Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

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Journal of Asian Earth Sciences

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Detrital zircon ages in Korean mid-Paleozoic meta-sandstones (Imjingang MARK

Belt and Taean Formation): Constraints on tectonic and depositional setting,
source regions and possible anity with Chinese terranes

Seokyoung Hana, Koen de Jonga, , Keewook Yib
a
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwnangno, Gwanak-gu, 151-747 Seoul, Republic of Korea
b
Division of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang, Cheongwon, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) UThPb isotopic data of detrital zircons from mature,
Detrital zircon U quartz-rich meta-sandstones are used to constrain possible tectonic anities and source regions of the
Pb geochronology rhythmically layered and graded-bedded series in the Yeoncheon Complex (Imjingang Belt) and the correlative
Middle Paleozoic Taean Formation. These metamorphic marine turbidite sequences presently occur along the Paleoproterozoic
Neoproterozoic
(1.931.83 Ga) Gyeonggi Massif, central Koreas main high-grade metamorphic gneiss terrane. Yet, detrital
Paleogeography
zircons yielded highly similar multimodal age spectra with peaks that do not match the age repartition in these
Provenance
Sedimentology basement rocks, as late (1.91.8 Ga) and earliest ( 2.5 Ga) Paleoproterozoic detrital modes are subordinate
but, in contrast, Paleozoic (440425 Ma) and Neoproterozoic (980920 Ma) spikes are prominent, yet the
basement essentially lacks lithologies with such ages. The youngest concordant zircon ages in each sample are:
378, 394 and 423 Ma. The maturity of the meta-sandstones and the general roundness of zircons of magmatic
signature, irrespective of their age, suggest that sediments underwent considerable transport from source to sink,
and possibly important weathering and recycling, which may have ltered out irradiation-weakened
metamorphic zircon grains. In combination with these isotopic data, presence of a low-angle ductile fault
contact between the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation and the underlying mylonitized Precambrian
basement implies that they are in tectonic contact and do not have a stratigraphic relationship, as often assumed.
Consequently, in all likelihood, both meta-sedimentary formations: (1) are at least of early Late Devonian age,
(2) received much of their detritus from distant (reworked) SilurianDevonian and Early Neoproterozoic
magmatic sources, not present in the Gyeonggi Massif, (3) and not from Paleoproterozoic crystalline rocks of this
massif, or other Korean Precambrian basement terranes, and (4) should be viewed as independent tectonic units
that had sources not exposed in Korea.
A thorough literature review reveals that the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation were potentially
sourced from the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups in the QinlingDabie Belt, which all show very similar
detrital zircon age spectra. These immature middlelate Devonian sandstones were deposited in a pro-foreland
basin formed as a result of the aborted subduction of the South Qinling Terrane below the North Qinling Terrane,
which was uplifted and eroded during post-collision isostatic rebound. The submarine fans where the mature
distal turbiditic Yeoncheon and Taean sandstones were deposited may have constituted the eastern terminal part
of a routing system originating in the uplifted and eroded middle Paleozoic Qinling Belt and adjacent part of the
foreland basin.

1. Introduction some stage orogenic belts have a marked topographical expression,

Orogens form characteristic long, narrow linear, curvilinear, some-
times broad mountainous terranes with a complex composite geological
structure in which dierent geodynamic processes have assembled
diverse rock units of distinct type and derivation in various ways. At
forming sources of detritus from dierentially exhumed rocks. Clastic
sediments derived from orogens are consequently a mix of variable
proportions of both rst-cycle and multi-cycle detritus from meta-
morphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks (e.g., Garzanti et al., 2007;
Pettijohn, 1975). The bulk of coarse-clastic sediment is, in most

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: keuntie@yahoo.com (K. de Jong).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2017.04.028
Received 24 June 2016; Received in revised form 26 April 2017; Accepted 26 April 2017
Available online 28 April 2017
1367-9120/ 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
S. Han et al.
depositional settings, ultimately derived from drainage basins with
chemically and/or mechanically modied sediment originating from
weathered and eroded source terranes (e.g., Hurst and Morton, 2014;
Pettijohn, 1975). Among the main controls in the generation of
sedimentary particles, their transport and nal deposition are: (1)
tectonism, forming both sediment-producing mountains and sediment-
receiving basins, (2) climate-controlled weathering, aqueous transport
and diagenetic conditions, and (3) sedimentary processes themselves
(Bouma, 2004; Cawood et al., 2012). Zircon is a highly refractory
accessory mineral commonly occurring in granitic and clastic sedimen-
tary rocks that may preserve isotopic evidence of growth during
multiple igneous and metamorphic events (e.g., Cawood et al., 2012;
Fedo et al., 2003; Heaman and Parrish, 1991; Hoskin and Black, 2000;
Hoskin and Schaltegger, 2003). Because of its high resistance to
chemical weathering and mechanical abrasion during prolonged trans-
port, initially by rivers and then by marine currents, and/or recycling
through several episodes of erosion, weathering, transport, sedimenta-
tion, burial, diagenesis and lithication, sometimes metamorphism, and
uplift, crystalline zircon is found highly concentrated in sandstones and
is thus widely considered as an ultra-stable heavy detrital mineral
(Augustsson et al., 2011; Fedo et al., 2003; Hallsworth et al., 2000; Hay
and Dempster, 2009a; Heaman and Parrish, 1991; Hurst and Morton,
2014; Kowalewski and Rimstidt, 2003; Milliken, 2007; Morton and
Hallsworth, 2007; Pettijohn, 1975; Thomas, 2011; van Loon and
Mange, 2007). Since the UThPb closure temperature of unaltered
zircon is well over 900 C (Cherniak and Watson, 2001; Ireland and
Williams, 2003; Reiners, 2009) volume diusion of radiogenic Pb from
its crystalline lattice is negligible. Therefore, this isotopic system is not
highly vulnerable to resetting via metamorphic, magmatic and other
thermal processes, and essentially records timing of crystallization in
the magmatic environment, and in much rarer cases metamorphic
neoformation. Zircons in a given (meta)sedimentary rock may thus, in
principle, retain their original isotopic characteristics enabling in
favorable circumstances to trace age components in the source area(s)
following recycling of grains in multiple phases of metamorphic and
magmatic reheating and erosion before nal deposition. Since pioneer-
ing work by e.g., Gaudette et al. (1981) and Froude et al. (1983), the
use of single-grain UPb age dating of detrital zircons in (meta)
sedimentary rocks using ion probes like SHRIMP (Sensitive High-
Resolution Ion Microprobe) and laser ablation inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (LAICPMS) is now relatively common-
place (e.g., Fedo et al., 2003; Gehrels, 2012). Detrital zircon studies are
usually conducted to: (1) characterize the provenance of sediment
compared to known sources, (2) correlate sedimentary units, assuming
identical provenance, and (3) quantify the maximum depositional age
of strata without datable volcanic material (e.g., Fedo et al., 2003;
Gehrels, 2012). Provenance studies have amongst others been used to
reconstruct paleogeographies and supercontinents, identify periods of
magmatism, and place time constraints on uplift and unroong
histories of orogenic and magmatic belts (e.g., Adams et al., 1998;
Burrett et al., 2014; Cawood et al., 2012; Chew et al., 2007; Dong et al.,
2013; Duan et al., 2011; Gehrels et al., 2011; Gibson et al., 2013;
Hallsworth et al., 2000; Hara et al., 2013; Najman et al., 2008; Okawa
et al., 2013; Sagripanti et al., 2011; Sircombe, 1999; Thomas, 2011;
Wang et al., 2010; Xiang and Shu, 2010; Xu et al., 2010a, 2010b; Yao
et al., 2011; J.L. Yao et al., 2012; Yao et al., 2015).
The last decade, in-situ UPb microanalysis applying SHRIMP or
LAICPMS techniques have also been used for detrital zircon dating in
various rocks in Korea (e.g., Cheong et al., 2015b; Cho, 2007, 2014; Cho
et al., 2014; Cho et al., 2010, 2013; Choi et al., 2013; Jeon et al., 2007;
Kee, 2011; H.S. Kim et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2014; Lee et al., 2016; Na
et al., 2012; Park et al., 2011). Such studies have revealed the
occurrence of low- and medium-grade meta-sediments with substantial
youngest detrital zircon populations of Ordovician to Early Carbonifer-
ous age in the western parts of central Korea, mainly bordering the
Gyeonggi Massif, central Koreas main Precambrian gneiss terrane
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Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
(Fig. 1b). These are: the Taean Formation (455400 Ma, Cho, 2007;
Cho et al., 2010; Kim et al., 2014), the Yeoncheon Complex (Imjingang
Belt) (465345 Ma, (Cho et al., 2005; Kim et al., 2014; Kwon, 2009)
and part of the western Ogcheon Belt (upper Pibanryeong unit,
470350 Ma, Cho et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2014; Park et al., 2011).
Isolated outcrops of biotite schist in the eastern Gyeonggi Massif
yielded detrital zircon cores with terminal Silurian (ca. 420 Ma) and
Late Devonian (ca. 380 Ma) age peaks (Cho, 2014). We present new
SHRIMP isotopic ages of detrital zircons from a set of quartz arenites in
the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation developed along the
Gyeonggi Massifs northern and western margins, respectively (Fig. 1b).
Both are rhythmically layered and graded-bedded, mainly siliclastic
meta-sedimentary series that are interpreted as middle Paleozoic
turbidite deposits in marine environments near continental margins
(Choi et al., 2008; Kee, 2008, 2011; Lim et al., 1999; So et al., 2013).
The most striking feature of our results is that these meta-sandstones
almost contain no detrital zircons with ages comparable to their current
substratum, the Gyeonggi Massif or other (Korean) Precambrian base-
ment terranes, and are, in contrast, rich in grains with middle Paleozoic
and Early Neoproterozoic ages that are not recognized as important
magmatic and metamorphic events in these massifs, or their immediate
surroundings. Without going into specics, previous (pilot) studies
suggested that the above-mentioned detrital zircon age populations
may point to links with the South Chinese Cathaysia and Yangtze
blocks, or unspecied litho-tectonic units in the QinlingDabieSulu
Belt (Fig. 1a; Cho, 2007; Cho et al., 2010; Kim et al., 2014; Na et al.,
2012; So et al., 2013), marking the irregular suture between the
SinoKorean Craton (also known as the North China Craton) and the
Yangtze Block. However, it may be challenging to uniquely identify a
source area or tectonic setting and sediment dispersal paths of zircon
grains by just simply comparing peaks in highly complicated age-
frequency distribution curves, or probabilitydensity plots - age spectra
in short - without information on the depositional environment and the
sedimentary facies of the host sedimentary sequence and the involved
processes, like weathering, sediment transport, sediment recycling,
burial and diagenesis. Consequently, in contrast to previous workers,
we discuss sedimentological, environmental, as well as potential source
characteristics to try solving the conundrum of the provenance of the
turbiditic sandstones of the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Forma-
tion. Weighing all arguments, we argue that these sedimentary series
were not derived from the Gyeonggi Massif or other Paleoproterozoic
gneiss terranes, but from a rejuvenated uplifted Early Neoproterozoic
basement section of rocks also aected by Silurian-Devonian magma-
tism and tectonism, and uplifted and eroded in the Devonian, which
was almost certainly located in China. We put up a new model in which
both formations most probably were distal mature equivalents of the
middle-late Devonian Liuling (Qinling Belt), Nanwan (Tongbai Belt)
and Foziling (Hong'an-Dabie Belt) groups (Fig. 1a), possibly deposited
in a remnant (oceanic) basin located to the east of the SinoKorean
Craton. These rocks were subsequently tectonically emplaced on
Korean basement rocks, deformed and metamorphosed between the
latest Permian (ca. 255 Ma) and the Late Triassic (ca. 230 Ma) (de Jong
et al., 2014, 2015, 2016).
To transfer isotopic dates to chronostratigraphical ages we use the
international chronostratigraphic chart of the International
Commission on Stratigraphy (Cohen et al., 2013).
2. Regional geology central Korean Peninsula
Tectonically, the Korean Peninsula is divided into three
Precambrian crystalline basement terranes, the Nangrim, Gyeonggi
and Yeongnam massifs, from North to South, comprising
Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic rocks, separated by two belts of
multiple-deformed and metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks
of Meso(?)Neoproterozoic and younger age: the Imjingang and
Ogcheon belts (Fig. 1b). The material forming the Precambrian base-
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

a b
127E 129E

c Belt
an Orogeni ina
?
Central Asi h a
Sea of Japan
Fig. 6 ? DMZ Sea of Japan
ore (East Sea)

C
(East Sea)

K
Beijing PB Imjingang
38N
North China Craton NM
Taean GM
M TB
DMZ
Qil
ian lu YM
YM
Su Ogcheon Yellow Sea D
Seoul
Y
Xian Yellow Sea (West Sea)
Tongbai (West Sea)
Hongan

lt
Qinling T 37N

f au
Dabie
Shanghai
Dab

-L u
ie
n
Ta
Fig. 2
t ze lt
ng Be
Ya
n
na a
g si 36N
an y Taipei G
Ji ha
C at
Ai
lo
as
ha Pacific
n Hong Kong Ocean
35N
Indochina Hanoi N

W E
Korean Precambrian basement terranes Paleozoic sedimentary basins 0 100 km
S
NM: Nangrim Massif PB: Pyeongnam Basin
GM: Gyeonggi Massif TB: Taebaeksan Basin Cretaceous sediments (Gyeongsang Basin) Orogenic belts

YM: Yeongnam Massif Cretaceous granitoids Imjin Group

Jurassic foliated granitoids Taean Fm.; Yeoncheon Group
QinlingDabie Belt Jurassic massive granitoids Hongseong Zone (undiff.)
Triassic granitoids Ogcheon Belt s.l.
MiddleLate Devonian Liuling, Nanwan, Foziling groups Triassic gabbro, monzonite, diorite, Precambrian basement terranes
mangerite, syenite, porphyritic granite Nangrim Massif
(Shandang) Suture Zone Permian granitoids Gyeonggi Massif
Taebaeksan Basin Yeongnam Massif

Fig. 1. (a) Sketch map of East Asia with the tectonic features mentioned in the text; MiddleLate Devonian Liuling (Qinling Belt), Nanwan (Tongbai Belt) and Foziling (Hong'anDabie
Belt) groups and the Shangdan suture after Ratschbacher et al. (2006) and Wu and Zheng (2013). (b) Tectonic sketch map of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, compiled and
modied after de Jong et al. (2015), Kee (2011) and Kim et al. (2014). Cretaceous volcanic and igneous rocks in the Imjingang Belt are omitted for clarity. Maps of sampling areas in
Anmyeon Island (Fig. 2) and the YeoncheonJeongok area (Fig. 6) are outlined; locations referred to in the text are marked: D, Daeijak Island; G, Gogunsan Islands; T,
TaeanSeosanDangjin area; Y, YeongheungSeonjaeDaebu Islands.

ment terranes was extracted from the mantle around 2.7 Ga, with (Cho et al., 2007; Kee, 2008; H. Kim et al., 2013), in South Korea
major additions at 2.5 Ga, inuenced by metamorphism in the (Yeoncheon Complex) and low-grade meta-sediments that yielded
amphibolite- to granulite-facies and magmatism in the Paleoprotero- Middle to Late Devonian fossils (Choi et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2012)
zoic, and together with the bordering belts variably aected by in North Korea (Imjin Group), and to the south by the Ogcheon Belt, a
deformation and/or metamorphism during the Permo-Triassic Songrim Mesozoic fold-and-thrust belt developed in Neoproterozoic to late
orogeny, followed by a tectonically induced, thermal and magmatic Paleozoic meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic series (Cho and Kim,
pulse in early Late Triassic time (235224 Ma) due to post-collisional 2005; Cho et al., 2013; Choi et al., 2012; Lim et al., 2005). Neoproter-
delamination and/or oceanic slab break-o and nally by renewed ozoicPaleozoic metabasite and meta-volcanic rocks furthermore crop
subduction-related processes in the Jurassic (e.g., Cho and Kim, 2005; out along the Gyeonggi massifs western margin (Hongseong Zone,
Cho et al., 2007; Cheong et al., 2015a; Chough et al., 2000; de Jong and Fig. 1b; Kim et al., 2011b,c; Oh et al., 2009, 2014; Park et al., 2014a,
Ruet, 2014a,b; de Jong et al., 2014, 2015; Kee, 2011; Kim et al., 2014b).
2011a; Lee and Cho, 2012; Lee et al., 2014; Oh et al., 2005, 2015; Seo The Nangrim Massif is generally correlated with the SinoKorean
et al., 2010; Williams et al., 2009; Yengkhom et al., 2014). Ear- Craton (e.g., Chough et al., 2000; Lee and Cho, 2012). The southern
lyMiddle Jurassic non-marine sedimentary series of the Daedong part of the massif in North Korea is partially covered by a greenschist-
Supergroup occur folded and imbricated in small isolated fault-bounded facies metasedimentary sequence (Sangwon Supergroup) that yielded,
outcrops on top of this basement ensemble (Egawa and Lee, 2009; Jeon apart from important 1.851.40 Ga populations, a signicant detrital
et al., 2007). Cretaceous volcaniclastic sediments are of local impor- zircon component with Mesoproterozoic (1.31.0 Ga) ages, with the
tance (e.g., Chough et al., 2000). youngest grains being earliest Neoproterozoic (980 Ma) in age (Hu
The crystalline rocks forming the Gyeonggi Massif were aected by et al., 2012). These series also contain earliest Neoproterozoic
high-grade metamorphism and magmatism, peaking around (900 Ma) mac sills (Peng et al., 2011). Comparably aged sedimen-
1.931.83 Ga, after which they formed part of a continental platform tary series with sills occur in the eastern SinoKorean Craton in China
of a stable craton until at least the early Paleozoic (Lee and Cho, 2012; (Hu et al., 2012; Peng et al., 2011). Rare ca. 1.2 Ga-old granites in the
Lee et al., 2014; Yengkhom et al., 2014, and references therein). This Nangrim Massif are comparable to similar-aged intrusions in the
high-grade granitegneiss terrane is bounded (Fig. 1b) to the north by eastern SinoKorean Craton in China, probably indicating that these
the Imjingang Belt consisting of a metamorphosed sedimentary and parts of the craton formed its margin during Grenville-aged events (Hu
volcanic rocks of inferred Meso(?)Neoproterozoic to Devonian age et al., 2012; Wu et al., 2007; Zhao et al., 2006). CambroOrdovician

