Zircon U–Pb Geochronology and Petrogenesis of Early–Midlle Permian Arc–Related Volcanic Rocks in Central Jilin: Implications for the Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Segment of Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Abstract This paper presents age and geochemical data of a recently identified Late Paleozoic volcanic sequence in central Jilin Province, with aims to discuss the petrogenesis and to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in this area. Firstly, the volcanic rocks have zircon U‐Pb ages of 290–270 Ma. Secondly, they are characterized by (a) ranging in composition from the low‐K tholeiite series to high‐K calc‐alkaline series; (b) enrichment in light rare earth elements and depletion of heavy rare earth elements, with negative Eu anomalies; and (c) negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies. Finally, the volcanic rocks yield ∊Hf(t) values of +7.1 to +17. These data suggest that the central Jilin volcanic rocks were possibly derived from predominant partial melting of a depleted lithospheric mantle that might have been modified by subducted slab–derived fluids. Combined with previous studies, the Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic magmatism in Central Jilin can be divided into two stages: (a) a volcanic arc stage (290–270 Ma) represented by low‐K to high–K, tholeiite to calc–alkaline plutons and (b) a syn–collisional stage (260–240 Ma) represented by high‐K calc–alkaline I‐type granites. Furthermore, the timing and the tectonic setting of the above magmatic rocks show that the arc was probably produced by the northward subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean and that the final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean occurred prior to the Early Triassic.