The Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic is a key period for the North China Craton due to the formation of continental crust and the beginning of oceanic subduction. The amalgamation of the Eastern and Western blocks of the North China Craton remains debated, particularly regarding the timing, directionality (eastward vs. westward subduction), and number of collisional phases. Previous studies disproportionately focus on felsic lithologies, creating a critical mafic blind spot that obscures insights into mantle dynamics and crust-mantle interactions. Systematic investigation of Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic mafic suites was essential to reconcile conflicting tectonic models and refine the craton’s amalgamation history. In order to constrain the complex geological processes more clearly, we present new whole-rock geochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology for mafic rocks in the Wutai Complex. The Late Archean (2.56~2.54 Ga) gabbros are characterized by relatively depleted Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf anomalies, slightly positive Eu* anomalies, low K₂O concentrations, enrichments of LILE (Ba, CS, Th, and Rb), differentiated HFSE patterns and moderate Mg# values (43–53). They show positive εNd (t) values (+4.9–+6.1) and high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i ratios (0.70063–0.70091). Additionally, these gabbros have high Nb concentration (13.3–23.3) and display enrichments in light rare earth elements (LREE) (La/Yb)N = 7.00–8.96), high-field strength elements (HFSE, e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr), and high Nb/U and Nb/La ratios, suggesting a derivation from an arc-like mantle source. The gabbro melts were generated by a low degree of 4%–5% partial melting of garnet-spinel lherzolite mantle. The Paleoproterozoic (2.16~2.08 Ga) amphibolites also display depleted Nb-Ta and Zr-Hf anomalies, enriched light rare earth elements (LREEs), but show lower Eu* anomalies, εNd(t) values (+0.9–+1.2), and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i ratios (0.69770–0.69930). The amphibolites exhibit a geochemical signature marked by LREE enrichment, negative HFSE anomalies, and distinct Sm-Nd isotopic composition, suggesting a subduction-related magma source. The enrichment of Cs, Rb, Ba, and the depletion of Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, imply that their magma source was significantly modified by subducted crustal materials. The trace element ratios, such as K/Rb, Rb/Y, Nb/Y, Th/Zr, and so on, further indicate that the gabbros were derived from a mantle substantially altered by siliceous slab-derived melts, whereas the amphibolites originated from a mantle influenced by slab-derived melts and fluids. The amphibolites were generated by the 15% partial melting of garnet-spinel lherzolite and the 15% melting of spinel lherzolite at a shallower mantle source. In combination with the previously published data of mafic rocks in the Wutai Complex, we infer that the Late Archean gabbros suggest their derivation in a subduction-related setting, whereas the Paleoproterozoic amphibolites formed in a back-arc basin setting. These findings underscore a tectonic transition from Late Archean oceanic subduction to Paleoproterozoic lithospheric extension in the North China Craton, indicating that plate tectonics at least partly happened most likely in the latest Neoarchean.

Exceptionally preserved Late Ordovician successions in South China offer a globally significant archive for investigating both the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) and the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction (LOME). In contrast to the graptolitic facies that dominate much of the region, the late Katian carbonate deposits in the Jiangshan–Changshan–Yushan (JCY) area of East China (South China paleoplate), formerly referred to as the Sanqushan Formation (or its equivalents), are virtually the only strata in South China preserving diverse shallow marine biotas, providing rare ecological snapshots of the final biodiversity peak of the GOBE immediately preceding the LOME. Despite their importance, the lithostratigraphic framework and age constraints of these fossiliferous rocks remain debated. The prevailing view interprets the Xiazhen Formation as a nearshore equivalent of the Sanqushan Formation, with both units broadly assigned to a generalized late Katian age. Based on a critical review of integrated sedimentologic and paleontologic data, supplemented by new field observations, we support the interpretation that the Xiazhen Formation represents the upper portion of the ‘Sanqushan Formation’, and propose to elevate the latter to group rank to represent platform facies of this entire interval. The revised Sanqushan Group comprises, in ascending order, the Yaojiakeng, the Jitoushan, and the Xiazhen formations. The Yaojiakeng and the Jitoushan formations correlate more precisely with the Dicellograptus complexus Biozone, while the Xiazhen Formation aligns with the Paraorthograptus pacificus Biozone. This refined stratigraphic framework enables high-resolution reconstruction of biotic evolution prior to the LOME, offering new insights into regional ecological dynamics and their broader global significance.

Long-term deformation of abandoned mine workings endangers surface infrastructure, causing wall cracking, beam–column distortion and, in extreme cases, tilting or collapse. Here we track surface movement above the Taoping tunnel goaf beneath the Houyue railway (Shanxi, China) by combining 2015–2024 InSAR time-series, numerical modelling and probability-integral analysis. Contrary to widely held stability assumptions, subsidence is still accelerating more than a decade after extraction ceased. Five evolutionary stages are identified: (1) initial roof failure and local basin formation; (2) stress redistribution that loads the safety coal pillar; (3) progressive pillar crushing; (4) merger of adjacent goafs into a “balanced” instability structure; and (5) transformation of the local basin into a regional trough. Probability-integral forecasting indicates residual settlement will continue for roughly ten years before stabilization. The proposed stage-based framework enables long-term stability assessment and targeted remediation of similar legacy goafs, and supports safe railway operation and future land reuse.