193
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

sedimentary series occur in the Pyongnam Basin on the Nangrim Massif, Cheonsuman Fm.
and in the Taebaeksan Basin (Joseon Supergroup), which is non- Cretaceous clastic rocks

conformably deposited on Precambrian gneisses of the Yeongnam 18 Two mica granite

36 late Early Jurassic
Massif, but tectonically forms part of the Ogcheon Belt (Fig. 1;
Mongsanpo Syenite
Chough et al., 2000; H.S. Kim et al., 2013; Lee et al., 2016). On the syenite Late Triassic
3640
basis of similar CambroOrdovician faunas and the disconformable 229.6 3.5 Ma
Taean Formation.
covering of Ordovician strata of the Joseon Supergroup by Late middle Paleozoic meta-sediments

Carboniferous sediments (Pyeongan Supergroup), pointing to non- Gonam Complex

Tectonic melange
deposition or erosion, these basins are correlated and both massifs
are regarded as part of the SinoKorean Craton (Chough et al., 2000).
176.8 5.6 Ma, Zr Metamorphic age in Ma, Mineral
Also the latter is essentially devoid of SilurianDevonian sediments
acid dyke 16
probably showing it was an emerged area (Ma et al., 2009). 230.7, Ms Gomseom 40 Foliation, lineation
Fig. 3a,e
13JK07 40 56 Beddiing
2.1. Hongseong zone
Fig. 4a 228.8, Ms &
Archean xenolith
Occurring along the Gyeonggi massifs western margin in the in Triassic dike
Hongseong Zone and farther to the west on Anmyeon Island (Fig. 1b)
is a distinct lens-shaped, mlange-like distribution of lithologies of Yellow Sea 56 Cheonsuman
dierent age and provenance enhanced by strongly retrogressed (West Sea) Bay
macultramac rocks some with relics of high-pressure metamorph-
ism, which is regarded as a suture zone (de Jong et al., 2015; Kim et al., 85
2011b,c, 2014; Kwon et al., 2013; Park et al., 2014a, 2014b). The
3630 Nabae
principal litho-tectonic units are: the Deokjeongri Gneiss Formation, the Fig. 3b-d
Weolhyeonri Complex and the Gonam Complex, which all experienced N 80
70
Neoproterozoic and in part early to middle Paleozoic magmatic events. 232.5, Tt
W E
The Deokjeongri Gneiss Formation originated from a tonalite-
trondhjemitegranodiorite (TTG) suite (ca. 855820 Ma, formed in a S
magmatic arc) some plutons of which are bordered by discrete small 58 230 2 Ma
224, Zr
alkali granite stocks (ca. 750740 Ma); all strongly deformed, meta- 23
morphosed and migmatized during the middle Paleozoic and again in 0 2 4 km 40 240, Zr
part during the Late Triassic (de Jong and Ruet, 2014a; de Jong et al.,
2015; Kee, 2011; Kim et al., 2006, 2008; S.W. Kim et al., 2013; Oh 251, Zr Fig. 4c-d
et al., 2005). The mlange-like Weolhyeonri Complex comprises both 12615 12620 12625 Fig. 4b
Neoproterozoic granitic orthogneisses with 900750 Ma ages compar-
Fig. 2. Geological sketch map of Anmyeon Island and adjacent areas based on Kee (2011)
able to the Deokjeongri Gneiss Formation, and Late Silurian to Late
and So et al. (2013) with locations of eld photographs (Figs. 3ae and 4ad) and
Carboniferous (ca. 470310 Ma) metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary sampling. Metamorphic isotopic ages, UPb on zircon (Zr) from Kee (2011); 40Ar/39Ar on
series, including felsic and a variety of mac rocks, with minor impure muscovite (Ms) and SHRIMP UPb on titanite (Tt) from de Jong et al. (2014). Ages
marble and highly serpentinized ultramac rocks with blocks of garnet magmatic intrusions (SHRIMP UPb, zircon) from Han (2014) and Kee (2011).
granulites and mac eclogites with middle Neoproterozoic (ca.
855770 Ma) and middle Paleozoic protoliths formed in dierent to it but recently incorporated in the Hongseong suture zone (S.W. Kim
tectonic settings (Kim and Kee, 2010; Kim et al., 2006, 2011b,c; et al., 2013), which we follow in this paper.
Kwon et al., 2013; Park et al., 2014a, 2014b; Oh et al., 2005, 2009, The striking virtual absence in the data set of Kim et al. (2014) of
2012, 2014). The mainly Late Ordovician to Early Devonian (ca. detrital zircons in meta-sediments of the Weolhyeonri and Gonam
450400 Ma) and rare Late Devonian (ca. 375 Ma) magmatism took complexes with ages corresponding to the 1.931.83 Ga period of
place in an arcfore-arc environment, essentially coeval with inter- metamorphic and magmatic paroxysm in the Gyeonggi Massif, led de
mediate- to high-grade metamorphism and anatexis, shown by UPb Jong et al. (2015) not to regard both complexes as part of this massif,
zircon ages of 452 10 and in the range of 420375 Ma (Kim and but as independent tectono-sedimentary units, tectonically emplaced
Kee, 2010; Kim et al., 2006, 2011b,c, 2015; Kwon et al., 2013; Oh et al., adjacent to it.
2012, 2014; Park et al., 2014a, 2014b). A meta-sandstone of the
complex has a signicant population of detrital zircons in the
850750 Ma range (peak: 812 Ma) in addition to a mean peak of ca. 3. Sampled lithological units and sample description
420 Ma (Kim et al., 2014). Oh et al. (2014) underscored that nature and
timing of magmatic and tectono-metamorphic events in the Hongseong 3.1. Taean formation
Zone are similar to those in the Qinling belt in China. Also the Gonam
Complex of southernmost Anmyeon Island (Fig. 2) was probably part of The Taean Formation crops out in the coastal areas of western Korea
a subduction-accretion complex, as it comprises a highly heterogeneous and the nearby YeongheungSeonjaeDaebu Islands (Fig. 1b), all
mlange-like assemblage of Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic located to the west of the Hongseong Zone, and partially covering it
gneisses and meta-sediments, ca. 820810-Ma-old intrusive rocks, a (Choi et al., 2008; Kee, 2011; Lim et al., 1999; Na et al., 2012; So et al.,
dismembered ocean plate stratigraphy (carbonate, red chert, (ultra) 2013). Most if not all workers incorporate these low-grade meta-
mac rocks), and possibly Triassic eta-sediments (Kee, 2011; Kihm and morphic rhythmically layered, mainly siliclastic series into or associate
Kim, 2013; Kim et al., 2014; Kwon et al., 2013; Park et al., 2014a, them with the Gyeonggi Massif, which is probably is not the case as we
2014b; de Jong et al., 2015). These rocks may form part of the tectonic advocate in the present paper. The protolith of this formation is a
substratum of the Taean Formation (Section 3.1). Middle Neoproter- sequence of medium- to ne-grained quartz sandstone, calcareous
ozoic magmatism is furthermore represented by the Gamaksan alkaline sandstone (with rare impure carbonate), silty ne-grained sandstone
meta-granitoids (UPb zircon age: 742 13 Ma; Lee et al., 2003) and mudstone, with occasional thin tu horizons. Due to the absence of
along the northern margin of the Gyeonggi Massif, classically assigned fossils they were regarded as Precambrian rocks unconformably over-

194
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Fig. 3. Field photographs of sedimentary structures in the Taean Formation from Anmyeon Island (a-e) (locations, Fig. 2) and the Yeoncheon Complex in the YeoncheonJeongok area (f)
(location, Fig. 6). (a) Rhythmic layering shown by thin-bedded graded meta-sandstone meta-pelite series at Gomseom; (b) convolute lamination of silty ne-grained meta-sandstone
associated with boudinage of a meta-sandstone bed at Nabae; (c) isoclinal folding (long arrow) of silty ne-grained meta-sandstone associated with slumping, note truncation of layers
(short arrow) (Nabae); (d) thin-bedded, silty ne-grained meta-sandstone with climbing ripples at Nabae; (e) ame structures and associated load structures at Gomseom; (f) fresh road
cut revealing rhythmically layered quartzite in the Yeoncheon Complex with normal grading sequences suggesting deposition by turbidity currents.

lying the Paleoproterozoic Seosan Group (Na, 1992). However, in
contrast to the Seosan Group yielding abundant 1.801.95 Ga and
substantial earliest Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (Cho et al., 2006),
SHRIMP UPb dating of detrital zircon grains implies that the Taean
Formation is middle Paleozoic in age. The youngest concordant spot
ages obtained in (rims of) zircons are 420 4 Ma (Cho, 2007) and
431 4 Ma (Cho et al., 2010) (Anmyeon Island) and ca. 420 Ma on
the YeongheungSeonjaeDaebu Islands (Na et al., 2012). Rocks on top
of the Taean Formation on the latter islands yielded a ca. 380-Ma-old
detrital zircon (Choi et al., 2011). These age constraints have been
interpreted to indicate that the Taean Formation was deposited
between late Silurian and early Late Devonian (Cho, 2007; Cho et al.,
2010; Kee, 2011; Na et al., 2012; So et al., 2013).
An alternation of dark-grey, medium- to ne-grained, well-bedded
or massive meta-sandstone layers of a few centimeters to a few meters
thick and a few decimeter-thick metapelites occurs in most outcrops in
Anmyeon Island. These rhythmically layered series show both upward-
thickening and upward-thinning sequences. Although complete Bouma
sequences are missing, individual sandstone layers maybe massive and
featureless commonly with normal grading (Fig. 3a), with parallel,
sometimes convolute lamination associated with soft deformation by
boudinage (Fig. 3b) and folding associated with slumping (Fig. 3c),
rarely cross-laminated with climbing ripples (Fig. 3d), and have ame
and load structures at their base (Fig. 3e) that may be erosive. Hence,
elongated or pillow-like fragments of meta-pelite occasionally present
in sandstone are interpreted as metamorphosed rip-up clasts. Such
sedimentary structures are indicative of high sedimentation rates and
soft-sediment deformation of water-saturated sediments (Pettijohn,
1975). The climbing ripples (Fig. 3d) indicate a southeasterly (140)
ow, when back-rotated and corrected for folding. The Taean Forma-
tion has been interpreted as deposited as fan/lobe successions repre-
senting the distal part of a mixed sand-mud (sand percentage, 5070%),
deep-water turbidite system (Choi et al., 2008; Kee, 2011; Lim et al.,
1999; So et al., 2013).
Two phases of superimposed penetrative deformation aected the
Taean Formation on Anmyeon Island. The earliest cleavage S1 is a well-
developed quartz-mica dierentiation foliation in meta-pelite layers
that is often parallel to the bedding in meta-sandstone in which
development of a quartz shape preferred orientation is generally minor.
Also calc-silicate rocks only occasionally show a clear tectono-meta-
morphic fabric, containing amphibole and biotite aggregates lineations.
Only locally S1 is seen as the axial plane cleavage of rare recumbent
isoclinal folds (de Jong et al., 2015; Fig. 4a). The orientation of L1 is
highly disperse (Fig. 5a), probably due to reorientation by megascopic
open to tight disharmonic exural slip folds (F2), which often have a
well-developed axial planar crenulation cleavage in meta-pelites (de
Jong et al., 2015). In Anmyeon Island the chloritebiotitemuscovite
mineral assemblage in metapelites with only very rare garnet suggests
metamorphic temperatures as low as ca. 450 C (de Jong et al., 2014,
2015; Han, 2014). A 232.5 3.0 Ma SHRIMP UPb age on titanite
from meta-sedimentary calc-silicate rocks and 230.7 and 228.8 Ma
40
Ar/39Ar pseudo-plateau ages (errors 1.0 Ma at 1) for single musco-

195
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Fig. 4. Field photographs of deformation structures in the Taean Formation (a) and the Gonam Complex (bd) in Anmyeon Island (locations, Fig. 2) and the Yeoncheon Complex in the
Yeoncheon-Jeongok area (e and f) (locations, Fig. 6). (a) Recumbent isoclinal folds with an axial plane cleavage S1 overprinted by a secondary cleavage that refracts on the sedimentary
layering; (b) tight to isoclinal folds in a quartzite-micaschist sequence looking highly oblique with respect to the fold hinge (NE to the right); (c) highly curvi-linear folds in a mylonites
looking NE (035) parallel to the stretching lineation; (d) shear band boudins pointing to top-to-the-NE shear (045) in the Gonam Complex; (e) tight similar folds in platy calc-silicates,
looking parallel to the NNW plunging hinge; (f) isolated shear band boudin in platy calc-silicates indicating main top-to-the-SSE shear (155), section parallel to the stretching and
amphibole lineation.

vite grains from meta-pelite constrain the age of the main metamorph-
ism, related to the post-collisional regional thermal pulse that aected
central parts of the Korean Peninsula (de Jong et al., 2014, 2015; Han,
2014). Some muscovite grains revealed older 40Ar/39Ar age compo-
nents of 237, 241, and 243 Ma, indicating that the Taean Formation
probably experienced an earlier tectono-metamorphic phase (de Jong
et al., 2015). After the two main penetrative folding phases, the meta-
sediments were intruded by Late Triassic (229.6 3.5 Ma, SHRIMP U-
Pb on zircon; Han, 2014; Kee, 2011), and Early Jurassic
(176.8 5.6 Ma, SHRIMP U-Pb on zircon; Han, 2014) granitoids

a. Taean Formation, Anmyeon Island b. Gonam Complex, Anmyeon Island c. Yeoncheon Complex, Yeoncheon-Jeongok area

N N N

N = 25 N = 28 N = 39

Fig. 5. Lower hemisphere equal area projections of linear fabric elements formed during the rst deformation phases in the (a) Taean Formation; stars hornblende, biotite aggregate
lineations; (b) Gonam Complex both on Anmyeon Island (av. 015/23) and (c) Yeoncheon Complex in the YeoncheonJeongok area (av. 322/38). Open diamonds: average orientations.

