Early Continent Evolution of the North China Craton discusses the tectono-thermal regimes of the early continental crust in the North China Craton (NCC), from the Hadean to the early Paleoproterozoic, reconstructing the evolutional framework and facilitating comprehensive understanding of the early continent evolution of the NCC. The book systematically summarizes the Neoarchean metamorphism of the NCC and discusses the implications for the tectonic models of the NCC through compiling evolutional information of the Hadean to the early Paleoproterozoic sequences in the NCC. Researchers, academics, and students in geology (especially Precambrian Geology), geomorphology, geophysics, and geological engineering will benefit from using this book in applying tectonic models to other cratonic blocks globally, and will understand evolutional information of the largest and oldest cratonic block in China.
1. Introduction to the early continental evolution of the North China
Craton (NCC)
2. General generation and growth of Precambrian continental crust
3. Precambrian outline of the North China Craton
4. Oldest continental rocks in Hadean-Paleoarchean in the North China Craton
5. Magmatic evolution and recycling for Mesoarchean continental crust of the
North China craton
6. Neoarchean continental evolution in the North China Craton
7. Neoarchean metamorphism of the North China Craton
8. Lithospheric evolution during the 2.52.1 Ga critical period following the
Neoarchean cratonization
9. The early plate tectonics: from vertical differentiation to horizontal
accretion
Professor Mingguo Zhai works in the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China and specializes in Precambrian and metamorphic geology, and petrology. His main research interests are Precambrian tectonic evolution in China; High-temperature and high-pressure metamorphiam and reconstruction of Precambrian; Ultra-high-pressure metamorphism and continental collision; Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the North China Block. Professor Peng Peng works in the China-Brazil Joint Geoscience Research Center, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China and specializes in Precambrian geology. His research interests include Precambrian tectonics, particularly the Precambrian evolution of cratons, supercontinents and the Earth system, and the comparison of the Precambrian and modern tectonics. Currently, he is an editor/associate editor of Precambrian Research, Island Arc, Analysis and Testing Technology and Instruments, Geotectonica et Metallogenia, etc. Professor Yanyan Zhou works in the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China and specializes in Precambrian geology, Geochronology, and Geochemistry. His research interests are on Precambrian igneous rocks and the Precambrian crustal evolution of North China Craton. Professor Lei Zhao works in the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China and specializes in Precambrian geology, Zircon Geochronology, Metamorphic Petrology, and Geochronology.
