Keywords: West Liaoning Province; Zhangwu- Heishan Area; Mesozoic Volcanic Rock; Isotopic Age; Geological Significance. Palabras clave: Provincia Liaoning; área Zhangwu- Heishan; rocas volcánicas del Mesozoico; edad isotópica; significancia geológica. How to cite item Hou, C., Cai, H., & Pei, S. (2020). The SHRIMP U-Pb isotope dating of Mesozoic volcanic from Zhangwu-Heishan Area, West Liaoning Province, China. Earth Sciences Research Journal, 24(4), 409-417. DOI: https://doi. org/10.15446/esrj.v24n4.91114 The Zhangwu-Heishan area is located in the east of the Fuxin-Yixian basin. Besides the Quaternary soil, the study area is mostly covered with volcanic rock. The horizon and age of volcanic rock play an essential role in understanding fossil beds, structures, and sedimentary evolution of West Liaoning Province and coal seeking. During this work, 11 volcanic rock samples were measured by SHRIMP U-Pb isotope analysis. Based on the reported data on the age of the Mesozoic volcanic rock in West Liaoning Province, in combination with new measurement data, Cretaceous volcanic activities in West Liaoning Province can be divided into five stages, namely 132±1 Ma, 126±1 Ma, 122±2 Ma, 115±2 Ma, and 100±5 Ma. Based on statistical results, this paper concluded that the thinning time of the crust in Northeast China is from 132±1 Ma to 115±2 Ma. ABSTRACT The SHRIMP U-Pb isotope dating of Mesozoic volcanic from Zhangwu-Heishan Area, West Liaoning Province, China Datación isotópica U-Pb a través de la Microsonda de Iones de Alta-Resolución en rocas volcánicas del Mesozoico para el área Zhangwu-Heishan, en la provincia de Liaoning, en el occidente de China ISSN 1794-6190 e-ISSN 2339-3459 https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v24n4.91114 El área Zhangwu-Heishan se ubica en el este de la cuenca Fuxin-Yixian. El suelo del Cuaternario en el área de estudio está cubierto por rocas volcánicas. El horizonte y la edad de la roca volcánica juegan un rol esencial en la comprensión de las capas fósiles, las estructuras y la evolución sedimentaria de la Provincia Liaoning, en el occidente de China, y en la búsqueda de carbón. En este trabajo se estudiaron 11 muestras de roca volcánica a través del análisis isotópico Shrimp U-Pb (Datación U-Pb a través de la Microsonda de Iones de Alta-Resolución). De acuerdo con la información reportada en las rocas volcánicas de edad del Mesozoico al oriente de la provincia Liaoning, en combinación con información de nuevas mediciones, las actividades volcánicas del Cretácico en la zona se pueden dividir en cinco etapas: 132±1 Ma, 126±1 Ma, 122±2 Ma, 115±2 Ma, y 100±5 Ma. Con base en los resultados estadísticos, este estudio concluyó que el tiempo de adelgazamiento de la corteza en el noroeste de China está entre 132±1 Ma y 115±2 Ma. RESUMEN Record Manuscript received: 18/11/2019 Accepted for publication: 17/08/2020 EARTH SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL Earth Sci. Res. J. Vol. 24, No. 4 (December, 2020): 409-417 Chaoyong Hou*, Houan Cai, Senlong Pei China Non-ferrous Metals Resource Geological Survey, Beijing 100012, China *Corresponding author: 45139139@qq.com G E O L O G Y https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v24n4.91114 https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v24n4.91114 https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v24n4.91114 mailto:45139139@qq.com 410 Chaoyong Hou, Houan Cai, Senlong Pei Introduction Due to the discovery of precious fossils, West Liaoning Province has been drawing extensive interests in recent years (Chen et al., 1998; Sun, 1998; Swisher, 1999; Xu, 2001; Zhou, 2003; Zhou, 2003). Meanwhile, the researches on the stratigraphy, paleo-geography, paleoclimate, and paleomagnetism of the Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary basin in west Liaoning Province are gradually performed (Pan et al., 2001; Zhang et al., 2002; Zhu et