Continental rift evolution: From rift initiation to incipient break-up in the Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa

The Main Ethiopian Rift is a key sector of the East African Rift System that connects the Afar depression, at Red Sea–Gulf of Aden junction, with the Turkana depression and Kenya Rift to the South. It is a magmatic rift that records all the different stages of rift evolution from rift initiation to break-up and incipient oceanic spreading: it is thus an ideal place to analyse the evolution of continental extension, the rupture of lithospheric plates and the dynamics by which distributed continental deformation is progressively focused at oceanic spreading centres.The first tectono-magmatic event related to the Tertiary rifting was the eruption of voluminous flood basalts that apparently occurred in a rather short time interval at around 30 Ma; strong plateau uplift, which resulted in the development of the Ethiopian and Somalian plateaus now surrounding the rift valley, has been suggested to have initiated contemporaneously or shortly after the extensive flood-basalt volcanism, although its exact timing remains controversial. Voluminous volcanism and uplift started prior to the main rifting phases, suggesting a mantle plume influence on the Tertiary deformation in East Africa. Different plume hypothesis have been suggested, with recent models indicating the existence of deep superplume originating at the core-mantle boundary beneath southern Africa, rising in a north–northeastward direction toward eastern Africa, and feeding multiple plume stems in the upper mantle. However, the existence of this whole-mantle feature and its possible connection with Tertiary rifting are highly debated.The main rifting phases started diachronously along the MER in the Mio-Pliocene; rift propagation was not a smooth process but rather a process with punctuated episodes of extension and relative quiescence. Rift location was most probably controlled by the reactivation of a lithospheric-scale pre-Cambrian weakness; the orientation of this weakness (roughly NE–SW) and the Late Pliocene (post 3.2 Ma)-recent extensional stress field generated by relative motion between Nubia and Somalia plates (roughly ESE–WNW) suggest that oblique rifting conditions have controlled rift evolution. However, it is still unclear if these kinematical boundary conditions have remained steady since the initial stages of rifting or the kinematics has changed during the Late Pliocene or at the Pliocene–Pleistocene boundary.Analysis of geological–geophysical data suggests that continental rifting in the MER evolved in two different phases. An early (Mio-Pliocene) continental rifting stage was characterised by displacement along large boundary faults, subsidence of rift depression with local development of deep (up to 5 km) asymmetric basins and diffuse magmatic activity. In this initial phase, magmatism encompassed the whole rift, with volcanic activity affecting the rift depression, the major boundary faults and limited portions of the rift shoulders (off-axis volcanism). Progressive extension led to the second (Pleistocene) rifting stage, characterised by a riftward narrowing of the volcano-tectonic activity. In this phase, the main boundary faults were deactivated and extensional deformation was accommodated by dense swarms of faults (Wonji segments) in the thinned rift depression. The progressive thinning of the continental lithosphere under constant, prolonged oblique rifting conditions controlled this migration of deformation, possibly in tandem with the weakening related to magmatic processes and/or a change in rift kinematics. Owing to the oblique rifting conditions, the fault swarms obliquely cut the rift floor and were characterised by a typical right-stepping arrangement. Ascending magmas were focused by the Wonji segments, with eruption of magmas at surface preferentially occurring along the oblique faults. As soon as the volcano-tectonic activity was localised within Wonji segments, a strong feedback between deformation and magmatism developed: the thinned lithosphere was strongly modified by the extensive magma intrusion and extension was facilitated and accommodated by a combination of magmatic intrusion, dyking and faulting. In these conditions, focused melt intrusion allows the rupture of the thick continental lithosphere and the magmatic segments act as incipient slow-spreading mid-ocean spreading centres sandwiched by continental lithosphere.Overall the above-described evolution of the MER (at least in its northernmost sector) documents a transition from fault-dominated rift morphology in the early stages of extension toward magma-assisted rifting during the final stages of continental break-up. A strong increase in coupling between deformation and magmatism with extension is documented, with magma intrusion and dyking playing a larger role than faulting in strain accommodation as rifting progresses to seafloor spreading.     

