Zircon SHRIMP geochronology of the Xinkailing-Kele complex in the northwestern Lesser Xing’an Range, and its geological implications

• Published in: Science bulletin (Beijing) Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 201 - 209
• Main Authors: Miao Laicheng, Fan Weiming, Zhang, Fuqing, Liu Dunyi, Ping, Jian, Shi Guanghai, Tao, Hua, Shi Yuruo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2004; Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China%SHRIMP Lab, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
• Subjects: Age; Biotite; Geochronology; Geology; Gneiss; Isotopes; Jurassic; Metamorphic rocks; Orogeny; Paleozoic; Plagioclase; Precambrian; Radiometric dating; Schist; Triassic; Zircon; SHRIMP; geochronology; Lesser Xing'an Range; zircon; Xinkailing-Kele complex
• ISSN: 2095-9273; 1001-6538; 2095-9281; 1861-9541
• DOI: 10.1360/03wd0316

Located in the eastern portion of the Xing’an-Mongolian Orogenic Belt (XMOB), the Xinkailing-Kele complex has previously been considered to be Precambrian metamorphic rocks, mainly according to its relatively high metamorphic grade. Our filed observation, however, revealed that the complex is composed mainly of metamorphic rocks (Kele complex), tectono-schists (“Xinkailing Group”), and granitoids (Xinkailing granitic complex). Dating on these rocks using advanced SHRIMP zircon U-Pb technique indicates that: (1) Biotite-plagioclase gneiss from the Kele complex has a protolith age of 337±7 Ma (2σ) and a metamorphic age of 216±3 Ma (Iσ); (2) the tectono-schist of the “Xinkailing Group” gave a magmatic age of 292±6 Ma (2σ), indicative of felsic volcanic protolith of the schist formed in Late Paleozoic time; and (3) the Menluhedingzi and Lengchuan granites of the Xinkailing granitic complex were emplaced at 167±4 (2σ) and 164±4 Ma (2σ), respectively. These results suggest that the Xinkailing-Kele complex is not Precambrian metamorphic rocks and the so-called Precambrian “Nenjiang Block” does essentially not exist. In combination with regional geological data, we propose that the Kele metamorphic complex is likely related to a collisional tectonism that took place in Triassic time, as indicted by its metamorphic age of 216±3 Ma. The Xinkailing granitic complex was emplaced along the collisional zone during Mid-Jurassic time, likely in a post-orogenic or anorogenic setting.