Tectonic and deformation history of the Gyeonggi Massif in and around the Hongcheon area, and its implications in the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton

The Precambrian rocks of the Gyeonggi Massif (GM) in and around the Hongcheon area, South Korea, consist of the Yongduri Gneiss Complex (YGC), Euiam Group (EG) and Euiam Gneiss Complex (EGC). The YGC and EG are composed mainly of partially migmatised metasedimentary rocks and the EGC is Paleoproterozoic intrusive rock that intruded the EG. At least three major folding (F-1, F-2 & F-3) accompanied with the two-stages of ductile shearing and three-stages of metamorphic events (M1, M2 & M3) occurred in the study area. The F1 folds are extremely drawn out, isoclinal, intrafolial folds and have Class 2 to Class 1C geometry. The F-1 folds and regional S-1 foliation in the YGC and EG are the results of E-W compression during the D-1 deformation. Ductile shearing in the southern part of the EG is marked by the Palbongsan Shear Zone that indicates top-to-the SW sheared movement during syn to post-F-1 folding. The F-2 folds are open to tight, SW plunging and inclined folds, and have Class 1A to 1C geometry. The F-2 folding and subsequent NNE thrusting along multiple ductile shear zone parallel to S-2 planar fabrics, represent the D-2 deformation due to N-S progressive shortening. The D-3 deformation was coaxial with the D-1 deformation, leading to the development of the F-3 kink bands in the mylonite zones. The SHRIMP zircon ages form the EG yield M1 metamorphism age of 1917-1925 Ma. However ca. 1867-1883 Ma, M2 metamorphism previously reported from the YGC is absent or weakly preserved in the EG representing that the M2 metamorphism was not strong enough to form new zircon in the EG. The igneous zircons from the augen gneiss in the EGC yield intrusion age of ca. 1867-1881 Ma and the geochemistries of the EGC gneisses show post-collision tectonic origin. The D-1 deformation observed in the YGC and EG but not in the EGC. The D-1 deformation occurred during M1 metamorphism, and then the M2 metamorphism and 1867-1881 Ma igneous activities could have occurred together during post-collision tectonic stage. The M1 metamorphism and ca. 1867-1881 Ma post collision magmatism in the study area are well matched with the collision related metamorphism at ca. 1.90-1.93 Ga and post collision igneous activities at ca. 1.80-1.86 Ga along the Jiao-Liao-Ji belt in the North China Craton suggesting that M1 metamorphism could have caused by the collision along the Jiao-Liao-Ji belt. The M3 metamorphism occurred at ca. 230-260 Ma and its peak metamorphic conditions were 720-730 degrees C/13-14.5 kbar. The D-2 deformation and the M3 intermediate-P/T metamorphism occurred during the Permo-Triassic collision event between the North China Craton and South China Craton. The study area was not a collision boundary but located in the peripheral areas of the collision belt during the Paleoproterozoic and the Permo-Triassic time. The D-3 deformation occurred at a time gap between the Permo-Triassic collision and the subduction related Jurassic intrusion in the Korean Peninsula. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.