196
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

(Fig. 2). A plurimeter-thick, ne grained, mac dike (Fig. 2, Gomseom) N

of inferred Late Triassic age (de Jong et al., 2015) contains a 2530 cm 20 43

long rounded xenolith of banded gneiss, mainly composed of quartz, W E13JK91 Alluvium
Fig. 3f
52
sericitized microcline, orthoclase and biotite. SHRIMP isotopic analysis 73 3810
of zircon yielded discordant dates, but gave nevertheless important S Quaternary
basalts
information. Magmatic cores with oscillatory zoning yielded
207
Pb/206Pb ages ranging from 3.7 to 3.1 Ga, whereas rims with Cretaceous
metamorphic overgrowths gave ages in the 2.52.4 Ga range (Han, Imjin 50
70
volcanics and
Ri sediments
2014). This indicates that in the Late Triassic very old basement rocks

ve
that are not characteristic of the Gyeonggi Massif may have occurred in Imjingang Belt

r
the sub-surface of the Taean Formation. However, the present-day Yeoncheon
outcrop suggests that a possible basement of the Taean Formation on Complex (undif.)
Anmyeon Island is formed by the Gonam Complex, although the Yeoncheon
65
52 Gyeonggi Massif
relationship between both on is obscured by Early Jurassic intrusives
Paleoproterozoic
(Fig. 2). But a tectonic contact between both lithologic assemblages is gneiss, granitoids
likely because the deformation intensity in the Gonam Complex is much 3805
higher than in the Taean Formation. Rocks of the Gonam Complex show
14
isoclinal folds, which are highly curvi-linear in mylonites that also
er 17 Foliation, lineation
iv
contain abundant asymmetric porphyroclasts and boudinaged veins,

R
tan
pointing to top-to-the-NE shear (Fig. 4bd). Linear fabric elements, like 65 70 Fault

fold hinges and mineral and stretching lineations in mylonites plunge to
the NNE (av. 015/23) (Fig. 5b). Also, the much stronger mylonitisaton
of small bodies of Late Triassic granitic rocks in the Gonam Complex
compared to similar-aged intrusives in the Taean Formation (de Jong
et al., 2015) agrees with a tectonic contact between both. In the coastal
areas to the north of Anmyeon Island the Taean Formation overlies
meta-sediments of the Gyeonggi Massif (Seosan Group), for which we
infer a similar tectonic relationship.
3.2. Yeoncheon complex
Strongly ductily deformed metamorphic rocks of the southernmost
and tectonically lowermost part of the Imjingang Belt, located to the
south of the Demilitarized Zone (Fig. 1b), are referred to as the
Yeoncheon Complex (Cho et al., 2007) or Yeoncheon Group (Kee,
2008). The Yeoncheon Complex is subdivided into meta-pelite and
meta-psammite of the tectonically highest Jingok Unit and calc-silicate
rocks, marbles and amphibolites with thin meta-pelite and meta-
psammite layers of the tectonically lowest Samgot Unit (Cho et al.,
2007). The rhythmic intercalation of meta-pelites with quartzites that
occasionally contain multiple sets of graded bedding (Fig. 3f) is
indicative of a turbidite sequence, like the Taean Formation. Pilot
studies yielded youngest concordant SHRIMP UPb spot ages of
397 6 Ma (Cho et al., 2005) and 431 4 (Kwon, 2009) in (rims
of) detrital zircon grains from quartzites, which are comparable to the
Taean Formation. The Jingok Unit is subdivided into a garnet,
staurolite and kyanite zone and overall shows a downward increasing
medium-pressure medium- to high-temperature Barrovian type meta-
morphism (P = 0.51.1 GPa, T = 500700 C; Cho et al., 2007).
Samgot amphibolites were metamorphically recrystallized at slightly
higher temperatures and pressures (viz., 660780 C, 0.851.15 GPa;
Cho et al., 2007). Recent 40Ar/39Ar laser probe dating of muscovite,
biotite and hornblende single grains from the dierent metamorphic
units of the Yeoncheon Complex yielded tightly clustered plateau ages
mostly between 255 and 249 Ma (errors < 1 Ma at 1) (de Jong et al.,
2016). These ages are within error of a concordant UPb SHRIMP age of
252.9 1.9 Ma for a metamorphic overgrowth on detrital cores
around Neoproterozoic magmatic zircons in a paragneiss in the Samgot
Unit, interpreted as dating the metamorphic peak (Cho et al., 2005). In
the YeoncheonJeongok area (Fig. 6) linear fabric elements, like fold
hinges and mineral and stretching lineations in mylonites plunge to the
NNW (av. 322/38) (Fig. 5c). The asymmetry of fabric elements like the
abundant foliation boudinage (calc-silicates and gneisses; Fig. 4f), SC-
fabrics (gneiss), as well as the form of outcrop-scale lenses making up
the lower part of the complex, all indicate main top-to-the-SSE shear.
The Yeoncheon Complex occurs on top of the northwestern Gyeonggi
Han
14
Sample, figure
locations
17
13JK94 19 04 0 5 km
Jeongok
12700 12705 Fig. 4e-f
Fig. 6. Geological sketch map of the Yeoncheon-Jeongok area, modied after Kee (2007,
2008), with locations of samples and eld photographs (Figs. 3f and 4e and f) and
representative planar and linear structural elements in the Yeoncheon Complex,
Imjingang Belt.
Massif along a presumed low-angle ductile fault parallel to the main
tectonic foliation in both units (Cho et al., 2007; Kim et al., 2000).
3.3. Sample description
Sample 13JK07 (Fig. 2) is from the basal part of a two-meter thick,
medium-grained, quartzose meta-sandstone layer in the Taean Forma-
tion. Apart from the main mineral quartz, present both as clastic nuclei
and authigenic overgrowths, interstitial carbonate, and occasional
feldspar, the rock contains metamorphically recrystallized detrital
muscovite and metamorphic biotite; as well as (sub)rounded tourma-
line and zircon as accessory minerals (Fig. 7a). The well-sorted meta-
sandstone reveals intense compaction through pressure dissolution at
grain contacts, as a result of which detrital muscovite occasionally
curves around quartz grains. Pervasive quartz overgrowth cementation
has yielded a micro-structure mostly with tangential intergranular
contacts (Fig. 7b), but original quartz grain boundaries are partially
preserved as well, showing that the original detrital grains were
rounded (Fig. 7a). The microstructure of this sample points to impor-
tant diagenetic quartz growth and diagenesis. Temperature-dependent,
silica releasing diagenetic reactions that include the dissolution of
feldspars and the transformation of smectite and kaolinite to illite are in
most sedimentary basins linked to the precipitation of quartz over-
growths leading to massive quartz cementation at temperatures typi-
cally in the 90130 C range (e.g., Giles et al., 2000; Worden and
Morad, 2000, and references therein). This would imply that the Taean
Formation was inuenced by temperatures in excess of 100 C during
burial to several kilometers depth, before low-grade metamorphism in
the Triassic. Quartz shows only limited lattice deformation (undulose
extinction) and dynamic recrystallization (grain suturing) (Fig. 7b).
Perfectly round quartz grains not aected by pressure solution phe-
nomena are, however, observed in the Taean formations rare carbo-
nates.
Strongly recrystallized quartzites 13JK91 and 94 from the
Yeoncheon Complex (Fig. 6) both have a well-developed tectonic

197
S. Han et al.
Fig. 7. Photomicrograph of a representative thin-section of well-sorted, medium-grained, quartzose meta-sandstone 13JK07 from the Taean Formation; (a) natural light; (b) crossed
polars. The micro-structure is characterized by tangential intergranular contacts due to pressure dissolution of quartz at grain contacts and overgrowth cementation. Note the truncation
of the original round detrital quartz grains (arrows) that otherwise only show limited lattice deformation (undulose extinction) and strain induced boundary migration (sutured
boundaries). Zircons (encircled) are generally (sub)rounded.
foliation and lineation dened by a shape preferred orientation of
quartz grains, which no longer permits to have an idea of possible
eects of burial on these samples. Asymmetric fabric elements point to
dominant top-to-the-ESE shear. 13JK91 is from a 11.5 m thick coarse-
grained medium grey quartzite bed without internal layering or
lamination, present in a 5075 m thick series of thick-bedded quartzite
in the kyanite zone, with almost no mica schist intercalations. Quartzite
13JK94 is from an outcrop containing a series of lenses of dierent
lithologies probably forming a tectonic mlange in the lowermost part
of the Yeoncheon Complex. The quartzite forms a pluri-decimeter thick
layer with cm-mm-thick rhythmic internal lightdark lamination,
present in a series of strongly folded calc-silicates (Fig. 4e). In addition,
this outcrop contains a mylonitic hornblendebiotite gneiss, zircons of
which gave an average weighted mean 206Pb/238U SHRIMP age of
375 2 Ma (Kee, 2008; H. Kim et al., 2013), whereas the hornblende
yielded a ca. 249 Ma 40Ar/39Ar plateau age (de Jong et al., 2016).
4. Analytical procedure
Zircon grains were collected from three meta-psammites using
conventional mineral-separation techniques. Rock powders with grains
in the 63245 m size fraction were obtained applying a hydraulic
crusher and a ring mill, followed by sieving and thorough rinsing to
remove clay minerals. Panning, hand-magnetic and heavy liquid
separation techniques were used to further concentrate heavy minerals.
Finally, about 100150 zircon grains from each sample were hand-
picked under a stereoscopic zoom microscope. Collected grains were
mounted on a 25.4-mm-diameter epoxy disc with zircon standards FC1
(206Pb/238U = 0.1859; Paces and Miller, 1993), and SL13
(206Pb/238U = 0.0928 and U = 238 ppm; Claou-Long et al., 1995).
The epoxy mount was polished to expose the approximate center of
grains and then coated with gold. Their internal structure related to
chemical zoning was monitored on cathodoluminescence (CL) and
backscattered electron (BSE) images obtained with a JEOL JSM-
6610LV scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the Korea Basic Science
Institute (KBSI). UThPb isotope analyses of spots in zircon grains
selected on the CL and BSE images were performed using the Sensitive
High-Resolution Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Multi Collector
(SHRIMP-IIe/MC) facility at KBSI Ochang Campus following procedures
described by Williams (1998) and Ireland and Williams (2003). To
satisfy statistical requirements for detrital grain analyses (Fedo et al.,
2003; Voice, 2010), we probed 60 spots in 60 zircon crystals from
samples 13JK07 and 13JK91; from sample 13JK94 slightly less spots
were analyzed, because it gave an age distribution pattern very similar
to that of 13JK91 from the same litho-tectonic unit. The intensity and
size of the primary ion beam (O2) were 34 nA and 25 m. Each
analysis included ve scans in dynamic mode through the Zr, Pb, U, and
some species. Pb/U and Pb/Th ratios were determined by reference to
198
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
the standard zircon FC1, whereas U, Th, and Pb abundances were
normalized to the value of standard zircon SL13. Analysis of standards
SL13 en FC1 was carried out at the start of each dating experiment and
repeated on a new spot in the same grain of FC1 after every third run on
a sample zircon. After every third analysis of an FC1 zircon grain, a new
crystal of this standard is chosen for the next measurement series of
nine spots on sample zircons. Ages were calculated using the isotopic
abundances and decay constants listed by the sub-commission on
Geochronology of the International Union of Geosciences (Steiger and
Jger, 1977). Common Pb contributions were corrected using the
measured 204Pb amount and the model common Pb composition
(Stacey and Kramers, 1975). The data was reduced using the SQUID
Excel macro program (Ludwig, 2009) and plotted on concordia
diagrams; probability density functions were calculated and age-prob-
ability diagrams plotted using the ISOPLOT/Ex program (ver. 3.75) of
Ludwig (2012). 206Pb/238U data were used for ages younger than
1000 Ma, whereas ages older than 1000 Ma were plotted as
207
Pb/206Pb, following Gehrels (2012).
5. Morphology and UPb ages of zircons
The size (70230 m), morphology and internal structure of zircon
grains in the metamorphosed and deformed sandstones of the
Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation are similar, irrespective
of their age. Scanning electron microscope CL images of representative
sectioned zircon grains with the analytic spot number and age are
shown in Fig. 8. The colorless to pale yellow, predominantly transpar-
ent zircons occur as oval, elongate to stubby, rounded to sub-rounded,
occasionally sub-angular grains, mostly with concentric oscillatory
zoning or sector zoning (Figs. 8 and 9). Especially, Paleoprotrozoic
grains show distinct corerim structures with irregular or sub-rounded
xenocrystic cores, usually interpreted as inherited igneous or sedimen-
tary grains (Corfu et al., 2003; Hoskin and Black, 2000). The internal
zoning pattern of a number of abraded grains is truncated at their
margin (Fig. 8), even for the youngest Silurian grains (Fig. 9ac). Most
grains of 13JK07 and 91, have thin bright outer seams (Fig. 8a and b)
indicating low U content and greater structural ordering (Corfu et al.,
2003; Geisler et al., 2003). Such light-colored zones may form an
embayment protruding into the grains interior, cutting its internal
structure (Fig. 9d).
The SHRIMP UThPb isotopic data of spot analyses on detrital
zircons from meta-psammites from the Yeoncheon Complex and the
Taean Formation are listed in Table 1, with 1 analytical errors, and
plotted in TeraWasserburg concordia diagrams and as age spectra
(Fig. 10af), in which only analyses with 10% discordancy are
displayed. Weighted mean ages are quoted with errors at the 2 level.
We mainly concentrated on analysis of the outer parts of detrital zircon
grains, thus avoiding the inherited cores, to focus on relatively young
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Fig. 8. Scanning electron microscope cathodoluminescence images of sectioned representative detrital zircon grains with the SHRIMP analysis spots from (a) meta-sandstone 13JK07
from the Taean Formation, and from quartzites (b) 13JK91 and; (c) 13JK94 from the Yeoncheon Complex, Imjingang Belt. Most gains are (sub)rounded without relationship between
roundness and age. Analysis numbers in italics; ages in bold.

age components of the provenances, which can be correlated with the
last sedimentation cycle. The majority of UPb zircon ages from the
three samples are concordant and plot on or near the concordia
(Fig. 10a, c, and e). Individually dated zircon grains reveal broad age
spectra ranging from 3 Ga to 400 Ma in all three samples, which in
detail show both similarities and dierences (Table 1, Fig. 10).
Meta-sandstone 13JK07 (Taean Formation) yielded concordant ages
for 49 spots out of 60 on 60 detrital zircon grains (Fig. 10a). The age-
frequency distribution of this sample (Fig. 10b) shows many discrete,
sharp peaks between 380 and 1200 Ma. Main peaks are at 425 Ma
(sharp, n = 5), and at 950 Ma (broad, skewed main peak, n = 13); the
youngest 206Pb/238U age is 394 2 Ma (discordance = 2%). There

Fig. 9. High-resolution scanning electron microscope cathodoluminescence images of sectioned individual detrital zircon grains showing key features. (a) A well-rounded ca. 422 Ma
grain (#30, Fig. 8a) in which the magmatic oscillatory zoning is truncated at the grain surface, meta-sandstone 13JK07, Taean Formation. (b) Sub-rounded to angular, prismatic ca.
437 Ma grain (13JK91, #38, Fig. 8b), and (c) a well-rounded ca. 1986 Ma grain (13JK94, #28) in which the magmatic oscillatory zoning is truncated at the grain surface, both from the
Yeoncheon Complex, Imjingang Belt. (d) A ca. 910 Ma grain (#32, Fig. 8a) in which the internal zoning is truncated by a light-colored zone pointing from the outer grain surface implying
localized (metamorphic) recrystallization, meta-sandstone 13JK07, Taean Formation.

199
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Table 1
SHRIMP U-Th-Pb data from detrital zircon of 13JK07 (Taean Formation), 13JK91, and 13JK94 (Misan Formation, Yeoncheon Group, Imjingang Belt).

206 207
Spot U (ppm) Th (ppm) Th/U Pbcommon (%) Pb/206Pb a
% 238
U/206Pb a
% 207
Pb/206Pb a 206
Pb/238U a

Ages (Ma) Ages (Ma)

Sample 13JK07 - Taean Formation (363531.53N; 126175.70E)

JK07-1.1 319 53 0.17 0.22 0.068 0.89 6.8 0.65 880 19 880 5
JK07-2.1 173 12 0.07 2.22 0.223 0.28 1.8 3.12 3003 5 2908 73
JK07-3.1 205 88 0.45 0.21 0.087 0.54 4.4 0.71 1365 10 1326 9
JK07-4.1 619 569 0.95 0.67 0.134 0.21 2.6 0.58 2146 4 2080 10
jk07-5.1 273 116 0.44 0.10 0.062 0.99 9.0 0.67 680 21 677 4
JK07-6.1 107 56 0.54 3.21 0.201 0.37 2.0 0.86 2838 6 2659 19
JK07-7.1 284 483 1.75 0.10 0.059 2.10 16.0 0.70 566 46 391 3
JK07-8.1 90 40 0.46 0.16 0.063 2.96 7.0 0.93 694 63 860 7
JK07-9.1 1369 452 0.34 0.05 0.071 0.28 6.3 0.54 961 6 952 5
JK07-10.1 822 162 0.20 1.56 0.123 0.20 3.1 0.74 1997 4 1816 12
JK07-11.1 191 68 0.37 0.19 0.075 0.90 5.6 0.73 1071 18 1059 7
JK07-12.1 439 194 0.46 0.22 0.077 0.51 5.4 0.61 1129 10 1099 6
JK07-13.1 224 105 0.48 0.00 0.071 1.38 6.5 0.70 961 28 925 6
JK07-14.1 1741 14 0.01 0.055 0.46 14.6 0.54 415 10 427 2
JK07-15.1 774 332 0.44 0.15 0.085 0.33 4.5 0.57 1314 6 1284 7
JK07-16.1 583 722 1.28 0.08 0.054 1.27 14.0 0.59 376 29 445 3
JK07-17.1 396 115 0.30 0.068 0.73 6.4 0.62 879 15 940 5
JK07-18.1 341 318 0.96 0.14 0.103 0.36 3.4 0.64 1672 7 1657 9
JK07-19.1 570 518 0.94 0.03 0.060 0.88 11.5 0.59 588 19 536 3
JK07-20.1 81 31 0.40 0.25 0.067 2.07 7.1 1.52 840 43 853 12
JK07-21.1 607 87 0.15 0.08 0.070 0.48 6.6 0.59 921 10 915 5
JK07-22.1 783 104 0.14 0.04 0.065 0.43 7.8 0.58 781 9 774 4
JK07-23.1 112 73 0.67 0.30 0.076 1.62 5.7 0.85 1102 32 1037 8
JK07-24.1 416 106 0.26 1.11 0.131 0.26 2.8 0.62 2105 5 1990 11
JK07-25.1 493 225 0.47 0.00 0.072 0.49 6.2 0.60 979 10 970 5
JK07-26.1 287 127 0.46 0.053 1.94 14.1 0.67 327 44 441 3
JK07-27.1 166 47 0.30 0.111 1.32 3.1 1.40 1811 24 1806 22
JK07-28.1 256 148 0.60 2.30 0.181 1.55 2.1 0.68 2658 26 2509 14
JK07-29.1 203 107 0.54 0.10 0.069 1.25 6.2 0.72 910 26 963 6
JK07-30.1 240 114 0.49 0.17 0.055 1.81 14.8 0.74 407 41 422 3
JK07-31.1 325 123 0.39 0.07 0.053 1.88 14.4 0.88 343 43 434 4
JK07-32.1 369 87 0.24 0.15 0.070 0.70 6.6 0.88 925 14 910 7
JK07-33.1 113 101 0.92 1.50 0.165 0.44 2.2 0.85 2507 7 2388 17
JK07-34.1 363 61 0.17 0.02 0.088 0.42 4.2 0.93 1383 8 1374 12
JK07-35.1 312 167 0.55 0.20 0.109 0.38 3.2 0.65 1778 7 1742 10
JK07-36.1 213 100 0.48 0.06 0.109 0.44 3.2 0.71 1776 8 1764 11
JK07-37.1 177 102 0.60 0.07 0.070 1.15 6.2 0.75 937 24 971 7
JK07-38.1 249 193 0.80 0.064 1.03 7.6 1.18 750 22 793 9
JK07-39.1 189 71 0.39 0.064 8.66 6.9 7.98 755 183 868 65
JK07-40.1 326 69 0.22 0.18 0.069 1.89 6.2 0.95 902 39 971 9
JK07-41.1 178 78 0.45 1.36 0.123 1.12 2.9 1.15 2002 20 1890 19
JK07-42.1 646 190 0.30 0.10 0.050 3.73 15.7 0.81 202 87 398 3
JK07-43.1 86 87 1.04 1.50 0.160 1.54 2.2 1.90 2455 26 2378 38
JK07-44.1 365 133 0.38 0.01 0.072 0.59 6.0 0.89 981 12 994 8
JK07-45.1 1124 59 0.05 0.08 0.055 0.65 15.9 0.55 402 14 394 2
JK07-46.1 1399 216 0.16 0.10 0.061 0.43 9.4 0.85 655 9 650 5
JK07-47.1 309 121 0.40 0.22 0.062 0.96 9.5 1.92 675 20 646 12
JK07-48.1 302 97 0.33 0.070 5.43 6.1 3.98 920 112 977 36
JK07-49.1 747 599 0.83 0.054 0.98 14.1 0.81 360 22 441 3
JK07-50.1 407 230 0.58 0.055 1.03 14.0 0.96 422 23 444 4
JK07-51.1 267 105 0.41 0.29 0.145 1.09 2.4 0.68 2291 19 2271 13
JK07-52.1 841 282 0.35 0.100 0.23 3.5 1.03 1623 4 1632 15
JK07-53.1 374 259 0.72 0.25 0.162 0.24 2.2 1.15 2480 4 2462 24
JK07-54.1 86 115 1.37 0.075 1.79 5.0 1.39 1059 36 1177 15
JK07-55.1 164 52 0.32 1.78 0.177 0.32 2.1 0.74 2621 5 2499 15
JK07-56.1 752 55 0.08 2.28 0.115 0.25 3.6 1.41 1882 4 1577 20
JK07-57.1 77 233 3.13 0.04 0.071 1.23 6.2 1.87 972 25 969 17
JK07-58.1 240 47 0.20 0.068 1.02 6.3 1.23 875 21 949 11
JK07-59.1 375 230 0.63 0.050 2.13 15.6 0.90 214 49 399 3
JK07-60.1 1206 127 0.11 1.20 0.124 0.16 3.0 1.48 2019 3 1882 24

