The Cretaceous adakitic-basaltic-granitic magma sequence on south-eastern margin of the North China Craton: Implications for lithospheric thinning mechanism

► Early Cretaceous magmatism in Bengbu area shows a formation sequence of adakitic-basaltic-granitic. ► The adakitic rocks derived from melting of thickened lower crust and normal granites from the shallow crust. ► The mafic dykes originated from the mantle sources hybridized by foundered lower crust. ► Lithospheric thinning was accomplished via rapid foundering of lower crust subjected to previous melting. ► Widespread extraction of felsic adakitic melts from the lower crust was the major trigger for lithospheric foundering.