Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The subduction of the west Pacific plate and the destruction of the North China Craton

  • Review
  • Published:
Science China Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

While a general concensus has recently been reached as to the causal relationship between the subduction of the west Pacific plate and the destruction of the North China Craton, a number of important questions remain to answer, including the initial subduction of west Pacific plate beneath the eastern Asian continent, the position of west Pacific subduction zone during the peak period of decratonization (i.e., Early Cretaceous), the formation age of the big mantle wedge under eastern Asia, and the fate of the subducted Pacific slab. Integration of available data suggests that the subduction of the western Pacific plate was initiated as early as Early Jurrasic and the subduction zone was situated to 2,200 km west of the present-day trench in the Early Creataceous, as a result of eastward migration of the Asian continent over a distance of ca. 900 km since the Early Cretaceous. The retreat of the subducting west Pacific plate started ∼145 Ma ago, corresponding to the initial formation of the big mantle wedge system in the Early Cretaceous. The subduction of the Pacific slab excerted severe influence on the North China Craton most likely through material and energy echange between the big mantle wedge and overlying cratonic lithosphere. The evolution history of the west Pacific plate was reconstructed based on tectonic events. This allows to propose that the causes of phases A and B for the Yanshanian orogeny were respectively related to rapid low-angle subduction and to lowering subduction angle of the west Pacific plate. At ca. 130–120 Ma, the subduction of the west Pacific plate was characterized by increasing subducting angle, slab rollback and rapid trench retreat, leading to the final stagnation of the subducting slab within the mantle transition zone. This process may have significantly affected the physical property and viscosity of the mantle wedge above the stagnant slab, resulting in non-steady mantle flows. The ingression of slab-released melts/fluids would significantly lower the viscosity of the mantle wedge and overlying lithosphere, inducing decratonization. This study yields important bearings on the relationship between the subduction of the west Pacific plate and the evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bi J H, Ge W C, Yang H, Wang Z H, Tian D X, Liu X W, Xu W L, Xing D H. 2017. Geochemistry of MORB and OIB in the Yuejinshan Complex, NE China: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic setting. J Asian Earth Sci, 145: 475–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bi J H, Ge W C, Yang H, Wang Z H, Xu W L, Yang J H, Xing D H, Chen H J. 2016. Geochronology and geochemistry of late Carboniferous-middle Permian I- and A-type granites and gabbro-diorites in the eastern Jiamusi Massif, NE China: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic setting. Lithos, 266–267: 213–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bird P. 2003. An updated digital model of plate boundaries. Geochem Geophys Geosyst, 4: 1027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen C H, Lee C Y, Shinjo R. 2008. Was there Jurassic paleo-Pacific subduction in South China?: Constraints from 40Ar/39Ar dating, elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic geochemistry of the Mesozoic basalts. Lithos, 106: 83–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen P J. 2000. Paleoenvironmental changes during the Cretaceous in eastern China. Dev Palaeontol Stratigr, 17: 81–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai L Q, Zheng Y F, Zhao Z F. 2016. Termination time of peak decratonization in North China: Geochemical evidence from mafic igneous rocks. Lithos, 240–243: 327–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong S W, Zhang Y Q, Long C X, Yang Z Y, Ji Q, Wang T, Hu J M, Chen X H. 2010. Jurassic tectonic revolution in China and new interpretation of the Yanshan Movement. Acta Geol Sin-Engl Ed, 82: 334–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Funiciello F, Faccenna C, Giardini D, Regenauer-Lieb K. 2003. Dynamics of retreating slabs: 2. Insights from three-dimensional laboratory experiments. J Geophys Res, 108: 2207

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordienko I V. 1994. Paleozoic geodynamic evolution of the Mongol-Okhotsk fold belt. J Southeast Asian Earth Sci, 9: 429–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths R W, Hackney R I, van der Hilst R D. 1995. A laboratory investigation of effects of trench migration on the descent of subducted slabs. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 133: 1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Zhao D. 2006. High-resolution mantle tomography of China and surrounding regions. J Geophys Res, 111: B09305