Sample 13JK91 Misan Formation (381029.85N; 127444.01E)

JK91-1.1 151 159 1.09 2.76 0.159 0.42 2.4 1.95 2446 7 2229 37
JK91-2.1 230 126 0.57 0.03 0.061 1.56 8.1 1.20 645 33 755 9
JK91-3.1 280 111 0.41 0.08 0.056 1.06 15.3 0.92 444 24 408 4
JK91-4.1 204 71 0.36 1.19 0.084 0.71 5.5 2.17 1296 14 1077 22
JK91-5.1 1393 450 0.33 0.02 0.055 0.51 14.1 0.70 429 11 442 3
JK91-6.1 588 214 0.38 0.27 0.057 4.65 14.3 1.15 477 103 436 5
JK91-7.1 539 265 0.51 0.00 0.070 0.50 6.2 1.41 938 10 958 13
JK91-8.1 418 215 0.53 0.14 0.079 0.42 5.1 1.16 1175 8 1148 12
JK91-9.1 427 698 1.69 0.054 0.96 16.6 1.11 359 22 378 4
JK91-10.1 99 87 0.91 0.07 0.070 1.78 5.8 0.89 935 37 1022 8
(continued on next page)

200
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Table 1 (continued)

206 207
Spot U (ppm) Th (ppm) Th/U Pbcommon (%) Pb/206Pb a
% 238
U/206Pb a
% 207
Pb/206Pb a 206
Pb/238U a

Ages (Ma) Ages (Ma)

JK91-11.1 428 385 0.93 0.02 0.056 1.01 15.2 1.09 446 22 411 4
JK91-12.1 388 29 0.08 13.08 0.227 0.45 2.6 0.61 3030 7 2096 11
JK91-13.1 1575 192 0.13 0.07 0.056 0.43 14.5 0.68 450 10 431 3
JK91-14.1 183 101 0.57 0.27 0.099 0.58 3.6 0.77 1608 11 1584 11
JK91-15.1 218 111 0.53 0.45 0.105 0.76 3.4 0.92 1720 14 1660 13
JK91-16.1 729 469 0.66 0.056 0.71 14.3 0.57 437 16 435 2
JK91-17.1 474 94 0.21 3.09 0.108 0.67 4.6 2.89 1762 12 1280 34
JK91-18.1 481 90 0.19 0.069 0.92 6.2 0.60 909 19 967 5
JK91-19.1 86 47 0.57 0.080 1.05 4.9 0.90 1185 21 1202 10
JK91-20.1 86 46 0.56 0.28 0.081 1.36 4.8 0.90 1220 27 1226 10
JK91-21.1 181 65 0.37 0.00 0.064 1.31 7.5 0.99 752 28 812 8
JK91-22.1 206 88 0.44 0.069 0.86 6.4 0.70 905 18 931 6
JK91-23.1 109 70 0.67 0.15 0.165 0.97 2.1 0.83 2503 16 2499 17
JK91-24.1 387 241 0.64 0.10 0.054 1.46 14.5 0.62 383 33 430 3
JK91-25.1 176 67 0.39 0.92 0.167 0.34 2.1 1.10 2529 6 2469 23
JK91-26.1 1694 71 0.04 0.055 0.77 14.1 0.75 411 17 441 3
JK91-27.1 227 128 0.58 0.09 0.058 1.76 9.5 0.69 547 38 647 4
JK91-28.1 848 238 0.29 0.075 0.34 5.5 0.72 1065 7 1081 7
JK91-29.1 217 101 0.48 0.01 0.056 1.75 15.5 1.01 464 39 403 4
JK91-30.1 198 120 0.63 0.114 0.42 3.0 1.13 1872 8 1877 18
JK91-31.1 226 84 0.38 0.053 2.13 14.4 1.36 334 48 432 6
JK91-32.1 496 280 0.58 0.88 0.161 0.20 2.2 0.90 2471 3 2407 18
JK91-33.1 95 128 1.39 0.46 0.142 0.51 2.5 0.87 2247 9 2199 16
JK91-34.1 208 83 0.41 0.01 0.091 0.87 3.9 0.69 1454 17 1466 9
JK91-35.1 649 22 0.04 0.071 0.39 6.1 1.22 968 8 983 11
JK91-36.1 1389 416 0.31 0.10 0.056 0.48 14.8 0.54 445 11 421 2
JK91-37.1 657 189 0.30 0.56 0.114 0.23 3.1 1.11 1858 4 1785 17
JK91-38.1 1523 260 0.18 0.01 0.055 0.52 14.3 0.95 419 12 437 4
JK91-39.1 28 43 1.61 0.83 0.055 9.64 8.6 1.52 398 216 709 10
JK91-40.1 273 301 1.14 0.03 0.076 0.56 5.4 0.69 1096 11 1087 7
JK91-41.1 441 343 0.80 0.058 0.90 12.2 0.63 518 20 508 3
JK91-42.1 747 203 0.28 0.072 0.38 5.9 0.90 977 8 1004 8
JK91-43.1 723 583 0.83 0.06 0.053 1.27 14.7 0.91 319 29 425 4
JK91-44.1 427 102 0.25 0.03 0.073 0.53 5.8 0.75 1012 11 1018 7
JK91-45.1 191 103 0.56 2.78 0.163 0.33 2.4 1.61 2492 6 2273 31
JK91-46.1 924 431 0.48 0.085 0.24 4.4 0.81 1314 5 1332 10
JK91-47.1 1765 1133 0.66 0.00 0.055 0.44 14.4 0.60 423 10 432 3
JK91-48.1 334 292 0.90 0.09 0.058 1.09 13.5 0.63 513 24 461 3
JK91-49.1 413 180 0.45 2.43 0.084 1.89 6.9 3.88 1300 37 871 32
JK91-50.1 79 36 0.47 0.14 0.071 1.70 6.2 0.92 944 35 967 8
JK91-51.1 2149 430 0.21 0.04 0.056 0.38 14.3 0.68 441 8 434 3
JK91-52.1 1299 29 0.02 0.161 0.19 2.1 1.12 2467 3 2469 23
JK91-53.1 428 855 2.07 0.112 0.29 3.0 0.91 1832 5 1852 15
JK91-54.1 401 110 0.28 0.60 0.122 0.29 2.9 1.01 1992 5 1922 17
JK91-55.1 178 388 2.25 0.02 0.064 1.20 8.0 0.72 725 26 755 5
JK91-56.1 118 47 0.41 0.054 2.33 15.4 0.81 353 53 405 3
JK91-57.1 391 318 0.84 0.03 0.075 0.52 5.5 1.25 1078 10 1084 12
JK91-58.1 116 49 0.43 0.11 0.079 1.79 4.8 0.82 1181 35 1217 9
JK91-59.1 239 113 0.49 0.21 0.055 1.80 15.2 1.82 406 40 411 7
JK91-60.1 825 40 0.05 0.13 0.057 0.74 14.9 0.85 486 16 418 3

Sample 13JK94 Misan Formation (38210.72N; 127610.56E)

JK94-1.1 195 79 0.42 0.65 0.109 1.24 3.3 0.76 1786 23 1701 11
JK94-2.1 536 225 0.43 1.26 0.169 0.66 2.2 1.39 2550 11 2461 28
JK94-3.1 941 48 0.05 0.10 0.070 1.19 6.6 1.54 923 24 909 13
JK94-4.1 197 83 0.44 0.37 0.112 0.49 3.1 0.96 1829 9 1799 15
JK94-5.1 303 179 0.61 0.35 0.092 2.12 4.1 1.53 1467 40 1406 19
JK94-6.1 449 411 0.95 0.01 0.057 0.80 13.4 0.91 478 18 465 4
JK94-7.1 300 290 1.00 0.19 0.091 0.42 4.1 0.64 1447 8 1413 8
JK94-8.1 582 305 0.54 0.05 0.058 1.07 14.2 0.58 526 23 440 2
JK94-9.1 607 211 0.36 0.08 0.056 0.70 14.3 0.86 458 16 437 4
JK94-10.1 1070 151 0.15 0.02 0.070 0.32 6.6 0.97 918 7 911 8
JK94-11.1 724 19 0.03 0.076 2.63 4.8 3.45 1087 53 1213 38
JK94-12.1 1473 202 0.14 0.071 0.27 6.1 1.36 967 6 972 12
JK94-13.1 948 312 0.34 0.01 0.056 0.54 14.1 0.55 445 12 440 2
JK94-14.1 224 70 0.32 0.40 0.087 4.85 4.4 7.07 1360 94 1314 84
JK94-15.1 305 152 0.52 0.04 0.054 2.05 14.1 0.68 383 46 440 3
JK94-16.1 227 185 0.84 0.17 0.053 2.50 15.0 1.27 317 57 416 5
JK94-17.1 692 99 0.15 0.20 0.087 0.30 4.3 1.11 1369 6 1337 13
JK94-18.1 551 319 0.60 0.057 1.21 14.5 0.78 487 27 429 3
JK94-19.1 502 197 0.40 0.17 0.070 1.31 6.6 0.60 927 27 910 5
JK94-20.1 351 307 0.90 0.15 0.054 1.83 14.4 0.64 360 41 433 3
JK94-21.1 71 56 0.81 0.40 0.047 8.35 15.8 1.06 44.8 199 395 4
JK94-22.1 227 172 0.78 0.81 0.110 2.61 3.3 4.41 1796 47 1685 65
(continued on next page)

201
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Table 1 (continued)

206 207
Spot U (ppm) Th (ppm) Th/U Pbcommon (%) Pb/206Pb a
% 238
U/206Pb a
% 207
Pb/206Pb a 206
Pb/238U a

Ages (Ma) Ages (Ma)

JK94-23.1 673 121 0.19 0.072 0.75 6.0 1.23 999 15 986 11
JK94-24.1 33 23 0.72 0.06 0.160 0.78 2.2 1.29 2459 13 2461 26
JK94-25.1 587 361 0.64 0.12 0.072 0.48 6.2 1.15 983 10 969 10
JK94-26.1 711 295 0.43 0.071 0.88 6.0 0.58 964 18 990 5
JK94-27.1 725 382 0.54 0.49 0.111 1.58 3.2 3.24 1811 29 1752 50
JK94-28.1 159 98 0.64 0.93 0.122 0.50 3.0 0.80 1986 9 1882 13
JK94-29.1 1118 570 0.53 0.02 0.055 0.83 14.8 0.99 431 19 423 4
JK94-30.1 1111 103 0.10 0.16 0.072 0.61 6.4 1.11 978 13 943 10
JK94-31.1 144 76 0.54 0.41 0.058 1.89 15.4 0.77 514 42 406 3
JK94-32.1 962 240 0.26 0.00 0.055 0.74 14.2 1.13 408 17 439 5
JK94-33.1 643 168 0.27 0.06 0.071 0.40 6.3 0.94 964 8 949 8
JK94-34.1 306 175 0.59 0.055 1.03 14.0 1.08 414 23 444 5
JK94-35.1 386 341 0.91 0.075 0.49 5.6 1.00 1059 10 1065 10
JK94-36.1 911 64 0.07 0.25 0.067 0.40 7.9 1.21 828 8 771 9
JK94-37.1 416 296 0.73 0.052 1.61 14.1 1.23 302 37 441 5
JK94-38.1 493 142 0.30 0.03 0.075 0.43 5.6 1.07 1065 9 1060 10
JK94-39.1 151 79 0.54 0.14 0.067 1.09 7.4 1.15 834 23 816 9
JK94-40.1 166 131 0.82 0.15 0.074 0.87 5.8 1.05 1038 18 1020 10
JK94-41.1 192 107 0.57 0.08 0.055 1.76 14.2 0.71 409 39 439 3
JK94-42.1 664 70 0.11 0.10 0.073 0.40 6.1 0.97 1008 8 982 9
JK94-43.1 233 182 0.81 0.083 0.55 4.5 0.96 1278 11 1305 11
JK94-44.1 242 96 0.41 0.10 0.055 1.60 14.0 0.68 426 36 445 3
JK94-45.1 513 113 0.23 0.12 0.070 1.09 6.5 0.94 941 22 922 8

a 204
Common Pb corrected using Pb.

