RELATIONSHIP OF DIAMONDIFEROUS KIMBERLITES WITH TECTONIC SETTING OF BASEMENT IN SINO-KOREAN PLATFORM

A new model of tectonic evolution of the late Archaean of the Sino-Korean Platform is given for the geotectonic control of diamondiferous kimberlites in the Liaoning and Shangdong areas, with a rough comparison made with respect to the Sino-Korean Platform and the Kaapvaal Craton of South Africa. The major part of the Sino-Korean Platform was finalized by the Archaean through collision of two proto-continents of different nature. A tectonic-magmatic arc represented by granite-greenstone is recognized, which separates the two proto-continents. So far all the diamondiferous kimberlites and placers have been found only in the eastern continent, referred to as the Liaolu terrain. In view of petrography, mantle xenocrysts, and inclusions in diamonds, kimberlites of the Sino-Korean Platform are comparable with those of South Africa.