The Zanhuang Massif, the second and eastern suture
zone of the Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen
Pierre Trap, Michel Faure, Wei Lin, Patrick Monié, Sébastien Meffre, Jérémie
Melleton
To cite this version:
Pierre Trap, Michel Faure, Wei Lin, Patrick Monié, Sébastien Meffre, et al.. The Zanhuang Massif,
the second and eastern suture zone of the Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen. Precambrian
Research, Elsevier, 2009, 172 (1-2), pp.80-98. 10.1016/j.precamres.2009.03.011. insu-00403871
HAL Id: insu-00403871
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Submitted on 14 Aug 2009
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The Zanhuang Massif, the second and eastern suture zone of the
Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen
P. Trapa M. Faurea, W. Linb, P. Moniéc, S. Meffred and J. Melletona, e
a
Université d’Orléans, CNRS/INSU, Université François Rabelais - Tours Institut des
Sciences de la Terre d’Orléans - UMR 6113 Campus Géosciences 1A, rue de la Férollerie
45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
b
State Key Laboratory of Lithosphere Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
c
Géosciences Montpellier, UMR CNRS 5243, Université Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier
Cedex 5, France
d
ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 79, Hobart,
Tasmania 7001, Australia
e
Bureau de Recherche Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), BP 36009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2,
France
Abstract
This paper presents a reappraisal of the tectonic evolution of the Zanhuang Massif that lies at
the eastern margin of the Trans-North China Orogen, a continent–continent collision belt that
marked the amalgamation of the North China Craton in Late Paleoproterozoic. Detailed field
work with focus on geometries of structures and kinematics was performed. This was
completed with LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses on zircon, EPMA U–Th/Pb dating on monazite
and 40Ar/39Ar dating on amphibole. These studies led us to propose a new three-fold lithotectonic subdivision of the massif: The Western Zanhuang Domain (WZD) made of TTG,
migmatite and pink anatectic granite is correlated to the Fuping Massif that crops out to the
north-west. Both areas represent a continental block, called the Fuping Block, which acquired
most of its architecture around 2100 Ma ago. The Eastern Zanhuang Domain (EZD) made of
TTG and migmatite represents the western edge of an Eastern Neoarchean Block. In between,
the Central Zanhuang Domain (CZD) is a NE–SW trending stack of supracrustal, gneiss and
mafic magmatic rocks thrust sheets displaced toward the ESE upon the Eastern Block. The
lithological features suggest that the CZD represents the remnant of an oceanic basin, called
the Taihang Ocean that closed during the amalgamation of the Eastern Block and the Fuping
Block around 1880–1850 Ma. In agreement with recent work done along the western margin
of the belt, in the Lüliang Massif, this study documents the amalgamation of the North China
Craton in response to the closure of two oceanic basins, namely the Lüliang Ocean and the
Taihang Ocean. West-dipping subductions and collisions involving three distinct continental
blocks, called the Western, the Fuping and the Eastern Blocks, took place around 1880–
1850 Ma.
Keywords: Trans-North China Orogen; Structural analysis; North China Craton;
Paleoproterozoic geodynamics; Zanhuang Massif
1. Introduction
The Trans-North China Orogen has usually been described as a collisional orogen that marked
the amalgamation of two main continental blocks, named the Eastern and the Western Blocks,
to form the basement of the North China Craton (Fig. 1A; [Zhao et al., 1998], [Zhao et al.,
2001], [Zhao et al., 2005], [Wilde et al., 2002], [Wilde and Zhao, 2005], [Guo et al., 2002],
[Guo et al., 2005], [Kröner et al., 2005], [Kröner et al., 2006], [Kusky et al., 2007], [Polat et
al., 2005], [Wu et al., 2005] and [Liu et al., 2006]). Three different scenarios have been
proposed to account for the tectonic evolution of the belt. Some authors suggest an eastwarddirected subduction, with collision at ~1.85 Ga ([Zhao et al., 1998], [Zhao et al., 1999], [Zhao
et al., 2000a], [Zhao et al., 2000b], [Zhao et al., 2001], [Zhao et al., 2002], [Zhao et al., 2004],
[Wilde et al., 2002], [Kröner et al., 2005], [Kröner et al., 2006] and [Zhang et al., 2007]),
other authors propose a ~2.5 Ga collision in response to a westward-directed subduction
([Kusky et al., 2007], [Kusky and Li, 2003], [Polat et al., 2005] and [Li and Kusky, 2007]). A
third school of though argue for a westward-directed subduction and collision around 1.88 Ga
([Faure et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2008] and [Trap et al., in press]). In
addition to the timing of collision and subduction sense issues, important disagreements still
exist when deciphering the tectonic and structural framework of the TNCO, i.e. the distinction
of the discrete litho-tectonic units, structural and kinematics relationships and their tectonic
significance.
Among several disconnected massifs that form the TNCO, the central positioned Hengshan,
Wutaishan and Fuping massifs have been intensely studied in terms of lithology, petrology,
geochemistry, geochronology, and tectonics. As a consequence, the above-mentioned models
are based on works done on these three massifs ([Kröner et al., 2005], [Zhao et al., 2004],
[Zhao et al., 2007], [Zhang et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., 2008]). Although
these studies brought important new insights, some key elements remain lacking for a
complete understanding of the evolution of the belt. In particular, the tectonic relationships
between the Eastern and Western Blocks were poorly documented. The understanding of the
entire Trans-North China Orogen requires focusing on the structural features along its
boundaries with the Eastern and Western Blocks. The Lüliangshan and Zanhuang Massifs
expose these western and eastern boundaries, respectively (Fig. 1B). Recently, structural and
geochronological works in the westernmost Lüliangshan Massif documented a new tectonic
framework with the recognition of a suture zone, called the Trans-North China Suture ([Faure
et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., in press]). The Trans-North China Suture marked the closure,
around 1880 Ma, of an oceanic basin called the Lüliang Ocean. This suture constitutes the
lithospheric boundary along which ophiolitic and crustal nappes are rooted whereas they
thrust toward the SE over a para-autochtonous domain that crops out in the Fuping Massif
near the eastern margin of the belt ([Faure et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2007] and [Trap et al.,
2008]).
The Zanhuang Massif is the easternmost outcropping part of the Trans-North China Orogen
and therefore is the most promising area to investigate the tectonic relationships with the
Eastern Block. Curiously, a very few papers deals with the structure of the Zanhuang Massif
and its significance within the Trans-North China Orogen. Previous studies considered the
Zanhuang Massif as a Mesozoic metamorphic core complex ([Ma and He, 1989] and [Niu et
al., 1994]), but these models have been proved to be erroneous since the ductile structures are
unconformably covered by subhorizontal sedimentary rocks of the Late-Paleoproterozoic to
Mesoproterozoic Changcheng Group ([HBGMR, 1989] and [Wang et al., 2003]). The most
complete and recent studies brought important new structural and 40Ar–39Ar geochronological
insights to understand the Zanhuang Massif ([Wang et al., 2003] and [Wang et al., 2004]).
These studies mainly documented the post-collisional tectonic history without discussing the
place of the Zanhuang Massif with respect to the other massifs that form the Trans-North
China Orogen.
In this contribution, we reappraise the lithological and structural elements of the Zanhuang
Massif. Furthermore, some new LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses on zircon, EPMA U–Th/Pb
dating on monazite and 40Ar/39Ar dating on amphibole are presented. By comparison with our
previous investigations in the other massifs constitutive of the TNCO ([Faure et al., 2007],
[Trap et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., 2008]) we argue that the Zanhuang Massif exposes the
suture zone between the Eastern Block and the Fuping Block.
2. Lithological units and bulk architecture of the Zanhuang Massif
The Zanhuang Massif is a NNE trending, 40–60 km wide and ~140 km long Archean–
Paleoproterozoic metamorphic domain that is located in the eastern segment of the TNCO
(Fig. 1). No post-paleoproterozoic granite crops out in the Zanhuang massif but NNE- and
NW-striking unmetamorphosed acidic and mafic dykes cut across the Archean and
Paleoproterozoic rocks. 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of mafic dykes yielded plateau ages between
1765.3 ± 1.1 and 1780.7 ± 0.5 Ma (Wang et al., 2004). These dykes are covered by the LatePaleoproterozoic Changcheng group mostly made of sandstone deposited after ~1700 Ma in
the whole NCC and more precisely after 1765 Ma in the Zanhuang Massif (Figs. 1 and 7A
and B; HBGMR, 1989, [Wan et al., 2003] and [Wang et al., 2004]). Elsewhere, Archean to
Paleoproterozoic rocks lies beneath the Paleo–Mesozoic sedimentary cover (Fig. 1). In this
study, we describe the Archean–Paleoproterozoic architecture of the Zanhuang Massif as
three-fold: the Western Zanhuang Domain (WZD), the Eastern Zanhuang Domain (EZD) and
the Central Zanhuang Domain (CZD; Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).