al., 2001 & 2002; Gong et al., 2007; Li et al., 2002; Ren, 1997). As an essential terrane in North China where Meso-Cenozoic volcanic activities were developed, outstanding achievements have also been made in the researches on the chronology (Figure 1) and geochemistry of volcanic rock in west Liaoning Province (Jia et al., 1999; Zhou, 2001; Zhang & Zheng, 2003; Yang, 2007; Wu et al., 2003). Whereas SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb isotopic dating of volcanic rock in west Liaoning Province mainly concentrates on Yixian Basin, there are only sporadic isotopic reports dating of volcanic rock in Zhangwu-Heishan Area (Chen et al., 1997; Huang, 2006 & 2007; Xiao, 2008). West Liaoning Province is located in the east section of the Yanshan Platformal Fold Belt in the north of Sino Korean Paraplatform and belongs to the east extension of Yanshan Orogenic Belt (Figure 1). Yanshan Orogenic Belt lies inside the North China Platform and has experienced intense tectonic deformation, magmatic and volcanic activities, and syn-orogenic sedimentation Jurassic-Cretaceous Yanshan Movement, and finally becomes a typical intraplate orogenic belt (Zhang CH, 1999) far away from any contemporary plate boundary. The subduction of the Pacific Plate has resulted in NE-trending thrust nappe structure of late Jurassic Epoch and extensional structure of the early Cretaceous Epoch. Before the Mesozoic Period, the study area is a large tectonic uplift area. At the first stage of the Yanshan Movement, the fault-folding formed lower-middle Jurassic Series in the NNE-trending depression area, including coal-bearing strata - Beipiao Formation. At the Yanshan Movement’s medium setting, a large-scale fracture occurred and was accompanied by a magmatic eruption, and then a Mesozoic tectonic framework was formed. Denomination and Age of Volcanic Rocks Although numerous detailed stratigraphic researches have been carried out in West Liaoning Province, the knowledge of stratigraphic sequence, the horizon of volcanic rock, and volcanic eruption periods are unified yet. For instance, whether volcanic rock in Yixian Formation is of late Jurassic Epoch (Wang, 1987; Ren et al., 1997; Wang, 1998; Luo et al., 1999), late Jurassic to early Cretaceous Epoch (Zhang et al., 1992; Chen et al., 1998; Ji et al., 1998; Sun & Zheng, 2000; Jiang et al., 2000; Wang et al., 2002) or early Cretaceous Epoch (Li et al., 2001; Wang et al., 1999; Wang et al., 2001; Xu et al., 1999; Ji et al., 2002; Wang et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2006) is an open question. For more details of the stratal division in this area and volcanic rock’s denomination, see the references Wang et al., 2004; Cai, 2009). It should be noted that the Scientific Research Institute of Liaoning Bureau of Coalfield Geological Exploration (1970) advocates that extensive volcanic rock in this area belongs to Dalinghe Formation and is of Cretaceous Epoch and concluded that there might be coal seams of Fuxin Formation under this suite of volcanic rock. Likewise, the 107th Coalfield Geological Brigade of Liaoning Province held in 1974 suggested that coal-bearing series of Badaohao Formation could not be correlated with Shahai Formation or Fuxin Formation in Fuxin Basin, and Gangtaishan volcanic rock overlies Badaohao Formation and also drew the conclusion that the coal possibly could be found below those volcanic rocks. Isotopic Dating and Eruption Period of Volcanic Rock Isotopic dating of volcanic rock in west Liaoning Province starts in the 1980s (Diao, 1983; Wang, 1984 & 1985). Some fundamental findings have been made since the 1990s (For the data on isotopic dating, see Figure 2). By far, over 120 pieces of data derived from various dating methods have been published. These data are systematically collected, and the distribution map (see Figure 2) was plotted in this work. From the figure, the age of volcanic