Metamorphic P-T conditions and ages of garnet-biotite schists in the Dahongshan Group from the southwestern Yangtze Block

The Dahongshan Group,situated at the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block,represents a geological unit characterized by relatively high-grade metamorphism in the region.This paper investigates the garnet-biotite schist from the Laochanghe Formation of the Dahongshan Group,employing an integrated approach that includes petrological analysis,phase equilibrium modeling,and zircon U-Pb dating.The schist is mainly composed of garnet,biotite,plagioclase,quartz,rutile,and ilmenite.Phase equilibrium modeling revealed the peak metamorphic conditions of 8-9 kbar and 635-675°C.By further integrating the prograde metamorphic profile of garnet and geothermobarometric results,a clockwise P-T metamorphic evolution path is constructed,which includes an increase in temperature and pressure during the prograde stage.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating and zircon Ti thermometry constrains the post-peak metamorphic age of 831.2±7.2 Ma.Integrated with previously reported results,it is revealed that the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block experienced a large-scale regional metamorphism during the Neoproterozoic(890-750 Ma),which is related to the collisional orogenic process.This may be associated with the late-stage assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent or with local compression and subduction processes during the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.

Reservoir Characteristics and Preservation Conditions of Longmaxi Shale in the Upper Yangtze Block, South China

The Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in the Upper Yangtze block represents one of the most important shale gas plays in China. The shale composition, porosity, organic thermal maturity, and methane sorption were investigated at the Qilongcun section in the Dingshan area, southeastern Sichuan Basin. The results show that the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale contains： （1） sapropelic I organic matter; （2） a 40-m thick bedded sequence where total organic carbon （TOC） content is 〉 2%; （3） a 30-m thick layer at the base of the Longmaxi Shale with a brittle mineral content higher than 50%; and （4） a mean methane adsorption capacity of 1.80 cm3/g （7 MPa pressure）. A positive correlation between TOC and sorbed gas indicates that organic matter content exerts an important control on methane storage capacity. Based on the analysis of the shale reservoir characteristics, the lower member of the Longmaxi Shale can thus be considered a favorable stratum for shale gas exploration and exploitation. It has similar reservoir characteristics with the Longmaxi Shale in the Jiaoshiba area tested with a high-yield industrial gas flow. However, based on tectonic analysis, differences in the level of industrial gas flow between the low-yield study area and the high-yield Jiaoshiba area may result from different tectonic preservation conditions. Evidence from these studies indicates the shale gas potential of the Longmaxi Shale is constrained by the reservoir and preservation conditions.

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis of late Mesoproterozoic mafic and granitic rocks in the southwestern Yangtze Block

Late Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks in the SW Yangtze Block are important for understanding the role of it in reconstruction of the Rodinia supercontinent.In the present study,we report new geochronological,geochemical,and Nd-Hf isotopic data for the Cuoke plagioclase amphibolites and granites in the SW Yangtze Block.Geochronological results show that the plagioclase amphibolites and granites have similar late Mesoproterozoic zircon U-Pb ages of 1168-1162 Ma,constituting a bimodal igneous assemblage.The plagioclase amphibolites have high and variable TiO2 contents(1.15-4.30 wt.%)and Mg#(34-66)values,similar to the tholeiitic series.They are characterized by enrichment in LREEs and LILEs,and have OIB-like affinities with positive Nb and Ta anomalies.The plagioclase amphibolites have positive whole-rockεNd(t)(+3.2 to+4.3)and zirconεHf(t)(+4.3 to+10.7)values,indicating that they were derived from an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source.The granites belong to the reduced peralkaline A-type series and have negativeεNd(t)value of-6.0 andεHf(t)values of-5.8 to-13.8,indicating a derivation from the partial melting of ancient mafic lower crust.In combination with the~1.05-1.02 Ga bimodal igneous assemblage in the SW Yangtze Block,we propose that the Cuoke 1168-1162 Ma igneous rocks were likely formed in a continental rift basin and argue against the existance of Grenvillian Orogen in the SW Yangtze Block during the late Mesoproterozoic.