2.1. The Western Zanhuang Domain (WZD)
The Western Zanhuang Domain (WZD) is a 20 km wide and 100 km long area that forms the
western part of the massif, within which three lithologies are distinguished. The WZD is
mainly composed of trondhjemitic, tonalitic and granodioritic (TTG) rocks that experienced a
partial melting episode yielding to the formation of migmatite with TTG enclaves ranging
from metre to several kilometres in size. In addition, some anatectic granites form N–S to
WNW–ESE trending, 2–10 km wide and 10–15 km long, elongated plutonic bodies (Fig. 1).
The anatectic granite consists of pink monzogranitic gneisses and granodioritic gneisses. The
migmatite and anatectic granites are restricted to the northern part of the WZD (Fig. 1). Yet,
the age of these TTG, migmatite and anatectic granites have not been constrained. These
rocks, termed the ‘Zanhuang Group’ have been attributed to the Late Archean, around 2500–
2600 Ma (HBGMR, 1989). Also, minor quartzite, amphibole schist and marble have been
recognized in the WZD (HBGMR, 1989).
Quantitative thermobarometry has not been performed in the high-grade rocks of the WZD,
but temperature and pressure estimated from garnet-bearing rocks based on garnet-amphibole
and garnet-biotite metamorphic equilibrium range around 550–700 °C and 5–10 kbar
(HBGMR, 1989). Furthermore, the evidence of partial melting potentially constrains the
temperature higher than 700 °C, as quantified northwestward, in the Fuping Massif where
partial melting occurred with temperature up to 850–950 °C at a minimal pressure around 8–
9 kbar (Zhao et al., 2000a).
On the west and north, the high-grade metamorphic rocks are unconformably covered by
unmetamorphosed to weakly metamorphosed clastic sedimentary rocks made up of coarse to
fine-grained sandstones, conglomerates, quartzite and phyllite. These rocks, attributed to the
Late Paleoproterozoic Nanshizhang Group, deposited before 1800 Ma as they are cut by the
1700–1800 Ma old dykes (HBGMR, 1989).
2.2. The Eastern Zanhuang Domain (EZD)
The EZD is a 15 km wide and 70 km long area that forms the south-easternmost part of the
Zanhuang Massif. Lithologies within the EZD are quite similar to those of the WZD as it
consists of TTG gneiss and migmatites, leading previous authors to consider that both EZD
and WZD belong to the same high-grade ‘Zanhuang Group’ ([HBGMR, 1989], [Niu et al.,
1994] and [Wang et al., 2003]). Migmatite commonly includes stretched amphibolite lenses,
as well as preserved coarse grained orthogneiss and garnet bearing tonalitic gneiss. Alike for
the WZD, no recent geochronological constraints are available and the protolith ages are
estimated around 2400–2600 Ma ([HBGMR, 1989] and [Wang et al., 2003]). It is worth
noting that conversely to the WZD, we did not observe any pink anatectic granite. The WZD
rocks experienced an amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism but metamorphic ages
and thermo-barometric constraints are still unknown. Apart from some lithological and
metamorphic similarities, the structural features between the WZD and the EZD are very
different (see Section 3).
2.3. The Central Zanhuang Domain
The CZD forms a 120 km long and 5–10 km wide stripe where most of sedimentary, and
volcanic-sedimentary rocks of the Zanhuang Massif crops out (Fig. 1 and Fig. 3). The
volcanic and volcanic-sedimentary pile is highly disrupted by several shear zones that led to
the interleaving of kilometre-scale orthogneissic and migmatitic thrust slices. Due to this
important deformation, the reconstruction of a single lithological log is quite difficult to settle.
In the following, the main rock-types are presented in terms of litho-structural units. From
west to east, five litho-tectonic units can be recognized: (i) a Quartz Schists Unit, (ii) a
Volcanic-sedimentary and Carbonated Flysch Unit, (iii) a Micaschist and Paragneiss Unit, (iv)
an Orthogneiss and Migmatite Unit and (v) a Marble Unit. They are globally arranged in the
same order, from west to east, as the general dip is consistently westward.
(i) The Quartz Schists Unit crops out mainly in the northern part of the central zone (Fig. 1C).
Good outcrops lie in the vicinity of Haozhuang village (N37°28.583′/E114°15.411′). It
consists of weakly metamorphosed clastic quartzeous chloritoschist, muscovite bearing
middle to coarse grained sandstone, medium grained chlorite bearing sandstone, chlorite and
muscovite bearing schist, biotite and muscovite bearing quartzite, biotite–muscovite–chlorite
bearing schist. In spite of tectonic contact between each unit, some calcareous levels within
the lower part of the series may define a transition zone with the underlying Volcanicsedimentary and Carbonated Flysch Unit (Fig. 2A).
2.4. Bulk architecture of the Zanhuang Massif
The CZD does not constitute a primary lithological succession but forms a stack of
tectonically imbricated units. It is worth noting that the metamorphic grade increases from
West to East and from top to bottom, i.e. from weakly metamorphosed muscovite quartzite
and chloritoschist to highly metamorphosed marble and garnet bearing amphibolite.
We describe the CZD as a stack of metavolcanic-sedimentary rocks and magmatic rocks
pinched between the WZD and the EZD and thrust over the latter toward the SE (Fig. 1 and
Fig. 3). Within the CZD, each unit is bounded by ductile shear zones some of which
experienced reverse and normal shearing (see Section 3). The Podi-Haozhuang shear zone is
the most important tectonic contact within the Zanhuang Massif and bounds the eastern edge
of the WZD that tectonically lies above the CZD. The unconformably deposited Nanshizhang
group represents the highest part of the edifice whereas the EZD is the lowest one (Fig. 3).
3. Structural analysis
Our field survey yielded to the recognition of the following events: (i) an early pre-nappe
stacking deformation (D1); (ii) a syn-nappe stacking deformation (D2 and D3); (iii) a postnappe stacking deformation (D4). In addition, the Nanshizhang Group shows also a ductile
deformation that may have developed after the D2 and before the D4 event. A summary of the
structural features that define each deformation event is given in Table 1.
3.1. The early deformation (D1)
The D1 deformation is mainly recorded within high-grade metamorphic rocks of the WZD,
west of the Podi-Haozhuang shear zone (Fig. 1). The main D1 fabric is a pervasive foliation,
termed S1, that developed within the TTG gneiss, migmatite and to a lesser extent in the pink
anatectic granite. Within the TTG, the S1 foliation is marked by the gneissic layering of
quartz-feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals. In migmatite, the foliation is marked by the
preferred orientation of the quartz-K-feldspar rich leucosomes and the biotite-hornblende rich
melanosomes that develop parallel to the gneissic layering in the paleosome. Commonly,
metre-sized mafic restites are flattened and boudinaged lenses within the S1 foliation. Quartzfelspar-rich melt formed in high strain zones are concentrated in boudin neck or propagate as
centimetre- to decimetre-thick dykelets that cut across the S1 foliation, suggesting that the D1
deformation is coeval with partial melting. The pink anatectic granite shows a weak magmatic
layering that trends parallel to the S1 foliation in gneissic and migmatitic country rocks. In
some places, the anatectic pink granite is isotropic whereas it is pervasively deformed along
its margins with the surrounding rocks. This change in strain intensity from the core to the
margin of the pink anatectic plutons is in agreement with its syntectonic origin, likely coeval
with migmatization ([Teyssier and Whitney, 2002] and [Trap et al., 2008]). Metre-scale
mylonitic zones parallel to S1 that also marked the heterogeneous strain have been observed
within TTG gneiss. The azimuth of S1 ranges consistently from N150E to N190E with a
preferred trend around N170E (Fig. 1 and Fig. 4). S1 is steeply dipping or vertical in the
northern part of the WZD whereas shallowly dipping (<45°) in its southern counterpart. The
geometry of S1 defines antiformal and synformal structures with a kilometer-scale
wavelength. Despite that stereograms do not show a clear great circle girdle distribution of S1,
a nearly horizontal N170E direction can be inferred for theses antiforms and synforms (Fig.
