Geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopes of the paragneiss suite from the Quanji massif, SE Tarim Craton: Implications for Paleoproterozoic tectonics in NW China

Abstract The Delingha paragneiss suite in the Quanji massif, southeastern Tarim Craton, is composed of mica schist, paragneiss, leptynite and quartzite, similar to the ‘khondalite suites’ described from elsewhere in the world. The mica schist is rich in Al 2 O 3 (up to ∼26 wt%) and contains graphite and diagnostic minerals including sillimanite and garnet, with metamorphism under amphibolite-facies to locally granulite-facies conditions as manifested by association with amphibolite and granulite. The detrital zircon U–Pb ages and geochemical data indicate that the protolith materials of the Delingha paragneiss suite were mainly sourced from 2.20 to 2.45 Ga granites, felsic volcanic rocks and TTG, and were deposited at 2.17–1.92 Ga. The detrital zircon Hf and whole-rock Nd isotopes document important crustal growth at ∼2.5–2.7 Ga. The detrital zircon age spectra, the whole rock Nd and zircon Hf model ages, the low-maturity of the protolith, and short-distance transportation suggest that the detritus were derived from the underlying Delingha Complex and the lower Dakendaban sub-Group. The timing of magmatic activities in the source region, the depositional age and metamorphic histories of the Delingha paragneiss suite are all comparable to those recorded in the khondalite belt along northern margin of the Ordos Block in the North China Craton. Our study shows that the 2.2–2.45 Ga magmatic rocks were generated in arc or active continental margin settings, suggesting a prolonged subduction and accretion history prior to final amalgamation (∼2.5–1.8 Ga) to form the unified North China Craton and the assembly of the Tarim Craton in NW China.