Protoconodont fossils for refining the Cambrian bottom and the contribution to shale gas formation along the southwest margin of Yangtze Block

It has been an intense debate on the exact boundary between Ediacaran and Cambrian in the southwest Yangtze Block.The calibration of this critical boundary has a remarkable influence on the further investigation of the break-up of the Rodinia Supercontinent,the early life evolution,and the mechanism of the phosphorite deposit.Ediacaran and Cambrian strata and fossils are widely distributed in Anning,Yunnan Province in China.In recent years,the Xiaowaitoushan Member from the Lower Yuhucun Formation has been studied.Through this interval with continuous collections,the first appearance datums(FADs)of the protoconodont(Fomitchella cf.inchoate Yang et He,Protohertzina cf.anabarica Missarzhevsky)and globular embryos fossil(Olivooides sp.)earlier than these in the Lower Cambrian strata of the Meishucun Formation were discovered.This discovery indicates that the Xiaowaitoushan Member has included more FADs than the previously discovered single FAD of Anabarites primitivus Qian et Jiang,and the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary in southwest China should be replaced below the Point“A”of the Meishucun Formation in Yunnan Province.The Point“B”of the Meishucun Formation is younger than the suggested age 541 Ma of the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary and can no longer reference the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP)correlation in southwest China.It can be suggested based on the previous stratigraphy and palaeontology studies from northern Sichuan and southern Shaanxi and the FAD of the globular embryos fossils that the Ediacaran‒Cambrian boundary in the southwest Yangtze Block should be placed at the base of the Xiaowaitoushan Member;other phosphorite strata refer to Xiaowaitoushan Member.The discovery of the FADs of the shelly fossils in the Xiaowaitoushan Member provides new evidence for the global correlation of the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary in the southwest Yangtze Block.The conodont discoloration index(CAI)of the specimens in Anning is between 2 and 3,which indicates that the organic matter in Xiaowaitoushan Member is matured and has high potential to form a shale gas reservoir.

The Type and Evolution of Neoproterozoic Sedimentary Basin in the Dahongshan Region,Northern Margin of the Yangtze Block:An Insight from Sedimentary Characteristics of the Huashan Group

Objective The Huashan group（composed of the lower Hongshansi Formation and the upper Liufangzui Formation）is an important Neoproterozoic stratigraphic unit along the northern margin of the Yangtze Block.Previous documents have focused on the geochronological and geochemical aspects of the Neoproterozoic sedimentary basin in the Dahongshan region.However.

Ca. 1.7 Ga Magmatism on Southwestern Margin of the Yangtze Block: Response to the Breakup of Columbia

This paper presents some data of the Jiaopingdu gabbro and Caiyuanzi granite at the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block,on the geochemical compositions,zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic data.The Jiaopingdu gabbro gives the age of 1721±5 Ma,the Caiyuanzi granite 1732±6 Ma and 1735±4 Ma,and the Wenjiacun porphyry granite 1713±4 Ma,suggesting nearly contemporaneous formation time of the gabbro and granite.The bimodal feature is demonstrated by the gabbro Si O2 content of 44.64-46.87 wt%and granite 73.81-77.03 wt%.In addition,the granite has high content of Si O2 and Na2 O+K2 O,low content of Al2 O3 and Ca O,enriched in REEs(except Eu)and Zr,Nb,Ga and Y,depleted in Sr,implying it belongs to A-type granite geochemistry and origin of within-plate environment.The zirconε(Hf)(t)of the granite and gabbro is at the range of 2-6,which is near the 2.0 Ga evolution line of the crust,implying the parent magma of the gabbro being derived from the depleted mantle and a small amount of crustal material,and the parent magma of the granite from partial melting of the juvenile crust and some ancient crustal material at the same time.Compared with 1.8-1.7 Ga magmatism during breakup of other cratons in the world,we can deduce that the Columbia has initially broken since ca.1.8 Ga,and some continental marginal or intra-continental rifts occurred at ca.1.73 Ga.

Source and Significance of Detrital Zircons from Mesozoic Sandstones of the Upper Yangtze Block, China

In this study, we report U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data for zircons from the Mesozoic sandstones of the Upper Yangtze area, which provide critical constraints on the provenance of these sediments and further shed light on the crustal evolution of the Upper Yangtze block. The results of isotopic chronology indicate the following：（1） The provenances of the study area are very complex, and the tectonic evolution process is relatively closed.（2） The provenances are mainly Archean–Proterozoic crystalline basement or recycled material; Paleoproterozoic crustal accretion in the western margin of the Yangtze block and Neoproterozoic magmatic activities related to subduction of the western margin of the Yangtze block; early Cambrian oceanic magmatic activity, which resulted from the intraplate extension of the northern margin of the Yangtze block; late Ordovician–early Silurian magmatic activity in the northern Yangtze block and Hercynian–Indochina uplift and erosion during the Hercynian movement.（3） The Yangtze crustal growth is episodic, and an increasing amount of ancient recycled material became part of the magmatic activity, as the zircon U–Pb ages are relatively young.

