Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Erlian Basin, Northeast China: Records of polyphase intracontinental deformation in Northeast Asia

The Erlian Basin is an important part of the late Mesozoic extensional basin system in Northeast Asia. The basin contains thick Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous rocks and provides excellent opportunities to understand intracontinental deformation in Northeast Asia during the late Mesozoic. However, the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous evolution of the basin and associated driving mechanisms remain disputed. Based on 13 new zircon U-Pb ages for the Jurassic-lowest Cretaceous strata in the Erlian Basin, the correlation of Jurassic-lowest Cretaceous strata between the Erlian Basin and the Yan Shan is reestablished and a high-precision chronostratigraphic framework is presented. The Aqitu-Qiha formations are ascribed to the Aalenian-early Bathonian (ca. 174-167 Ma), the Xing'anling Group to the Oxfordian-early Kimmeridgian (ca. 163-153 Ma), the Hugejiletu Formation to the Tithonian-early Valanginian (ca. 151-139 Ma), and the Aershan Formation to the Valanginian-? (<= ca. 138 Ma). Combined with seismic reflection profiles, the Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Erlian Basin is reconstructed and five major phases of deformation are revealed. These deformation phases include Aalenian-early Bathonian initial extension, late Bathonian-Callovian compression, Oxfordian-early Kimmeridgian extension, late Kimmeridgian-earliest Valanginian compression, and Valanginian extension. Integrated with geological evidences from peripheral regions of the Erlian Basin, potential driving mechanisms related to far-field tectonic events along Asian margins are suggested for each of these deformation phases.