are many more or less evenly distributed subtle peaks in the
13003000 Ma range. Peaks are somewhat higher and/or closer spaced
between 1700 and 2000 Ma, and between 2400 and 2700 Ma. Th/U
ratios of all spots are between 1.0 and 0.1, with a single exception of
3.13 (Table 1).
Quartzite 13JK91 (Yeoncheon Complex) gave concordant ages for
46 spots out of 60 on 60 detrital zircons (Fig. 10c). This sample has an
age-frequency distribution with clusters in the 400500 and
9001300 Ma intervals with a sharp main peak at 430 Ma (n = 15),
and a much lower broad peak at 960 Ma (n = 5). The youngest
206
Pb/238U age is 378 4 Ma (discordance = -5%). The
13002500 Ma interval has many more or less evenly distributed subtle
peaks, with a small peak at 2479 Ma (n = 5) (Fig. 10d). Th/U ratios of
all spots are in the 1.00.1 range, but ve grains have ratios between
2.25 and 1.14 (Table 1). 45 spots on 45 zircons in quartzite 13JK94
from the same formation were analyzed, on 36 of which we obtained
concordant ages (Fig. 10e). The age-frequency distribution of this
sample (Fig. 10f) shows a sharp main peak of 440 Ma (n = 8), and a
cluster of smaller peaks in the 9001100 Ma interval, containing peaks
at 920 Ma (n = 5) and 980 Ma (n = 6). The youngest 206Pb/238U age is
423 4 Ma (discordance = 2%). Between 1200 and 2600 Ma there
are a number of low discrete peaks. Th/U ratios of all spots span the
1.00.1 range (Table 1).
All in all, the age populations of detrital zircon in meta-psammmites
of the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean and Formation are highly
similar (Fig. 10). The youngest grains are Late Devonian to Late Silurian
(425380 Ma) in age, the age spectra are dominated by middle
Paleozoic (440425 Ma, Silurian) and Early Neoproterozoic
(980920 Ma) peaks, whereas late (1.91.8 Ga) and earliest
(2.5 Ga) Paleoproterozoic peaks are only subordinate. The main
dierence is that the Early Neoproterozoic peak in the Taean Formation
is substantially higher than the Early Silurian peak, whereas for both
samples from the Yeoncheon Complex the latter is by far the most
important peak. Although height and shape of peaks, as well as the
position of the troughs in age spectra in recent studies of detrital zircon
in sandstones of the Taean Formation are somewhat dierent (Cho,
2007; Cho et al., 2010; Kee, 2008, 2011; Kim et al., 2014; Na et al.,
2012; So et al., 2013), they share the characteristics that we also
observed (Fig. 11, upper panel): principal peaks of middle Paleozoic
(essentially Silurian) and Early Neoproterozoic ages, minor Late
NeoarcheanEarly Paleoproterozoic and subordinate Middle Neopro-
terozoic modes, and nally a low frequency or virtual lack of 1.91.8-
Ga-aged detrital zircons. Unpublished pilots (Cho et al., 2005; Kwon,
2009) and recent studies in the Imjingang Belt (Fig. 11, middle panel),
and recent investigations in the southwestern Ogcheon Belt (Cho et al.,
2013; Kim et al., 2014; Park et al., 2011) yielded similar results. Also
comparable to our results are the youngest concordant SHRIMP UPb
spot ages in (rims of) detrital zircon grains in the Taean Formation of
420 4 Ma (Cho, 2007), 431 4 Ma (Cho et al., 2010) (Anmyeon
Island), and 420 Ma in equivalents in the YeongheungSeonjaeDae-
bu Islands (Na et al., 2012), as well as of 431 4 (Kwon, 2009) and
397 6 Ma (Cho et al., 2005) in the Yeoncheon Complex.
6. Interpretation
Virtually all spots have Th/U ratios in the 0.11.0 range, only six are
between 3.13 and 1.14 (Table 1). We did not observe a relationship
between Th/U ratio and spot age (Table 1). In all samples, all age
modes share low U and Th contents, however, although there is scatter,
the youngest grains have by far the highest U and Th contents (Table 1).
Th/U ratios below 0.1 have been widely cited as indicative for a
metamorphic or anatectic origin of zircon (e.g., Grant et al., 2009;
Hoskin and Black, 2000; Hoskin and Schaltegger, 2003; Kinny et al.,
1990; Rubatto, 2002; Williams, 2001). Metamorphism below upper
amphibolite facies conditions, characteristic of many in collisional
terranes, often leads only to new growth of tiny rims around older
detrital zircon grains; only in the granulite facies new zircon is
abundantly formed as sub-rounded grains with a more complex zoning
(e.g., Corfu et al., 2003; Moecher and Samson, 2006). The Th/U ratio of
zircons in felsic igneous rocks generally is between 0.1 and 1.0 (e.g., da
Silva et al., 2000; Hoskin and Schaltegger, 2003; Rubatto, 2002;
Scherstn et al., 2004). Characteristic for igneous zircons is their long
more prismatic habit with a distinctive oscillatory and/or sector growth
zoning (e.g., Corfu et al., 2003; Hoskin and Black, 2000). Consequently,
based on the typical 0.11.0 Th/U ratios in our study and the oscillatory
and sector zoning of most crystals, we infer that the zircons of the
Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation are essentially derived
from felsic magmatic rocks. Some grains in 13JK07 are highly bright or
dark and lack internal structure and could represent recrystallized or
metamorphic grains. The rounded form of many grains in combination

202
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

(a) (b)

Data-point error ellipses are 1 sigma

0.24 Taean Formation Taean Formation
13JK07 13JK07 (n = 49)

Age Probability
0.20
Pb/ 206 Pb

0.16

0.12
207

0.08

0.04
0 4 8 12 16 20 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
238
U/ 206 Pb Age (Ma)
(c) (d)
0.28
Yeoncheon Complex Data-point error ellipses are 1 sigma
Yeoncheon Complex
0.24
13JK91 13JK91 (n = 46)

Age Probability
Pb/ 206 Pb

0.20

0.16

0.12
207

0.08

0.04
0 4 8 12 16 20 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
238
U/ 206 Pb Age (Ma)
(e) 0.20
(f)
Data-point error ellipses are 1 sigma

Yeoncheon Complex Yeoncheon Complex

13JK94 13JK94 (n = 36)
0.16
Age Probability
Pb/ 206 Pb

0.12
207

0.08

0.04
0 4 8 12 16 20 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
238
U/ 206 Pb Age (Ma)

Fig. 10. TeraWasserburg concordia and age-distribution plots of SHRIMP UPb isotopic data (10% discordancy) of detrital zircons from (a) and (b) meta-sandstone 13JK07 from the
Taean Formation, and from quartzites; (c) and (d) 13JK91 and; (e) and (f) 13JK94 from the Yeoncheon Complex, Imjingang Belt. Ages > 1000 Ma calculated using 207Pb/206Pb ratios;
for zircons < 1000 Ma 206Pb/238U ratios are used. Error ellipses of data points are at the 95% condence level.

with truncation of the internal zoning pattern at margins of abraded
grains clearly indicates a detrital origin. Some zircons in 13JK94 are
subhedral, doubly-terminated prismatic grains with higher length-to-
width ratios (Fig. 8), suggesting less transport and abrasion than the
other two samples. Light colored zones protruding into grain interiors
similar to the structures we have observed (Fig. 9d) have been produced
in hydrothermal experiments on grains of partially metamict zircon
from natural rock samples at temperatures as low as 350 C (Geisler
et al., 2003). Such seams in the outer surface of detrital zircon grains
have been observed in greenschist-facies meta-sedimentary rocks and
may have formed by recrystallization in presence of a uid (e.g., de
Jong et al., 2009b; Geisler et al., 2003; Grant et al., 2009; Hay and
Dempster, 2009b). Although age constraints are lacking, as these
recrystallization rims (Fig. 8a and b) were too thin to analyze, in our
case they are likely to have formed during prograde metamorphism and
dehydration of the Yeoncheon and Taean sedimentary series, most
likely in the latest Permian and/or Triassic, as suggested by some
authors (e.g., Cho et al., 2005; Cho, 2014).
The very subordinate Paleoproterozoic population in the detrital
zircon record is an unexpected result because the ca. 1.931.83 Ga
Gyeonggi Massif (Section 2) and its Precambrian meta-sedimentary
cover series of the Seosan Group with abundant 1.951.80-Ga-old
detrital zircons (Cho et al., 2006) and on which the Taean Formation
occurs to the north of Anmyeon Island, is the dominant geological unit
in central Korea (Fig. 1b). Many other clastic series, ranging in age from
Early Paleozoic (Taebaeksan Basin; H.S. Kim et al., 2013; Lee et al.,
2016), latest Triassic (?) to EarlyMiddle Jurassic (Daedong Super-
group; Jeon et al., 2007) to Quaternary sediments in the Yellow Sea (T.
Choi et al., 2013) have major detrital zircon populations with the same
age range as observed in the Gyeonggi Massif, All in all, it is highly
unlikely that the main detrital component of the Yeoncheon Complex
and the Taean Formation was supplied by the Gyeonggi Massif, another
Paleoproterozoic basement terrane, or by their recycling due to erosion
of pre-middle Paleozoic sedimentary series on top of these. An
additional supporting argument for this conclusion is that although
the gneiss xenolith in a Late Triassic mac dike intruding the ductily
deformed and folded Taean Formation contains 3.73.1-Ga-old
magmatic zircons with 2.52.4 Ga metamorphic overgrowths such
old crystals are essentially absent as detritus in the meta-sandstones
studied. Such a basement was, hence, not present during deposition in
the Devonian, implying that such very old rocks must have been present
in the sub-surface of these meta-sediments since the Late Triassic due to
tectonism. Such old ages are not characteristic of the Gyeonggi Massif
but are found in outcrop in terminal Neoarchean migmatitic gneiss in
Daeijak Island in the Yellow Sea, about 75 km north of Anmyeon Island
(Fig. 1b; Cho et al., 2008). Paleoarchean (3.63.2 Ga) rocks, detrital
and xenocrystic zircons have been identied not only in many areas of
the SinoKorean Craton (Wan et al., 2015), but, interestingly such old