Newly Discovered Fluvial-Lacustrine Sediments in the Western Yangtze Block and their Geological Significance for the Emeishan Large Igneous Province

Objective The Emeishan large igneous province （ELIP） in SW China is the only one large igneous province in China recognized by international geologists. Previous studies of ELIP over past two decades indicate that the ELIP age, duration, scale and generation mechanism are still controversial. Among those scientific topics, some scholars suggest that ELIP is an example of up-doming prior to LIP formation, which was evidenced by： （1） The thickness of the Yangxin Formation （P^v） limestone unit, which lies directly beneath ELIP, reduces from the center of erosional area to the outer edge. （2） Paleo-karst surfaces are present. （3） The clastic rocks of alluvial fan deposits, from the eroded materials in the maximum uplifted area, developed surrounding the inner zone. However, other scholars urge that those so-called ＂alluvial fan＂ deposits are ＂hydromagmatic deposits＂, erupted or emplaced at or near sea level, and conclude that there was no pre-emptive uplift in ELIP. In order to constrain the above-mentioned scientific issue, we conducted detailed field geological investigations and systematically measured geological sections to provide new evidence by using sedimentary data.

Nd Isotopes and Geochemistry of Phanerozoic Clastic Sedimentary Rocks from the Yangtze Block and Their Tectonic Implications

This article presents Sm-Nd and geochemical data on fine-grained sediments of the northern margin from the Yangtze block, China, to understand the variations of Nd isotopic compositions and crustal evolution history in this area. The results are as follows： （1） Nd isotopic compositions for clastic sedimentary rocks of the Middle-Late Proterozoic have relatively positive Nd（t） values （＋ 2.72 to ＋ 0.69）, with Nd model ages from 1.38 Ga to 1.55 Ga, corresponding to the contemporaneous volcanic rocks from the Xixiang （西乡） Group. This indicates that the arc-related materials from Middle-Late Proterozoic dominate the provenances of the Middle-Late Proterozoic periods. （2） The gradual decrease in εNd（t） during the Cambrian-Carboniferous periods is likely to reflect the progressively increasing proportion of erosion materials from the Foping （佛坪） and Qinling （秦岭） complexes, corresponding to a gradually decreasing trend in the La/Th ratios. （3） A prominent increase in the εNd（t） value of the Late Permian strata probably reflects the significant incorporation of the mantle-derived materials. The trace element data are compared with data of the Emeishan （峨嵋山）flood basalts. These data indicate that the volcanic dust has been added to the Late Permian strata during the Late Permian, represented by periods of extremely high Emeishan flood basalt activity in the south-eastern margin of the Yangtze block.

Neoproteroic Magmatism Related to Lithospheric Delamination: Implications from Three Episodes of Mafic Dykes and Associated Granitoids in the Pengguan Complex, Western Sichuan Province, Yangtze Block

The research on dyke swarms is very important,for it can not only shed light on within-plate geological processes of some regions but also contribute to our understanding on evolution of a specific orogenic belt.The Yangtze Block,

Late Mesoproterozoic to Early Neoproterozoic Tectonic Evolution of the SW Yangtze Block, South China: Evidence from U-Pb Geochronology and Lu-Hf Isotopes of Detrital Zircons from Sedimentary Rocks

In situ zircon U-Pb geochronological and Lu-Hf isotope studies of detrital zircons from Late Mesoproterozoic to Early Neoproterozoic sedimentary units on the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block have important implications for the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Block.The Huili Group contains zircons whose ages are mainly Late Archean to Mesoproterozoic(2650-2450,2100-1800,and 1350-1150 Ma).The Dengxiangying Group has one major age population of 1900-1600 Ma,and two subordinate age populations of 1350-1100 and 2300-2000 Ma.Yanbian Group sedimentary rocks have a zircon age population mainly in the range of 970-850 Ma,contemporaneous with the ages of widespread arc-related magmatism in the western Yangtze Block.Combining these results with previous work,the Huili and Dengxiangying groups were most likely deposited during ca.1160 to 1000 Ma in an intra-continental rift basin setting,while the Yanbian Group accumulated during>920 to 782 Ma in a back-arc basin setting at the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block.In addition,all these results further suggest a tectonic transition from a continental rift basin to a convergent environment at the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block at 1000-970 Ma.

