Daji Zu
Zhanzhan Duan
Wei Cui2*- 1Hebei Province Collaborative Innovation Center for Strategic Critical Mineral Research, College of Earth Sciences, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, China
- 2The 2nd Geological Brigade of Hebei Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resource Exploration, Tangshan, China
Previous metamorphic studies in the eastern Hebei terrane have predominantly focused on rocks within gneiss domes and the Saheqiao linear tectonic belt, while the metamorphosed supracrustal rocks of the Luanxian Group in the Lulong-Shuangshanzi supracrustal belt between gneiss domes remain insufficiently investigated, with limited understanding of their metamorphic characteristics and tectonic setting. This study conducts detailed field investigations, petrological observations, phase equilibria modelling, and zircon U–Pb geochronology on biotite-plagioclase gneisses (samples N16-1 and N16-6) from the Sijiaying iron deposit area. Sample N16-1 contains a mineral assemblage dominated by biotite, K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, and epidote, with minor muscovite and sphene, where the minimum XAn in plagioclase (0.20) and maximum XTi in biotite (0.102) constrain peak metamorphic conditions to ∼7.4 kbar/586°C in the phase diagram. Chemical composition zoning with increasing XTi from core to rim in biotite indicates a pre-peak P–T increase process. Sample N16-6 exhibits a mineral assemblage of biotite, plagioclase, K-feldspar, muscovite, and quartz, with epidote and albite occurring as inclusions in biotite, where peak P–T conditions of ∼7.0 kbar/630°C are defined by XAn (0.174) in plagioclase and XTi (0.104) in biotite. Post-peak decompression-cooling is defined by decreasing XTi from core to rim in matrix biotite, collectively defining a clockwise P–T path. Whole-rock geochemical data suggest that the protoliths of the metamorphic supracrustal rocks are pelite and/or greywacke. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating yields weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 2,547 ± 14 Ma (MSWD = 0.32) and 2,555 ± 14 Ma (MSWD = 0.30) for samples N16-1 and N16-6, respectively. The age of ∼2.55 Ga is considered as the maximum depositional timing of supracrustal protoliths, synchronous with TTG gneiss magmatism and regional amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Integrating previous studies with the geological observations of “dome-and-keel” architecture, near-synchronous magmatism, sedimentation, and metamorphism, as well as characteristic P–T paths, we propose that the eastern Hebei terrane was dominated by a vertical tectonic regime during the Neoarchean.
1 Introduction
The Archean cratons are predominantly composed of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) gneisses with minor supracrustal rocks (Condie, 1981), wherein the supracrustal sequences can be categorized into two types based on their occurrences. The first type forms synformal supracrustal belts (commonly termed greenstone belts) that are distributed between dome-shaped granitoid batholiths, collectively constituting the characteristic “dome and keel” architecture (Campbell and Hill, 1988; Collins et al., 1998; Lin et al., 2013; François et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2025), while the second type occurs as rafts or enclaves within the domal granitoids (Duan et al., 2017; Yang and Wei, 2017a; 2017b; Liu et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2021; Yu et al., 2022). The former one predominantly records greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metamorphism, whereas the metamorphic grade of the latter one exhibits a negative correlation with enclave dimensions. The larger supracrustal blocks typically preserve lower-grade metamorphic assemblages while smaller blocks attain higher metamorphic conditions, even reaching up to ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism (Jayananda et al., 2012; Lin and Beakhouse, 2013; Duan et al., 2017; Sizova et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2024). Supracrustal sequences metamorphosed under greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions generally exhibit clockwise P–T paths (Stevens, 2002; Diener et al., 2005; Dziggel et al., 2006; Cutts et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2020), whereas those subjected to granulite- to ultrahigh-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism are predominantly characterized by counterclockwise P–T paths (Kwan et al., 2016; Duan et al., 2017; Yang and Wei, 2017a; Liu et al., 2022; Cui et al., 2024).
