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Episodic crustal extension and contraction characterizing the Late Mesozoic tectonics of East China: Evidence from the Jiaodong Peninsula, East China
  • Wei Lin,
  • Lingtong Meng
Wei Lin
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Lingtong Meng
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Abstract

During the Late Mesozoic, East China is characterized by a widespread magmatism, thrusting and folding, extensional doming, strike-slip faulting, and block rotation. The Jiaodong Peninsula provides a key area located in East China to understand the episodic intracontinental extension and contraction, and associated granitoids emplacement. Based on our structural analysis, magnetic fabrics and gravity modeling, polyphase deformation and magma emplacement have been recognized within the Queshan-Kunyushan-Yuangezhuang-Sanfoshan (QKYS) massif of the central Jiaodong Peninsula. A significant Late Jurassic D1 event, developed in the northern margin of the massif, was expressed by a high-temperature, top-to-the-NE shearing. Late Jurassic plutons display magnetic fabrics corresponding to the D1 structural fabrics and several NW–SE-trending feeder zones at depth. These results link the syn-kinematic emplacement of Late Jurassic plutons with regional NE–SW extensional tectonics. At the south of the massif, a lower-temperature, top-to-the-SW contractional deformation (D2) resulted from NE–SW contraction. The D3 shear zone with a top-to-the-WNW kinematics is a rolling-hinge type detachment fault that exhumed the massif, indicating NW–SE regional extension. Finally, Early Cretaceous plutons emplaced into upper crust with a fast cooling rate and formed an inverted drop shape with concentric magnetic foliations and variably oriented magnetic lineations. At the light of the previous geochronological results, the timing of these tectonic events are discussed. The tectonic evolution of the QKYS massif indicates a process from crustal thickening to lithospheric foundering in response to the Late Mesozoic plate convergences.