Mesozoic–Cenozoic mantle evolution beneath the North China Craton: A new perspective from Hf–Nd isotopes of basalts

We report here the whole-rock Hf–Nd isotopic data on Mesozoic–Cenozoic basaltic lavas from Liaoning, Shandong, Hebei and Jiangsu–Anhui regions in the North China Craton (NCC). These lavas can be readily subdivided into two groups. The older (> 110 Ma) lavas are relatively depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs), and have enriched Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions. The younger (< 110 Ma) lavas, by contrast, have OIB-like trace element...