The Early Precambrian metamorphic basement of the North China Craton is considered to have been assembled through continent-continent or arc-continent collisions of multiple microblocks, though controversies persist regarding the timing of cratonization, subdivision of microblocks, and collision-amalgamation mechanisms (Wu et al., 1998; Zhao et al., 2005; 2012; Zhai and Santosh, 2011; Zhao and Zhai, 2013; Kusky et al., 2016; 2022; Wei et al., 2023). A prevailing model proposes that the metamorphic basement comprises four continental blocks and three Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts (Figure 1a), wherein the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks collided at ∼1.95 Ga to form the Western Block and the Khondalite Belt, while the Longgang and Langrim Blocks amalgamated at ∼1.95 Ga to establish the Eastern Block and the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, culminating in the final collision between the Eastern and Western blocks at ∼1.85 Ga that completed the cratonic consolidation (Zhao et al., 2005; 2012; Zhang et al., 2012; 2015). The Archean basement of the Longgang Block is dominated by 2.6–2.5 Ga TTG gneisses with minor supracrustal sequences. Previous metamorphic studies on the Longgang Block have primarily focused on granulite terranes, revealing Neoarchean granulite-facies metamorphism characterized by counterclockwise P–T paths (Zhao et al., 1998; Kwan et al., 2016), with some granulites reaching UHT metamorphic conditions (Duan et al., 2017; Yang and Wei, 2017a; Liu et al., 2022). These counterclockwise P–T paths have been attributed to mantle plume activity (Zhao, 2014) or interpreted as reflecting an Archean-specific vertical tectonic regime (Liu et al., 2024). In contrast, amphibolite-facies supracrustal rocks in the Longgang Block remain understudied, with divergent interpretations regarding their P–T path styles (counterclockwise vs. clockwise) (Zhao et al., 1998; Wu et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2020). The eastern Hebei terrane, located in the northwestern part of the Longgang Block within the North China Craton, extensively exposes Archean crystalline basement composed predominantly of TTG gneisses, K-rich granites, metamorphosed supracrustal rocks, and minor metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic rocks (Wu et al., 1998; Geng et al., 2006; Yang et al., 2008; Nutman et al., 2011; Duan et al., 2017; Liu et al., 2024). Recent systematic studies on metamorphism of TTG gneisses and supracrustal rocks within domal structures in the eastern Hebei region have achieved substantial progress, including: (1) identification of two phases of metamorphism (Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic), with Paleoproterozoic high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism displaying clockwise P–T paths that may represent an independent collisional orogeny (Duan et al., 2015; 2019; Yang and Wei, 2017b; Lu and Wei, 2020; Wei et al., 2023); (2) recognition of Neoarchean UHT metamorphism characterized by counterclockwise P–T path involving the prograde process dominated by pressure increase, the UHT peak stage and the post-peak cooling process (Yang and Wei, 2017a; Liu et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2024); (3) documentation of Neoarchean amphibolite-facies metamorphism with clockwise P–T paths (Liu et al., 2020), explained through sagduction models to account for coexisting diverse metamorphic P–T paths within the same region (Yu et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2024); and (4) discovery of high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in Neoarchean mafic-ultramafic rocks, interpreted as products of plate tectonic processes (Liu et al., 2018; Wu et al., 2022; Ning et al., 2022; 2023). Nevertheless, metamorphic investigations remain scarce for the Lulong-Shuangshanzi supracrustal belt (Figure 1b). In this paper, systematic data of petrography, mineral chemistry, phase equilibrium modelling and zircon dating are presented for biotite-plagioclase gneisses from Sijiaying iron deposit area in the eastern Hebei terrane (Figure 1c).
Figure 1. (a) The tectonic framework of North China Craton (modified after Zhao et al., 2012). (b) Geological map of the East Hebei (modified after Wu et al., 1998; Geng et al., 2006). (c) Schematic geological map of the Sijiaying iron ore area showing the distribution of Luanxian Group as well as sample localities (modified after Wu et al., 2015).
This study aims to (i) evaluate the phase equilibria and P–T evolution for pelitic gneisses from the Luanxian Group; (ii) to constrain the depositional age of biotite-plagioclase gneisses; and (iii) to provide insights into the Neoarchean tectonic setting of the eastern Hebei terrane.
2 Geological setting
The eastern Hebei terrane is characterized by widespread outcrop of early Precambrian basement rocks and preserves the Archean “dome-and-keel” structure (Geng et al., 2006; Duan et al., 2017; Zhao et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2025). The metamorphic basement complex is predominantly composed of TTG gneisses, charnockites, potassic granites, (ultra) mafic to felsic supracrustal rocks, and banded iron formations (BIFs) (Sun et al., 2010; Zhao and Zhai, 2013; Guo et al., 2015; Kwan et al., 2016; Liu and Wei, 2018; Fu et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2024; Zhao et al., 2025). The metamorphic basement of the eastern Hebei terrane can be subdivided into five lithotectonic units (Figure 1b), including (I) the Saheqiao linear tectonic belt, (II) the Taipingzhai gneiss dome, (III) the Qian’an gneiss dome, (IV) the Lulong-Shuangshanzi supracrustal belt, and (V) the Anziling gneiss dome (Wu et al., 1998; Geng et al., 2006). Saheqiao linear tectonic belt exhibits a NEE–EW-trending