Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous Granitoids in the Qingdao Area, Jiaodong Peninsula: Constraints from Zircon U–Pb Ages, Geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf Isotopes

Abstract

The Jiaodong Peninsula is located on the junction of the North China Craton (NCC) and South China Block (SCB), where Mesozoic igneous rocks are widespread. However, the petrogenesis and tectonic settings for these Mesozoic igneous rocks are still controversial. In this study, we present detailed geochronological and geochemical analyses of quartz monzonite, monzogranite, syenogranite, and alkali feldspar granite in the Qingdao area, east of the Jiaodong Peninsula, to constrain their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. Zircon U–Pb dating shows that they mainly formed in the Early Cretaceous (120.5–113.1 Ma). Quartz monzonite exhibits adakitic geochemical features (e.g., low Y and high Sr/Y). Combined with its Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic features, we suggest that quartz monzonite may have been produced by the partial melting of phengite-bearing eclogites at the base of the thickened continental crust of the NCC. In contrast, monzogranite and syenogranite exhibit I-type granite affinities, whereas alkali feldspar granite exhibits features consistent with A-type granite. The strongly negative εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of the I-type rocks indicate that they were most likely produced through partial melting of granitic gneisses from the NCC, whereas A-type magmas may be formed through fractional crystallization from the non-adakitic granitic magma. Combined with previous studies, we suggest that these granitoids were formed in a lithospheric extensional setting via the rollback of the subducted Paleo-Pacific slab, which resulted in the reworking of the deep crust beneath the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt.