Segmented Structure in the Cretaceous to Early Paleogene Granitic Batholiths of the Japanese

Islands Based on Statistics of Major Element Chemistry: a Reconnaissance Study

Abstract

The segmented structure of Cretaceous to early Paleogene granitic batholiths of the Japanese Islands are discussed on the basis of statistics of major element chemistry. It is concluded that they comprise four main segments, the Northern Kyushu, Ryoke, Tohoku and Do-nan, and five across-arc sub-segments, the San-in, San-yo and the Ryoke in the Ryoke main segment and the Kitakami and Abukuma in the Tohoku main segment. The granitic batholiths of Cretaceous Sikhote Alin, Cretaceous Southern Korea and lower to upper Cretaceous Southeastern China show no intimate relations among them. The Sikhote Alin rather resembles to the Do-nan and Uetsu granitic provinces of the Japanese Islands and the Southern Korea to San-in and Shirakawa. The Northern Kyushu batholith is unique and independent of surrounding granitic batholiths.