structural fabric, extending across the Malanyu–Saheqiao–Shangying–Bancheng areas. This belt is primarily composed of TTG gneisses and supracrustal sequences, with the latter predominantly occurring as raft-like enclaves within plutonic intrusions. Zircon U–Pb geochronology constrains the TTG gneisses to magmatic emplacement at 2.55–2.50 Ga, followed by metamorphic overprinting during 2.47–2.31 Ga (Geng et al., 2006; Nutman et al., 2011; Guo et al., 2013; Bai et al., 2014), while minor intrusive bodies yield crystallization ages of ∼2.9 Ga (Liou et al., 2017). The supracrustal rafts comprise mafic granulites, amphibolites, ultramafic rocks, pelitic rocks and BIFs, with their protolith formation at ∼2.50 Ga and two phases of high-grade metamorphism at 2.51–2.48 Ga and 1.83–1.77 Ga (Zhang et al., 2012; Yang and Wei, 2017b; Lu and Wei, 2020; Liu et al., 2022). Recent studies propose that ultramafic rocks and some garnet clinopyroxenites record high- to ultrahigh-pressure eclogite-facies metamorphism, interpreted as an evidence for Neoarchean plate tectonic regimes involving deep subduction and/or collision processes (Kusky et al., 2022; Ning et al., 2022; 2023; Wu et al., 2022; 2024). However, Zou et al. (2022) recalculated the metamorphic P–T conditions of garnet pyroxenites through revised phase equilibrium modelling, demonstrating that the peak pressure of garnet pyroxenites were overestimated by 7–11 kbar, which should be high-pressure granulite-facies. The gneiss domes are dominated by TTG gneisses, charnockites, potassic granites and supracrustal enclaves. Zircon U–Pb geochronology constrains the magmatic emplacement of TTG gneisses and charnockites to be 2.56–2.48 Ga (Bai et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2024) with a few of 3.8–2.9 Ga (Nutman et al., 2011; 2014; Liu et al., 2013; Wan et al., 2015; Sun et al., 2016; Chu et al., 2016; Dong et al., 2024; Zhao et al., 2025). The supracrustal rocks from Taipingzhai and the northwestern margin of the Qian’an gneiss dome consists predominantly pelitic granulites, mafic granulites and BIFs, which underwent (UHT) granulite-facies metamorphism with a counterclockwise P–T path during 2.53–2.47 Ga (Kwan et al., 2016; Duan et al., 2017; Liu and Wei, 2020; Liu et al., 2022). The garnet biotite-plagioclase gneisses and fuchsite quartzites from the Caozhuang area underwent amphibolite facies metamorphism with a clockwise P–T path (Liu et al., 2020; 2024). The coexisting diverse P–T–t paths could be well interpreted with a sagduction process (Liu et al., 2024; Yu et al., 2022).
The Lulong–Shuangshanzi supracrustal belt extends north–south between gneiss domes, comprising the Shuangshanzi Group and the Luanxian Group (Sun et al., 2010; Liu et al., 2014). The Shuangshanzi supracrustal rocks consist mainly of greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metavolcanic-sedimentary sequences. Volcanic interlayers record magmatic ages of 2.60–2.51 Ga, overprinted by thermal events at 2.46–2.44 Ga, potentially formed in an island arc (Sun et al., 2010; Guo et al., 2015) or intracontinental rift setting (Zhai, 2011; Lv et al., 2012). The Luanxian Group comprises biotite schist, amphibolites, biotite-plagioclase gneiss, garnet-biotite gneisses, fuchsite quartzites and BIFs (Geng et al., 2006; Chu et al., 2016). The metamorphic volcanic-sedimentary sequences and granitoids in the Lulong area were formed at 2.53–2.50 Ga and 2.51–2.47 Ga, respectively, with anatexis and regional metamorphism occurring between 2.51 and 2.48 Ga (Wang et al., 2019). Wan et al. (2021) redefined the ancient supracrustal rocks exposed in the Labashan and Huangbaiyu areas as the Caozhuang-Labashan supracrustal sequence, which formed at 3.4–3.1 Ga (Zhao et al., 2023) and likely represents a tectonic environment involving mantle plume-crust interaction (Wan et al., 2021; Dong et al., 2024).
3 Analytical methods
This study focuses on detailed petrological investigations, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), phase equilibria modelling, and zircon U–Pb isotopic geochronology of biotite-plagioclase gneisses (samples N16-1 and N16-6). Analytical work was conducted by Wuhan SampleSolution Analytical Technology Co., Ltd.
3.1 Mineral major element chemistry analysis
The quantitative analysis of in situ major elements of minerals was completed by using an electron probe microanalyzer at Wuhan SampleSolution Analytical Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China. Complete the analysis using JXA-8230 of JEOL. The voltage and current analyzed are 15 KV and 10 nA, respectively, with a beam diameter set to 3 μm for feldspar and mica and 1 μm for epidote. The calibration standard samples for the content of major elements use 53 kinds of mineral standard samples, 44 kinds of elemental standard samples, and 15 kinds of rare earth element standard samples provided by SPI Company. The data correction method adopts the ZAF correction method of JEOL. The results are listed in Supplementary Table S1.
3.2 Whole rock major element analysis
The sample pretreatment of whole rock for major element analysis was made by the melting method. The flux is a mixture of lithium tetraborate, lithium metaborate, and lithium fluoride (45:10:5). Ammonium nitrate and lithium bromide were used as oxidants and release agents, respectively. The melting temperature was 1,050°C and the melting time was 15 min. Zsx Primus II wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) produced by RIGAKU, Japan was used for the analysis of major elements in the whole rock. The data were corrected by the theoretical α coefficient method. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 2%. The whole-rock geochemical data are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Bulk-rock compositions of supracrustal rocks from Luanxian Group.