Hydrogeochemical study in the Main Ethiopian Rift: new insights to the source and enrichment mechanism of fluoride

The central Main Ethiopian Rift suffers a severe water quality problem, characterized by an anomalously high fluoride (F) content that causes an endemic fluorosis disease. The current study, conducted in the Ziway–Shala lakes basin, indicates that the F content exceeds the permissible limit for drinking prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO; 1.5 mg/l) in many important wells (up to 20 mg/l), with even more extreme F concentration in hot springs and alkaline lakes (up to 97 and 384 mg/l respectively). The groundwater and surface water from the highlands, typically characterized by low total dissolved solids (TDS) and Ca (Mg)–HCO₃ hydrochemical facies, do not show high F content. The subsequent interaction of these waters with the various rocks of the rift valley induces a general increase of the TDS, and a variation of the chemical signature towards Na–HCO₃ compositions, with a parallel enrichment of F. The interacting matrixes are mainly rhyolites consisting of volcanic glass and only rare F-bearing accessory minerals (such as alkali amphibole). Comparing the abundance and the composition of the glassy groundmass with other mineral phases, it appears that the former stores most of the total F budget. This glassy material is extremely reactive, and its weathering products (i.e. fluvio/volcano-lacustrine sediments) further concentrate the fluoride. The interaction of these “weathered/reworked” volcanic products with water and carbon dioxide at high pH causes the release of fluoride into the interacting water. This mainly occurs by a process of base-exchange softening with the neo-formed clay minerals (i.e. Ca–Mg uptake by the aquifer matrix, with release of Na into the groundwater). This is plausibly the main enrichment mechanism that explains the high F content of the local groundwater, as evidenced by positive correlation between F, pH, and Na, and inverse correlation between F and Ca (Mg). Saturation indices (SI) have been calculated (using PHREEQC-2) for the different water groups, highlighting that the studied waters are undersaturated in fluorite. In these conditions, fluoride cannot precipitate as CaF₂, and so mobilizes freely without forming other complexes. These results have important implications for the development of new exploitation strategies and accurate planning of new drilling sites. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The distribution and hydrogeological controls of fluoride in the groundwater of central Ethiopian rift and adjacent highlands

Occurrence of fluoride (F) in groundwater has drawn worldwide attention, since it has considerable impact on human health. In Ethiopia high concentrations of F in groundwaters used for community water supply have resulted in extensive dental and skeletal fluorosis. As a part of a broader study, the distribution of F in groundwater has been investigated, and compared with bedrock geology and pertinent hydrochemical variables. The result indicates extreme spatial variations. High F concentration is often associated with active and sub-active regional thermal fields and acidic volcanics within high temperature rift floor. Variations in F can also be related to changes in calcium concentration resulting from dissolution of calcium minerals and mixing with waters of different chemical composition originated from variable hydrogeological environment across the rift valley. The concentration of F dramatically declines from the rift towards the highlands with the exception of scattered points associated with thermal springs confined in local volcanic centers. There are also interactions of F-rich alkaline lakes and the surrounding groundwater. Meteoric waters recharging volcanic aquifers become enriched with respect to F along the groundwater flow path from highland recharge areas to rift discharge areas. Locally wells drilled along large rift faults acting as conduits of fresh highland waters show relatively lower F. These areas are likely to be possible sources of better quality waters within the rift. The result of this study has important implications on site selection for water well drilling.     

The origin of high bicarbonate and fluoride concentrations in waters of the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, East African Rift system

Thermal waters in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley are characterized by high Na, bicarbonate and fluoride concentrations, and near-neutral to alkaline pH. Sodium, bicarbonate and fluoride are positively correlated in the waters. The principal reason for the bicarbonate in the area is the high rate of carbon dioxide outgassing. This, combined with acid volcanics, geothermal heating, low Ca and low salinity, is also one of the causes of high fluoride in this part of the active volcanic zone of the East African Rift. Evaporative concentration is responsible for the high salinity, alkalinity and fluoride in the closed-basin lakes of the region. The waters are undersaturated with respect to fluoride and anhydrite. Calcium tends to be fixed in Ca bearing minerals such as calcite and epidote, which are abundant in the system. Hence, it appears that fluoride is a mobile component in acid volcanic geothermal systems.     

