⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology of the North China and Yangtze Cratons: New constraints on Mesozoic cooling and cratonic destruction under East Asia

Lithospheric destruction of the North China Craton (NCC) is a prominent phenomenon during the Mesozoic, but the timing and process are still in dispute. Furthermore, whether the Yangtze Craton (YTC) was also destructed is controversial. Twenty samples collected from the NCC and YTC were subjected to high‐resolution 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronological and thermochronological studies. Average cooling rates of 450–150°C were estimated, showing that a...