3.3 Zircon U–Pb analysis
U–Pb dating and trace element analysis of zircon were simultaneously conducted by LA-ICP-MS at the Wuhan SampleSolution Analytical Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China. An Agilent 7900 ICP-MS instrument was used to acquire ion-signal intensities. The spot size and frequency of the laser were set to 24 µm and 5Hz, respectively. Zircon Tanz and glass NIST610 served as external standards for U–Pb dating and trace element calibration (Hu et al., 2021), respectively. Each analysis incorporated a background acquisition of approximately 20–30 s, followed by 50 s of data acquisition from the sample. An Excel-based software, ICPMSDataCal, was used to perform off-line selection and integration of background and analyzed signals, time-drift correction, and quantitative calibration for trace element analysis and U–Pb dating (Liu et al., 2008). Concordia diagrams and weighted mean calculations were conducted using Isoplot/Ex_ver3 (Ludwig, 2003). The results are listed in Supplementary Table S2.
4 Results
4.1 Field characteristics of samples
The investigated suite comprises biotite-plagioclase gneisses and biotite schist sampled from the Sijiaying iron ore district, Xiangtang Town, Luanzhou City. These supracrustal units are stratigraphically interlayered with BIFs, which exhibit characteristic rhythmic alternations of siliceous and iron-rich laminae (Figure 2a). Within the biotite schist, a penetrative tectonic foliation is defined by preferentially oriented biotite aggregates, displaying continuous planar alignment wherein quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar form elongate grains parallel to the foliation plane (Figure 2b). Sample N16-1 (biotite-plagioclase gneiss) manifests typical gneissic banding with irregular lenticular segregations of biotite-dominated mafic layers contrasting against felsic mineral domains (Figure 2c). While sharing similar structural characteristics, sample N16-6 exhibits coarser-grained gneissose banding relative to N16-1 (Figure 2d).
Figure 2. Field photographs and photomicrographs of the supracrustal rocks in Sijiaying. (a–d) Outcrop Photographs of supracrustal rocks and BIFs. (e–g) Photomicrographs of biotite schist and biotite-plagioclase gneisses showing the mineral assemblages in samples N12-6, N16-1 and N16-6. Plane polarized light. (h–j) Photomicrographs of biotite schist and biotite-plagioclase gneisses showing the mineral assemblages in samples N12-6, N16-1 and N16-6. Crossed polarized light. Abbreviations of minerals: bt, biotite; ep, epidote; pl, plagioclase; kfs, K-feldspar; qz, quartz; mus, muscovite.
4.2 Petrography and chemistry
The main mineral components in biotite schist (N12-6) include biotite (65 vol%), K-feldspar (14%), plagioclase (3%), epidote (8%), and quartz (10%), with minor accessory minerals such as zircon and apatite (Figure 2e). The K-feldspar grains are uniformly sized (0.1–0.2 mm), appearing subhedral to anhedral. Chemically, the K-feldspars are dominated by microcline (Figure 3a). Biotite can be divided into two types based on grain size. The coarse-grained biotite is of 0.4–0.7 mm across, and the fine-grained one is 0.1–0.3 mm across (Figure 2h). Chemical composition analysis reveals that the XMg [= Mg/(Fe2+ + Mg)] of biotite shows limited variation (0.39–0.41). The XTi content in fine-grained biotite (0.03–0.05 a.p.f.u.) is slightly lower than those in coarse-grained biotite (0.04–0.07 a.p.f.u.) (Figure 3b). Both types are classified as ferroan biotite based on their compositional plots (Figure 3c). Epidote occurs either as cross-cutting veins through biotite or as disseminated grains within the matrix.
Figure 3. (a) An–Ab–Or diagram showing the compositions of ternary feldspars (after Aldahaan, 2020). (b) Ti–XMg diagram for biotite. (c) Mg–Al + Fe3++Ti–Fe2++Mn diagram showing the classification of biotite (after Foster, 1960). (d) Protolith discrimination diagrams for supracrustal Rocks (after Herron, 1988).
The biotite-plagioclase gneiss (N16-1) exhibits a grayish-black color with gneissic structure characterized by oriented biotite flakes intergrown with granular minerals (Figure 2f). The mineral assemblage comprises biotite (25 vol%), K-feldspar (2%), plagioclase (34%), epidote (3%), and quartz (36%), along with accessory muscovite, sphene, zircon and calcite (Figure 2i). Biotite grains show uniform size. Microprobe traverses of biotite exhibit zoning profiles, with the XTi contents increasing from core to rim (0.085–0.102), while XMg values (0.52–0.53) in biotite is homogeneous. According to compositional discrimination diagrams, they were classified as magnesian biotite (Figure 3c). K-feldspar occurs as xenomorphic to subhedral microcline, while plagioclase is predominantly oligoclase with XAn = 0.20–0.21. Some albite grains occur as inclusions in biotite. Epidote occurs as fine-grained aggregates in the matrix.