Spatial and temporal variations in the compositions of Upper Miocene to Recent basic lavas in the northern main Ethiopian rift: Implications for the causes of Cenozoic magmatism in Ethiopia

The rate of lithospheric extension has previously been suggested as the most important factor governing the compositions of magmas generated in the Cenozoic Ethiopian volcanic province (CEVP). However, the distribution and chemistry of volcanic rocks extending from the western plateau margin at Addis Ababa to the rift floor in Nazret, northern sector of the main Ethiopian rift (MER), suggest that transitional magmatism in the region may have been triggered by an increase in the amount of lithospheric extension in the Early Pliocene. The rocks occur across an area of variable crustal thickness and show a general age progression from Upper Miocene (≤9 Ma) to Recent toward the rift. Alkalic basalts are extensive in the western part of the rift and along its margin but are found only locally within the rift, whereas transitional basalts are found within the rift only. Both types of basalts appear to have been derived from a common mantle source. In contrast, alkalic and transitional basalts on the Ethiopian plateau are mutually exclusive in terms of their spatial distribution, but exhibit a compositional contiguity which suggests that transitional magmas on the plateau formed at the expense of alkalic magmas, i.e. by equilibration of alkalic magmas at relatively shallow depth. The alkalic basalts bear clear record of a decrease in the degree of partial melting with time, suggesting that magmatism on the plateau was possibly triggered by a transient thermal anomaly.     

The interference of a deep thermal system with a shallow aquifer: the case of Sodere and Gergedi thermal springs, Main Ethiopian Rift, Ethiopia

An integrated survey program involving geological, hydrogeological and geophysical techniques has been employed to characterize the aquifer geometry, recharge and circulation dynamics of thermal springs within a shallow aquifer system in Ethiopia. The selected springs for the case study are Sodere and Gergedi, which are situated within the tectonically active Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). Geologically, the studied springs are located on Plio-Quaternary volcanic rocks. The geophysical results indicate the presence of subsurface weak zones represented by extensional tectonics and weathering zones which are responsible for thermal water circulation and facilitate recharge from the adjacent surface-water bodies. The structures inferred by the resistivity survey, both sounding and electrical tomography, present contrasts in rock resistivity response. The anomalous zones in the magnetic data are in good agreement with the zones that are revealed by geological mapping and surface manifestation of the thermal water discharge zones. The shallow aquifer of the central MER is under the influence of thermal water, which increases the groundwater temperature and mineral content.     

Architecture and sedimentology of the Kerinitis Gilbert‐type fan delta,Corinth Rift,Greece

The Kerinitis Delta in the Corinth Rift, Greece, is a footwall derived, coarse‐grained, Gilbert‐type fan delta deposited in the hangingwall of a linked normal fault system. This giant Gilbert‐type delta (radius 3·8 km, thickness > 600 m) was supplied by an antecedent river and built into a brackish to marine basin. Although as yet poorly dated, correlation with neighbouring deltas suggests that the Kerinitis Delta was deposited during a period of 500 to 800 ka in the Early to early Middle Pleistocene. Facies characterizing a range of depositional processes are assigned to four facies associations (topset, foreset, bottomset and prodelta). The dominantly fluvial topset facies association has locally developed shallow marine (limestone) and fluvial‐shoreface sub‐associations. This delta represents a subsidence‐dominated system in which high fault displacement overwhelmed base‐level falls (creation of accommodation predominantly ≥ 0). Stratal geometries and facies stacking patterns were used to identify 11 key stratal surfaces separating 11 stratal units. Each key stratal surface records a landward shift in the topset breakpoint path, indicating a rapid increase in accommodation/sediment supply. Each stratal unit records a gradual decrease in accommodation/sediment supply during deposition. The cyclic stratal units and key stratal surfaces are interpreted as recording eustatic falls and rises, respectively. A 30 m thick package of foresets below the main delta records the nucleation of a small Proto‐delta probably on an early relay ramp. Based on changes in stratal unit geometries, the main delta is divided into three packages, interpreted as recording the initiation, growth and death of the controlling fault system. The Lower delta comprises stacked, relatively thin, progradational stratal units recording low displacement on the young fault system (relay ramp). The Middle delta comprises vertically stacked stratal units, each recording initial aggradation–progradation followed by progradation; their aggradational component increases up through the Middle delta, which records the main phase of increasing rate of fault displacement. The Upper delta records pure progradation, recording abrupt cessation of movement on the fault. A major erosion surface incising basinward 120 m through the Lower and Middle delta records an exceptional submarine erosion process (canyon or delta collapse).     

