Thermal evolution of cratons in China

Craton's thermal state is one of the main gateways to understand the craton dynamics. Three cratons in China, the Tarim, North China, and Yangtze cratons, are in different thermal states and differ in their stabilities. Low heat flow usually corresponds to stable craton but not vice versa. The Tarim Craton is cold (similar to 44 mW/m(2)) and still keeps its stability now. The western North China Craton and the upper Yangtze Craton are not too cold (50-60 mW/m(2)) but also remain stable. The eastern North China Craton and the Middle-Lower Yangtze Craton are relatively hot with heat flow of 60-70 mW/m(2), both have been heated and destroyed in the Mesozoic. All these cratons have experienced complex tectonothermal events since their formation. Some tectonothermal events only thin and heat craton but others can destroy craton. Several sedimentary basins are developed in these cratons, which recorded individual thermal histories. These thermal records could help to understand the thermal evolution of these cratons and provide constraints on craton dynamics including stability or destruction. The thermal results indicate parts of craton in western China (Tarim and Sichuan) have secular cooling histories, which were locally disturbed by mantle plume activities in the Permian. The Middle-Lower Yangtze Craton has undergone similar thermal evolution as the eastern North China Craton. All parts of cratons in eastern China might all have been destroyed due to subduction and dehydration of the Pacific Plate during the Mesozoic.