    Google Scholar 

  • Isozaki Y. 1997. Jurassic accretion tectonics of Japan. Isl Arc, 6: 25–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li S G, Wang Y. 2018. Formation time of the big mantle wedge beneath eastern China and a new lithospheric thinning mechanism of the North China Craton—Geodynamic effects of deep recycled carbon. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 853–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li S G, Yang W, Ke S, Meng X N, Tian H C, Xu L J, He Y S, Huang J, Wang X C, Xia Q K, Sun W D, Yang X Y, Ren Z Y, Wei H Q, Liu Y S, Meng F C, Yan J. 2017. Deep carbon cycles constrained by a large-scale mantle Mg isotope anomaly in eastern China. Natl Sci Rev, 298: 111–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z X, Li X H, Chung S L, Lo C H, Xu X, Li W X. 2012. Magmatic switch-on and switch-off along the South China continental margin since the Permian: Transition from an Andean-type to a Western Pacific-type plate boundary. Tectonophysics, 532–535: 271–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z X, Li X H. 2007. Formation of the 1300-km-wide intracontinental orogen and postorogenic magmatic province in Mesozoic South China: A flat-slab subduction model. Geology, 35: 179–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu D L, Ma L. 1997. Mesozoic tectonic evolution of continental margin in East Asia. Geoscience, 11: 444–451

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Shen L, Ji M, Guan H, Zhang Z, Zhao Z. 2013. The Liaonan/Wanfu metamorphic core complexes in the Liaodong Peninsula: Two stages of exhumation and constraints on the destruction of the North China Craton. Tectonics, 32: 1121–1141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu M Q, Li Z H. 2018. Dynamics of thinning and destruction of the continental cratonic lithosphere: Numerical modeling. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 823–852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu S F, Lin C F, Liu X B, Zhuang Q T. 2018. Syn-tectonic sedimentation and its linkage to fold-thrusting in the region of Zhangjiakou, North Hebei, China. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 681–710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu S F, M G, Ma P F, Zhang B. 2017. Reconstruction of northeast Asian deformation integrated with western Pacific plate subduction since 200 Ma. Earth-Sci Rev, 175: 114–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Zhao D, Li S, Wei W. 2017. Age of the subducting Pacific slab beneath East Asia and its geodynamic implications. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 464: 166–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma Q, Xu Y G, Griffin W L, Chung S L, Yang J H. 2019. The big mantle wedge in East Asia formed at Early Cretaceous. Under review

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma Q, Xu Y G. 2017. The temporal and spatial changes of Mesozoic magma in the East Asia and the formation time of the big mantle wedge. Annual Meeting of Chinese Geoscience Union

  • Mao W, Zhong S J. 2018. Slab stagnation due to a reduced viscosity layer beneath the mantle transition zone. Nat Geosci, 11: 876–881

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller R D, Sdrolias M, Gaina C, Roest W R. 2008b. Age, spreading rates, and spreading asymmetry of the world’s ocean crust. Geochem Geo-phys Geosyst, 9: Q04006

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller R D, Sdrolias M, Gaina C, Steinberger B, Heine C. 2008a. Long-term sea-level fluctuations driven by ocean basin dynamics. Science, 319: 1357–1362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu Y L. 2005. Generation and evolution of basaltic magmas: Some basic concepts and a hypothesis for the origin of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanism in eastern China. Geol J China Univ, 11: 9–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Niu Y L. 2014. Geological understanding of plate tectonics: Basic concepts, illustrations, examples and new perspectives. Glob Tect Metal, 10: 23–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohtani E, Zhao D P. 2009. The role of water in the deep upper mantle and transition zone: Dehydration of stagnant slabs and its effects on the big mantle wedge. Rus Geol Geophys, 50: 1073–1078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ren S M, Zhu R X, Qiu H J. 2015. Paleomagnetic study on Middle Jurassic lavas of Heilongjiang Province, NE China and its tectonic implications (in Chinese). Chin J Geophys, 58: 1269–1283