4).
The S1 foliation holds a mineral and stretching lineation, L1 that is quite difficult to observe.
L1 is defined by the preferred orientation of long-shaped minerals such as hornblende grains
and elongated quartz-bearing pressure shadows around porphyroblasts. Evidence for
stretching lineation also includes the elongation of biotite and quartz-feldspar aggregates that
developed within TTG gneiss, migmatite, and the anatectic granite. The L1 is steeply plunging
or vertical (Fig. 4). Rare kinematic criteria such as asymmetric K-feldspar porphyroclasts
within pink granite or asymmetric quartz lenses within migmatite show either an east-directed
and west-directed normal shearing. Along the hanging wall of the Podi-Haozhang shear zone,
D1 structures have been largely reworked by subsequent deformation events. Some rare
evidence of syn-migmatization D1 deformation exists within migmatite of the EZD and within
migmatite of the Gneiss and Migmatite Unit of the CZD.
A quantitative estimation of the syn-D1 metamorphic P–T conditions is precluded since we
did not undertook the thermobarometric work and it does not exist in previous studies.
Nevertheless, since D1 formed during partial melting and anatectic plutonism, it is likely that
a low to moderate pressure and high temperature amphibolite to granulite facies regional
metamorphism developed coevally with D1.
3.2. The main deformation (D2)
D2 was responsible for the dominant structural fabrics within the Zanhuang Massif, in
particular in the CZD and the EZD. D2 consists of a pervasive foliation (S2), a stretching and
mineral lineation (L2) and folds (F2). S2 is characterized by the preferred orientation of biotite,
amphibole, muscovite and elongated quartz grains. S2 is also well defined by centimetre to
several metre scale mylonitic shear zones, among which some form the litho-tectonic
boundaries between units of the CZD. S2 strikes consistently N40–60E and is weakly dipping
toward the NW or even flat lying, in particular in the EZD and the southern CZD (Fig. 1 and
Fig. 4). S2 becomes steeper in the western part of the northern CZD (Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
The L2 lineation is marked by the preferred orientation of amphibole, pressure shadows
around garnet porphyroblasts, elongated biotite aggregates (Fig. 5A). In addition, some small
scale tight or even intrafolial folds (F2) with axes parallel to L2 represent a-type folds
developed during D2 (Fig. 5B). Within the Gneiss and Migmatite Unit of the CZD such a-type
folds rework the S1 migmatitic foliation. Within the volcano-sedimentary rocks, microfolds
around epidosite lenses have a N140–130E axes that are parallel to L2. The maximum
stretching X axis of the finite strain ellipsoid is also represented by prolate shaped pillows. L2
trends from N120E to N160E with a maximum around N140E and a plunge towards the NW
(Fig. 4).
Along the L2 lineation, numerous top-to-the SE kinematic indicators are observed. The
commonest criteria consist of σ-type porphyroclast systems, S–C fabrics, sigmoidal shaped
competent quartz layers within marbles or drag folds along mylonitized gneiss (Fig. 5C–F).
West of the marble unit of the CZD, plurimetric scale mafic dykes intruding in the migmatitic
gneiss have been highly sheared and boudinaged and now crop out as metre scale asymmetric
lenses showing a clear top-to-the SE sense of shear (Fig. 5G). The general top-to-the SE
displacement of metamorphic rocks is accommodated by metre to decametre-scale mylonitic
shear zones along which D2 fabric is pronounced. The main shear zones commonly lies along
the lithological boundaries, and represent ductile thrust faults responsible for the tectonic
stacking of the different litho-tectonic units described in the central zone (cf. Section 2, Fig.
3). In particular, the Podi–Haozhuang shear zone, that separates the WZD and the CZD, is the
most important thrust fault of the massif since it is responsible for the juxtaposition of the
WZD high-grade rocks in the hanging wall against low-grade metasedimentary rocks of the
CZD in the footwall. In addition, several second order reverse ductile shear zones account for
the duplication of the units in the Central Zanhuang Domain. It is worth noting that some of
these D2 shear zones are also reworked during the D4 deformation (see Section 3.3). In the
western vicinity of the Podi-Haozhuang shear zone, migmatite and TTG of the WZD
experienced the D2 deformation with the development of a N160E trending L2 mineral
lineation. S2, L2 and top-to-the SE shearing that characterized the D2 event developed in the
entire CZD and the EZD. Therefore, the greenschist facies to amphibolite facies conditions
metamorphism described in Section 2 is related to D2.
3.3. The top-to-the SE folding (D3)
S2 and L2 are deformed by F3 folds that range from a few metres to a few hundreds of metres
in wavelength. These N50E trending folds are commonly overturned toward the SE as
evidenced by their axial planes dipping toward the NW (Fig. 4). Hinges of F3 folds are
generally horizontal. This top-to-the SE folding is observed in the Central Zanhuang Domain.
3.4. The late deformation (D4)
In contrast to D2, which is pervasive within the CZD, EZD and easternmost part of the WZD,
the D4 deformation is concentrated only along decimetre to metre thick mylonitic shear zones
developed preferentially within softer lithologies (Fig. 6A). S4 commonly lies parallel to S2
with a N40–60E strike and a moderate dip toward the NW. S4 surface contains a L4 stretching
lineation marked by the preferred orientation of quartz-feldspar aggregates, epidote,
alignment of fine-grained muscovite or chlorite grains and quartz, pressure shadows around
porphyroclasts. The strike and plunge of L4 are consistent at N110–120E and 20–50° toward
the WNW, respectively (Fig. 4). Along the local D4 shear zones, kinematic indicators, such as
centimetre spaced shear bands, chlorite and mica fishes, σ-type porphyroclast systems show a
top-to-the W displacement indicating a normal shearing (Fig. 6A and B). Within epidosite
lenses of the ‘Volcanic and Carbonated Flysch Unit’, quartz-filled en-echelon tension gashes
are in agreement with the top-to-the W normal shearing. Centimetre- to decimetre-scale drag
folds overturned to the west are in agreement with a normal shearing movement during D4
(Fig. 6C). An overprinting relationship of S4 centimetre spaced normal-shear zones reworking
the synfolial D2 folds can be observed and thus attests for relative timing sequence. The
metamorphic minerals (quartz, chlorite, epidote, muscovite) observed along L4 indicate that
D4 developed coevally with a greenschist facies metamorphism.
3.5. The deformation within the Nanshizhang Group
The Nanshizhang group rocks are nearly unmetamorphosed but show a ductile deformation
characterized by slaty cleavage, stretching lineation, and development of folds. A slaty
cleavage mainly develops within the mudstone layers whereas it is only a fracture cleavage
within the red-brown sandstone (Fig. 7C). Within conglomerate layers, the slaty cleavage is
defined by the preferred orientation of flattened pebbles deformed by pressure-solution. A
weakly developed stretching lineation defined by elongated black-greenish mudstone
aggregates or elongated pebbles has been observed in a few outcrops (Fig. 7D). This lineation
plunges highly toward the WNW (Fig. 4).
Kilometre-scale open folds are demonstrated by the attitude of the bedding. In the northern
part of the WZD, the orientation of the bedding ranges from N165E60E to N205E45W,
whereas in the western part of the WZD, the bedding strikes consistently N5–20E and dips
steeply or moderately mainly toward the west. The geometric relationships between the
bedding and the slaty cleavage indicate that the kilometer-scale recumbent folds are east
verging. This is corroborated by the top-to-the east overturned metre scale and microfolds
associated with an axial planar slaty cleavage. The place of the deformation in the
Nanshizhang Group with respect to the D1–D4 events described in the metamorphic rocks will
be discussed in Section 5.