The Early-Middle Triassic Supervolcano in the Yangtze Block,South China and associated obstacles to biotic recovery

The end-Permian mass extinction was one of the major global crises spanning the entire Early Triassic or longer.Eruptions of volcanos were one of the factors that delayed the biotic recovery after this event.Supervolcano eruptions can cause catastrophic effects on global environment,climate,and life.Here we investigate the tuff layers from Early-Middle Triassic boundary in the Yangtze Block and identify a supervolcano eruption event.The zircon U-Pb ages of the section-Langdai,section-Daijiagou and section-Longmendong tuff samples are 247.1±1.9 Ma,247.6±2.0 Ma and 247.7±1.7 Ma,respectively.These ages mark the Olenekian-Anisian boundary.The zircon grains from the tuff layers have negativeεHf(t)(-15.3 to-0.8),two-stage Hf model(TDM2)ages(1.7 to 2.2 Ga)and display high-δ18O values(mostly>10‰).Clay minerals and quartz dominate the rock composition.The whole rock compositions show that the tuff layers were derived from magma of intermediate to felsic composition,which formed by the remelting of Paleoproterozoic materials of continental crust.The volcanic eruption site is located in the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan-Song Ma suture zone in the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block.A combination of the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean Basin and the collision of the Indochina Block and South China contributed to the eruption,which was a supervolcano eruption under the active continental margin arc settings.We speculate that this supervolcano eruption might have contributed to the delayed biotic recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction.

Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Ages,Geochemistry and Nd-Hf Isotopes of~1.0 Ga A-Type Felsic Rocks in the Southwestern Yangtze Block,South China:Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The petrogenesis and tectonic affinity of Late Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks in the Yangtze Block are important to understand its tectonic evolution within the context of the Rodinia supercontinent’s reconstruction.Here,we report the SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,geochemistry,and Nd-Hf isotopic data for dacite from the Zegu Formation of the Dengxiangying Group in southwestern Yangtze Block.The crystallization age of the Zegu dacite is 1037 Ma.These rocks have relatively high Ga,Zr,Hf,and HREE contents,as well as high(10000×Ga)/Al(2.7-2.9)and FeOt/MgO(3.8-10.5)ratios,showing a geochemical affinity of A-type granitoids.Moreover,they are characterized by negativeεNd(t)(-3.6 to-7.5)and zirconεHf(t)values(-0.3 to-14.4),indicating that they likely generated via partial melting of an ancient continental crust source.The tectonic discriminant diagrams showed that the Zegu dacites have high Y and Nb contents(plotted in the‘within-plate’magmatic rocks field).In conclusion,the geochemistry and isotopic data indicated that the 1037 Ma felsic volcanic rock in the Dengxiangying Group generated during an intra-plate rift basin along a passive margin.Our work thus argues against a Grenvillian orogen’s existence in the Yangtze Block.In view of the subsequent Neoproterozoic subduction-related magmatism in the region,we suggest that the Yangtze Block might have been along the periphery of the Rodinia.

Petrogenesis and metallogenesis of the Yanshanian adakite-like rocks in the Eastern Yangtze Block

Many of the Yanshannian intermediate-acid intrusive rocks related to Cu-Au mineraliza-tion in the Eastern Yangtze Block are characterized by high Al2O3, Sr contents, while low in Y, Yb contents, thus with high Sr/Y, and La/Yb ratios, and variational isotope signatures in particular, e.g. e Nd( t ) = -11.92—1.96, (143Nd/144Nd)i = 0.5120—0.5125, TDM = 0.70—1.71 Ga, (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7043—0.7076. The geochemical characteristics of these rocks suggest that: (1) these rocks are geo-chemically similar to adakite, which might have been stemmed from the partial melting of thick-ened basaltic lower crust due to basalt underplating; and (2) the high pressure (1.2—4.0 GPa) and high temperature (850—1150℃) surroundings of the lower crust favor both the fluid and ada-kite-like magma to generation. Not only can the adakite-like magma carry abundant fluid and Cu-Au ore-froming materials, but also can it bring them to the shallow part with ease and contrib-utes to the Cu-Au mineralization.