203
S. Han et al.
Age Probability
0 500 1000
Fig. 11. Age-distribution plots of SHRIMP UPb isotopic data of detrital zircons from our study compared to spectra published or compiled by Kim et al. (2014) for the Taean Formation
(top panel), Yeoncheon Complex, Imjingang Belt (bottom panel), and the Weolhyeonri Complex (lower panel). Spectra contain 206Pb/238U ages for zircons < 1000 Ma; 207Pb/206Pb ages
for zircons > 1000 Ma.
crustal remnants also occur in the North Qinling Terrane and the
Yangtze Block (Wu and Zheng, 2013; Zhai and Zhou, 2015). It is still
generally assumed that the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Forma-
tion unconformably overlie the Gyeonggi Massif (e.g., Kee, 2008,
2011). However, the strong Triassic ductile deformation of the Yeonch-
eon Complex and the synkinematic greenschist- to amphibolite-facies
metamorphism in the Imjingang Belt situated above the strongly
deformed and retrograde metamorphic top of the Gyeonggi Massif
(Section 2.1) clearly t in with a tectonic scenario. The Taean
Formation, the Yeoncheon Complex and similar-aged sediments in the
Ogcheon Belt (upper Pibanryeong Unit) occur in the highest tectonic
position; the rst and the last lithologic ensembles occur on top of ca.
840745-Ma-aged igneous rocks (Hongseong Zone) or sediments with a
detrital zircon population (lower Pibanryeong unit), which may, given
their ages, be derived from South Chinese terranes (Section 7.3.2.2), or
the South Qinling Belt (Section 7.3.2.3). This underscores the allochto-
nous nature of these three middle Paleozoic Korean sedimentary units.
Also the intensely deformed strata of the low-grade metamorphic
Middle to Late Devonian Imjin Group (Choi et al., 2015; Kim et al.,
2012) tectonically overlie the Proterozoic substratum of the southern
margin of the Nangrim Massif (Wu et al., 2007).
7. Discussion
Age spectra of detrital zircons reect characteristics of and tecton-
ism in the source area(s), as well as the dynamics of the sediment
dispersal and depositional systems. In this section we, therefore, look
into the possible reasons behind the virtual absence of Paleoproterozoic
detrital zircons in quartz-rich Yeoncheon and Taean meta-psammmites,
as well as the abundance of Silurian and Early Neoproterozoic crystals
in these rocks; characteristics which are strikingly dierent from the
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
Taean Formation
13JK07 (This study)
n = 49
S.W. Kim et al. (2014)
M. Cho et al. (2010)
n = 244
Yeoncheon Complex
13JK91 + 13JK94 (This study)
n = 82
S.W. Kim et al. (2014)
n = 42
Weolhyeonri Complex
S.W. Kim et al. (2014)
n = 93
1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Age (Ma)
age repartition in rocks of Korean basement terranes, like the Gyeonggi
Massif. We will rst explore how environmental and transports
processes like sequential phases of weathering, leaching and transport
throughout the sedimentary cycle, as well as diagenetic reactions and
in situ dissolution of unstable grains during deep-burial may produce
quartz arenites and concentrate zircons, but at the same time cause
preferential loss of old crystals, weakened by radiation damage (Section
7.1). Then, we examine the inuence of dispersal paths and source
characteristics (Section 7.2). With these insights we will be in the
position to look for possible sources of zircon, both inside and outside
the Korean Peninsula (Section 7.3).
7.1. Zircon stability during environmental, transport and syn- and post-
depositional processes
Age spectra may represent, in some cases, a biased record distorted
by the decreasing probability of survival of increasingly older grains,
rather than a mirror image of the age redistribution of the sediments
source area(s) (Hallsworth et al., 2000; Hartmann and Santos, 2004;
Hay and Dempster, 2009a; Kowalewski and Rimstidt, 2003). There are
three main factors that may potentially lead to the production of zircon-
enriched mature quartz arenites: (1) prolonged sediment transport and/
or sediment recycling, (2) radiation damage of zircons, (3) physical
conditions at the surface and during burial.
Along its continental transport route, particles that are mechanically
and chemically less stable, like certain lithic fragments and grains of
feldspars, amphiboles, pyroxenes, but also some accessory minerals,
will be broken down progressively with a concomitant enrichment in
quartz yielding mineralogically more mature sediments, which are
sorted based on durability, size and density (Bouma, 2004; Franzinelli
and Potter, 1983; Garzanti et al., 2007; Pettijohn, 1975; Potter, 1984;
204
S. Han et al.
Johnsson and Meade, 1990; Johnsson et al., 1991). Long terrestrial
transport, with periods of burial of sediment in oodplains, will leave
the coarser sand fractions behind, allowing for more diagenetic break-
down of feldspars, but also of some heavy minerals (van Loon and
Mange, 2007), hence further maturing the sediment (Bouma, 2004;
Hurst and Morton, 2014). Such sediments may be reworked by
reincorporation in a rivers sediment load during channel migration
resulting in mixing of relatively immature sands transported by the
river and compositionally more mature older sands from the oodplain,
resulting in a progressive downstream increase in the compositional
maturity (e.g., Franzinelli and Potter, 1983; Johnsson and Meade, 1990;
Johnsson et al., 1991; Potter, 1984). The compositional maturity of
sandstone and the relatively high concentration of large, well-rounded
grains of ultra-stable heavy accessory minerals like zircon, tourmaline
and rutile in quartz arenites thus reect an extended episode of
intensive mechanical abrasion and weathering during prolonged sedi-
ment transport and/or of sediment recycling (e.g., Augustsson et al.,
2011; Heaman and Parrish, 1991; Hurst and Morton, 2014; Kowalewski
and Rimstidt, 2003; Pettijohn, 1975). However, all zircons suer
radiation damage from e.g., alpha-decay of U that accumulates when
the mineral spends time, typically in the order of tens of millions of
years, below temperatures of 200250 C at which damage to the
crystal lattice is faster than repair by annealing (Nasdala et al., 2002).
In contrast to robust crystalline zircons, such metamict crystals contain
radiation-induced defects (Balan et al., 2001; Delattre et al., 2007).
They are therefore reactive in surface, or near-surface conditions
(< 100 C) in the presence of uids, during weathering, transport,
sedimentation and diagenesis (Delattre et al., 2007; Geisler et al., 2003;
Hay and Dempster, 2009a). During sedimentary transport Th- and U-
rich metamict zircon, especially those with a metamorphic origin, may
be worn down preferentially and eliminated during transportation to
the sedimentary basin (Hartmann and Santos, 2004; Hurst and Morton,
2014). As a result, mature sediments will contain large detrital crystal-
line, essentially magmatic, zircon with a high proportion of relatively
young grains with little radiation damage (Hay and Dempster, 2009a;
Hurst and Morton, 2014). Recycling of sedimentary rocks may further
accentuate dierences in zircon populations within dierent sediment
types (Hay and Dempster, 2009a). Moreover, in contrast to many other
detrital minerals chemically stable zircon is not susceptible to dissolu-
tion by high-temperature pore uids under advanced diagenetic con-
ditions during burial to depths in excess of 2.5 km (e.g., Hallsworth
et al., 2000; Milliken, 2007; Morton and Hallsworth, 2007). These
authors, hence, argued that deep burial could lead to the formation of
quartz arenites with a high concentration of zircons.
The occurrence of well-rounded zircon grains in the relatively ne-
grained mature Taean and Yeoncheon meta-sandstones implies that
they probably went through a cycle of extended episode of intensive
mechanical abrasion and weathering during prolonged sediment trans-
port and/or of sediment recycling. Our data set (Table 1) shows that in
all samples, detrital zircons with the highest U and Th contents are the
youngest grains and that the oldest crystals always are low in U and Th.
This suggests that destruction of radiation-damaged old, and maybe
metamorphic, crystals may, in principle, have occurred. In addition,
low-temperature conditions met at the surface and during burial
(Section 3.3; Fig. 7b) might have been contributing factors in the
formation of quartz-rich sandstones enriched in zircon we studied.
However, we cannot quantify the extent of these possible eects, but all
may have been operative to a certain extent.
7.2. Dispersal paths and source characteristics
Transcontinental rivers erode the most abundantly exposed rock
types on the continental surface, viz., sedimentary rocks and weathered
high-grade basement, over an extensive area. Zircons in sands of such
large rivers are thus thought to supply representative samples of
crystalline basement rocks and their sedimentary cover of entire
205
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
pseudo-continent wide catchment areas, so producing an accurate
image of the age repartition of these rocks once cropping out at the
surface of a craton (e.g., Gaudette et al., 1981; Gehrels et al., 2011;
Iizuka et al., 2010; Rainbird et al., 1992; Thomas, 2011). Absence of
signicant amounts of Paleoproterozoic zircons in the Taean and
Yeoncheon meta-sandstones may thus imply that no detritus of crystal-
line basement of that age, or younger covering sediments with zircons
in that age mode, was delivered to the depositional realm of both
sedimentary series. This may mean that such rocks, although present,
were not eroded suciently, as suggested for Early Paleozoic series in
the interior United States (Thomas, 2011). However, the Precambrian
Seosan Group underlying the Taean Formation to the north of Anmyeon
Island yielded abundant 1.951.80-Ga-old detrital zircons (Cho et al.,
2006). Early Cambrian meta-sandstones in the Taebaeksan Basin on top
of Precambrian gneisses contain detrital zircons with prominent age
populations in the 2.71.8 Ga range (H.S. Kim et al., 2013; Lee et al.,
2016). A biotite-schist with an inferred Paleozoic depositional age from
the eastern Gyeonggi Massif produced detrital zircons with an age
spectrum that has a prominent ca. 1.85 Ga peak and a smaller latest
Neoarchean component (Cho, 2014). Also Paleozoic sandstones in the
lowermost thrust stacks in the Ogcheon Belt have signicant Paleopro-
terozoic detrital zircon populations (Cho et al., 2013). These examples
imply that detritus originated from Precambrian basement massifs.
Consequently, it is highly unlikely that the main detrital component of
the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation was supplied by the
Gyeonggi Massif, another Paleoproterozoic basement massif in or
outside of Korea, or by their recycling due to erosion of Proterozoic
and/or Early Paleozoic sedimentary series on top of them. This
argument is strengthened by sole marks (groove cast, ute cast)
generally indicating a NS ow direction and much less often NESW
to EW directed ow (Choi et al., 2008). In rare cases a southward
sedimentary transport is suggested (climbing ripples, southeastern ow,
Fig. 3d; ute casts, southwestern ow, Choi et al., 2008). These ow
directions are never pointing away from the Gyeonggi Massif, making it
at rst sight an unlikely provenance area. Consequently, this seems to
mean that no long, pseudo-continent wide uvial system fed into the
sedimentary basins where both formations were deposited, and that
detritus was derived from a much smaller area.
It is conceivable that the supply of sediments derived from the
continental interior was blocked by large-scale tectonic structures
forming barriers between the source area and the sedimentary basin
where the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation accumulated.
A much deeper sub-basin bordering the Paleoproterozoic hinterland
could drain away detritus from it. But, such a mechanism does not
explain the dominance of Early Neoproterozoic and Silurian detrital
zircons in both formations, which suggests that the essential part of the
provenance area was composed of such magmatic rocks, or sedimentary
rocks with zircons of this age. A mountainous area composed of a
Silurian magmatic arc and an early Neoproterozoic substratum could
have formed a topographic barrier, possibly along the continental
margin, preventing sediment inux from the older continental interior,
and at the same time constituting the very main source of zircons.
Active tectonic regimes, like magmatic arcs with an immature young
substratum, or young eroding mountain belts and their fore- and
hinterlands, have a young relief, experienced important denudation
causing rapid exposure of new potential source rocks. Zircons from
sediments from basins developed in such active environments generally
are angular, implying a low degree of grain abrasion, have euhedral
shapes, or are broken, all pointing to a nearby source (100200 km)
(e.g., Cawood et al., 2012; Gibson et al., 2013; Hara et al., 2013;
Sagripanti et al., 2011; Xu et al., 2010a, 2010b). Such sediments are not
severely aected by recycling and chemical weathering (e.g., Garzanti
et al., 2007; Najman et al., 2008; Potter, 1984). While generally over
half of weakly abraded detrital zircons in sedimentary basins in
convergent plate margins have ages close to the arc and the timing of
sedimentation, basins in collisional settings, like foreland basins,
S. Han et al.
receive much less zircons with ages close to the depositional age and
sediments generally contain greater proportions (up to 50%) of older
zircons (Cawood et al., 2012; Voice, 2010). Sandstones from foreland
basins generally receive detritus predominantly from the orogenic
highland and the cratonic foreland, with only minor contributions from
the adjacent craton (DeCelles, 2012; DeCelles and Giles, 1996;
Sagripanti et al., 2011). Such sediments, thus, typically contain two
populations of detrital zircons with the ages corresponding to the
magmatic continental arc associated with ocean closure and syn-
collisional magmatism, as well as the older reworked and eroding
substratum of the arc and (Precambrian) basement of the orogen
bordering a craton (Cawood et al., 2012; Chew et al., 2007; Voice,
2010). Such age spectra are similar to the ones we obtained for the
Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation. This shows rising and
eroding mountain belts eciently block inux of older material from
the continental interior and instead supply relatively locally derived
detritus of young crystalline, non-basement material to the foreland
basin. Foreland basins, or more precisely pro-foreland basins (Ingersoll,
2012), also referred to as foredeep depozones (DeCelles, 2012), are
elongate regions that form on continental crust of the underthrust plate
as a result of exural down-bending of the elastic continental litho-
sphere in response to its dynamic tectonic and topographic loading by
the overriding plate during continentcontinent collision (e.g.,
DeCelles, 2012; DeCelles and Giles, 1996; Heller et al., 1988;
Ingersoll, 2012; Ingersoll et al., 2003; Kuhlemann and Kempf, 2002;
Sinclair and Allen, 1992). Almost all pro-foreland basins progress from
an under-lled to a lled or overlled depositional state, and any excess
sediment is transported from the basin by uvial and/or shallow marine
processes (Molasse type stage) (Heller et al., 1988; Kuhlemann and
Kempf, 2002; Sinclair and Allen, 1992). Much of this eroded material is
transferred longitudinally sub-parallel to the basin axis and structural
trend, through deltaic complexes to continental shelves and into
remnant (oceanic) basins as turbidites in submarine fans (DeCelles
and Giles, 1996; Lomas and Joseph, 2004; Ingersoll, 2012; Ingersoll
et al., 2003), with important changes and migrations of facies zones in
space and through time (Kuhlemann and Kempf, 2002). Attempted
subduction of buoyant continental crust will lead to termination of
thrusting (Ingersoll et al., 2003). During these closing stages the
tectonic regime in a foreland basin switches from thickening to one
in which erosion predominates (Heller et al., 1988). These authors
pointed out that removal of the thrust load and thinning of the crust by
erosion - or other processes removing the tectonic load, like lithospheric
thinning under an orogen - reduces the mass of the mountains. This
results in exural rebound, exhumation and deep erosion of the orogen
and adjacent part of the proximal foreland basin giving rise to a huge
sediment discharge from the collision zone (Heller et al., 1988;
Ingersoll et al., 2003). Strong uplift of the European Alps and the
North Alpine Foreland Basin resulted in erosion of over 2 km of molasse
sediment (Kuhlemann and Kempf, 2002). Transverse rivers can ow
across nearly the entire foreland basin before merging with the main
longitudinal channel of the uviatile system (Burbank, 1992). As a
result of all these processes, sediment in basins formed during and after
continental collision can extend a signicant distance from the actual
site of ocean closure (Rainbird et al., 2012).
Although the age spectra of the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean
Formation may be explained by derivation of detritus in a pro-foreland
basin, the depositional environment of the Taean Formation has been
interpreted as a mixed sand-mud, deep-water fan system with single
point-fed source that is likely to develop at mature passive margins
(Choi et al., 2008; So et al., 2013). Passive margins typically consist of a
wide shelf with a large coastal plain where long and ecient transport
commonly produces ne-grained quartz-rich sediment (Bouma, 2004)
not unlike the Taean and Yeoncheon meta-sandstones. But, detrital
zircon age spectra of passive margin sandstones have an important age
population corresponding to the interior of Precambrian cratons and
lack the spike of much younger volcanic inux (Voice, 2010), in
206
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
contrast to those of the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation.
Moreover, the fairly high degree of rounding of both Paleozoic and
Proterozoic detrital crystalline zircon grains in the Taean and Yeonch-
eon quartz-rich meta-sandstones seems to rule out a local source and
point to a signicant transport of both components. We conclude from
this that the source area of both formations probably was formed by a
fairly remote mountain range predominantly composed of middle
Paleozoic magmatic rocks with Early Neoproterozoic igneous rocks or
a (meta)sediments with recycled igneous zircons. Sediment transport in
a routing system parallel to the basin axis at some distance from the
mountain front, would limit inux of detritus and zircon from other
sources, like a bordering Precambrian basement terrane or craton.
Apparently, during prolonged transport sediments were mechanically
downgraded and weathered before being deposited in a submarine fan.
7.3. Possible provenance areas of the Yeoncheon and Taean meta-
sandstones
Detrital zircon age spectra essentially provide information on
intermediate to granitic magmatism in the source area(s) (Moecher
and Samson, 2006). In the following sections we try, by using the
sedimentological and tectonic characteristics of the Yeoncheon Com-
plex and the Taean Formation, and comparing characteristics in our
detrital zircon age spectra with known magmatic events in possible
source terranes in (Section 7.3.1) and outside (Section 7.3.2) the Korean
Peninsula (Table 2), to make inferences about their potential correla-
tives, possible provenance areas and tectonic implications (Section
7.3.3).
7.3.1. Possible sources in Korea and tectonic position of the middle
Paleozoic meta-sediments
The youngest (425380 Ma) and the dominant (440425 Ma)
detrital zircon populations in the Taean and Yeoncheon meta-sand-
stones have ages comparable to the slice of mylonitized ca. 375-Ma-old
granite in the Imjingang Belt (Kee, 2008; H. Kim et al., 2013), the ca.
470310 Ma magmatism in Weolhyeonri Complex, as well as to the
sharp ca. 420 Ma main peak of detrital zircons in meta-sandstone from
the latter complex (Section 2.1). Both the Weolhyeonri Complex and
the Deokjeongri Gneiss Formation in the Hongseong Zone along the
margin of the western Gyeonggi Massif experienced metamorphism
from 440 Ma to 375 Ma (Kim and Kee, 2010; Kim et al., 2006, 2011a,
2015; Oh et al., 2009, 2014). Our and other studies concluded that
essentially all zircon grains have a magmatic origin, and revealed
neither detrital zircons nor metamorphic rims in the 440375 Ma age
range. Absence of Late Silurian to Late Devonian metamorphic zircons
may be due to preferential elimination during weathering and long
transportation of such often metamict high-U crystals with reduced
durability (Section 7.1). This is corroborated by the absence of
metamorphic or volcanic rock fragments with metamorphic zircon
grains that should have been present in the sediments of the Taean
Formation if they were supplied from the nearby Deokjeongri Gneiss
Formation and Weolhyeonri Complex. This implies that possible source
areas might have been located at considerable distance from the
depositional realm. Importantly, the middle Neoproterozoic magma-
tism (age range: 855730 Ma) recorded in various lithological units of
the Hongseong Zone (Kee, 2011; Kim et al., 2008; S.W. Kim et al., 2013;
Oh et al., 2009, 2014; Section 2.1) is substantially younger than the
major 980920 Ma peak in the age spectra of detrital zircons in the
Taean and Yeoncheon meta-sandstones we, and others, studied, though
minor populations of about 800750 and 700650 Ma are observed for
the latter (Fig. 11, upper and middle panels). Recently, a number of
small ca. 900890 Ma tonalitetrondhjemite plutons were reported in
some of the Gogunsan Islands o Koreas west coast about 65 km to the
south of Anmyeon Island (Fig. 1b; unpublished third party data referred
to by S.W. Kim et al., 2013). However, the exposed volume of these
intrusions seems too small to be the source of the substantial Early
 Table 2
Comparison of principal peaks in detrital zircon age spectra (italicized) with isotopic ages of major magmatic and metamorphic events, as well as their geodynamic setting during the Neoproterozoic and early-middle Paleozoic in the main litho-
tectonic units of the southern Korean Peninsula with some of the major terranes in Japan and China.
S. Han et al.

Tectonic unit Ages (Ma) Geodynamic setting Ages (Ma) Geodynamic setting Ages (Ma) Geodynamic setting Source

Taean Formation 970850: mean peaks 780650: minor 455400: mean Deep-marine fan 6; 10; 30
peaks
Yeoncheon Complex 980920: minor 780650: very minor 465345: mean 8; 30; 32
peaks peaks
Upper Pibanryeong Unit 1050840: major/ 800650: very minor 470350: mean 11; 30; 43
minor peaks
Gonam Complex 820810 Intrusive rocks 30
Gamaksan alkaline intrusion 742 13 Extension-related alkaline meta- 34
granitoids
Weolhyeonri Complex 900820 Granitic orthogneisses 750740 Anorogenic-type alkali granites 470310: mainly Volcanism, magmatism, in arcfore- 23; 25; 27; 28; 31;
related to extension and continental 450400; rare 375 arc 33; 41; 44, 45
rifting
Mainly ca. Metamorphism, anatexis in a
450375 collisional setting
Meta-sandstone 850750: minor 420: mean peak 30
Deokjeongri Gneiss Formation 855820 TTG suite Andean-type 750740 Anorogenic-type alkali granites middle Paleozoic Deformation, metamorphism. 22; 25; 26; 29; 40
magmatic arc related to extension and continental migmatization
rifting
Taebaeksan Basin 1000550: 1000550: 455445 Trachytic volcanism 9; 24; 35
signicant signicant
population population
NE Yeongnam Massif (xenoliths; 430, 420, 370 5
schist)
Eastern Gyeonggi Massif (micaschist) 940: minor peak 690: very minor 420, 380: mean 7

207
peaks

Japanese terranes
South Kitakami Terrane 485420 Volcanic arc
SilurianDevonian sandstones 12001000: (very) 750570: very minor 455425: mean Continental shelf close to a volcanic arc 21; 42
minor peaks peaks peaks
Kurosegawa Terrane (metapelite) 1200800: (very) 600: minor/major 500450: mean Volcanic arc (?) 57
minor peaks

Chinese terranes
North Qinling Belt 980930 Subduction- and collision- 845740 Anorogenic granitic magmatism 440400 Andean-type continental arc 12; 13; 14; 15; 16;
related granitic related to post-collisional extension 37; 38; 39; 46; 47;
magmatism and intra-continental rifting 52; 53; 58; 63
450420 Migmatization and metamorphism
Liuling, Nanwan, Foziling groups 1100920 835720 480430 M.L. Devonian molasse-type deposits in 3; 4; 15; 38
(meta)sandstones pro-foreland basin
South Qinling Belt 955835 Subduction- and collision- 835680 Anorogenic granitic magmatism 53; 60
related granitic related to post-collisional extension
magmatism and intra-continental rifting
Yangtze Block Passive margin 820690 Post-collisional extension-related 460380 Granitic magmatism, which is 1; 18; 19; 20; 49; 54;
granitoids, bimodal volcanism, rift extension-related from the E. Silurian 62
basins or E. Devonian
OrdovicianDevonian (meta) 1260960 880740 460425 E. Devonian uplift, deposition M. 35; 50
sandstones Devonian to E. Carboniferous molasse-
type deposits
Jiangnan Belt mainly 970825 Arc assemblages and 820690 Post-collisional extension-related 460390 Granitic magmatism; extension- 1; 2; 19; 48; 58; 60
plutonic complexes granitoids, bimodal volcanism, rift related from E. Silurian or E.
basins Devonian
Cathaysia Block 820690 Post-collisional extension-related 460390 Granitic magmatism; extension- 18; 19; 20; 48; 49;
granitoids, bimodal volcanism, rift related from E. Silurian or E. 58; 62
(continued on next page)
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

and Shu (2010); 55, Yao et al. (2012); 56, Yao et al. (2012); 57, Yoshimoto et al. (2013); 58, Yu et al. (2016); 59, Zhai and Zhou (2015); 60, Zhang et al. (2016); 61, Zhao and Cawood (2012); 62, Zhong et al. (2013); and 63, Zhu et al. (2011).
References used: 1, Charvet (2013); 2, Charvet et al. (2010); 3, Chen et al.(2003); 4, Chen et al. (2014); 5, Cheong et al. (2015a, 2015b): 6, Cho (2007); 7, Cho (2014); 8, Cho et al. (2005); 9, Cho et al. (2014), 10, Cho et al. (2010); 11, Cho et al.
(2013); 12, Diwu et al. (2014); 13, Dong and Santosh (2016); 14, Dong et al. (2011), 15, Dong et al. (2013); 16, Dong et al. (2014); 17, Faure et al. (2009); 18, Feng et al. (2014); 19, Geng (2015) and Guan et al. (2014); 21, Isozaki et al. (2014); 22,
Kee (2011); 23, Kim and Kee (2010); 24, H.S. Kim et al. (2013); 25, Kim et al. (2006); 26, Kim et al. (2008); 27, Kim et al. (2011b); 28, Kim et al. (2011c); 29, S.W. Kim et al. (2013); 30, Kim et al. (2014); 31, Kim et al. (2015); 32, Kwon (2009); 33,

(2014a); 45, Park et al. (2014b); 46, Ratschbacher et al. (2003); 47, Ratschbacher et al. (2006); 48, Shu et al. (2014); 49, Shu et al. (2015); 50, Wang et al. (2007); 51, Wang et al. (2010); 52, Wang et al. (2015); 53, Wu and Zheng (2013); 54, Xiang
Kwon et al. (2013); 34, Lee et al. (2003); 35, Lee et al. (2016); 36, Li et al. (2013); 37, Li et al. (2014); 38, Liu et al. (2013); 39, Liu et al. (2015); 40, Oh et al. (2005); 41, Oh et al. (2014); 42, Okawa et al. (2013); 43, Park et al. (2011); 44, Park et al.
Neoproterozoic detrital zircon population of the Taean and Yeoncheon
meta-sandstones, disregarding possible sub-marine occurrences. All
18; 20; 56; 62
things considered, although the SilurianDevonian magmatic detritus
51; 54; 55 in the meta-sandstones we studied may have been derived from a
Source

source area similar to the Deokjeongri Gneiss Formation and the

Weolhyeonri Complex, it is not obvious why this area, which cannot
have supplied the 980920 Ma-aged detrital zircons, did not supply
Devonian to E. Carboniferous molasse-

magmatic zircons in the ca. 855730 Ma range, characteristic of both

units in the Hongseong Zone. This is well illustrated by a meta-
E. Devonian uplift, deposition M.
Deformation, metamorphism

sandstone from the Weolhyeonri Complex that shares a prominent

peak around 420 Ma with the Taean and Yeoncheon meta-sandstones,
but has a broad peak around 810 Ma and lacks the Early Neoproterozoic
Geodynamic setting

ages and signicant grains older than 1 Ga (Fig. 11, lower panel). This
seems to suggest that meta-sandstones in the Taean Formation and the
type deposits
Devonian