4. Geochronological constrains
Existing geochronological data within the Zanhuang Massif are very sparse. Most of
geochronological insights are K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar ages that constrain the late normal faulting
and global uplift, around 1826 and 1650 Ma, respectively ([HBGMR, 1989], [Wang et al.,
2003] and [Wang et al., 2004]). In order to bring new geochronological constrains of the
above described deformation events, five samples: FP390, FP395, FP396, FP400, and FP403
were studied using different methods, such as U–Pb LA-ICP-MS on zircon, U–Th/Pb EPM
chemical dating on monazite and 40Ar/39Ar dating on amphibole. Sample location is shown in
Fig. 1C.
4.1. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses
4.1.1. U–Pb method
The rocks were crushed in a ring mill and sieved (400 μm). Non-magnetic and slightly
magnetic heavy minerals were separated from the <400 μm fraction. Large zircon grains were
then picked from the heavy mineral separate and mounted in epoxy. The samples were
analyzed using a Hewlet Packard 4500 quadrupole ICPMS and a New Wave UP 213 nm laser
at CODES, University of Tasmania. Ablation was performed in a custom designed chamber in
a He atmosphere using a laser pulse rate of 5 Hz on a beam 30 μm in size delivering about
13 mJ cm−2. A total of 11 masses were analysed (Zr, Hf, Nd, Hg, Pb, Th, U) with longer
counting time on the Pb and U isotopes. Each analysis began with a 30 s gas blank followed
by 30 s with the laser switched on. Mass bias, down hole fractionation and instrumental drift
were corrected by analysing 4 crystals of the Temora international zircon standard ([Black et
al., 2003] and [Black et al., 2004]) for every 12 unknown zircons. The correction factors were
then checked using 91500 international zircon standard (Wiedenbeck et al., 1995) analysed
twice for every 12 unknown zircons. Data reduction was performed using the methods
outlined by Black et al. (2004). Weighted averages and Concordia plots were calculated using
the isoplot software of Ludwig (2004).
4.1.2. U–Pb zircon results
U/Pb analytical results are summarized in Table 2. Isochron diagrams are shown in Fig. 8.
Sample FP390 is a biotite and amphibole bearing gneiss collected in the Gneiss and
Migmatite Unit, SE of Shicao (Fig. 1). In the outcrop, S2 trends N30E and dips 40° toward the
west. L2 is well expressed and trends N135E and a top-to the SE sense of shear is observed.
Ten zircon analyses from sample FP390 defined a well constrained Discordia intersecting
Concordia at 626 ± 45 and 2606 ± 60 Ma (Fig. 8A). The upper intercept age is interpreted as
the crystallization age of the granitic protolith. The lower intercept age at 626 ± 45 Ma is
difficult to relate to a known tectonic event that affected the NCC during the Neoproterozoic
period.
Sample FP395 is a migmatitic leucosome from the EZD, east of Chenjitou (Fig. 1). In the
outcrop, S2 trends N50E and dips 40° toward the NW, L2 trends N130E. Zircons analyses plot
along two line trends. The first one defines two Concordia intercepts at 207 ± 240 and
2509 ± 80 Ma (Fig. 8B). The age of 2509 ± 80 Ma is interpreted as an inherited crystallization
age of the protolith of the migmatite. The second isochron, made of four analyses, show a
lower intercept at 187 ± 34 Ma and an upper intercept at 2175 ± 32 Ma. This last age can be
interpreted as the crystallization age of the anatectic melt produced during migmatization. The
lower intercepts at 187 ± 34 and 207 ± 240 Ma have no geological significance except the
possible Mesozoic Yanshanian reactivation (e.g. [Davis et al., 2001] and [Zheng et al., 1996])
but this tectonothermal event is quite far north from the Zanhuang Massif.
4.2. Monazite chemical U–Th–Pb dating
4.2.1. U–Th/Pb method
Monazite grains were analyzed in situ directly in the thin section. The internal structure of
monazite and textural relationship between monazites and the principal minerals of the
assemblage were investigated using BSE images. EPM analyses were performed using a
Cameca SX 50 electron probe microanalyser equipped with five wavelength-dispersive
spectrometres using an acceleration voltage of 20 kV and a beam current of 100 nA,
cooperated by the BRGM and ISTO in Orléans, France. Counting times (peak + background)
were 240 s for Pb, 200 s for U, and 40 s for all other elements. The analytical and age
calculation procedures follow those described in Cocherie et al. (1998) and Cocherie and
Albarede (2001).
4.2.2. U–Th/Pb EPM result
U–Th/Pb electron probe microanalyses were performed on the rock FP400 that was sampled
within the Micaschist and Gneiss Unit of the CZD, east of the Podi-Haozhuang shear zone
(see Fig. 1 for location). Sample FP400 is a muscovite + biotite + q uartz + feldspar +
garnet ± chlorite micaschist coming from a D4 normal shear zone. The planar fabric is a S4
foliation associated to a top-to-the-West normal-shearing indicated by asymmetric quartz
pressure shadows around porhyroclasts. Back-scattered electron images reveal that monazite
grains show a preferred orientation along the S4 foliation together with matrix minerals.
Monazite grains are located in a matrix quartz + muscovite + biotite and range in size from 50
to 200 μm (Fig. 9A and B). Grains are prismatic with a long axis parallel to the S4 foliation.
Monazite grains are not chemically zoned. U–Th/Pb analytical results are summarized in
Table 3. They show a large range in Th/U ratio at 9.4 ± 8.8 (S.D.) and thus the chemical
composition of monazite grains is favourable for using the Th/Pb vs. U/Pb diagram (Cocherie
and Albarede, 2001). Indeed, the data spread widely in the Th/Pb versus U/Pb diagram (Fig.
9C). The calculated MSWD of 0.95 makes the 99 data points statically in agreement with a
single age. Moreover, the intercept ages (U–Pb age at 1781 + 71/−75 Ma and Th/Pb age at
1834 + 35/−34 Ma) are within error and the regression line is close to the theoretical isochron.
A mean age of 1824 ± 6 Ma was calculated at the centroid of the population (Fig. 9C).
4.3. 40Ar/39Ar on amphiboles
4.3.1. 40Ar/39Ar Method
40
Ar/39Ar dating was performed at Université of Montpellier II, France. The analytical
procedure for laser probe dating is similar to that fully described by Dalrymple (1989). It
consists of a continuous 6 W argon-ion laser connected to a MAP 215-50 mass spectrometre.
Irradiation of two amphibole grains (0.5 mm in diametre) was performed with several MMHb
monitor grains (Samson and Alexander, 1987) in the McMaster nuclear reactor (Canada) for
70 h. After irradiation, the grains were placed within a low-volume, high-vacuum extraction
line and heated with a continuous CO2 laser beam. The age determination required
approximately 20 mn for lasering, gas cleaning and data acquisition. Blanks, monitored every
two or three experiments, were about 6 × 10−17, 5 × 10−19, 1.5 × 10−18, 1 × 10−17 and
3 × 10−18 mol for masses 40, 39, 38, 37 and 36, respectively. Additional details concerning
our experimental procedure are given in (Monié et al., 1994) and (Monié et al., 1997).
4.3.2. 40Ar/39Ar results
Analytical results are listed in Table 4 and age diagrams are presented in Fig. 10. Analyses
were performed on two amphibole grains from the sample FP396 and FP403. The Sample
FP396 is a garnet bearing amphibolite that crops out as a metre thick layer along the boundary
between the Marble Unit and the Gneiss and Migmatite Unit of the CZD (Fig. 1C). At sample
location, S2 trends N50E and dips shallowly toward the west. Amphibole crystallization is
coeval with the D2 deformation. Sample FP403 is a migmatitic orthogneiss with a well
developed S2 mylonitic fabric that crops out in the south-eastern part of the EZD near
Longmen village (Fig. 1C). S2 trends N80E and dips 40° toward the north. Amphibole from
sample FP396 gave a well-defined plateau age at 1802 ± 12 Ma for 98% of 39Ar released (Fig.
10A). Similarly, amphibole from sample FP403 yields a plateau age at 1801 ± 12 Ma defined
for 80 % of 39Ar released (Fig. 10B).
Since dated amphibole grains crystallized during the D2 deformation, the obtained 40Ar/39Ar
ages would represent the timing of the D2 event. However, this is not in agreement with the
monazite EPMA age of the D4 event which is determined at 1824 Ma. Thus we interpret the
1801 ± 12 and 1802 ± 12 Ma 40Ar/39Ar ages as those of the cooling of the EZD below the
550 °C which correspond to the closure temperature of amphibole (Spear, 1993). These young
dates might represent the exhumation of the thickened crust, during post-collisional isostatic
recovery.