The mineral assemblage in sample N16-6 consists mainly of biotite (18 vol%), K-feldspar (9%), plagioclase (43%), muscovite (1%), and quartz (29%), along with minor epidote, albite and zircon (Figure 2g). The biotite can be divided into coarse-grained biotite (0.3–0.4 mm) and fine-grained biotite (<0.2 mm) based on grain size (Figure 2j). The XTi contents in coarse-grained biotite generally decrease (0.104–0.088) from core to rim, while XTi contents in fine-grained biotite is relatively homogeneous (0.099–0.090). Both types exhibit XMg values of 0.49–0.51, indicating magnesian biotite based on compositional classification diagrams (Figure 3c). The K-feldspar has a grain size of 0.2–0.3 mm, all being microcline. Plagioclase grains are across of 0.2–0.5 mm, being oligoclase with XAn = 0.17–0.23. Minor fine-grained epidote and albite occurs as inclusions within biotite grains, interpreted to have formed in a later stage than the matrix biotite.
The representative supracrustal rock samples collected from Sijiaying area include biotite schist and biotite-plagioclase gneisses. The biotite schist (N12-6) has a SiO2 content of 43.43 wt%, which is lower than that of the biotite-plagioclase gneisses. It exhibits higher Al2O3 (16.12 wt.%) and Fe2O3T (19.76 wt.%), with MgO = 6.22 wt.%, CaO = 3.49 wt.%, XMg = 0.26, and A/CNK = 1.45 (Table 1). Combined with protolith reconstruction diagrams, these data indicate that the protolith of this schist is shale formed in an Fe-Al-rich sedimentary environment (Figure 3d). The biotite-plagioclase gneisses have SiO2 contents of 65.89–67.45 wt.%, Al2O3 = 12.73–14.89 wt.%, Fe2O3T = 4.34–5.95 wt.%, MgO = 2.19–2.91 wt.%, CaO = 1.39–2.56 wt.%, XMg = 0.35–0.40, and A/CNK = 1.48–1.53. The protoliths of these gneisses are classified as greywacke on the discrimination diagram (Figure 3d).
4.3 Zircon U–Pb age
The zircon grains in sample N16-1 are predominantly subhedral to anhedral, displaying prismatic or elliptical shapes (Figure 4a), with aspect ratios of 1:1–1:3 and long-axis lengths of 50–130 μm. Most zircons exhibit core-rim structures, where the cores show distinct or blurred oscillatory zoning, suggesting their magmatic orogin (Wu and Zheng, 2004). While a few displays planar zoning or without zoning. The rims are extremely narrow and dark gray. A total of 70 analytical spots on 62 zircon grains were analyzed for trace element compositions and U–Pb dating. The Th/U ratios range from 0.05 to 1.23. In the 207Pb/235U-206Pb/238U concordia diagram (Figure 4c), most zircons deviate from the concordia line due to varying degrees of Pb loss. The 207Pb/206Pb apparent ages range from 1731 ± 55 Ma to 2,898 ± 59 Ma, with a peak age of 2,552 Ma. Analyses plotting on or near the concordia line yield a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 2,547 ± 14 Ma (MSWD = 0.32, n = 29).
Figure 4. (a,b) Cathodoluminescence images of representative zircon grains from samples N16-1 and N16-6, showing the inner structures, analyzed U–Pb locations, and calculated apparent 207Pb/206Pb ages. (c,d) Zircon U–Pb isotopic concordia diagrams of samples N16-1 and N16-6. (e,f) Chondrite normalized REE patterns of zircon grains (Sun and McDonough, 1989).
The zircon grains in sample N16-6 are predominantly subhedral to anhedral, displaying prismatic or elliptical shapes (Figure 4b), with aspect ratios of 1:1–1:2 and sizes of 60–120 μm. Most zircons exhibit core-rim structures, where the cores show distinct or blurred oscillatory zoning, while a few displays weak planar zoning with bright luminescence. The rims are extremely narrow and light gray. A total of 73 analytical spots on 64 zircon grains were analyzed for trace element compositions and U–Pb dating. The Th/U ratios range from 0.18 to 1.61. In the 207Pb/235U-206Pb/238U concordia diagram (Figure 4d), most zircons deviate from the concordia line due to varying degrees of Pb loss. The 207Pb/206Pb apparent ages range from 2,229 ± 67 Ma to 2,727 ± 37 Ma, with a peak age of 2,556 Ma. Analyses plotting on or near the concordia line yield a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 2,555 ± 14 Ma (MSWD = 0.30, n = 41). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show that zircon grains from samples N16-1 and N16-6 predominantly display positive Ce anomalies, (Lu/Gd)N values of 2.22–89.86, and HREE contents higher than LREE, resulting in steeply left-inclined patterns (Figures 4e,f).