裂谷地层的气候和构造控制:Zscape模型分析与在松辽盆地北安断陷的应用

气候和构造是裂谷盆地地层形成的两个重要控制因素。Zscape数字陆地景观演化模型通过对裂谷盆地汇水扇体系的模拟揭示出一些与裂谷盆地地层形成相关的气候及构造过程。Zscape模型的相关实验结果与层序地层结构的分析认为:(1)扇面积与断层滑动速率成反比;(2)高水位期大量沉积物进积是断层滑动速率减小所引发的;(3)层序界面的形成与低水位和水进沉积是降水速率变化所致。这些认识用于分析北安断陷沙河子期大量扇体沉积的发育和层序结构的形成。沙河子组下部层序发育时期构造活动剧烈,上部层序发育时期构造活动相对趋于稳定,断裂活动和降水速率的变化控制了层序发育。Zscape模型及其实验结果的地质分析,以及在北安断陷的应用显示,构造和气候的单因素分析对一些地质认识,特别是沉积作用对于断裂活动的滞后性的理论解释起到了推动作用。     

松辽盆地中部深部断层影响浅部次级断层发育的数值研究

利用Poly3D模拟了松辽盆地长垣隆起中部后裂谷期应力场,由此预测浅部次级断层的产状和密度。计算结果表明,深部断层的存在会扰乱浅部应力场,距离深部断层越近,扰动程度越明显,从而导致了浅层次级断层的走向变化和不均匀的密度分布;浅部次级断层的走向和分布与深部断层的形态和空间位置相关,它们在断层的端部、转折段及其附近变化较大。同样地,在施加远场的不同方向水平拉伸、相同应变量下,可计算出相应的浅部次级断层走向和密度的计算值。在不同反射层模拟得到的最佳伸展方向与区域分析基本相同,但此时预测断层走向和密度与实际情况仍有较大差别。考虑到模型中深部断层面的拖曳力分量均设置为零,即不存在独立的断层活动,这一差别暗示出浅部次级断层的发育不仅受远场构造作用影响,而且还受深部断层独立活动的制约。     

北山裂谷红石山镍矿床特征及成因——多期岩浆成矿作用

新疆东天山南部北山裂谷带中出露大量镁铁-超镁铁岩,铜镍含量较低。红石山镍矿位于北山裂谷金铜镍成矿带西部,在前人工作基础上,结合裂谷环境下成岩机制,对红石山铜镍矿矿区侵入岩序列、容矿围岩及构造、矿体特征进行研究,分析红石山铜镍矿成矿环境及成矿作用演化特征,建立多期岩浆成矿模式及找矿标志,以期为矿区寻找隐伏矿床(体)及铜镍矿床提供理论依据。     

苏北盆地高邮凹陷深凹带生长断层特征与主控因素分析

高邮凹陷深凹带生长断层研究对深入了解该区的构造演化和油气成藏具有重要意义。本项研究在高精度三维地震资料解释基础上,结合生长断层的位移-长度关系和不同时期的断层落差,揭示了高邮凹陷深凹带东部的边界断层和次级断层的生长特征,并结合构造应力场数值模拟探讨了断层生长的主控因素。结果表明,深凹带真2边界断层在始新世戴南期由六个生长中心发育而成,始新世三垛期互相连接形成四个亚段。真2边界断层的生长过程表现为始新世戴南期各断层亚段长度快速增加和始新世三垛期断层位移的持续增大及各断层亚段的连接。真2边界断层生长过程中,断层走向和断面形态受到伸展边界断层真1断层的控制,断层各亚段连接处的结构受断层相互作用影响。深凹带内次级断层呈NEE走向段和近EW走向段交替出现的锯齿形,始新世戴南期生长时具有多个位于NEE走向段生长中心。次级断层的生长受控于古新世和始新世两期的应力场变化,体现为古新世NNW-SSE向伸展下形成NEE走向的薄弱面,在始新世近南北向伸展下NEE走向的薄弱面首先形成断层并被后期近东西向断层连接。     

Primary curvature in the Mid-Continent Rift: Paleomagnetism of the Portage Lake Volcanics (northern Michigan, USA)