5. Discussion
5.1. Lithological and tectonic significance of the Central Zanhuang Domain
In the most recent published tectonic map of the Zanhuang Massif, the middle positioned
stripe of supracrustal rocks, which we defined here as the Central Zanhuang Domain, is
considered as the equivalent of the Nanshizang Group rocks that unconformably cover the
Archean basement of the Western Zanhuang Domain ([Wang et al., 2003] and [Wang et al.,
2004]). However, the metamorphosed and ductilely deformed CZD cannot be compared to the
unmetamorphozed sedimentary rocks that crop out along the margin of the massif. The CZD
and Nanshizhang Group greatly differ in lithological, metamorphic and structural features.
The CZD experienced the D2 deformation that is responsible for the superposition of tectonic
slices overthrust toward the SE. This nappe stacking geometry is absent in the Nanshizhang
Group that consists of a terrigeneous sedimentary series that mainly experienced kilometrescale folding (the tectonic significance of the Nanshizang group is discussed in detail further).
The sedimentary and volcanic rocks that compose the western part of the Central Zanhuang
Domain in the Quartz Schists Unit and the Volcano-sedimentary and Carbonated Flysch Unit
might have deposited in a deep marine environment. Furthermore, the epidosites represents
epidote and siliceous rocks that result from seafloor hydrothermal alteration of basalt in a
mid-oceanic ridge environment as commonly identified within some ophiolitic complexes
(e.g. Polat et al., 2007). The easternmost part of the Central Zanhuang Domain is made of
marble that we interpret as platform sedimentary rocks deposited on the western margin of the
Eastern Zanhuang Domain. This sedimentary setting interpretation is in agreement with that
of Kusky and Li (2003) who first suggested that rocks within the Zanhuang Massif represent a
passive continental margin thrust to the east upon the Eastern Block during the Archean at
2.5 Ga. However, our geochronological results (Section 5) do not support the Archean
age of the tectonics.
Therefore, we propose that the Central Zanhuang Domain is a stack of nappes among which
some rock-types derived from an oceanic basin and a carbonated shelf environment. Although
the absence of typical rocks, such as sheeted dykes is generally not consistent with the
classical ophiolitic section (e.g., Oman), rocks of the CZD were previously interpreted as
ophiolitic ([Kusky et al., 2007] and [Li and Kusky, 2007]). A simple tentative
paleogeographic reconstruction would be to consider that the WZD and EZD represent two
continental blocks separated by an oceanic domain, the CZD. During subsequent collision, the
oceanic series have been subsequently deformed and imbricated as kilometer-scale slices
bounded by east-verging ductile thrusts. The western EZD basement, upon which a part of the
metavolcanic and sedimentary rocks deposited was also involved in the east-directed D2
thrusting as slices of Archean gneiss and migmatite are tectonically intercalated within the
sedimentary units. The western limit of the CZD is the Podi Haozhuang shear zone that can be
interpreted as a suture zone between the EZD and WZD. The existence of such a suture zone
along the eastern margin of the Trans-North China Orogen has been suggested by Faure et al.
(2007), which they called the Taihangshan Suture that we documented here within the
Zanhuang Massif. It resulted from the closure of the Taihang Ocean (Faure et al., 2007) that
once separated two continental domains, i.e., the Western and Eastern Zanhuang domains.
The structural framework of the Zanhuang Massif with metamorphic nappes that thrust
toward the SE suggests that the collision occurred after a westward-directed subduction of the
EZD beneath the WZD.
5.2. Further evidence, at depth, for the existence of the Taihangshan Suture
Wang et al. (2006) conducted a petrological and geochemical work on ca. 125 Ma old
gabbroic rocks emplaced 70 km south of the Zanhuang Massif (Fig. 11). The geochemistry of
these early Cretaceous gabbroic rocks shows that they originated from a refractory
pyroxenitic veined-plus-peridotite source previously modified by a SiO2-rich melt that may
have been derived from paleoproterozoic subducted crustal materials (Wang et al., 2006).
Despite that the location of the source at depth remains unknown, this assumption of a
paleosubduction-related lithospheric mantle beneath the Zanhuang Massif agrees well with
the surface observations provided in this study.
Zheng et al. (2006) performed on-shore seismic investigations on the eastern part of the North
China Craton and obtained a lithospheric scale profile that goes from the eastern Bohai Bay
basin in the SE to the northern Hengshan Massif in the NW, passing about 100 km northeast
of the Zanhuang massif (Fig. 11). The shift in the lithospheric interfaces such as those
between upper and middle crust or between middle and lower crust is clearly imaged along
this seismic line (Fig. 11C). The geometry of the offset of the seismic velocity layers in the
crust is in agreement with an east-directed thrust fault that could be related to a north-west-
directed subduction. It is worth to note that this profile shows the present-day lithospheric
structure beneath this segment of the NCC. Consequently, conversely to these crustal
discontinuities that reflect the inherited paleoproterozoic structure, the Moho geometry results
of the Phanerozoic evolution of the NCC. Indeed, the Archean and Paleoproterozoic
lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton has been partially reworked since the
Ordovician due to tectonic and thermal mechanisms, such as lithospheric delamination (Gao
et al., 2002), thermal erosion of the lithosphere ([Griffin et al., 1998], [Wu et al., 2003] and
[Xu, 2007]), effect of mantle plume (e.g. Flower et al., 1998) or extensional tectonics (e.g.,
[Lin and Wang, 2006], [Liu et al., 2004] and [Zheng et al., 2001]).
5.3. Structure and deformation events in the Zanhuang Massif and
correlation with other massifs of the Trans-North China Orogen
In previous studies, the TNCO was commonly subdivided into (i) low-grade granitegreenstone areas that include the Zanhuang, Lüliang and Wutaishan Massifs and (ii) highgrade areas represented by the Fuping, Henghsan, and Hua’ian Massifs ([fig11] and [Zhao et
al., 2000a]). However, the present situation of these massifs results of the Cenozoic history of
the North China Craton. Even if some massifs can be distinguished from others by their
metamorphic grade, it is more reliable for a general understanding of the TNCO to distinguish
several litho-tectono-metamorphic units that can be correlated from one to another massif.
These litho-tectono-metamorphic units that are recognized at a larger scale, whatever the
massifs, underwent similar metamorphic conditions and show the same structural features
(e.g. [Faure et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2008] and [Trap et al., in press]).
5.3.1. The tectonic significance of the WZD and D1 event
In the Zanhuang Massif, the WZD shows a peculiar structure characterized by N170E
trending domes made of migmatite and pink anatectic granites developed during D1. This D1
deformation occurred during partial melting and anatectic plutonism. Migmatite is not
restricted to the WZD but occurs within the CZD as a tectonic slice called the Gneiss and
Migmatite Unit as well as within the EZD. The migmatization was estimated at 2175 Ma by
U–Pb analyses. Therefore the structure of the WZD with S1, L1 may have developed during
this period.
20 km north-westward from the WZD, the Fuping Massif shows quite similar geological
structural features. The Fuping Massif consist of TTG gneiss and supracrustal rocks that crop
out in synforms whereas foliated migmatite coincides with E-W trending elliptical domes, the
core of which is occupied by diatexite and anatectic pink granites (Fig. 12; Trap et al., 2008).
The architecture of the Fuping massif resulted from a single tectonic event responsible for the
development of a dome-and-basin structure coeval with crustal melting giving rise to
migmatite and gneissic granites at ~2.1 Ga (Trap et al., 2008). Thus, in agreement with a
previous correlation ([Zhao et al., 2000a] and [Zhao et al., 2001]), the WZD can be linked to
the Fuping Massif. Within the Trans-North China Orogen framework, the Fuping Massif and
the WZD represent the para-autochthonous domain upon which several nappes thrust over
(Fig. 12). This para-autochthonous domain is interpreted as the outcropping part of an
intermediate continental block, called the Fuping Block, located between the Eastern and the
Western Block ([Faure et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2008] and [Trap et al., in press]).