rock Figure 1. Geological map of Zhangwu-Heishan area and sampling point locations 411The SHRIMP U-Pb isotope dating of Mesozoic volcanic from Zhangwu-Heishan Area, West Liaoning Province, China (Zhang, 2003; Zhang, 2005). The time when Yixian Formation was formed is also the critical period when the earth’s crust (lithosphere) in Northeast China was thinned, so the age of top and bottom boundaries of volcanic rock in Yixian Formation is the critical period when the earth’s crust (lithosphere) in west Liaoning Province, even Northeast China, was thinned. Conclusions The horizon and age of volcanic rock play an essential role in understanding fossil beds, structures, and sedimentary evolution of West Liaoning Province and coal seeking. During this work, 11 volcanic rock samples were measured by SHRIMP U-Pb isotope analysis. Based on the reported data on the age of the Mesozoic volcanic rock in West Liaoning Province, in combination with new measurement data, Cretaceous volcanic activities in West Liaoning Province can be divided into five stages, namely 132±1 Ma, 126±1 Ma, 122±2 Ma, 115±2 Ma, and 100±5 Ma. Based on the statistical result, this paper concluded that the thinning time of the crust in Northeast China is from 132±1 Ma to 115±2 Ma. which crops out in west Liaoning Province varies between 56 Ma and 147 Ma. Yixian Formation of early Cretaceous Epoch in the Yixian Basin contains four suites of volcanic rock and sedimentary rock (Ji, 2004), which represent four volcanic-sedimentary activities. As shown in Table 1, the periods of volcanic activities are 132±1 Ma, 126±1 Ma, 122±2 Ma, and 115±2 Ma. Also, a suite of alkaline basalt was formed in the period of 90-105 Ma. This is identical to the east part of North China (Zhai et al., 2003). There is also a Paleogene olivine-inclusion-bearing basalt suit with the age of about 56Ma in the Zhangwu-Heishan Area. In 2008 the International Commission on Stratigraphy adjusted the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary from originally 135 Ma (140 Ma) to 145 Ma±4 Ma and the age of lower Cretaceous–upper Cretaceous limit from 95 Ma to 99.6 Ma. Therefore, previously delineated volcanic rock of late Jurassic Epoch is now of early Cretaceous Epoch, and the peak period of volcanic activities is the medium stage (130 Ma-122 Ma or so) of early Cretaceous Epoch, namely Barremian to Aptian stage. It is an indisputable fact that the lithospheric mantle in North China Craton was thinned on a large scale in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Periods (Gao et al., 2004; Liu et al., 2004). The earth’s crust in west Liaoning Province was also thinned when volcanic rock in the Yixian Formation was formed Figure 2. Summarizing of Mesozoic and Paleogene volcanic rock dating in western Liaoning Note: Data source includes: Diao, N. C.; Wang, D. F.; Guo, H.Z.; Zhang, Z.C.; Smith; Li, P. X.; Wang, S. S.; Luo, Z. K.; Wang, D. Y.; Zhu, R. X.; Zhu, Q. J.; Zhang, X. H.; Peng, Y. D.; Zhang, H. F.; Zhen, J. P.; Wang, W. L.; Ji, Q.; Yang, W.; Zhang, H.; Li, D. M.; Huang, H.; Shao, J. A.; Xiao, G. Q.; Wang, Q. L.; Meng, F. X., and this paper. 412 Chaoyong Hou, Houan Cai, Senlong Pei Table 1. Rock samples and dating results of volcanic in Fuxin and Heishan-Zhangwu area NO Sample Location Lithology Test method Age/Ma Data source 1 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian andesite, basalt K-Ar 139.2±6.1 Diao et al. 2 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian andesite, rhyolite K-Ar 117.1±5 Diao et al. 3 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian andesite Rb-Sr 125.9±5.3 Wang et al. 4 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian basalt-basaltic andesite K-Ar 136.9 Wang et al. 5 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian rhyolite Rb-Sr 142.5±4 Wang et al. 6 Wendi Countryside rhyolite Rb-Sr 126±5 Wang et al. 7 rhyolite, andesite Rb-Sr 127±3 Guo et al. 