4.4 Phase equilibria modelling
Phase quilibria are modelled for samples N16-1 and N16-6 in the system MnNCKFMASHTO (MnO-Na2O-CaO-K2O-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O-TiO2-O). Calculations are performed using GeoPs software (Xiang and Connolly, 2021) incorporating the ds62 thermodynamic dataset (Holland and Powell, 2011). Mineral and activity-composition models used in the calculations are plagioclase and K-feldspar (Holland and Powell, 2003), biotite and muscovite (White et al., 2014), epidote (Holland and Powell, 1998), ilmenite and magnetite (White, 2000), garnet, chlorite, cordierite and melt (White et al., 2014). Sillimanite, andalusite, rutile, titanite, and quartz were pure end-member components. P–T pseudosection for each sample was calculated using an effective bulk-rock composition which was generated according to mass balance constraints by integrating mineral compositions and modal abundance data of the phases present (Carson et al., 1999). The effective bulk-rock compositions used for phase diagram calculations are listed in Table 1.
4.4.1 Sample N16-1
The P–T pseudosection for sample N16-1 was constructed over a range of 1–8 kbar/400°C–800°C (Figure 5). Biotite and quartz are present in all mineral assemblages. The water-saturated solidus in this pseudosection occurs at 655°C–735°C, showing a steep negative slope, with a gentler slope at pressures <2.6 kbar. The disappearance line of K-feldspar nearly coincides with the solidus. The peak mineral assemblage (bt + kf + pl + qz + ep + mus + sph + H2O) is stable at 4.5–10 kbar/520°C–620°C. The pseudosection is contoured with isopleths of XTi and XMg [ = Mg/(Mg + Fe2+)] in biotite, and XAn in plagioclase. The XTi isopleths of biotite display steep slopes and increases with rising temperature within the rutile-bearing and/or sphene-bearing assemblage. The XMg isopleths of biotite display positive slopes. The XAn isopleths increases with the pressure decreasing. The measured minimum XAn of 0.20 from the core of matrix plagioclase, the maximum XTi of 0.102 together with XMg of 0.53 from the matrix biotite define a peak P–T condition of ∼7.4 kbar/586°C. Combine with the increasing XTi from core to rim in matrix biotite, a prograde path with P–T condition increasing during the pre-peak process was predicted.
Figure 5. P-T pseudosection for sample N16-1 in the systems NCKFMASHTO. The pseudosection is contoured with isopleths of biotite and plagioclase for relevant assemblages. Compositions used for modelling the P-T pseudosection are listed in Table 1. Abbreviations of minerals: bt, biotite; ep, epidote; pl, plagioclase; kfs, K-feldspar; qz, quartz; mus, muscovite; gt, garnet; sph, sphene; ab, albite; mt, magnetite; ru, rutile; ilm, ilmenite; and, andalusite; sill, sillimanite; crd, cordierite.
4.4.2 Sample N16-6
The P–T pseudosection for sample N16-6 was constructed over a range of 1–10 kbar/400°C–800°C (Figure 6). Biotite is stable throughout the calculated P–T range. The water-saturated solidus occurs at 635°C–730°C, showing a steep negative slope at pressures >3 kbar and a gentler slope at pressures <3 kbar. The peak mineral assemblage (bt + kfs + pl + mus + qz + H2O) is stable at 1.7–8.4 kbar/587°C–663°C. Mineral composition isopleths plotted in the pseudosection include XTi and Fe2+/3 in biotite, and XAn in plagioclase. The XAn isopleths of plagioclase exhibit steep positive slopes at temperatures below ∼550°C and above ∼640°C, while showing gentler slopes between 550°C and 640°C, with XAn values gradually increasing as pressure decrease. The XTi isopleths of biotite generally display steep slopes in rutile-bearing and garnet-bearing mineral assemblages. XTi content increases with rising temperature in ilmenite-bearing and rutile-bearing assemblages. The measured minimum XAn of 0.17 from the matrix plagioclase, the maximum XTi of 0.104 together with Xann of 0.417 from the core of the coarse-grained biotite define a peak P–T condition of ∼7.0 kbar/630°C. The increasing XAn in plagioclase from core to rim (0.17–0.23) and the decreasing XTi in coarse-grained biotite constrain a post-peak decompression and cooling process. The pre-peak process is characterized by the epidote and albite inclusion assemblage in matrix biotite and feldspar. Therefore, a clockwise P–T path is constrained.
Figure 6. P-T pseudosection for sample N16-6 in the systems MnNCKFMASHTO. The pseudosection is contoured with isopleths of biotite and plagioclase for relevant assemblages. Compositions used for modelling the P-T pseudosection are listed in Table 1. Abbreviations of minerals are the same as in Figure 5.