5.3.2. Nappe stacking during the D2 event
The D2 tectonic event is the most important one as it is responsible for the bulk architecture of
the Zanhuang Massif. In agreement with (Wang et al., 2003) and (Wang et al., 2004), the
deformation fabric, characterized by a NW-SE trending lineation and a top-to-the SE
shearing, is due to the synmetamorphic thrusting and crustal thickening driven by the collision
of the EZD (i.e. the Western Block) and the WZD (i.e. the Fuping Block). The D2 event is
responsible for the stack of metamorphic rocks that constitutes the Central Zanhuang Domain.
Within this tectonic pile, the metamorphic conditions increase from top to bottom. In this
tectonic scheme, the F3 folds, overturned toward the SE, are interpreted as a late-D2
deformation.
Our geochronological results do not allow us to constrain accurately the timing of the D2
event. However, the D2 event is older than D4 the age of which is determined around 1824 Ma
by monazite U–Th/Pb EPMA dating. This conclusion is in agreement with Wang et al. (2003)
that suggest that the top-to-the SE thrusting developed around 1870–1826 Ma by comparison
with westernmost Massifs. Indeed, in the nearby Wutaishan massif, similar top-to-the SE
thrusting and nappe stacking was reliably constrained around 1870–1890 Ma ([Faure et al.,
2007] and [Trap et al., 2007]). Thus, by comparison with the surrounding areas, we suggest
that nappe stacking in the Zanhuang Massif occurred around 1880 Ma.
5.3.3. The D4 normal-shearing
The main tectonic contact, the Podi-Haozhuang shear zone, is reworked as a normal fault
developed at ductile-brittle transition, lately in the tectonic evolution of the Zanhuang Massif.
Wang et al. (2003) suggested that post-collisional collapse and exhumation of the thickened
crust was responsible for divergent extensional ductile shearing represented by westward and
eastward dipping normal faults to the western and eastern margins of the Zanhuang Massif,
respectively, developed at around 1689–1633 Ma. According to the same authors, extensional
shearing involved Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Chancheng Group. During our field survey,
we did not observed such normal faults at the base of the Changcheng Group rocks that
unconformably cover the weakly deformed and metamorphosed coarse grain sandstone of the
Late-Paleoproterozoic Nanshizhang Group rocks (Fig. 7B). Moreover, along the eastern limit
of the Nanshizhang Group, only minor layer slips and west-verging drag folds nearby the
contact between WZD migmatites and overlying sandstones of the Nanshizhang Group might
suggest that the primary unconformable contact has been reworked. Along the eastern margin
of the Zanhuang Massif, an eastward normal ductile fault is not in agreement with the
foliation trajectories in the EZD migmatite and gneiss that are always flat lying or shallowly
dipping toward the west. The D4 extensional event is dated at 1824 Ma by monazite U–Th/Pb
EPMA dating (this study). This age is consistent with 40Ar/39Ar results of Wang et al. (2003)
that suggest a 1826–1793 Ma age for the post-collisional extensional tectonics. The D4
extensional event does not appear to have significantly altered the primary architecture of the
Zanhuang Massif formed after the D2 event.
5.3.4. The significance of the Nanshizhang Group
The sedimentary rocks of the Nanshizhang Group crop out in the north-western part of the
Zanhuang Massif. These terrigeneous rocks are similar to those described in the south-eastern
part of the Fuping massif, and ascribed to the Late-Paleoproterozoic Gantaohe Group ([fig12],
[HBGMR, 1989] and [Trap et al., 2008]). There, it consists of weakly metamorphosed
phyllite, quartzite, sandstone, conglomerate and dolomite ([HBGMR, 1989] and [Trap et al.,
2008]). Therefore it is tempting to correlate the sedimentary rocks of the Nanshizhang and
Gantaohe Groups. Furthermore, these unmetamorphosed sedimentary rocks, together with the
Hutuo Group, in the Wutaishan Massif, compose the Hutuo Supergroup that represents
molassic sediments ([fig12], [HBGMR, 1989], [Faure et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., 2008]).
Direct stratigraphic ages on the sedimentary rocks of the Nanshizhang Group are lacking.
However, previous tectonic studies in the Wutaishan area suggest that these sedimentary
rocks deposited unconformably after 2100 Ma on the para-autochthonous domain and before
1.7 Ga which is the age of the overlying Changcheng Group. The weakly metamorphosed
Nanshizhang sedimentary rocks experienced a ductile deformation whose structural features
are quite similar to those of the D2 deformation; in particular the top-to-the SE displacement
of the D3 event can be equivalent to the synschistose folds of the Nanshizhang rocks. Thus,
the Nanshizhang Group rocks deposited after the syn-metamorphic D2 deformation but before
the D3 one, characterized by southeastward verging folds. Unfortunately, overprinting
evidence does not allow us to settle the timing of the deformation of the Nanshizhang rocks
with respect to the D2 and D3 events described in the Zanhuang Massif.
5.4. Global structure of the Trans-North China Orogen
As mentioned above in Section 1, the basement of the North China Craton is considered as the
result of the collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks; responsible for the 100–
300 km wide and ~1200 km long Trans-North China Orogen (Fig. 1A; [Zhao et al., 1998],
[Zhao et al., 2001], [Zhao et al., 2005], [Zhao et al., 2007], [Wilde et al., 2002], [Wilde and
Zhao, 2005], [Guo et al., 2002], [Guo et al., 2005], [Kusky and Li, 2003], [Kröner et al.,
2005], [Kröner et al., 2006], [Polat et al., 2005], [Wu et al., 2005], [Liu et al., 2006], [Li and
Kusky, 2007] and [Kusky et al., 2007]). Previous geodynamic models of the evolution of the
Trans-North China Orogen never describe or even accurately define any suture zone in the
field ([Kusky and Li, 2003], [Zhao et al., 2005], [Kröner et al., 2005], [Zhang et al., 2007] and
[Li and Kusky, 2007], Kusky et al., 2007). Instead, the TNCO is considered to be bounded
from the Eastern and Western Blocks by the Xingyang-Kaifeng-Shijiazhuang-Jianping Fault
and the Huashan-Lishi-Datong-Duolun Fault, respectively (Fig. 11). These faults may
represent cryptic Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic tectonic boundaries that were reactivated
during the Mesozoic ([fig11], [Zhao et al., 2000a] and [Zhao et al., 2007]).
Recently, a first suture zone has been recognized in the western part of the Lüliang Massif.
This region corresponds to the root zone of the metamorphic nappes that compose the upper
part of the Wutaishan Massif ([fig12], [Faure et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2007] and [Trap et al.,
in press]). In this contribution, we document a second suture zone, located along the PodiHaozhuang shear zone, between the Fuping Block and the Eastern Block. At the scale of the
North China Craton, the Fuping Block is a microcontinent located between the Western Block
and the Eastern Block ([Faure et al., 2007], [Trap et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., 2008]). The
Trans-North China Orogen thus resulted from the closure of two oceanic basins, the Lüliang
and Taihang Oceans, accommodated by two westward-directed subductions. The subduction
of the Fuping Block below the Western Block and the subduction of the Eastern Block below
the Fuping Block were responsible for the formation of the Trans-North China Orogen.
6. Conclusion
The architecture of the Zanhuang Massif is three-fold. The Western Zanhuang Domain
represents the eastern part of the Fuping Block whereas the Eastern Zanhuang Domain
corresponds to the western margin of the Eastern Block. In between, the Central Zanhuang
Domain exposes a suture zone, named the Taihangshan Suture, which represents the remnant
of an oceanic basin, called the Taihang Ocean separating the Fuping Block from the Eastern
Block. The structure of the Western Zanhuang Domain attests for an early D1 event that
developed coevally with partial melting and anatectic plutonism. During the D2 event, rocks
of the Taihang Ocean were imbricated in a stack of synmetamorphic nappes thrust toward the
SE upon the Eastern Block, around 1880 Ma. The D3 and D4 events are late features,
represented by east-directed folding and normal shearing, respectively. These considerations
provide an additional argument for the existence of the Fuping Block that corresponds to an
intervening microcontinent between the Western and Eastern Blocks. The Trans-North China
Orogen formed in response to the closure of two oceanic domains at around 1880 Ma. Further
works are needed to clarify the tectonic event that occurred during Archean and Early
Paleoproterozoic, prior to collision.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by grant Nos. NSFC 40472116 and NSFC 40730315 of the National
Science Foundation of China. Professor Liang Zhao is greatly thanked for his comments
about the geophysical data performed by his team. Comments by G.C. Zhao and an
anonymous reviewer helped us to clarify some key points and improve the manuscript.