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruppen D, Knaf A, Bussien D, Winkler W, Chimedtseren A, von Quadt A. 2014. Restoring the Silurian to Carboniferous northern active continental margin of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in Mongolia: Hangay-Hentey accretionary wedge and seamount collision. Gondwana Res, 25: 1517–1534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seton M, Müller R D, Zahirovic S, Gaina C, Torsvik T, Shephard G, Talsma A, Gurnis M, Turner M, Maus S, Chandler M. 2012. Global continental and ocean basin reconstructions since 200 Ma. Earth-Sci Rev, 113: 212–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun D Y, Gou J, Wang T H, Ren Y S, Liu Y J, Guo H Y, Liu X M, Hu Z C. 2013. Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the Erguna massif basement, NE China—Subduction history of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic crust. Int Geol Rev, 55: 1801–1816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun M D, Xu Y G, Wilde S A, Chen H L. 2015a. Provenance of Cretaceous trench slope sediments from the Mesozoic Wandashan Orogen, NE China: Implications for determining ancient drainage systems and tectonics of the Paleo-Pacific. Tectonics, 34: 1269–1289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun M D, Xu Y G, Wilde S A, Chen H L, Yang S F. 2015b. The Permian Dongfanghong island-arc gabbro of the Wandashan Orogen, NE China: Implications for Paleo-Pacific subduction. Tectonophysics, 659: 122–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang J, Xu W, Wang F, Ge W. 2018. Subduction history of the Paleo-Pacific slab beneath Eurasian continent: Mesozoic-Paleogene magmatic records in Northeast Asia. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 527–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarduno J A. 2007. On the motion of Hawaii and other mantle plumes. Chem Geol, 241: 234–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Voo R, Spakman W, Bijwaard H. 1999. Mesozoic subducted slabs under Siberia. Nature, 397: 246–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang F, Xu W L, Xu Y G, Gao F, Ge W. 2015. Late Triassic bimodal igneous rocks in eastern Heilongjiang Province, NE China: Implications for the initiation of subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath Eurasia. J Asian Earth Sci, 97: 406–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang K, Zhao L, Xu X B, Yang J F. 2018. Heterogeneous destruction of the North China Craton: Coupled constraints from seismology and geodynamic numerical modeling. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 515–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang T, Guo L, Zhang L, Yang Q, Zhang J, Tong Y, Ye K. 2015. Timing and evolution of Jurassic-Cretaceous granitoid magmatisms in the Mongol-Okhotsk belt and adjacent areas, NE Asia: Implications for transition from contractional crustal thickening to extensional thinning and geodynamic settings. J Asian Earth Sci, 97: 365–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Sun L, Zhou L, Xie Y. 2018. Discussion on the relationship between the Yanshanian Movement and cratonic destruction in North China. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 499–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu F Y, Sun D Y, Ge W C, Zhang Y B, Grant M L, Wilde S A, Jahn B M. 2011. Geochronology of the Phanerozoic granitoids in northeastern China. J Asian Earth Sci, 41: 1–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu F Y, Wang J G, Liu C Z, Liu T, Zhang C, Ji W Q. 2019. Intra-oceanic arc: Its formation and evolution. Acta Petrol Sin, 35: 1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu F Y, Xu Y G, Zhu R X, Zhang G W. 2014. Thinning and destruction of the cratonic lithosphere: A global perspective. Sci China Earth Sci, 57: 2878–2890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Z P, Hou X B, Li W. 2007. Discussion on Mesozoic basin patterns and evolution in the Eastern North China Block. Geotect Metal, 31: 385399

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia Q K, Liu J, Kovâcs I, Hao Y T, Li P, Yang X Z, Chen H, Sheng Y M. 2017. Water in the upper mantle and deep crust of eastern China: Concentration, distribution and implications. Natl Sci Rev, 6: 125–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia Q K, Liu J, Liu S C, Kovâcs I, Feng M, Dang L. 2013. High water content in Mesozoic primitive basalts of the North China Craton and implications on the destruction of cratonic mantle lithosphere. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 361: 85–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu W L, Pei F P, Wang F, Meng E, Ji W Q, Yang D B, Wang W. 2013. Spatial-temporal relationships of Mesozoic volcanic rocks in NE China: Constraints on tectonic overprinting and transformations between multiple tectonic regimes. J Asian Earth Sci, 74: 167–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y G, Li H Y, Hong L B, Ma L, Ma Q, Sun M D. 2018. Generation of Cenozoic intraplate basalts in the big mantle wedge under eastern Asia. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 869–886

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y G. 2001. Thermo-tectonic destruction of the archaean lithospheric keel beneath the sino-korean craton in China: Evidence, timing and mechanism. Phys Chem Earth, 26: 747–757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang M H, Liu C Y, Zeng P, Bai H, Zhou J. 2012. Prototypes of Late Triassic sedimentary basins of North China Craton (NCC) and deformation pattern of its early destruction. Geol Rev, 58: 1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang W, Li S G. 2008. Geochronology and geochemistry of the Mesozoic volcanic rocks in Western Liaoning: Implications for lithospheric thinning of the North China Craton. Lithos, 102: 88–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y T. 2013. An unrecognized major collision of the Okhotomorsk Block with East Asia during the Late Cretaceous, constraints on the plate reorganization of the Northwest Pacific. Earth-Sci Rev, 126: 96115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Wang M X, Liu X M. 2008. Constraints on the upper boundary age of the Tiaojishan Formation volcanic rocks in West Liaoning-North Hebei by LA-ICP-MS dating. Chin Sci Bull, 53: 3574–3584

