College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China

The microscopic observation, analysis of major elements, trace and rare earth elements were used to study the geochemical and provenance characteristics of eolian sandstones from Cretaceous Luohe Formation in Ordos Basin. The rock type of eolian sandstones were determined to be arkoses and subarkoses, and the sediments were relatively mature. The provenance was in a recycled orogen dominated by the passive continental margin tectonic background with characteristics of continental arc. The parent rocks of sandstones from the Luohe Formation were confirmed to be metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks as well as a small amount of acid and intermediate-basic igneous rocks. The paleoclimate of the provenance was determined to be a cold and arid oxidizing environment with weak chemical weathering.