Rocks of the North American Mid-Continent Rift (MCR) in the Keweenaw Peninsula of northern Michigan display a change in structural trend from east to west, varying in strike from 100° in the east to 35° farther west, before returning to a more east–west trend of 80° near Wisconsin. In general, curvature can be described either as of primary origin, meaning that the arc developed in its present curved state, or as of secondary origin, when the arc formed from an initially straighter geometry. A powerful tool in evaluating the origin and degree of curvature in any deformed belt is paleomagnetism, where coincident change in declination and strike is evidence for secondary curvature. Several paleomagnetic studies have been completed on rift-related sedimentary rocks, as well as lava flows, from the MCR in the Lake Superior region. Paleomagnetic directions for the sedimentary rocks vary much more in declination than in inclination, possibly reflecting a vertical axis rotation. If secondary rotation has affected the sedimentary rocks, then underlying volcanic rocks should also demonstrate a similar rotation.Thirty-one sites were collected from the Portage Lake Volcanics in the most highly curved part of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sites were chosen to maximize the variation in structural trend. Thermal demagnetization results showed two components in samples from most sites, a lower temperature A component (< 580 °C) as well as a higher temperature B component (> 580 °C). Both components were tested for primary remanence using a conglomerate test. The A component, carried by magnetite, passes the conglomerate test at a 95% confidence level, and is therefore considered a primary remanence. The B component, carried by hematite, fails at the 95% level and is considered a secondary magnetization. Most importantly, declination of the primary (A) magnetization between sites shows no correlation with strike, demonstrating that vertical axis rotations cannot explain the curvature of the Mid-Continent Rift. We conclude that curvature in the Lake Superior Region is a primary feature, likely reflecting a pre-existing zone of weakness that was exploited during rifting.     

通化二密地区中生代火山成矿作用及找矿方向

通过对二密地区中生代火山活动规律,岩浆演化序列、火山喷发期次与成矿作用的研究,对控制火山活动的基底断裂构造的调查,以及松顶山石英闪长岩（次火山岩）岩石单位的划分,认为：该地区成矿与中生代侏罗纪火山活动密切相关;成矿时间长、期次多、矿体类型复杂;区内尚存在很好的找矿远景,按照新的找矿方向,在火山活动中心成矿条件有利于段采用有效的找矿手段,有望找到新的矿产基地或隐伏的工业矿体。     

走滑断裂、"挤压性盆-山构造"与油气资源关系的探讨

了解含油气盆地的形成及其演化的影响因素对于含油气盆地的勘探和开发是至关重要的．以美国西部的圣安德烈斯断裂带及伴生的南加州油气盆地作为参考,对中国青藏高原北部与阿尔金走滑断裂系相关的盆-山构造进行了剖析．探讨阿尔金走滑断裂系在其演化过程中,怎样控制区域应力场、变形构造及盆地的形成,进而制约油气的迁移和圈闭．分析结果表明与圣安德烈斯断裂带在美国南加州的盆-山构造体系所起的作用相比较,阿尔金走滑断裂系在青藏高原北部的盆-山构造体系的形成和演化中起相似的作用．青藏高原相对于塔里木盆地的斜向运动导致在阿尔金走滑断裂的东南形成走滑-挤压构造域．形成一系列的走滑和推覆构造,在地形上表现为包括柴达木盆地在内的有序的盆-山相间的构造体系,与南加州富含油气的盆地相似,阿尔金走滑断裂及相配套的走滑-逆冲推覆构造促使在这些盆地中形成富集油气的构造。     

西藏日喀则拉堆—乃东断裂带断层泥石英微形貌特征及其年代学意义

为推断西藏日喀则拉堆—乃东断裂带(LNF)的断层活动年代及活动性,在野外调查的基础上,对该断裂带上采集的2件断层泥样品中的石英进行了扫描电镜(SEM)下微形貌观察,并将石英表面形貌出现频率绘制成统计直方图。结果显示,拉堆—乃东断裂带第四纪以来具有明显的活动性;且石英微形貌大量出现贝壳状结构、次贝壳状结构和桔皮状结构的组合类型,推断该断裂带自中更新世进入活动高峰期,全新世以来仍在活动。     