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J J, Zheng Y F, Zhao Z F. 2009. Geochemical evidence for interaction between oceanic crust and lithospheric mantle in the origin of Cenozoic continental basalts in east-central China. Lithos, 110: 305–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L M, Wang C S, Cao K, Wang Q, Tan J, Gao Y. 2016. High elevation of Jiaolai Basin during the Late Cretaceous: Implication for the coastal mountains along the East Asian margin. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 456: 112–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao D, Lei J, Tang R. 2004. Origin of the Changbai intraplate volcanism in Northeast China: Evidence from seismic tomography. Chin Sci Bull, 49: 1401–1408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Chen B, Zhang S H, Liu J M, Hu J M, Liu J, Pei J L. 2010. Pre-Yanshanian geological events in the northern margin of the North China Craton and its adjacent areas. Geol China, 37: 900–915

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng J P, Dai H K. 2018. Subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate resulted in lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond in the North China Craton. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 406–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Y F, Wu F Y. 2009. Growth and reworking of cratonic lithosphere. Chin Sci Bull, 54: 3347–3353

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Y F, Xu Z, Zhao Z F, Dai L Q. 2018. Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China: Implications for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 353–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou X M, Sun T, Shen W Z, Shu L S, Niu Y L. 2006. Petrogenesis of Mesozoic granitoids and volcanic rocks in South China: A response to tectonic evolution. Episodes, 29: 26–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J B, Cao J L, Wilde S A, Zhao G C, Zhang J J, Wang B. 2014. Paleo-Pacific subduction-accretion: Evidence from Geochemical and U-Pb zircon dating of the Nadanhada accretionary complex, NE China. Tectonics, 33: 2444–2466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J B, Wilde S A, Zhang X Z, Zhao G C, Zheng C Q, Wang Y J, Zhang X H. 2009. The onset of Pacific margin accretion in NE China: Evidence from the Heilongjiang high-pressure metamorphic belt. Tecto-nophysics, 478: 230–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu G, Liu C, Gu C C, Zhang S, Li Y J, Su N, Xiao S Y. 2018. Oceanic plate subduction history in the western Pacific Ocean: Constraint from late Mesozoic evolution of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 386–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu R X, Fan H R, Li J W, Meng Q R, Li S R, Zeng Q D. 2015. Decratonic gold deposits. Sci China Earth Sci, 58: 1523–1537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu R X, Xu Y G, Zhu G, Zhang H F, Xia Q K, Zheng T Y. 2012. Destruction of the North China Craton. Sci China Earth Sci, 55: 15651587

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu R X, Zhang H F, Zhu G, Meng Q R, Fan H R, Yang J H, Wu F Y, Zhang Z Y, Zheng T Y. 2017. Craton destruction and related resources. Int J Earth Sci, 106: 2233–2257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu R X, Zheng T Y. 2009. Destruction geodynamics of the North China Craton and its Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics. Chin Sci Bull, 54: 3354–3366

    Google Scholar 

  • Zong K Q, Liu Y S. 2018. Carbonate metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle: Implications for cratonic destruction in North China. Sci China Earth Sci, 61: 711–729

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zyabrev S, Matsuoka A. 1999. Late Jurassic (Tithonian) radiolarians from a clastic unit of the Khabarovsk complex (Russian Far East): Significance for subduction accretion timing and terrane correlation. Island Arc, 8: 30–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Wenliang Xu, Shaofeng Liu and Chief Editor Yongfei Zheng for their comments and suggestions. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 1688103), the Chinese Academy of Sciences Strategic Priority Program B (Grant No. XDB18000000) and the State Oceanography Bureau (Grant No. GASIGEOGE-02).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Rixiang Zhu

  2. State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Yigang Xu

  3. School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Rixiang Zhu & Yigang Xu

Authors
  1. Rixiang Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yigang Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rixiang Zhu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhu, R., Xu, Y. The subduction of the west Pacific plate and the destruction of the North China Craton. Sci. China Earth Sci. 62, 1340–1350 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-018-9356-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-018-9356-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation