Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean

The Raohe subduction–accretion complex (RSAC) in the Wandashan Block, NE China, comprises ultramafic rocks, gabbro, mafic volcanic rocks, deep-sea and hemipelagic sediments, and trench–slope turbidites. We investigate the basalts within the RSAC to resolve debates on its origin. Zircon U-Pb dating o...

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Main Authors: Qing Liu, Cui Liu, Jixu Liu, Jinfu Deng, Shipan Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8139
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author Qing Liu
Cui Liu
Jixu Liu
Jinfu Deng
Shipan Tian
author_facet Qing Liu
Cui Liu
Jixu Liu
Jinfu Deng
Shipan Tian
author_sort Qing Liu
collection DOAJ
description The Raohe subduction–accretion complex (RSAC) in the Wandashan Block, NE China, comprises ultramafic rocks, gabbro, mafic volcanic rocks, deep-sea and hemipelagic sediments, and trench–slope turbidites. We investigate the basalts within the RSAC to resolve debates on its origin. Zircon U-Pb dating of pillow basalt from Dadingzi Mountain yields a concordant age of 117.5 ± 2.1 Ma (MSWD = 3.6). Integrating previous studies, we identify three distinct basalt phases. The Late Triassic basalt (210 Ma–230 Ma) is characterized as komatites–melilitite, exhibiting features of island arc basalt, as well as some characteristics of E-MORB. It also contains high-magnesium lava, suggesting that it may be a product of a juvenile arc. The Middle Jurassic basalt (around 159 Ma–172 Ma) consists of a combination of basalt and magnesium andesite, displaying features of oceanic island basalt and mid-ocean ridge basalt. Considering the contemporaneous sedimentary rocks as hemipelagic continental slope deposits, it is inferred that these basalts were formed in an arc environment associated with oceanic subduction, likely as a result of subduction of the young oceanic crust. The Early Cretaceous basalt (around 117 Ma) occurs in pillow structures, exhibiting some characteristics of oceanic island basalt but also showing transitional features towards a continental arc. Considering the regional distribution of the rocks, it is inferred that this basalt likely formed in a back-arc basin. Integrating the formation ages, nature, and tectonic attributes of the various structural units within the RSAC, as well as previous research, it is inferred that subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean had already begun during the Late Triassic and continued into the Early Cretaceous without cessation.
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spelling doaj-art-d4ebd94e01cf4c32a5774f228824d5932025-08-20T03:36:30ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515813910.3390/app15158139Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific OceanQing Liu0Cui Liu1Jixu Liu2Jinfu Deng3Shipan Tian4School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaHeilongjiang Geological Science Institute, Harbin 150036, ChinaThe Raohe subduction–accretion complex (RSAC) in the Wandashan Block, NE China, comprises ultramafic rocks, gabbro, mafic volcanic rocks, deep-sea and hemipelagic sediments, and trench–slope turbidites. We investigate the basalts within the RSAC to resolve debates on its origin. Zircon U-Pb dating of pillow basalt from Dadingzi Mountain yields a concordant age of 117.5 ± 2.1 Ma (MSWD = 3.6). Integrating previous studies, we identify three distinct basalt phases. The Late Triassic basalt (210 Ma–230 Ma) is characterized as komatites–melilitite, exhibiting features of island arc basalt, as well as some characteristics of E-MORB. It also contains high-magnesium lava, suggesting that it may be a product of a juvenile arc. The Middle Jurassic basalt (around 159 Ma–172 Ma) consists of a combination of basalt and magnesium andesite, displaying features of oceanic island basalt and mid-ocean ridge basalt. Considering the contemporaneous sedimentary rocks as hemipelagic continental slope deposits, it is inferred that these basalts were formed in an arc environment associated with oceanic subduction, likely as a result of subduction of the young oceanic crust. The Early Cretaceous basalt (around 117 Ma) occurs in pillow structures, exhibiting some characteristics of oceanic island basalt but also showing transitional features towards a continental arc. Considering the regional distribution of the rocks, it is inferred that this basalt likely formed in a back-arc basin. Integrating the formation ages, nature, and tectonic attributes of the various structural units within the RSAC, as well as previous research, it is inferred that subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean had already begun during the Late Triassic and continued into the Early Cretaceous without cessation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8139subduction–accretion complexbasaltPaleo-Pacific Oceansubduction
spellingShingle Qing Liu
Cui Liu
Jixu Liu
Jinfu Deng
Shipan Tian
Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean
Applied Sciences
subduction–accretion complex
basalt
Paleo-Pacific Ocean
subduction
title Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean
title_full Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean
title_fullStr Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean
title_full_unstemmed Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean
title_short Genesis of Basalts of the Raohe Subduction–Accretion Complex in the Wandashan Block, NE China, and Its Inspirations for Evolution of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean
title_sort genesis of basalts of the raohe subduction accretion complex in the wandashan block ne china and its inspirations for evolution of the paleo pacific ocean
topic subduction–accretion complex
basalt
Paleo-Pacific Ocean
subduction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8139
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