Hydrothermal origin of syndepositional chert bands and nodules in the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation: Implications for the evolution of Mesoproterozoic cratonic basin, North China

•Abundant chert bands and nodules are discovered from the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation in North China.•Cherts formed syndepositionally near the water–sediment interface.•High Ge/Si indicates hydrothermal fluid is an important Si source.•There were active hydrothermal activities in North China before the breakup of supercontinent Nuna.