The earliest clastic sediments overlying the Xiong’er volcanic rocks: Implications for the Mesoproterozoic tectonics of the southern North China Craton

Depositional age and provenance analysis of theWufoshan Groupin the southernNorth China Craton: Constraints from detrital zirconU–Pbgeochronology andHfisotopes

“…Detrital zircons from the Mesoproterozoic Bingmagou, Upper–Lower Ma'anshan, and Puyu formations show typical cluster ages of 1.8–2.2 Ga and ~ 2.5 Ga, indicating possible provenance from the middle part of the TNCO, where the ~2.1 Ga magmatic activities are the most well developed (Diwu, Sun, Gao, & Fan, 2013; Du et al, 2016; C. H. Liu, Zhao, Sun, Zhang, & Yin, 2012; G. C. Zhao & Zhai, 2013). This hypothesis of source areas from the interior NCC is also supported by palaeocurrent and clastic component analysis (B. D. Guan et al, 1988; Meng et al, 2018; Zuo, Li, Zhang, et al, 2019).…”

“…CDFs and p ‐values are calculated by using an Excel spreadsheet, designed by LaserChron Centers, University of Arizona ( http://www.laserchron.org). Qb h : Hejiazhai Formation (self‐test); Qb l : Luotuopan Formation (self‐test); Ch 2 m 2 : Upper Ma'anshan Formation (G. H. Hu et al, 2012); Ch 2 m 1 : Lower Ma'anshan Formation (G. H. Hu et al, 2012; Meng et al, 2018; H. F. Zhang et al, 2016); Ch 2 b : Bingmagou and Xiaogoubei formations (Meng et al, 2018; Zuo, Li, Zhang, et al, 2019); Pt 2 3 d : Dongjia Formation (Z. S. Li et al, 2021; Zuo, Li, Liu, & Zheng, 2019); Jx h : Huanglianduo Formation (Z. S. Li et al, 2021; M. Wang et al, 2020a; Zuo, Li, Liu, & Zheng, 2019); Ch 2 ly : Luoyu Group (Z. W. Lan et al, 2014; X. Y. Li, Li, et al, 2020); Ch 2 ry : Ruyang Group (G. H. Hu et al, 2014; X. Y. Li, Li, et al, 2020; M. Li, Wang, & Wang, 2013; M. Wang et al, 2020a); Qb y : Yuku Formation (Z. S. Li, Jia, et al, 2020); Qb m : Meiyaogou Formation (Z. S. Li, Jia, et al, 2020); Qb s : Sanchuan Formation (Z. S. Li, Jia, et al, 2020; Zuo, 2016); Pt 2 3 b : Baishugou Formation (Zuo, 2016); Ch 2 g 3 : Chenjiajian Formation (Zhu et al, 2019); Ch 2 g 1 : Biegaizi Formation (M. Wang et al, 2020b; Zhu et al, 2011; Zhu et al, 2019); LTP‐T: Luotuopan‐type clastic rock series; HJZ‐T: Hejiazhai‐type clastic rock series; KQC: meta‐clastic rock series of the Kuanping Complex (Cao et al, 2016; Diwu, Sun, Liu, Zhang, & Wang, 2010; X. C. Liu, Jahn, Li, & Liu, 2013; Y. Shi et al, 2013; S. J. Zhao et al, 2015; Zhu et al, 2011) and Qingling Complex (Diwu, Sun, Zhao, Liu, & Lai, 2014; Lu et al, 2006; Y. Shi et al, 2013; Wan, Liu, Dong, & Yin, 2011; H. Wang et al, 2011; J. S. Yang et al, 2003); Qb lc : Sanchuan, Meiyaogou, and Yuku formations of the Luanchuan Group…”

“…The potential source rocks of minor 1.76–1.80 Ga detrital zircons are 1.74–1.80 Ga alkaline granitic plutons (including Shicheng, Motianzhai, and Baijiazhai) in the Dengfeng area (Wan et al, 2009; J. Zhang et al, 2013; T. P. Zhao & Zhou, 2009), rather than 1.74–1.78 Ga volcanic rocks of the Xiong'er Group and minor subvolcanic‐intrusive rocks in the other areas (Cui et al, 2010; Cui et al, 2011; Peng et al, 2008; Ren et al, 2000; Zhai et al, 2015; J. P. Zhao et al, 2004). The latter are precluded due to poor zircon fertility (Meng et al, 2018). The ~2.5 Ga and 1.8–2.2 Ga detrital zircons are interpreted as recycling of the Palaeoproterozoic supracrustal rocks from the Lushan and Dengfeng areas, whose detrital zircon age populations are primarily ~2.5 Ga or 1.8–2.2 Ga (Diwu et al, 2008; Diwu, Sun, Gao, & Fan, 2013; Diwu, Sun, Liu, et al, 2010; C. Y. Lan, Zhou, Wang, & Zhao, 2017; C. H. Liu, Zhao, Sun, Zhang, Yin, & He, 2012; J. P. Shi, Yang, Yang, Wang, & Huo, 2018).…”

“…The Xiaogoubei Formation is sporadically outcropped, and composed of conglomerates, pebbly sandstones, coarse to fine‐grained sandstones, and siltstones of alluvial fan–fan delta–coastal facies (B. D. Guan et al, 1988; Meng et al, 2018; Y. G. Zhang, Chen, & Liu, 2011). The Ruyang Group is usually subdivided into the Yunmengshan, Baicaoping, and Beidajian formations, in ascending stratigraphic order (X. Y. Li, Li, et al, 2020), and it is mainly composed of conglomeratic sandstones, quartz sandstones, shales, and sandy dolostones of coastal–neritic facies, with well‐developed parallel bedding, cross‐bedding, ripple marks, and mud cracks.…”

“…The Late Precambrian Wufoshan Group from the southern NCC offers significant insights into the Precambrian evolution of the NCC (G. H. Hu, Zhao, Zhou, & Yang, 2012; Meng et al, 2018; H. F. Zhang et al, 2016). However, different opinions on chronostratigraphic framework, palaeo‐geographical reconstruction, and tectonic evolution of the southern NCC exist due to the lack of high‐resolution isotope data (DGMRHP, 1997; L. Z. Gao, Yin, & Wang, 2002; B. D. Guan, Geng, Rong, & Du, 1988; Su, 2016; Z. H. Wang, Guan et al, 2000; T. S. Wu, 2002).…”