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Figures
Fig. 1. (A) Simplified map of the North China Craton showing the three-fold subdivision from
Zhao et al. (2001). (B) Location of the Zanhuang Massif within the Trans-North China
Orogen. LL = Lüliang Massif; HS = Hengshan Massif; WT = Wutaishan Massif; FP = Fuping
Massif; ZH = Zanhuang Massif. (C) Proposed structural map of the Zanhuang Massif, with
the Western, Central and Eastern Domains described in this study.
Fig. 2. Examples of lithological types within the Central Zanhuang Domain. (A) Micaceous
quartzite forming decimetre-thick layers sometimes intercalated with carbonate or volcanic
layers, north of Shicao. (Insert) Lense of metavolcanite showing a clear top-to-the SE
kinematics (N37°19.907′/E114°11.436′). (B) Carbonate and carbonated schist alternation,
north of Shicao (N37°19.006′/E114°10.231′). (C) Typical volcanic series made of an
amphibolite and felsic gneiss layering, east of Sonjiazhuang (N37°16.633′/E114°08.101′). (D)
Deformed epidosite lenses within an amphibolite matrix interpreted as a pillow basalt
formation, east of Haozhuang (N37°28.942′/E114°17.520′). (E) Fine layered coarse grained
marble overlain by an amphibolite rich formation, near Longmen (N37°15.030′/114°10.768).
Fig. 3. Interpreted NW–SE trending crustal scale cross-sections through the Zanhuang Massif,
located in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4. Equal area, lower hemisphere Schmidt diagrams of the different structural elements
recognized in the Zanhuang Massif.
Fig. 5. Photographs of the D2 structural features. (A) S2 mylonitic surface holding a well
pronounced N135E trending L2 lineation along which top-to-the SE shear criteria developed,
within the EZ gneiss (N37°13.829′/114°14.765′). (B) A-type fold within micaceous quartzite,
fold axis strikes N135E and plunges at 35° toward the NW parallel to L2
(N37°19.942′/E114°11.444′). (C) Asymmetric feldspar porphyroclast systems and associated
shear zones showing a top-to-the SE shearing within an augen gneiss along the hanging wall
of the Podi-Haozhuang shear zone (N37°29.181′/114°15.417′). (D) Asymmetric top-to-the SE
shear criteria within a mylonitic zone from the Gneiss and Migmatite Unit
(N37°05.926′/E113°59.529′). (E) Centimetric sigmoidal boudin of siliceous layers within
marble that indicate a top-to-the SE kinematics, east of Sonjiazhuang
(N37°16.755′/E114°09.220′). (F) Flat lying ductile shear zone within a tonalitic gneiss from
the EZM, shearing is top-to-the SE, east of Chenjitou (N37°05.151′/114°06.930). (G) Four
metres size mafic enclave within gneissic migmatite from the Gneiss and Migmatite Unit,
showing a top-to-the SE shearing, west of Chenjitou (N37°05.818′/E114°00.093′).
Fig. 6. Structural features of the D4 deformation. (A) Sigmoidal quartz lenses showing top-tothe NW shearing during normal D4 event, from the Micaschists and Gneiss Unit
(N37°16.726′/E114°09.370′). (B) Asymmetric quartz pressure shadows around an epidosite
lense showing a top-to-the W shearing, along the Podi-Haozhuang shear zone
(N37°28.942′/114°17.520′). (C) Drag folds developing within weakly metamorphosed coarse
grained sandstone, western edge of southern Zanhuang Massif (N37°12.037′/E113°54.077′).
Fig. 7. A: Unconformity of the Changcheng sandstone upon EZD gneiss, eastern edge of the
Zanhuang Massif (N37°37.913′/E114°25.156′). (B) Unconformity of Changcheng group upon
late Paleoproterozoic Nanshizhang Group rocks (N37°48.953/E°114°05.012′). (C) Highly
dipping slaty cleavage that mainly develops within the mudstone layers and cut across the
bedding of the Nanshizhang rocks (N37°49.617′/E114°04.585′). (D) Stretching lineation
marked by elongated black-greenish mudstone aggregates that plunges at high angle toward
the WNW, within the Nanshizhang rocks (N37°48.953/E°114°05.012′).
Fig. 8. Concordia diagrams of LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon analytical results for samples FP390
(A) and FP395 (B).
Fig. 9. (A) Back-scattered electron (BSE) image showing the textural relationship between
monazite and the S4 foliation. (B) Detail BSE image of monazite grain without zonation. (C)
Isochron diagram (according to Cocherie and Albarede, 2001) for monazites from the sample
FP400. The mean age is calculated at the population centroid (dashed and dotted lines) where
the error is the smallest.
Fig. 10. 40Ar–39Ar amphibole age spectra for sample FP396 (A) and FP403 (B).
Fig. 11. (A) The three-fold subdivision of the North China Craton of Zhao et al. (2001). (B)
Focus on the Trans-North China Orogen with the locations of: (i) the Huashan-Lishi-DatongDuolun and Xingyang-Kaifeng-Shijiazhuang-Jianping Faults from Zhao et al. (2001), (ii) the
two established suture zones ([Faure et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., in press], this study), (iii)
the crustal scale seismic profile from Zheng et al. (2006), and (iv) the Cretaceous gabbroic
rocks studied by Wang et al. (2006).
Fig. 12. Geological map (A) and cross-section (B) showing the tectonic units and their
structural relationships recognized in the Hengshan–Wutaishan–Fuping–Zanhuang Massifs
([Trap et al., 2007] and [Trap et al., 2008], this study).
Tables
Table 1. Deformation events recognized in the Zanhuang Massif and related structural features, metamorphic conditions and ages.
Event Location
Structural
Foliation
features
S1
foliation
striking
N170E, dipping toward
the W and the E, defining
km-scale antiforms and
synforms.
Lineation
Folds
Metamorphic
conditions
Age (Ma)
During
melting
anatectic
plutonism.
ca. 2100
D1
Dominant in the WZD.
Some
remnants
within
migmatite of the EZD and
within the Gneiss and
Migmatite Unit of the CZD.
D2
L2 lineation, N140E
to
S2 foliation striking N40– trending,
plunging A-type folds with Greenschist
Dominant in the Central and
60E moderately to weakly toward the NW. Top- N130–140E trending amphibolite facies ca. 1880
Eastern Zanhuang Domain.
conditions.
dipping toward the W.
to-the SE reverse axes parallel to L2.
shearing.
L1 lineation, steeply
plunging with E- and
W-directed
normal
shearing.
partial
and
N50E
metre
to
hundreds of metres
scale
F3
folds,
overturned toward
the SE
Between
1880 and
1824 Ma
D3
Dominant in the Central
Zanhuang Domain.
D4
Localized normal shear
L4 strikes N110–120E cm- to dm-scale drag
Dominant in the CZD, some
Greenschist facies
zones. S4 strikes N40–
1824
evidence within the EZD
and plunges 20–50̊ folds overturned to
conditions.
60E and dips toward the
the W.
and WZD.
toward WNW.
NW.
Stretching
lineation East verging kmSub-greenschist
Deformation within the Nanshizhang N90E–N120E
highly
recumbent
plunging
highly scale
facies conditions.
Group
deeping slaty cleavage.
folds.
toward the WNW.
Between
1880 and
1824 Ma
Table 2. : U–Pb LA-ICP-MS analyses for zircons from samples FP390 and FP395.
Pb
Th
U
T
h
U
207
207
206
Pb
Pb
Pb
235
1σ
206
1σ
U
U
238
1σ
U
206
207
207
Pb
Pb
Pb
238
235
U
age
(M
a)
1
σ
U
age
(M
a)
206
1
σ
U
age
(M
a)
1
σ
%
Con
c.
TTG gneiss (FP390), Western Zanhuang Domain (N37°15.558′/E114°10.093′)
jl04k1
15
5
11
7
61
0
0.
76
5.5
1
0.
20
0.1
44
0.0
02
0.2
85
0.0
08
16
15
3
8
19
03
3
2
22
74
2
6
29.5
8
jl04k2
25
3
27
6
16
45
1.
09
2.4
0
0.
02
0.1
21
0.0
01
0.1
51
0.0
01
90
9
6
12
43
6
19
67
1
7
158.