Yeoncheon Complex did not receive their main detritus from rock types
currently exposed in the Hongseong Zone.
Cheong et al. (2015b) reported detrital zircons of magmatic origin
with concordant ca. 430 and 420 Ma populations in meta-sedimentary
xenoliths in earliest Permian igneous rocks in the northeastern Yeong-
nam Massif, whereas a nearby biotite-gneiss yielded zircons with a
Ages (Ma)

dominant age peak of ca. 370 Ma. The authors argued that the source
480415
450400

region of these detrital zircons may have been a SilurianDevonian

continental arc located in the basement massifs margin. Slightly older
trachytic volcanism (ca. 445455 Ma) has been established to occur in
Late Ordovician sedimentary series of the Taebaeksan Basin (Cho et al.,
2014). In addition, meta-sediments in the Korean Peninsula other than
those already discussed similarly contain Neoproterozoic and early and
middle Paleozoic detrital zircons. A biotite-schist in the eastern
Gyeonggi Massif yielded detrital zircon with magmatic cores containing
Geodynamic setting

major populations of ca. 380 and 420 Ma, minor Neoproterozoic

(690 Ma, 940 Ma) and latest Neoarchean ages, but also a very
prominent ca. 1845-Ma-old component (Cho, 2014). Detrital zircons
basins

in sandstones in the lowermost thrust stacks in the Ogcheon Belt (lower

and upper Poeun units) have a similar bimodal age distribution (Cho
et al., 2013). Other sandstones in the Ogcheon Belt (lower Pibanryeong
Unit) yielded a detrital zircon age spectrum with small age clusters in
the ca. 0.850.50 Ga range and a substantial ca. 1.30.85 Ga population
Ages (Ma)

(Cho et al., 2013). Although Early Cambrian sandstones in the

800770

Taebaeksan Basin distinctly lack meso- to Neoproterozoic detrital

zircons, late EarlyMiddle Cambrian meta-psammites have signicant
ca. 1.00.55 Ga populations, in addition to smaller age clusters in the
ca. 1.91.1 Ga range (H.S. Kim et al., 2013; Lee et al., 2016). Detrital
zircons in these meta-sedimentary series are usually sub-angular to sub-
Geodynamic setting

rounded, and their internal growth structure is only rarely truncated at

crystal margins, pointing to minor abrasion by transport, and, hence,
probably local sources. Although the detrital zircons point to a
substantial inux of Silurian to Devonian magmatic material, very
similar to the Taean Formation and the Yeoncheon Complex, the
signicant Paleoproterozoic zircon populations indicate a substantial
additional source of basement terranes, not present in the material we
studied. The early Neoprotrozoic detrital zircon population in the Taean
Formation and the Yeoncheon Complex could, in principle, be gener-
Ages (Ma)

980970

ated by recycling late EarlyMiddle Cambrian meta-psammites in the

Taebaeksan Basin, sedimentary series comparable to the lower Piban-
ryeong unit, or even the low-grade meta-sediments of the Sangwon
Supergroup of the southern margin of the eastern SinoKorean Craton
(Section 2). However, it is dicult to envisage processes responsible for
OrdovicianDevonian (meta)

the preferential concentration of the chief 440425 Ma and

980919 Ma detrital zircon populations in the Taean Formation and
the Yeoncheon Complex, and selective elimination of all other Paleo-
Table 2 (continued)

zoic and Proterozoic age components from the detritus supplied by

sandstones

these potential source rocks. The Taean Formation and the Yeoncheon
Tectonic unit

Complex of the Imjingang Belt, as well as certain series of the western

Ogcheon Belt (upper Pibanryeong Unit) may, thus, have formed sub-
basins in earlymiddle Paleozoic time receiving a common inux, but in
dierent mixing, derived from a hinterland with eroding Silurian to

208
S. Han et al.
Devonian and Early Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks and/or sediments
with similarly-aged magmatic zircons without important occurrences of
1.91.8 Ga and ca. 2.5 Ga old rocks in their source areas, in contrast to
some of the sedimentary series associated with the Gyeonggi and
Yeongnam massifs, or the Taebaeksan Basin discussed above. This
strongly suggests that these middle Paleozoic meta-sediments along the
western Gyeonggi Massif do not belong to this massif. The tectonic
position of the Taean Formation, to the west of the Hongseong suture
zone (Section 2.1) further underlines this. Importantly, the Taean
Formation, the Yeoncheon Complex and the upper Pibanryeong Unit
(Cho et al., 2013; Fig. 1C) all occupy the highest tectonic position in
their sectors. Consequently, the zircons and other detritus of these litho-
tectonic units were in all likelihood derived from sources to the west of
the Hongseong suture zone, which we will explore in the following
section.
7.3.2. Possible sources outside Korea
Yoshimoto et al. (2013) proposed that the detrital zircon popula-
tions of meta-sediments from the Kurosegawa Terrane in southwest
Japan are similar to those of the Taean Formation and the upper
Pibanryeong Unit (western Ogcheon Belt). Age spectra of detrital
zircons in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the correlative South
Kitakami in northeast Japan have very similar features (Isozaki et al.,
2014; Okawa et al., 2013). de Jong et al. (2009a) grouped both
terranes, with a number of others, in the proto-Japan superterrane.
Like the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation, certain Early
and Middle Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the southern China terranes
(e.g. the Ailaoshan, Cathaysia, Yangtze) and the northern part of the
composite QinlingDabie Belt, like e.g., North Qilian and North Qinling
Belts (Fig. 1a), have zircon age spectra with prominent middle Paleo-
zoic and Early Neoproterozoic peaks, in addition to the absence of a
signicant middle Paleoproterozoic mode (Burrett et al., 2014; Chen
et al., 2014; Dong et al., 2013; Duan et al., 2011; Liu et al., 2013; Wu
and Zheng, 2013; Xu et al., 2010a, 2010b; Yan et al., 2012). These
Paleozoic clastic series formed after erosion of a deformed and
metamorphosed substratum that included Silurian to Early Devonian
and Early Neoproterozoic granitoids, or sediments with zircons derived
from such rocks. In the following, we discuss that age spectra from
Japanese terranes in detail dier signicantly from those of the
Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation (Section 7.3.2.1), review
potential lateral equivalents or sources in the South China Block
(Section 7.3.2.2) and in the QinlingDabie Belt (Sections 7.3.2.3 and
7.3.2.4), and nally consider possible tectonic implications (Section
7.3.3).
7.3.2.1. Japanese terranes. The Kurosegawa Terrane is a narrow almost
1200-km-long, discontinuous belt of tectonic mlange of a great variety
of lithologies, partly set in a serpentinite matrix, including weakly to
non-metamorphic late Silurian to Middle Devonian tuaceous
sediments, as well as Early Paleozoic plutonic and metamorphic rocks
(de Jong et al., 2009a; Yoshimoto et al., 2013, and references therein).
Subhedral, (sub)angular detrital zircons from meta-sediments from this
belt yielded major peaks at 500450 Ma or 600 Ma, with additional
minor populations of 1200800 Ma and virtually no early meso- and
Paleoproterozoic ages (Yoshimoto et al., 2013). The South Kitakami
Terrane contains non-metamorphic Silurian to Devonian siliciclastic to
volcaniclastic series with intercalations of tu and limestone developed
on a basement of ultramac to mac rocks with small amounts of
tonalitetrondhjemitegranodiorite, representing fragments of
Ordovician to earliest Silurian (485420 Ma) volcanic-arc lithosphere
(Isozaki et al., 2014; Okawa et al., 2013). On generally abraded and
anhedral detrital zircon grains from angular, ill-sorted, feldspathic
sandstones in these series Okawa et al. (2013) and Isozaki et al.
(2014) obtained age spectra with single main peaks in the
455425 Ma range. Neoproterozoic peaks (900500 Ma) are minor
but persistent, whereas ages older than 1.0 Ga are present but
209
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
subdued. The lithological characteristics and the detrital zircon data
point to deposition in a shallow-marine continental shelf environment,
inuenced by volcanic arc activity (Isozaki et al., 2014; Okawa et al.,
2013).
The major OrdovicianSilurian arc-derived populations of detrital
zircons in the (meta)sediments of the Kurosegawa and South Kitakami
terranes indeed resemble those found in the Yeoncheon and Taean
meta-sandstones. However, many Central and East Asian micro-con-
tinents and terranes amalgamated into the Eurasian continent along
Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic suture zones were fringed by Early
Paleozoic subduction-accretion complexes, island arcs or continental
arcs (e.g., Burrett et al., 2014; Cocks and Torsvik, 2013; de Jong et al.,
2006, and references therein). Correlations solely based on similarities
of OrdovicianSilurian detrital zircon populations seem thus prema-
ture. Moreover, the major early Neoproterozoic age peaks, which
characterize the Korean samples too, are not important in the Japanese
material. Above all, the probably Gondwana-derived Kurosegawa and
South Kitakami terranes have completely dierent tectonic positions
and geological histories than the Taean Formation and the Yeoncheon
Complex. Kurosegawa and South Kitakami docked with the East Asian
continental margin in the Middle Jurassic (Okawa et al., 2013), or Late
Triassic (de Jong et al., 2009a). The Kurosegawa Terrane forms part of a
klippe on Jurassic to Cretaceous accretion complexes (Mikabu, Samba-
gawa and Shimanto belts) formed during subduction of Pacic oceanic
lithosphere below the East Asian continental margin (de Jong et al.,
2009a, and references therein). As a result we do not support the
correlations of these Japanese terranes with the Taean Formation and
the upper Pibanryeong Unit proposed by Yoshimoto et al. (2013).
7.3.2.2. South China Block. The South China Block consists of the
mainly Paleo- to Neoproterozoic Yangtze (northwest) and Cathaysia
(southeast) blocks separated by a suture zone (Jiangnan Belt) (Fig. 1a),
formed in the Middle to Late Neoproterozoic (i.e. 900820 Ma, Charvet,
2013; Charvet et al., 2010; Faure et al., 2009; Li et al., 2008, 2014; Shu
et al., 2014, 2015; Yao et al., 2015; Zhai and Zhou, 2015; Zhao and
Cawood, 2012). The Jiangnan Belt and other Neoproterozoic fold belts
along Yangtzes western and northern margin consist of metamorphic
volcano-sedimentary series, including typical arc assemblages and
plutonic complexes (mainly 970825 Ma), intruded by post-collisional
extension-related peraluminous S-type (850750 Ma) granitoids
(Charvet, 2013; Geng, 2015; Zhai and Zhou, 2015; Zhao and Cawood,
2012). Major rift basins with 820690-Ma-old bimodal volcanic and
igneous rocks point to Late Neoproterozoic regional extension across
the assembled South China Block (Charvet, 2013; Geng, 2015; Shu
et al., 2015). A marine transgression resulted progressively in a stable
siliciclastic depositional environment in the Late Neoproterozoic to
Early Paleozoic (690460 Ma) (Shu et al., 2014, 2015). The South
China Block experienced extensive ca. 460380-Ma-old granitic
magmatism, which is extension-related from the Early Silurian or
Early Devonian (Feng et al., 2014; Guan et al., 2014; Shu et al.,
2014; W.H. Yao et al., 2012; Zhong et al., 2013, and references therein).
Cathaysia, in contrast to Yangtze, also underwent widespread and
important deformation and metamorphism in the early to middle
Paleozoic (ca. 480415 Ma; e.g., Charvet, 2013; Charvet et al., 2010;
Faure et al., 2009; Shu et al., 2015; Y.J. Wang et al., 2007). Rapid uplift
in the Early Devonian led to a regional angular unconformity between
deformed and variously metamorphosed Early Paleozoic siliciclastic
series, Precambrian rocks and Paleozoic granites in Cathaysia and
southeastern Yangtze and overlying thick middle Devonian to early
Carboniferous clastic deposits (Charvet, 2013; Charvet et al., 2010;
Faure et al., 2009; Ma et al., 2009; Shu et al., 2014, 2015; Y.J. Wang
et al., 2007). This molasse-type cover succession (conglomerate, quartz
arenite, (feldspathic) sandstone, siltstone) with intercalated chert and
(bioclastic) limestone contains abundant Middle to Late Devonian sh
and plant fossils (Ma et al., 2009). From the Middle or Late Devonian,
the South China Block evolved into a more stable low-energy littoral-
S. Han et al.
neritic depositional environment, including a carbonate platform (Shu
et al., 2014, 2015). OrdovicianDevonian (meta)sandstones have
detrital zircons with major age clusters of 1200900 Ma (peak:
980970 Ma) and 850730 Ma (peak: 800770 Ma) (Cathaysia; Wang
et al., 2010; Xiang and Shu, 2010; J.L. Yao et al., 2012), as well as
1260960 Ma and 880740 Ma (Yangtze; Li et al., 2013; Wang et al.,
2010). Moreover, these clastic rocks contain important zircon
populations of 450400 Ma (peak: 440 Ma) (Cathaysia; Xiang and
Shu, 2010) and 460425 Ma (Yangtze; Li et al., 2013), which the
authors regard as derived from Middle Ordovician to Late Devonian
granitic rocks.
7.3.2.3. Qinling Belt. The Qinling Belt is usually divided into a northern
and a southern belt, separated by the Shangdan suture (Fig. 1a),
highlighted by an ophiolitic mlange and a fore-arc basin, marking
the closure of an Early Paleozoic ocean that originally separated the
terranes (e.g., Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2011, 2013, 2014;
Faure et al., 2001; Liu et al., 2013; Ratschbacher et al., 2003, 2006;
Wang et al., 2005; Wu and Zheng, 2013). Like the belts occurring along
Yangtzes western and northern margin, both Qinling belts were
inuenced by prominent Neoproterozoic magmatism. The Early to
earliest Middle Neoproterozoic subduction- and collision-related
granitic magmatism in the South Qinling Belt (ca. 955835 Ma; Wu
and Zheng, 2013; Zhang et al., 2016) has a comparable timing as in the
North Qinling Belt (major phase at ca. 980920 Ma; Diwu et al., 2014;
Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2011, 2013, 2014; Liu et al.,
2015; Ratschbacher et al., 2003, 2006; Wang et al., 2015; Wu and
Zheng, 2013; Yu et al., 2016; Zhu et al., 2011). Also Middle
Neoproterozoic anorogenic granitic magmatism related to post-
collisional extension and intra-continental rifting is quite similarly
timed (South Qinling: ca. 835680 Ma; Wu and Zheng, 2013; Zhang
et al., 2016; North Qinling: ca. 845740 Ma; Diwu et al., 2014; Dong
et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2015; Wu and Zheng, 2013;
Zhu et al., 2011). In the Early SilurianEarly Devonian (450400 Ma)
the North Qinling Belt experienced Andean-type continental arc
magmatism associated with migmatization and granulite-facies and
amphibolite-facies metamorphism below the arc (Diwu et al., 2014;
Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2011, 2013, 2014; Li et al., 2014;
Liu et al., 2013, 2015; Ratschbacher et al., 2003, 2006; Wang et al.,
2015; Wu and Zheng, 2013; Yu et al., 2016; Zhu et al., 2011). Apparent
absence of Paleozoic arc activity in the Sulu Belt suggests that the
Paleozoic Qinling continental arc was not developed in the East (Liu
et al., 2015; Ratschbacher et al., 2006; Wu and Zheng, 2013).
There are various conicting models regarding the geodynamic
evolution of the Qinling belts. The North and South Qinling belts are
regarded as fragments of the SinoKorean Craton and the Yangtze
Terrane, respectively (Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2011,
2013, 2014; Zhou et al., 2016), or alternatively as both linked to
Yangtze (e.g., Liu et al., 2013; Ratschbacher et al., 2003, 2006; Wu and
Zheng, 2013). Following Early Neoproterozoic subduction-related
magmatism in Yangtzes margin the entire Qinling Terrane, or the
South Qinling part only, rifted o this margin in the middle Neoproter-
ozoic (Zhou et al., 2016), Early Paleozoic (Liu et al., 2013) or middle
Paleozoic/Devonian (Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2011, 2013,
2014). However, importantly, in all of these tectonic scenarios this
crustal fragment had a more or less complicated evolution as an intra-
oceanic arc terrane. Therefore, it did not receive detritus from cratonic
areas and, following northward subduction of oceanic lithosphere,
collided with the southern margin of the SinoKorean Craton around
440 Ma, after which magmatism in the continental arc ceased around
400 Ma (Dong et al., 2013; Zhou et al., 2016). Erosion of this arc gave
rise to deposition of Middle to Late Devonian sandstones of the Liuling
Group in the Qingling Belt and of the correlative Nanwan Group
(Tongbai Belt) and Foziling Group (Hong'an Dabie Belt), farther East
(Fig. 1a).
210
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217
7.3.2.4. Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups. The geochemistry and
mineralogy of sandstones of the reveal that the Liuling Group,
currently occurring in the northernmost South Qingling Belt (Fig. 1a;
Dong et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2005), received large amounts detritus
from a magmatic arc to the north of its depozone (Gao et al., 1995;
Ratschbacher et al., 2003, 2006; Zhou et al., 2016). These sandstones
have a major population of detrital zircons with UPb ages of
480430 Ma, as well as a broad group of ages in the 1200700 Ma
range (Chen et al., 2014; Dong et al., 2013). The second most important
peak usually occurs in the 1100920 Ma range, but in some samples
peaks between 835 and 720 Ma are bigger, although in general third
most important, or even very subordinate. Ages between 2.2 and 1.3 Ga
are generally subdued, but an age mode of 2.62.5 Ga is generally
present, albeit being low. Sandstones of the Nanwan and Foziling
groups occurring in similar tectonic positions in the Tongbai and
Hong'an Dabie sectors of the QinlingDabie Belt (Fig. 1a) have very
similar detrital zircon populations as the Liuling Group (Chen et al.,
2003; Liu et al., 2013). The zircons (sub)angular morphology, internal
structure, Th/U ratios and age populations imply that the immature
detritus of the Liuling Group was mainly derived from felsic-plutonic
sources formed by the relatively weakly weathered and rapidly uplifted
and eroded (and currently missing) Paleozoic North Qinling continental
arc and its meso-Neoproterozoic basement, with virtually no inux
from the interior of the SinoKorean Craton, implied by the lack of ages
in the range of 2.62.5 and 1.951.85 Ga (Chen et al., 2014; Dong et al.,
2013; Liu et al., 2013; Yan et al., 2012). Also, detrital zircon ages and
geochemistry of the middle-late Devonian molasse-type Foziling Group
sandstones suggest that detritus was principally supplied by a Paleozoic
continental arc (Chen et al., 2003); sandstones from the Nanwan Group
have very similar characteristics (Liu et al., 2013). The picture arises
that a mountain chain composed essentially of Early Neoproterozoic
and Early-Middle Paleozoic granitic rocks, peripheral to, but isolated
from, the SinoKorean Craton (Figs. 12 and 13) must have been the
source of zircons of both age groups, and at the same time forming a
threshold barring Archean, Paleoproterozoic and Middle
Neoproterozoic zircons from reaching the Middle to Late Devonian
sedimentary basins (Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2013; Liu
et al., 2013, 2015).
The Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups form multi-km-thick,
monotonous, well-bedded and rhythmically layered series of cross-
parallel- and graded-bedded, calcareous, feldspathic quartz sandstone
and quartz sandstone, with minor siltstone, mudstone, greywacke and
conglomerate, as well as rare limestone, and contain brachiopods,
corals and plant remains pointing to deposition in Middle to Late
Devonian time (Dong and Santosh, 2016; Dong et al., 2013; Liu et al.,
2015; Ratschbacher et al., 2003, 2006; Wu and Zheng, 2013; Yan et al.,
2012). The Liuling Group contains sandstones with hummocky cross-
stratication, olistostromes and turbidites, whereas the uppermost part
bears the inuence of tides formed on a continental shelf (Dong et al.,
2013). The ideas about the geodynamic setting of the depositional area
of the sediments of the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups are
extremely varied, ranging from a marginal sea environment (Dong
et al., 2011; Ratschbacher et al., 2003), a fore-arc basin in an active
continental margin located along the southern margin of the SinoKor-
ean Craton (Chen et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2013, 2015; Ratschbacher
et al., 2006; Yan et al., 2012), or a foreland basin in a collision belt
formed after suturing of both Qingling belts (Dong and Santosh, 2016;
Dong et al., 2011, 2013, 2014; Mattauer et al., 1985; Wu and Zheng,
2013). A pro-foreland basin seems to best explain some the funda-
mental characteristics of the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups.
These are: (1) the low maturity and composition of the sandstones, (2)
their huge thickness, (3) the link between the end of granitic magma-
tism in the continental arc and the almost coeval formation of the basin,
which (4) seems to have been fairly short-lived, like e.g., the North
Alpine Foreland Basin in Europe that existed for 2530 million years
(Kuhlemann and Kempf, 2002). Because pro-foreland basin do not exist
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