Zircon U/Pb dating and Hf-O isotopes of the Zhouan ultramafic intrusion in the northern margin of the Yangtze Block,SW China:Constraints on the nature of mantle source and timing of the supercontinent Rodinia breakup

The Zhouan ultramafic intrusion in the northern margin of the Yangtze Block is mainly composed of lherzolite. Zircon grains selected from lherzolite are irregular in shape with distinct oscillatory and sector zoning and have Th/U ratios ranging from 0.8 to 10.6, indicating a magmafic origin. The weighted average 206pb/238U age is 637±4 Ma （2σ, n=15）, which can be considered as the crystallization age of the Zhouan intrusion. Zircon grains have δ18O values ranging from 5.2‰to 7.0‰, with an averaged value of 5.8±0.4‰（1 or, n=33）, similar to the mantle δ18O value of zircon. Their 176Hf/177Hf（t） ratios range from 0.282410 to 0.282594 with εHf（t） values ranging from 1.3 to 7.6, lower than the corresponding value of the depleted mantle （~15）, indicating an enriched mantle source. The enriched mantle source may have generated from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle with subducted slab. A number of -635 Ma mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Suizao basin are associated with coeval bimodal volcanics of the Yaolinghe Formation, indicating a continental rift setting. The ~635 Ma magmafic event in this region may represent the product of the last breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent in the northern margin of the Yangtze Block at Neoproterozoic.

Re-Os Geochronology of the Liuchapo Formation across the Ediacaran-Cambrian Boundary of the Yangtze Block(South China)

The Ediacaran-Cambrian(E-C) succession in South China records remarkable oceanic,biological and geochemical variations,but it was not well defined geochronologically,which hinders the interpretation of the spatio-temporal seawater chemical architecture during the time E-C interval.This study presents two Re-Os isochron ages of 520.2±6.1 and 561.7±8.5 Ma for the barite-rich black shales from the top Liuchapo and Doushantuo formations respectively in Tianzhu County,Guizhou Province.In combination with existing age data,the two new Re-Os isochron ages suggest that the Liuchapo Formation was deposited between 550 and 520 Ma.Moreover,like the polymetallic Ni-MoPGE layers of shelf margin(or platform) facies and V-rich horizons of transitional(or shelf slope) to deep-water facies,the barite deposits were likely formed due to differential mineralization.The timing offset likely resulted from differential elemental concentration related to certain local factors(i.e.,hydrothermal fluids,seawater redox and biological activity).The isochron-derived initial ^(187)Os/^(188)Os ratios of the top Liuchapo Formation(0.902 ± 0.048) and the Doushantuo Formation(0.740 ± 0.042) fall within the range of continental weathering flux(1.54) and oceanic crust(0.126),implying the involvement of marine hydrothermal fluids.Moreover,their difference of initial ^(187)Os/^(188)Os ratios may reflect variations of continental weathering intensity and uplift magnitude.

Geochronological and Geochemical Constraints on the Petrogenesis of Early Paleoproterozoic(2.40–2.32 Ga) Nb-Enriched Mafic Rocks in Southwestern Yangtze Block and Its Tectonic Implications

Recent geological survey has identified the Early Paleoproterozoic meta-mafic intrusions in the southwestern Yangtze Block.We present geochronological,whole-rock geochemical and Nd isotopic data for these meta-mafic rocks to better address the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Block during the Early Paleoproterozoic Period.Geochronological data show that the meta-mafic rocks have zircon ages of 2 395-2 316 Ma.They have high TiO_2 contents of 1.40 wt.%-3.66 wt.% and Nb concentrations of 13.7 ppm-45.5 ppm,thus aregrouped as Nb-enriched mafic rocks.These mafic rocks are characterized by tholeiitic compositions with enrichment of LREEs and LILEs,and can be divided into two groups.Group 1 samples display E-MORB-like geochemical characteristics.Group 2 samples have positive ENd(t) values of 4.0-5.0.Geochemical data indicate that all meta-mafic rocks were likely derived from a depleted asthenospheric mantle.REE modeling indicates lower degree of partial melting for Group 2 samples(3%-10%) relative to Group 1 samples(15%-20%).Taking into account contemporaneous post-collisional granitoids in southwestern Yangtze Block,we propose that these meta-mafic rocks were formed in a post-collisional extension setting.These meta-mafic rocks can be compared with those in Africa,South America and Europe,and might be linked with the Arrowsmith orogenic belt.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the 890 Ma I-Type Granites in the Southwestern Yangtze Block:Petrogenesis and Crustal Evolution

