume weakened structures within the accretionary orogen and led to the opening of the Mongol‐Okhotsk OceanContinent breakup in accretionary orogens tends to happen along weak orogenic lithosphere between rigid microcontinents [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The now-extinct Palaeozoic to Mesozoic Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean is evidenced by the Mongol–Okhotsk suture, which stretches from central Mongolia to the Sea of Okhotsk. The geodynamics of southward subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean remain enigmatic, especially whether the subduction began during the Carboniferous is highly debated. In this paper we present new zircon U–Pb ages and whole-rock geochemical data for the Carboniferous magmatic rocks in Northeast Mongolia. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Adaatsag dacite, Northern Bayanjargalan gabbro-diorite and Bagannur pluton were emplaced at ca. 325 Ma, ca. 316 Ma, and ca. 305 Ma, respectively. Occurrences of these rocks together constitute a Carboniferous magmatic belt to the northwest of the Middle Gobi volcanic-plutonic belt. The ages of trapped zircon xenocrysts within the Bagannur pluton indicate that the basement of this magmatic belt is the Ereendavaa terrane. Geochemical analysis indicates that these magmatic rocks were formed in an Andean-type active margin, which provides robust evidence for southward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean during the Late Carboniferous. By combining all the available data, we argue that the onset of the Central Mongolia–Tsagaan Uul continental collision during the Late Carboniferous – Early Permian may have triggered the beginning of an active margin of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean along the northern coast of the Central Mongolia microcontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined geochemistry and geochronology of the Myanmar jadeitite were determined. Bulk-rock trace element compositions display U-shaped REE patterns with pronounced positive Eu anomalies. The total REE abundances are very low, less than half chondritic, and the high field strength elements and some large ion lithophile elements are moderately enriched. These features indicate a metasomatic origin. There are three groups of zircons with different interior characteristics, cathodoluminescence, mineral inclusions, chemical compositions and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U-Pb ages. Group-I zircons, with a mean age of 163.2 [+ or -] 3.3 Ma, mostly have distinct oscillatory zoning, highest U and Th contents, and Na-free, Mg-rich mineral inclusions, and thus indicate an igneous (formation of oceanic crust) or hydrothermal (serpentinization and/or rodingitization) event in the Middle Jurassic. Group-II zircons, with a mean age of 146.5 [+ or -] 3.4 Ma, have bright luminescence without oscillatory zoning and include jadeite and jadeitic pyroxene inclusions, suggesting that formation of the Myanmar jadeitites, as well as subduction of the eastern Indian oceanic plate, occurred in the Late Jurassic. Group-III zircons have an age of 122.2 [+ or -] 4.8 Ma, which represents a later unknown thermal event. Discovery of the Middle Jurassic zircons provides geochronological constraint on the tectonic evolution of the eastern Indo-Burman Range.