5 Discussion
5.1 Metamorphic evolution of supracrustal rocks
Based on the petrographic characteristics and phase equilibria modelling, the metamorphic evolution of the supracrustal rocks from Sijiaying area, eastern Hebei, includes three stages: (i) pre-peak prograde to peak stage; (ii) peak stage; and (iii) post-peak decompression and cooling stage. For sample N16-6, a clockwise P–T path involving peak condition and post peak decompression and cooling process was well defined. The peak P–T condition was constrained to be at ∼7.0 kbar/630°C based on the minimum XAn in plagioclase and maximum XTi isopleths in biotite, followed by decompression and cooling with metamorphic reaction of pl + mus = bt + kfs + qz + H2O. The pre-peak prograde process can be inferred from the inclusion assemblages of epidote, sphene and albite within biotite and K-feldspar, which was dominated by metamorphic reaction of mus + ab + ep + sph + qz = kfs + bt + pl + H2O. For sample N16-1, the pre-peak prograde to peak stage is inferred on the basis of biotite zoning and inclusions in matrix biotite and feldspar, showing a P–T segment with increase in both pressure and temperature, dominated by metamorphic reaction of ab + sph + ep + mus + qz = Pl + bt + kfs + H2O. The peak condition is defined by the minimum XAn in plagioclase and maximum XTi isopleths in biotite. The post-peak stage, including decompression process, in sample N16-1 is inferred to be similar as those in sample N16-6. Phase equilibria modelling for sample N12-6 (biotite schist) defines broadly constrained P–T conditions, precluding precise determination of peak metamorphism. However, the XTi in biotite (0.03–0.07 a.p.f.u.) from biotite schist is markedly lower than that of the two biotite-plagioclase gneiss samples, suggesting greenschist-facies metamorphism indicative of shallower crustal depths relative to the gneissic units.
5.2 Timing of deposition
Previous geochronological studies on the eastern Hebei terrane demonstrate that the protolith of metamorphic supracrustal rocks predominantly formed between 2.61 and 2.50 Ga (Guo et al., 2013; Wan et al., 2015; Sun et al., 2016; Fu et al., 2016; Lu et al., 2017; Duan et al., 2017; Liu and Wei, 2020), with magmatic activity concentrated at 2.56–2.48 Ga (Geng et al., 2006; Nutman et al., 2011; Bai et al., 2016; Yang and Wei, 2017b; Li et al., 2019; Duan et al., 2022). The eastern Hebei terrane underwent two phases of metamorphism during the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic, with metamorphic ages primarily concentrated at 2.53–2.47 Ga and 1.85–1.77 Ga (Geng et al., 2006; Nutman et al., 2011; Yang and Wei, 2017b; Duan et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2020; Li et al., 2024). The biotite-plagioclase gneisses of the Luanxian Group in this study contain magmatic zircon grains with significantly old 207Pb/206Pb apparent ages of 2.90–2.63 Ga, indicating the presence of ancient rocks or zircons in the source region. Some ancient age records have also been reported from Labashan area (>3.4 Ga) in Lulong County (Chu et al., 2016; Wan et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2023; Dong et al., 2024), Zhuzhangzi area (>2.90 Ga) in Qinglong County (Sun et al., 2010; Guo et al., 2015) and Huangbaiyu area in Qian’an (>3.8 Ga) (Liu et al., 1992; Wu et al., 2005; Wilde et al., 2008), indicating prolonged and widespread Archean magmatism. The youngest concordant 207Pb/206Pb age group together with weight mean ages of 2,547 ± 14 Ma and 2,555 ± 14 Ma from biotite-plagioclase gneiss provides a maximum age for the deposition of the Luanxian supracrustal rocks in this study, which is consistent with the depositional age of the Sijiaying BIFs (Cui et al., 2014; Han et al., 2014; Fu et al., 2021; Gao et al., 2023). Metamorphic volcanic rocks and BIFs from the Luanxian Group record ∼2.50 Ga metamorphic ages (Han et al., 2014; Gao et al., 2023).