The tectonic evolution of the southwestern Yangtze Block during the Early Neoproterozoic period is still controversial because of the limited quantities of 1000–860 Ma magmatic rocks.In this study,our new LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results demonstrate that the Yanbian granodiorites in the southwest Yangtze Block were emplaced at 894.6±7.4 Ma,representing the product of an 894 Ma magmatism.The Yanbian granodiorites are metaluminous to weak peraluminous with A/CNK values of 0.8–1.1,resembling Itype granitoids.They are characterized by right-inclined REE patterns with moderate to insignificant negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.6–0.9).Their primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns are characterized by depletion of Nb,Ta and Ti and weakly enrichment of Th.Considering the positive whole-rockεNd(t)(+5.8 to+6.8),we propose that these granodiorites originated from the partial melting of juvenile mafic lower crust.The Yanbian I-type granitoids have low Y and Nb contents similar to volcanic arc igneous rocks in the Y-Nb plot for tectonic discrimination.In conclusion,Early Neoproterozoic Yanbian granodiorites have generated in a compression setting in an active continental margin.Together with previous studies from the southwestern Yangtze Block,we suggest that the 894 Ma subduction-related Yanbian granodiorites represent the early stage of subduction at the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology, Hf isotopic composition, and geological implications of the Neoproterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks in Suizhou-Zaoyang area, the northern Yangtze Block

Suizhou-Zaoyang area is located in the southern Qinling-Tongbai-Dabie Orogen, China. A combined research on U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes for detrital zircons from three meta-sedimentary rocks in the Wudang Group is reported. The upper Wudang Group has a major age population of ca. 750 Ma and a sub-major of ca. 860 Ma. But the lower part only yields one age peak at ca. 2.03 Ga. In situ Lu-Hf analyses of the young age group of ca. 750 Ma for zircons from the upper Wudang Group yield an average εHt（t） value of -8.6 and two-stage Hf model ages （TDM2） from 1837 to 2230 Ma, respectively. However, zircons from the lower Wudang Group give an average εHf（t） value of 4.5 and TDM1 of 2220±22 Ma, close to the timing of zircon crystallization. Thus, it is suggested that, in the study area, the continental crust grew during the middle Paleoproterozoic and reworked during the middle Neoproterozoic, which shows the affinity to the Dabie Orogen. In addition, in the lower Wudang Group, two metamorphic zircon ages of 1992±91 and 1999±61 Ma are consistent with that of the middle Paleoproterozoic metamorphism event in the northern Yangtze Block, which may represent the assemblage of the Columbia Supercontinent. On the basis of the U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes, it is proposed that Suizhou-Zaoyang area was involved in the subduction-collision event in the middle Paleoproterozoic and the Yangtze Block was one of the components of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic supercontinent.

Mesozoic Thrust-Nappe and Extensional Structure Frameworks in the East Segment of Southeast Yangtze Block, Southeast China

Multi-stage Mesozoic thrust-nappe and extensional structures are distributed in the east segment of the Southeast Yangtze Block situated in the junction region of Zhejiang-Jiangxi-Anhui provinces. The features and genetic mechanism of the deformations were analyzed after a detailed field observation of their distribution, geometry, and kinematics. In addition, the time sequences of the thrust and extensional structures were determined by combining the results of the comparative analysis with the chronological evidence of strata and magmatic rocks cut by a fault or formed after a fault according to field facts. This study identified three stages of the nappe structures and at least two stages of the extensional structures during the Mesozoic. The geotectonic setting of the nappe and extensional structures was considered to be related to the different geodynamics in the study area including the Early Mesozoic geological event, i.e., N-S compression, forming Lantian fault, etc.;the Late Mesozoic flat-slab subduction, forming Xiaoxi thrust fault and tectonic window;and the roll-back of the paleoPacific Plate, forming extensional structures like basin marginal fault;the last compression, forming Wucheng-Shenxian fault. These findings provide additional evidence for remodeling the tectonic and geodynamic evolution of Southeast China.