Evolutionary mega-cycles of the early precambrian proto-north China platform

Abstract The rocks of the early Precambrian proto-north China platform in general have an isotopic age of more than 1800–1900 Ma and thus belong to the Archaean and early Proterozoic. Based on a study of six representative regions, four evolutionary stages have been recognized in terms of volcano-sedimentary and/or sedimentary mega-cycles, two for the Archaean and two for the early Proterozoic. The geochronological division between the first and second mega-cycles is ca. 2800—3000 Ma, that between the second and third ca. 2500–2600 Ma, and that between the third and fourth ca. 2200–2300 Ma. Prior to ca. 2800–3000 Ma ago the area probably already possessed characteritics of a proto-crustal basement on which basaltic, dacitic and neritic clastic rocks had been deposited. This was followed during the second stage (cycle) by the formation of basaltic and intermediate volcanics, silty graywackes and even carbonate rocks. Most of these rocks were metamorphosed to granulite facies and amphibolite facies respectively during Archaean time. They were also influenced by an earlier sodic migmatization and a later potassic one and related magmatic activity and at least two episodes of folding. They probably produced an elevated, rather widespread sialic basement. The third stage was characterized by the accumulation of volcano-sedimentary rocks in local basins, troughs and rift-depressions which differ in actual setting from place to place. These rocks were later affected by varying degrees of tectonism and insignificant magmatism and were metamorphosed to amphibolite to greenschist facies. The last stage was one of deposition, near the earlier basins or troughs, of dominant clastic and dolomitic carbonate rocks with locally developed minor volcanics. This stage reflects comparatively stable tectonic conditions, seemingly transitional into those of the more stable middle to late Proterozoic. Most of the rocks were metamorphosed to greenschist facies before 1800–1900 Ma ago.