72
jl04k3
31
6
40
9
19
97
1.
30
2.3
6
0.
02
0.1
16
0.0
01
0.1
55
0.0
01
92
8
6
12
31
7
19
00
1
7
151.
55
jl04k4
31
2
45
4
19
97
1.
46
2.2
0
0.
02
0.1
08
0.0
01
0.1
54
0.0
01
92
3
7
11
81
7
17
69
1
8
129.
87
jl04k5
19
5
26
2
91
3
1.
34
3.7
2
0.
05
0.1
36
0.0
02
0.2
08
0.0
02
12
20
1
0
15
76
1
0
21
80
2
0
112.
50
jl04k6
22
6
14
4
11
01
0.
64
4.0
4
0.
15
0.1
39
0.0
02
0.2
15
0.0
05
12
58
2
8
16
43
3
0
22
11
2
9
39.3
5
jl04k7
22
2
13
5
91
4
0.
61
4.3
9
0.
05
0.1
41
0.0
01
0.2
37
0.0
02
13
73
1
1
17
10
1
0
22
38
1
7
97.4
6
jl04k8
17
9
90
63
2
0.
50
5.6
4
0.
08
0.1
55
0.0
02
0.2
76
0.0
03
15
72
1
3
19
23
1
2
24
04
1
8
91.9
9
jl04k9
21
5
13
6
67
5
0.
63
6.4
9
0.
08
0.1
64
0.0
02
0.3
01
0.0
03
16
96
1
3
20
44
1
0
24
96
1
7
92.8
2
jl04k10
15
7
14
0
35
0
0.
89
9.8
4
0.
17
0.1
80
0.0
02
0.4
17
0.0
05
22
48
2
5
24
20
1
6
26
51
1
7
53.0
3
jl04k11
10
7
79
21
9
0.
74
10.
92
0.
13
0.1
83
0.0
02
0.4
58
0.0
04
24
31
1
7
25
17
1
1
26
78
1
7
76.9
2
jl04k12
12
3
59
22
6
0.
48
12.
31
0.
13
0.1
86
0.0
02
0.5
06
0.0
04
26
38
1
7
26
29
1
0
27
08
1
7
77.9
2
Migmatite leucosonme (FP395), Western Zanhuang Domain (N37°05.264′/E114°04.822′)
jl04L1
32
3
26
72
25
32
8.
28
1.8
3
0.
03
0.1
27
0.0
01
0.1
11
0.0
01
68
1
7
10
55
9
20
62
1
8
141.
90
jl04L2
39
0
50
4
22
75
1.
29
2.9
3
0.
03
0.1
33
0.0
01
0.1
69
0.0
02
10
09
9
13
89
8
21
37
1
6
115.
67
jl04L3
88
7
16
92
38
75
1.
91
4.2
8
0.
06
0.1
61
0.0
01
0.2
04
0.0
03
11
98
1
4
16
90
1
2
24
71
1
6
89.1
7
Pb
Th
U
T
h
U
207
207
206
Pb
Pb
Pb
235
1σ
206
1σ
U
U
238
206
207
207
Pb
Pb
Pb
238
235
1σ
U
age
(M
a)
U
1
σ
U
age
(M
a)
206
1
σ
U
age
(M
a)
1
σ
%
Con
c.
jl04L4
78
0
14
79
33
44
1.
90
4.2
1
0.
04
0.1
45
0.0
01
0.2
17
0.0
02
12
64
1
0
13
76
8
23
43
1
5
117.
92
jl04L5
11
28
88
02
36
67
7.
80
5.7
3
0.
06
0.1
71
0.0
02
0.2
57
0.0
02
14
75
1
1
19
36
9
25
69
1
5
115.
54
jl04L6
99
3
96
4
34
45
0.
97
5.2
9
0.
06
0.1
48
0.0
01
0.2
76
0.0
03
15
70
1
4
18
67
1
0
23
22
1
6
83.8
4
jl04L7
22
82
15
28
57
20
0.
67
7.3
5
0.
12
0.1
45
0.0
01
0.3
89
0.0
05
21
20
2
3
21
55
1
5
22
87
1
8
50.0
8
jl04L8
92
1
36
2
22
18
0.
39
8.8
9
0.
08
0.1
69
0.0
01
0.4
03
0.0
03
21
82
1
3
23
27
8
25
52
1
3
95.6
7
jl04L9
58
3
40
3
26
78
0.
69
3.7
7
0.
06
0.1
36
0.0
02
0.2
13
0.0
03
12
44
1
5
15
85
1
3
21
77
2
6
74.2
6
jl04L10
26
0
13
7
93
9
0.
53
5.2
5
0.
09
0.1
53
0.0
02
0.2
63
0.0
04
15
06
1
9
18
60
1
5
23
82
1
7
63.8
6
jl04L11
21
5
29
3
43
4
1.
36
9.4
8
0.
13
0.1
73
0.0
02
0.4
22
0.0
05
22
68
2
2
23
86
1
3
25
89
1
7
59.3
0
jl04L12
40
7
28
1
79
9
0.
69
10.
71
0.
10
0.1
78
0.0
02
0.4
63
0.0
03
24
51
1
4
24
98
8
26
36
1
4
91.3
7
Table 3. : Summary of U–Th/Pb EPMA for monazites from sample FP400.
U (ppm) ± σ std.dev. Th (ppm) ± σ std. dev. Pb (ppm) ± σ std. dev.
5114 ± 108
47,880 ± 958
5650 ± 117
Th/U ± σ std. dev.
Isochron age ± 2σ Ma
No. of data
9.4 ± 8.8
1,824 ± 6
99
Table 4. 40Ar/39Ar isotopic analytical data for incremental heating experiments on amphibole
grains from samples FP396 and FP403.
37/39
36/39
(E−3)
F39Ar
released
%40*
40*/39 K
Age
(Ma)
±1sd
(Ma)
0.499
24.49482
240.462
0.15
87.33
485.12
3018.1
107.6
379.821
0.218
7.55569
56.302
0.28
95.76
365.53
2615.0
115.0
3
192.533
0.020
6.41969
0.597
30.85
99.99
193.63
1810.1
7.4
4
186.865
0.018
5.41723
0.000
38.33
99.99
187.92
1776.1
6.7
5
192.101
0.019
5.27189
2.970
80.16
99.74
192.26
1802.0
3.6
6
206.592
0.033
4.11186
33.801
81.01
95.31
197.43
1832.4
37.6
7
190.858
0.017
5.99741
3.491
94.51
99.69
191.01
1794.6
9.0
8
198.102
0.018
5.21152
16.253
96.00
97.77
194.33
1814.2
20.6
9
195.208
0.027
5.19844
6.409
100.00
99.22
194.35
1814.3
14.6
FP403
amphibole
J = 0.008921
1
418.676
1.078
1.97863
462.2070
0.13
67.41
282.59
2270.9
97.4
2
207.920
0.270
3.45192
73.9160
0.29
89.61
186.74
1769.0
54.8
3
151.189
0.112
2.31613
21.3450
0.54
95.93
145.26
1499.4
52.8
4
180.155
0.283
2.46759
29.4280
0.93
95.27
171.90
1677.1
27.4
5
197.567
0.378
2.00671
2.4390
4.64
99.70
197.24
1831.3
5.1
6
189.551
0.368
1.88536
0.000
5.30
99.99
189.91
1788.0
23.3
7
191.198
0.358
1.88943
0.0020
23.52
99.99
191.56
1797.8
3.4
8
192.826
0.347
1.93332
0.9660
31.12
99.92
192.91
1805.9
8.9
9
191.075
0.370
2.04858
0.1870
52.56
99.99
191.41
1797.0
3.9
10
194.023
0.357
1.96647
7.0270
55.33
99.00
192.32
1802.4
8.0
11
194.493
0.369
2.18707
1.9960
68.72
99.77
194.33
1814.2
5.7
12
193.594
0.364
2.32707
1.2360
78.84
99.89
.43.8
1810.4
3.8
13
190.326
0.333
2.06994
0.0
81.27
92.9
190.72
1792.9
10.1
14
196.958
0.345
2.14268
1.9220
100.00
99.79
196.81
1828.8
3.2
Step
40/39
38/39
FP396
amphibole
J = 0.008921
1
546.621
2