华北陆块北缘西段中元古代与裂谷作用有关的铁、稀土、多金属矿床特征及成因

华北陆块北缘西段狼山—白云鄂博裂谷系中元古代形成的大型多金属矿床 ,是我国重要的铁、稀土、铜、铅、锌矿产地。矿床为产于沉积岩中热水沉积型多金属矿床。其形成受地层、构造控制 ,与裂谷作用有着密切的关系。裂谷系内外分支的地质环境及矿床矿种不同 ,导致矿床特征及成因具有一定差异。白云鄂博铁、稀土矿床为钾、钠、磷等含量较高的热水沉积型 ,霍各乞铜、铅、锌多金属矿床为与中基性火山岩有关的过渡热水沉积型 ,东升庙和甲生盘等铅、锌多金属矿床为热水沉积型。文中将对上述矿床分别进行论述。     

长岭断陷火山岩储层内碳酸盐矿物碳氧同位素组成及其成因

碳酸盐矿物是火山岩储层内重要的矿物成分,长岭断陷火山岩储层内的自生碳酸盐矿物主要是方解石.本文通过对营城组储层内方解石矿物的碳氧同位素特征分析,探讨储层内碳酸盐矿物成因.研究表明,长岭断陷火山岩储层内方解石δ13 CV-PDB值范围为-12.7‰～0.4‰,δ18OV-SMOw值范围为3.8‰～12‰,具有高δ18O值.与方解石平衡的CO2碳同位素计算值范围较宽,为-16.0‰～2.2‰,表明其形成物质的多源性.在δ18 O-δ13C图解中显示,形成碳酸盐矿物的CO2来源于幔源-岩浆无机成因的CO2和有机质演化过程中产生的CO2,以无机成因CO2源为主.这些无机成因CO2、有机成因CO2和沉积有机质热演化产生的有机酸溶于流体,形成酸性流体.火山岩储层中碳酸盐矿物的形成实质就是这种酸性流体与储层围岩反应的结果.     

金沙江白鹤滩水电站坝址区断层变形特点及成因分析

拟建中的白鹤滩水电站坝基将建在二叠系峨眉山组玄武岩层之上.坝址区发育有位移量较小的NW300°、NW320°、NE40°和近SN向4组断层,其中NW300°断层最为发育.在野外详细调查的基础上,室内的显微构造研究和电子自旋共振(简称ESR)测年结果表明,坝址区内的断层是在燕山期晚期近东西向挤压应力场作用下形成,后期又受到了近南北向挤压应力场的改造.断层破碎带以发育典型碎裂-角砾岩等浅层脆性构造岩为特点,近期活动不明显.     

基于高精度重磁资料的松辽盆地南部十屋断陷基底断裂研究

通过对松辽盆地南部十屋断陷1∶5万重磁资料的处理分析,使用离散的二维小波变换、相关滤波、异常剥离以及常规的重磁位场分离方法来揭示盆地基底及构造特征,结合地质、地震和钻孔资料,对十屋断陷基底断裂进行了综合预测。在十屋断陷基底内部确定了21条主要断裂,主要分为4组,即F1桑树台断裂、F2八屋断裂带、F3金山断裂、F4大榆树断裂。十屋断陷基底主干断裂系统主要由盆地西侧桑树台断裂和盆地内部一系列NE走向的断裂组成。桑树台断裂北部为NE走向,中部近SN走向,南部为NW走向,总体平面形态为弧形。盆地内部具有3组NE向正断层,这些正断层走向与桑树台断裂北段一致,应该和桑树台断裂形成于同一构造应力场作用下。研究结果为十屋断陷基底油气勘探提供了重要的依据。     

胶北地块前寒武纪基底研究新进展

胶北地块位于鲁东的沂沭断裂和五莲—烟台断裂之间,以出露不同变质程度的太古宙—古元古代的结晶基底为特征,其岩石组合为TTG质(英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩-花岗闪长岩)片麻岩和少量变质表壳岩(变质火山岩-变质沉积岩),它们构成了胶北的花岗-绿岩体。对变质(超)基性岩、TTG岩系的岩石组合、地球化学特征和同位素年代学的研究表明,胶北地块造壳的主要时期为新太古代的2.8～2.7 Ga;在经历了2.5 Ga左右构造事件后,胶北地块进入稳定陆壳沉积阶段,并接受了古元古代的孔兹岩系沉积;最后于1.8 Ga左右发生变质。与苏鲁造山带不同,胶北地块前寒武纪基底具有许多亲华北板块的特征,二者的界线可能是五莲—烟台断裂。