5.3 Tectonic implications
The tectonic evolution of the Precambrian basement in the eastern Hebei terrane during the Neoarchean remains debated. Multiple geodynamic models have been proposed to explain the tectonic setting of Archean metamorphism, including: (1) horizontal tectonic models involving microcontinental block subduction-collision or oceanic slab subduction leading to continent-continent collision (Zhai and Santosh, 2011; Nutman et al., 2011; Fu et al., 2017; Lu et al., 2017; Liu et al., 2018; Kusky et al., 2022; Ning et al., 2023; Wu et al., 2022); (2) Vertical tectonic models associated with mantle plume activity (Zhao et al., 1998; Geng et al., 2006; Yang et al., 2008; Zhao and Zhai, 2013; Kwan et al., 2016); and (3) Archean-specific vertical tectonic regimes associated with sagduction (Duan et al., 2017; Liu et al., 2024; Yu et al., 2022; Li et al., 2024). By integrating the metamorphic evolution and geochronological results obtained from the Luanxian supracrustal rocks with previous studies, we propose that a sagduction model dominated the Neoarchean tectonic regime of the eastern Hebei terrane, evidenced by: (1) Despite multiple phases of metamorphic and deformational overprinting, the Archean dome-and-keel architecture preserved in the eastern Hebei terrane, which distinctly differs from the linear structural patterns of Phanerozoic orogenic belts (Zhao et al., 1999; 2012; Liu et al., 2018; 2024; Zhao et al., 2021; Yu et al., 2022; Xu et al., 2022); (2) Plutonic intrusions (e.g., TTG gneisses, K-rich granites, and quartz diorites) are widespread and coeval, emplaced within a narrow age range (Geng et al., 2006; Yang et al., 2008; Nutman et al., 2011; Wan et al., 2015); (3) The depositional age of supracrustal protoliths shows approximate temporal coincidence with regional magmatism and metamorphism (Zhao and Zhai, 2013; Wan et al., 2015; Duan et al., 2017; Liu et al., 2020; 2024; Zhao et al., 2021; Chen et al., 2024); (4) The Shuangshanzi-Lulong supracrustal belt, located within the Qian’an and Anziling gneiss domes, exhibits a synformal structure with subvertical lineations and sinistral ductile shear zones, indicating downward sag relative to TTG gneisses (Liu et al., 2017; Zhao et al., 2021); (5) The Luanxian Group supracrustal rocks underwent amphibolite-facies metamorphism with a clockwise P-T path and a geothermal gradient of 24°C/km, analogous to the evolution of supracrustal sequences in the Pilbara craton (Figure 7) (François et al., 2014; Cutts et al., 2014), which was attributed to sagduction according to numerical simulation results (François et al., 2014; Sizova et al., 2018; Yu et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2024).
Figure 7. The summarized metamorphic P-T conditions and paths for supracrustal rocks from the East Hebei terrane and their comparison with those from Stolzburg block and the East Pilbara Terrane. Metamorphic facies boundaries follow the classification by Brown and Johnson (2018).
6 Conclusion
The geological, mineralogical, zircon U–Pb geochronological data and phase equilibria modelling results of the Luanxian supracrustal rocks in eastern Hebei terrane presented in this study lead to the following conclusions:
(1) Biotite-plagioclase gneisses in the Luanxian Group show clockwise P–T path characteristic of amphibolite-facies metamorphism, comprising pre-peak heating and compression to peak P–T conditions of ∼7.0 kbar/630°C and ∼7.4 kbar/586°C, followed by post-peak decompression and cooling.
(2) The protoliths of the Luanxian supracrustal rocks, composed of pelitic rocks and greywackes, were deposited at ∼2.55 Ga and subsequently underwent regional metamorphism.
(3) The eastern Hebei terrane was dominated by a vertical tectonic regime during the Neoarchean.
Data availability statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.
Author contributions
DZ: Formal Analysis, Writing – original draft, Methodology, Software, Data curation, Investigation. ZD: Writing – original draft, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization, Supervision, Project administration, Writing – review and editing, Methodology, Data curation, Investigation. WC: Writing – review and editing, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Formal Analysis. LY: Software, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Formal Analysis. JL: Writing – original draft, Software, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Methodology. ZT: Formal Analysis, Writing – original draft, Data curation, Methodology. JZ: Supervision, Formal Analysis, Writing – original draft, Methodology.
Funding
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This article was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41902060), the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province of China (Grant No. D2024403070), and the PhD Research Startup Foundation of Hebei GEO University (Grant No. BQ2024012).
Acknowledgments
We thank the Editor and the two reviewers for their thoughtful and constructive comments. We thank Tiange Xie for her involvement in the field work.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Generative AI statement
The author(s) declare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.
Publisher’s note
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Supplementary material
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1655963/full#supplementary-material
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Keywords: eastern Hebei, phase equilibria modelling, metamorphic P-T paths, zircon U-Pb dating, North China Craton
Citation: Zu D, Duan Z, Cui W, Yang L, Liu J, Tian Z and Zhang J (2025) Geochronology and metamorphic evolution of the biotite-plagioclase gneisses from the Luanxian Group in eastern Hebei, North China Craton. Front. Earth Sci. 13:1655963. doi: 10.3389/feart.2025.1655963
Received: 29 June 2025; Accepted: 14 July 2025;
Published: 29 July 2025.
Edited by:
Chen Zhao, Shenyang Center of China Geological Survey, ChinaReviewed by:
Xu Xiaofei, Kunming University of Science and Technology, ChinaXisong Zhang, China University of Mining and Technology, China
Copyright © 2025 Zu, Duan, Cui, Yang, Liu, Tian and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Zhanzhan Duan, ZHVhbnpoYW5AcGt1LmVkdS5jbg==; Wei Cui, Y3VpX3dlaTEwMjVAMTYzLmNvbQ==