8 Dakangbo in Yixian andesite, dacite Rb-Sr 127.0±3 Zhang et al. 9 Jingangshan in Yixian dolerite Ar-Ar 120.8-121 Smith et al 10 Jiashangou in Beipiao basalt Ar-Ar 121.2±0.3 Smith et al 11 Huanghuashan in Yixian volcanic breccia Ar-Ar 121.5±0.9 Smith et al 12 Zoujiagou in Yixian basalt Ar-Ar 121.6±0.4 Smith et al 13 Central Yixian Formation zircon U-Pb 136.7 Luo et al. 14 Yixian andesite Ar-Ar 129.2 Chen et al. 15 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian phosphorite U-Pb 136±7 Chen et al. Rb-Sr 130±8 Chen et al. 16 Hejiagou in Yixian andesite Ar-Ar 119.0±10.0 Chen et al. 17 Zhujiagou in Yixian andesite Ar-Ar 124.5±4.9 Chen et al. 18 Dehuiyingzi in Zhangwu trachyandensite, dacite Ar-Ar 123.7±4.4 Chen et al. 19 Dingjiafang in Zhangwu andesite Ar-Ar 125.9±2.0 Chen et al. 20 Yemaotai in Zhangwu dacite Ar-Ar 112.0±0.9 Chen et al. 21 Yemaotai in Zhangwu andesite Ar-Ar 115.0±0.5 Chen et al. 22 Paozi in Fuxin County Hyalinite andesite U-Pb 116 Chen et al. 23 Sihetun, Jiashangou tuff Ar-Ar 145.3±4.4 Luo et al. 24 Sihetun, Jiashangou tuff Ar-Ar 144.8±1.5 Luo et al. 25 Sihetun, Jiashangou tuff Ar-Ar 147.1±1.8 Luo et al. 26 Fuxin basalt K-Ar 84.76±1.6 Zheng et al. 27 Sihetun Tuff permeates feldspar Ar-Ar 124.6±0.3 Swisher et al 28 Sihetun Tuff permeates feldspar Ar-Ar 125.0±0.18 Swisher et al 29 Hengdaozi sanidine Ar-Ar 125.0±0.19 Swisher et al 30 Dijiagou trachyte Ar-Ar 147.3±0.6 Li et al. 31 Dijiagou trachyandensite Ar-Ar 140.4±0.4 Li et al. 32 Xijianshan Section andesite Ar-Ar 121.9±0.6 Li et al. 33 Xijianshan Section dolerite K-Ar 116.7±2.3 Li et al. 34 Jingangshan in Yixian andesite K-Ar 120.1±2.0 Li et al. 35 Xiaoyantun in Yixian basalt K-Ar 91.81±2.13 Li et al. 36 Xiaoyantun in Yixian andesite K-Ar 125.6±0.4 Li et al. (Continued) 413The SHRIMP U-Pb isotope dating of Mesozoic volcanic from Zhangwu-Heishan Area, West Liaoning Province, China Table 1. Rock samples and dating results of volcanic in Fuxin and Heishan-Zhangwu area NO Sample Location Lithology Test method Age/Ma Data source 37 Dijiagou—Zhuanchengzi basalt K-Ar 131.2±2. 6 Wang et al. 38 Sihetun tuff U-Pb 125.2±0.9 Wang et al. 39 Sihetun basaltic andesite Ar-Ar 128.2±0.8 Wang et al. 40 Sihetun basaltic andesite Ar-Ar 128.4±1.4 Wang et al. 41 Sihetun basaltic andesite Ar-Ar 128.4±0.2 Wang et al. 42 Sihetun dolerite Ar-Ar 122.3±0.5 Wang et al. 43 Sihetun dolerite Ar-Ar 122.1±1.2 Wang et al. 44 Sihetun dolerite Ar-Ar 121.8±1.3 Wang et al. 45 Paishanlou in Fuxin dioritic porphyrite U-Pb 126±2 Luo et al. 46 Paishanlou in Fuxin granite porphyry U-Pb 124±1 Luo et al. 47 Paishanlou in Fuxin dioritic porphyrite U-Pb 125±1 Luo et al. 48 Dashitougou in Fuxin biotite granite U-Pb 124±1 Luo et al. 49 Jianguo in Fuxin basalt K-Ar 92.12±2.08 Wang et al. 50 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 124.16-133.59 Zhu et al. 51 Zhuangchengzi andesite K-Ar 120.42-122.31 Zhu et al. 52 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian andesite K-Ar 122.31-120.42 Zhu et al 53 Jianguo in Fuxin basalt Ar-Ar 105.5±0.5 Zhu et al 54 Jianguo in Fuxin andesite Ar-Ar 100.4±1.6 Zhu et al 55 Songjia andesite Rb-Sr 140±6 Zhu et al. 56 Yiwulvshan miliolite Ar-Ar 219±4 Zhang et al. 57 Yiwulvshan miliolite Ar-Ar 116±2 Zhang et al. 58 Yiwulvshan miliolite Ar-Ar 127±3 Zhang et al. 59 Sihetun olivine basalt Ar-Ar 132.9±1.5 Peng et al. 60 Huangbanjigou liparitic tuff Ar-Ar 127.4±1.3 Peng et al. 61 Sihetun ellipsoidal lava Ar-Ar 126.1±1.7 Peng et al. 62 Sihetun olivine basalt K-Ar 133.3±2.6 Peng et al. 63 Sihetun olivine basalt K-Ar 133.6±2.6 Peng et al. 64 Sihetun olivine basalt K-Ar 124.16±2.4 Peng et al. 65 Sihetun olivine basalt K-Ar 124.42±2.4 Peng et al. 66 Sihetun olivine basalt K-Ar 124.91±2.4 Peng et al. 67 Houyanzigou olivine basalt Ar-Ar 130.6±0.5 Peng et al. 68 Sihetun olivine basalt Ar-Ar 127.7±0.2 Peng et al. 69 Jianguo basalt K-Ar 107.3 ± 1.6 Zhang et al. 70 Jianguo ring tephrite K-Ar 94.2 ± 1.4 Zhang et al. 71 Jianguo basalt K-Ar 97.1±1.4 Zheng et al. 72 Jianguo basalt K-Ar 98.0±1.4 Zheng et al. 73 Zaocishan dacite porphyry Ar-Ar 122.09±0.29 Wang et al. (Continued) 414 Chaoyong Hou, Houan Cai, Senlong Pei Table 1. Rock samples and dating results of volcanic in Fuxin and Heishan-Zhangwu area NO Sample Location Lithology Test method Age/Ma Data source 74 Zaocishan dacite porphyry Ar-Ar 122.36 Wang et al. 75 Zaocishan dacite porphyry Ar-Ar 121.80±1.36 Wang et al. 76 Sihetun basalt U-Pb 112±3 Ji et al. 77 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian basalt U-Pb 120±2 Ji et al. 78 Jingangshan in Yixian dacite porphyry U-Pb 126±0.5 Ji et al. 79 Zhuanchengzi in Yixian andesite U-Pb 132±1 Ji et al. 80 Sihetun tuff U-Pb 124.4±1.6 Yang et al. 81 Huangbanjigou tuff U-Pb 123.1±2.1 Yang et al. 82 Huangbanjigou tuff U-Pb 122.1±1.4 Yang et al. 83 Jianguo basalttrachyandensite Ar-Ar 116.8±3.0 Zhu et al. 84 Fanjiagou in Yixian rhyolite U-Pb 118.9±1.4 Zhang et al. 85 Fanjiagou in Yixian rhyolite U-Pb 119.8±1.9 Zhang et al. 86 Huanghuashan breccia dacite porphyry Ar-Ar 122.1±0.3 Zhang et al. 87 Huanghuashan breccia dacite porphyry Ar-Ar 121.8±1.4 Zhang et al. 88 Sihetun basaltic andesite Ar-Ar 126.1±0.4 Zhang et al. 89 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 124.2±2.4 Li et al. 90 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 124.4±2.4 Li et al. 91 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 125.0±2.4 Li et al. 92 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 124.6±2.5 Li et al. 93 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 124.8±2.3 Li et al. 94 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 125.1±2.4 Li et al. 95 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 124.9±2.4 Li et al. 96 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 126.1±2.6 Li et al. 97 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 129.3±2.5 Li et al. 98 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 129.2±2.6 Li et al. 99 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 133.3±2.6 Li et al. 100 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 133.6±2.6 Li et al. 101 Sihetun basalt K-Ar 133.1±2.6 Li et al. 102 Maozishan in Lingyuan tuff U-Pb 125.4±0.9 Zhang et al. 103 Maozishan in Lingyuan rhyolite U-Pb 125.3±0.9 Zhang et al. 104 Maozishan in Lingyuan rhyolite U-Pb 124.4±1.1 Zhang et al. 105 Guojiagou in Lingyuan tuff U-Pb 122.3±2.1 Zhang et al. 106 Dawangzhangzi in Lingyuan rhyolite U-Pb 123±1.7 Zhang et al. 107 Zhangwu andesite U-Pb 126±2 Huang et al. 108 Lihenggou in Yixian rhyolite Ar-Ar 113.2±1.6 Shao et al. 109 Daxingzhuang in Linghai amphibole andesite U-Pb 114.9±2.5 Shao et al. 110 Dasijiazi in Zhangwu rhyolite U-Pb 122.4 ±0.4 Ma Xiao et al. (Continued) 415The SHRIMP U-Pb isotope dating of Mesozoic volcanic from Zhangwu-Heishan Area, West Liaoning Province, China Table 1. Rock samples and dating results of volcanic in Fuxin and Heishan-Zhangwu area NO Sample Location Lithology Test method Age/Ma Data source 111 Kazuo butte andesite K-Ar 125.7 ±4.3 Wang et al. 112 Kazuo butte andesite U-Pb 126.0±1.5 Wang et al. 113 Lingyuan rhyolite U-Pb 124.4±1.4 Meng et al. 114 Badaohao in Heishan trachyandensite U-Pb 125.7±1.7 This Paper 115 Zhangluotun in Heishan rhyolite U-Pb 124.9±2.9 This Paper 116 Yaocangtu in Heishan coloradoite U-Pb 115.5±1.5 This Paper 117 Nalishan in Yaocangtu basalt U-Pb 56±2.9 This Paper 118 Liangshan in Heishan trachyandensite U-Pb 129.7±1.6 This Paper 119 Beizhuanchengzi andesite U-Pb 132.3±2.3 This Paper 120 Huanghuashan in Yixian dacite U-Pb 126.3±1.7 This Paper 121 Juliangtun in Yixian trachyandensite U-Pb 125.8±1.9 This Paper 122 Lijiatai andesite U-Pb 127.0±5.1 This Paper 123 Xinglonggou in Yixian andesite U-Pb 122.3±4.5 This Paper 124 Songbahu in Yixian andesite U-Pb 129.0±2.4 This Paper References Bing, Z. B., Liu, W. 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