Uplifted and eroding Qinling Belt

and proximal foreland basin interior SinoKorean Craton

Alluvial Basin

Coastal Plain

oals
Sh Delta
d d
San Ba r s a n
Reef
Shelf

eef
rierR Slope

n
Bar

Fa
Ko
re a or
n Basin Flo
Basin Floor

Fig. 12. Cartoon of a routing system illustrating the possible relationship of the deep-water clastic depositional system of the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation in Korea with
their hinterland formed by a broad shallow-marine shelf and coastal plain and a drainage basin parallel to the structural trend and underlain by a tectonic highland source area with Early
Neoproterozoic and SilurianDevonian magmatic rocks, comparable to the Chinese North Qinling Belt, separated from a Paleoproterozoic cratonic inland..

until buoyant continental crust enters a subduction zone and commonly proterozoic substratum (Section 7.3.2.3), suggesting a possible link.
form when arc activity ceases, they experienced a discrete development Yet, because the Yeoncheon and Taean meta-sandstones are mature and
with minimal volcani-clastic input (Ingersoll, 2012; Ingersoll et al., quartzose, and zircons generally (sub)rounded, they cannot be com-
2003), which also characterizes the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling pared directly with the immature Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling
groups (Ratschbacher et al., 2006; Yan et al., 2012). sandstones containing rather angular zircon. Prolonged transport,
however, with mechanical and chemical breakdown of minerals aided
by pronounced chemical weathering possibly in uviatile environments
7.3.3. Tentative tectonic setting and possible sources of Koreas middle
(Section 7.2), must be invoked in the generation of the virtually
Paleozoic meta-sediments
feldspar-free Taean and Yeoncheon quartz-arenites from source sedi-
The previous sections have shown that the Early Neoproterozoic
ments like the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups. Such maturing of
zircons in the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation could
sediment will lead to abrasion of the (sub)angular zircons of these three
potentially have been derived from magmatic rocks and Late
groups, which may produce the generally (sub)rounded crystals in our
Neoproterozoic to Ordovician siliciclastic series of the North and
Korean samples. But it will not aect age distribution of zircons,
South Qinling belts (Section 7.3.2.3), as well as the Yangtze and
possibly excepting the preferentially removal of weak, radiation-
Cathaysia blocks (Section 7.3.2.2). Early to Middle Paleozoic clastic
damaged old Th- and U-rich metamict especially metamorphic
sediments in the South Qinling Belt, Cathaysia, as well as central and
zircon crystals (Section 7.1). Deposits of alluvial fans along the uplifting
east Yangtze all have important additional zircon populations in the
North Qinling mountain range, transverse rivers owing towards the
range of 880730 Ma (Sections 7.3.2.2 and 7.3.2.3). Cho et al. (2010,
foreland basin, or longitudinal trunk streams have, however, not been
2013) argued that the overall match of peaks in zircon age spectra of
described for the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups, which essen-
the Taean Formation and the upper Pibanryeong Unit in the Ogcheon
tially appears to have been deposited in shallow- and deep-marine
Belt with those of Devonian sandstones in South China indicate their
environments (Section 7.3.2.4). Rocks formed under such continental
anity. Indeed, minor 850600 Ma peaks characterize various age
and uviatile conditions, which undoubtedly have existed, may have
spectra of the Taean and Yeoncheon meta-sandstones (Fig. 11). How-
been eroded during or after the development of the foreland basin. A
ever, we do not regard the detrital zircon ngerprint of this middle
consequence of the exural model of foreland basin development is that
Neoproterozoic tectonic and magmatic event (Fig. 11) signicant
once the load is removed isostatic uplift will occur (Heller et al., 1988).
enough to envisage that the main outcropping lithologies of the South
These authors argued that during this post-orogenic phase proximal
China blocks did supply substantial detritus to both sedimentary
foreland deposit are uplifted, eroded and transported across the fore-
formations. Dong et al. (2013) and Dong and Santosh (2016), however,
land region and beyond, where they are re-deposited. Locally occurring
envisaged that Neoproterozoic rift-related igneous rocks of the South
CarboniferousPermian clastic sediments nonconformably cover both
Qinling Belt in the oor of the foreland basin could be the source of the
basement and plutons in the North Qinling Belt (Dong and Santosh,
variable but signicant population of 850700-Ma-old detrital zircons
2016). The Devonian continental arc and part of its MesoNeoproter-
in some sandstones of the Liuling Group (Figs. 12 and 13), also
ozoic basement, regarded as the source of sediments of the Liuling,
characteristic of certain Nanwan and Foziling psammites (Section
Nanwan and Foziling groups, are no longer cropping out due to their
7.3.2.4). Moreover, the detrital zircon age spectra of the Taean and
complete erosion, or tectonic processes (Ratschbacher et al., 2006).
Yeoncheon meta-sandstones have two major peaks that also character-
Minor Carboniferous clastic rocks also unconformably cover the likely
ize zircon populations in the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups
equivalent of the Liuling Group in the western Qinling Belt (Dong and
(Fig. 1a) corresponding to the age of the eroded Paleozoic magmatic
Santosh, 2016). Therefore, a distinct possibility arises that also the pro-
continental arc of the North Qinling Belt and its reworked MesoNeo-

211
S. Han et al. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (2017) 191217

this more locally derived material was probably mixed with more far-
400 Ma (late Early Devonian) travelled detritus. Carbonates could have been derived from barrier
Pal reefs on the continental shelf (Fig. 12). Interestingly, the low-grade
Nor

eo
Asia metamorphic Imjin Group in North Korea (Fig. 1) bears some resem-
th Q

nO
cea blance to some rocks types, as well as to the depositional age of the
inli

n
ng

Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups. The Imjin Group comprises thick
Ter

shallow-marine clastic series with thin intercalations of terrestrial

ra

e
on
ne

SinoKorean Craton lt Z
clastic deposits, including rare conglomerates and tectonic lenses of
au ?
Up LuF fossiliferous carbonates (Choi et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2012; Wu et al.,
no

Up
lift
ed n
Ta
rth

lift Ex
e
2007). The age of deposition of the sediments is dened as Middle to
er

ed tin
ur
ut
n

fo ct ? Late Devonian on the basis of sub-littoral and shallow-marine inverte-

m

re
la
C

f
ar

30N n
on
gi

brate fossils (brachiopods with South Chinese anity, echinoderms,

ti
n

nen

Nangrim Massif
So

ba

corals), non-marine plants, as well as green algae (Choi et al., 2015;

si
ut

tal

?
n

?
h

Arc
Q

P ? T Kim et al., 2012), including Charophytes characteristic of fresh (lakes)

in
lin

Z
LF No Arcg: and brackish water (shallow coastal lagoon) environments (Feist et al.,
g

f-T
Te
r

Past Low-an le Subduction? Yeongnam

ra

ak 2005).
ne

lf Bre
400 km S he Y-fan Massif
Remnant
Oceanic
8. Conclusions
uP T-fan
Basin?
fan
Mature meta-sandstones in the Yeoncheon Complex (Imjingang
terr ng-

Belt) and Taean Formation yielded detrital zircons with concordant

ri

?
ong

ane
like h Qinli

Weolhyeonri Arc? Gyeonggi Massif ages as young as 378 and 394 Ma, showing that both sedimentary series
okje

SinoKorean-like terrane?
t
Sou

are at least of late Early Devonian to early Late Devonian age. Zircon
De

age spectra from both formations do not match the age distribution of
Cratonic Continental Crust Late OrdovicianLate Devonian the underlying Paleoproterozoic Gyeonggi Massif as they show only
Neoproterozoic Sediments
Plutonic and Volcanic rocks (active, extinct) subordinate 1.91.8 Ga and 2.5 Ga age modes, but dominant
CambroOrdovician rocks 440425 Ma and 980920 Ma peaks. This implies that much of the
CambroSilurian Sediments
Sedimentary Transport Direction (main) sediment appears not to have been derived from Gyeonggi or other
Oceanic Crust
Sedimentary Transport Direction (minor) Precambrian basement massifs, but from a source area predominantly
composed of SilurianDevonian and Early Neoproterozoic igneous
Fig. 13. The SinoKorean Craton during the late Early Devonian, Emsian (ca. 400 Ma), of rocks or a (meta)sediments with recycled igneous zircons in these age
which the southeastern and northeastern margins are adjusted for TriassicJurassic groups, not straightforwardly identiable in Korea. The tectonic
sinistral strike-slip displacement on the TanLu fault zone and possible crustal shortening relationship of the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation with
in the northeastern part of the craton induced by the fault (modied after Peng et al., their Precambrian substratum corroborates this. However, the mid-
2011), positions of the Qinling terranes modied after Dong and Santosh (2015) and dlelate Devonian Liuling (North Qinling Belt), Nanwan (Tongbai Belt)
Yongnam Massif after Chough et al. (2000). The North Qinling Terrane and its Paleozoic
and Foziling (Hong'an Dabie Belt) groups situated in the collision zone
continental arc may not have extended to the northern Sulu Belt due to an eastward
narrowing of the oceanic basin between the Yangtze Terrane and the SinoKorean Craton
between the Yangtze Block and the SinoKorean Craton, probably
(Ratschbacher et al., 2006), or oceanic lithosphere subducted at a shallower angle, thus deposited in a pro-foreland basin formed on the South Qinling Terrane
not giving rise to a magmatic arc, as pictured. The northern SinoKorean Craton was an as a result of its aborted subduction below the North Qinling Terrane,
active margin with an Early Paleozoic continental arc and fringed by arctrench have very similar detrital zircon age spectra as those obtained from
complexes (de Jong et al., 2006; Cocks and Torsvik, 2013). Latitude and position of the (meta-)sandstones in the Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean
SinoKorean Craton from Cocks and Torsvik (2013). Positions of the Gyeonggi Massif and
Formation. The Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups contain immature
the Weolhyeonri Arc and Deokjeongri Terrane are not constrained. P = Pyeongnam
Basin; T = Taebaeksan Basin; Y-fan = Yeoncheon Complex submarine fan (Imjingang
debris from a rapidly rising and eroding SilurianDevonian continental
Belt); T-fan = Taean Formation submarine fan; uP-fan = upper Pibanryeong unit sub- arc build on a substratum of the North Qinling Terrane with abundant
marine fan (Ogcheon Belt). Early Neoproterozoic magmatic zircons. Post-orogenic isostatic re-
bound of the Qinling orogenic belt and adjacent part of the foreland
foreland basin in which the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups were basin at the end of basin-creating collision gave rise to widespread
deposited was similarly aected by deep erosion induced by post- uplift, erosion, transport and re-deposition of sediment across the
orogenic isostatic rebound. foreland region and beyond. We envisage that immature sediments
Despite these uncertainties, we cautiously suggest that the derived from rocks like the Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups were
Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation may form distant reworked, downgraded and weathered in a uviatile system sourced
equivalents of sediments formed by reworking of rocks like the from this uplifted and eroded pro-foreland basin, and which owed
Liuling, Nanwan and Foziling groups (Fig. 12). Therefore, we envisage eastward to deltaic complexes and a shelf area, nally feeding a system
that an eastward discharging routing system originating in the uplifted of deeper water submarine turbidite fans of which the mature Taean
foreland basin in the Paleozoic Qinling Belt ultimately feeding a system and Yeoncheon meta-sandstones formed the distal part. The submarine
of deeper water submarine fans of which the Yeoncheon Complex, fans may have been located in an oceanic basin to the East of the
Taean Formation and similar-aged sediments in the southwestern TanLu Fault. The Yeoncheon Complex and the Taean Formation are
Ogcheon Belt formed part (Figs. 12 and 13). The submarine fans could thus Paleozoic terranes that do not form part of the Gyeonggi Massif,
have been located in an oceanic basin to the east of the present-day but were tectonically emplaced, deformed and metamorphosed in the
TanLu fault zone (Fig. 13). It is tempting to tentatively suggest that the Korean collision belt between the latest Permian and the Late Triassic.
rocks in the Gonam Complex that contains fragments of a dismembered
ocean plate stratigraphy (de Jong et al., 2015; Section 2.1) are the relics Acknowledgments
of this oceanic basin. The presence of rare carbonates in the Taean
Formation and less abraded and somewhat larger Silurian zircons in the This paper stemmed from the rst authors M.Sc. thesis work,
Yeoncheon Complex (sample 13JK94; Section 6; Fig. 8c) implies that supervised by KdJ at Seoul National University, which was subse-
quently put in a regional context and written-up by the corresponding

212
S. Han et al.
author. We thank M. Cho and two anonymous reviewers for their
positive remarks and insightful suggestions that helped focusing our
way of thinking and streamlined the paper, and acknowledge Michel
Faures helpful and constructive comments and ecient editorial
handling. Mr. Yang Siho assisted during sampling as part of his BSc.
eldwork training. This work was supported by the Basic Science
Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea
(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education [NRF-2011-0012900] to
KdJ, which also provided salary support for HS.
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