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Alpine-style nappes thrust over ancient North China continental margin demonstrate large Archean horizontal plate motions

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  • Yating Zhong

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Timothy Kusky

    (China University of Geosciences
    China University of Geosciences)

  • Lu Wang

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Ali Polat

    (China University of Geosciences
    University of Windsor)

  • Xuanyu Liu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Yaying Peng

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Zhikang Luan

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Chuanhai Wang

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Junpeng Wang

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Hao Deng

    (China University of Geosciences)

Abstract

Whether modern-style plate tectonics operated on early Earth is debated due to a paucity of definitive records of large-scale plate convergence, subduction, and collision in the Archean geological record. Archean Alpine-style sub-horizontal fold/thrust nappes in the Precambrian basement of China contain a Mariana-type subduction-initiation sequence of mid-ocean ridge basalt blocks in a 1600-kilometer-long mélange belt, overthrusting picritic-boninitic and island-arc tholeiite bearing nappes, in turn emplaced over a passive margin capping an ancient Archean continental fragment. Picrite-boninite and tholeiite units are 2698 ± 30 million years old marking the age of subduction initiation, with nappes emplaced over the passive margin at 2520 million years ago. Here, we show the life cycle of the subduction zone and ocean spanned circa 178 million years; conservative plate velocities of 2 centimeters per year yield a lateral transport distance of subducted oceanic crust of 3560 kilometers, providing direct positive evidence for horizontal plate tectonics in the Archean.

Suggested Citation

  • Yating Zhong & Timothy Kusky & Lu Wang & Ali Polat & Xuanyu Liu & Yaying Peng & Zhikang Luan & Chuanhai Wang & Junpeng Wang & Hao Deng, 2021. "Alpine-style nappes thrust over ancient North China continental margin demonstrate large Archean horizontal plate motions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26474-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26474-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jinlong Yao & Peter A. Cawood & Guochun Zhao & Yigui Han & Xiaoping Xia & Qian Liu & Peng Wang, 2021. "Mariana-type ophiolites constrain the establishment of modern plate tectonic regime during Gondwana assembly," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jin Liu & Richard M. Palin & Ross N. Mitchell & Zhenghong Liu & Jian Zhang & Zhongshui Li & Changquan Cheng & Hongxiang Zhang, 2024. "Archaean multi-stage magmatic underplating drove formation of continental nuclei in the North China Craton," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yaying Peng & Timothy Kusky & Lu Wang & Zhikang Luan & Chuanhai Wang & Xuanyu Liu & Yating Zhong & Noreen J. Evans, 2022. "Passive margins in accreting Archaean archipelagos signal continental stability promoting early atmospheric oxygen rise," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Bo Huang & Man Liu & Timothy M. Kusky & Tim E. Johnson & Simon A. Wilde & Dong Fu & Hao Deng & Qunye Qian, 2023. "Changes in orogenic style and surface environment recorded in Paleoproterozoic foreland successions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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