On the Geotectonics of Southern China

The tectonic nature of southern China has changed again and again in the Phanerozoic. In the Caledoniancycle, there existed three tectonic units——the Yangtze paraplatform, Indosinian-South China Sea paraplatformand Caledonian South China fold belt, of which the last unit is not a collisional orogenic belt but ascissor-shaped aulacogen-type geosyncline opening towards Yunnan and Vietnam. In the Indosinian cycle,South China belonged to the Tethyan tectonic domain, and no abyssal oceanic basin existed there. Since theLate Triassic, especially in the Yanshanian orogenic stage, it became a component part of the peri-Pacificcontinental-margin activation belt of eastern Asia. No Alpinc-type orogenic belt occurs in the interior of thecontinent of southern China.

ON INTEGRATIVE GEOTECTONICS

Based on historistic-causationist geotectonics proposed by Chen Guoda in1992, the authors attempt to further extend its contents and ranges, establish integrative geo-tectonics with wide ranges and higher synthesis. Integrative geotectonics is defined as a disci-pline to study very synthetically the whole history and causationistic relations of formation and evolution of the global tectonics (including the crustal and deep teetospheric structures) with the comprehensive analysis method. It is also called as "crustobody geotectonics" for its main geotectonic element is crustobody. Its characteristics are: (1) regarding the internal and exter-nal dynamics forming the earth’s structure as multi-origined, polygenetic compound resultant force system; (2) studying motions of the global tectospheres and among them as a multiple and interrelative dynamic system; (3) studying integratively and the unitedly on the internaland extenal (e. g. meteorite impact) factors of evolution and motion of crustobodies constituting the earth’s hard shell (lithosphere); (4) besides the contents above reviewing main relative controversies in history of geology, e. g. between gradual change and mutation (or between uniformitarinanisnl and catastrophism), f ixism and mobilism, vertical and horizon-tal movements.

A PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL ON CRUSTOBODY GEOTECTONICS

Geosyncline-platform geotectonics is aimed at the reconstruction of the Earth’s tectonic evo-lution history, and belongs to the category of historic geotectonics. Plate tectonics exp1ores pri-marily the motion of lithospheric blocks and belongs to the category of dynamic geotectoncis. Eachof them has its own advantages and strong points. However, both are difficult to meet the require-ments for an overall research on all-round tectonic problems- In order to make use of each one’sadvantages more effectively, an integrative, new type geotectonics called crustobody geotectonicsis here proposed. It is a branch of geotectonics which deals integratively with both evolution andmovement of the Earth’s crust by means of the concept of crustobody and the historic-dghamic in-tegrative analysis method.

Crustobody─A New Concept ofIntegrative Geotectonics

The crustobody is a concept of tectonic element established for integrating the research airns, objects and methods of historic and dynamic geotectonics in order to study the tectonics of the earth in an all-round way. It caTries the implications of both evolution and rnovernent, lying equal stress on both development viewpoint and connection viewpoint and giving consideration to both tirne and space. It has the nature, characteristics and functions of the above-mentioned two tectonic elements. On the one hand, though consisting of historic tectonic elernents such as geosynclinal, platform and geodepression (diwa) regions, it puts emphasis on their changing state in spatial rnigration, thus differing from them. On the other hand,though sirnilar in form to plate, a dynamic tectonic element, it places eruphasis on the changing state in its temporal evolution and has other distinguishing characteristics, thus differing from it.

MY WORK ON REGIONAL GEOTECTONICS & PLATE TECTONICS

I graduated as a geology major from the former Zhongyang (National) University in 1938 and then worked as a research scholar at Kings College in the University of London from 1949 to 1951.I was one of the pioneers in plate tectonic and terrain tectonic studies in China,devoting myself to the regional geotectonics and plate tectonics of southern China for several decades,making significant achievements in these fields.Throughout the life-long course of my academic career,I have published and coauthored some 120 research papers or monographic books at home or abroad.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of the Pouni Palaeoproterozoic Formations North of the Léo Square Degree (Burkina Faso, West Africa)

The Pouni area is made up of basalts belonging to the Boromo belt, lamprophyres and granitoids. These geological formations are similar to geological formations of the same type in other regions of the Palaeoproterozoic domain of the Man/Leo shield. This study, which focused on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of these geological formations, led to the following main conclusions: The lamprophyres are basic plutonic rocks that cut through other geological formations. The basalt belongs to the northern part of the Borormo belt and is thought to be a relic of overthickened oceanic plateaus. There are two groups of granitoid rocks. The granodiorite has a geochemical signature close to that of Archean TTGs and is metaluminous in character. It has a low potassium content. The minor element and rare earth element spectra indicate that it could be derived from partial melting of basic magmatic rocks. Biotite granites are peraluminous and highly potassic. Minor element contents and rare earth spectra indicate that they could be derived from partial melting of felsic materials. Geotectonic diagrams show that the granitoids identified in the Pouni zone were emplaced in an active tectonic context, similar to that of present-day subduction zones.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of the Granitoids in the South of Godé (North of the Square Degree of Léo-Burkina Faso, West Africa)

South of Godé, in the central-western region of Burkina Faso, granitoids of Paleoproterozoic age are similar to those of the Man/Leo shield. This study focused on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of these granitoids, with the following results: 1) The tonalite that outcrops in the south-west of the study area belongs to the TTG group or first generation granitoids. They are most often ribboned at outcrop and have a geochemical signature close to that of Archean TTGs. Tonalite has a metaluminous character and the REE spectrum indicates that it may be derived from partial melting of basic magmatic rocks. 2) Biotite granites have no outcrop structure. They are weakly metaluminous to peraluminous and potassic to highly potassic. Their rare earth spectra indicate that they may be derived from the partial melting of TTG granitoids. 3) Geotectonic diagrams show that the granitoids studied to the south of Godé were emplaced in an active tectonic context similar to that of present-day subduction zones.

Nonlinear wave mechanisms of very fast chemical and phase transformations in solids. applications to cosmic chemistry processes near to 0 k, to explosive-like decays of metastable solid phases and to catastrophic geotectonic phenomena

In the Universe, chemical reactions occur at very low temperature, very close to 0K. According to the standard Arrhenius mechanism, these reactions should occur with vanishingly small efficiency. However, cold planets of the solar system, such as Pluto, are covered by a crust composed of ammonia and methane, produced on earth only at very high temperature and pressure, in the presence of catalysts. This observation is incompatible with the predictions of Arrhenius kinetics. Here, we propose a general mechanism to explain the abundance of chemical reactions at very low temperature in the Universe. We postulate that the feedback between mechanical stress and chemical reaction provides, through fracture propagation, the energy necessary to overcome the activation barrier in the absence of thermal fluctuations. The notion described in this work can also be applied to other fields such as explosive-like solid phase transformations and catastrophical geotectonics phenomena (earthquakes).

Geodynamical features and geotectonic evolution of Kalimantan and adjacent areas

Kalimantan Island is located in the Southeast Asia continental marginal tectono-magmatic mobile zone in the West Pacific Ocean, where the lithosphere of Earth is one of the most complicated tectonic mobile regions on the Earth since Meso-Cenozoic. Based on the geophysical data of the basement and deep structures, the stress field of mantle flow, the maximum principal stress field and geothermal flux, the crustal nature and geodynamical features of Kalimantan Island and adjacent areas were analyzed. Researches on geotectonic movement and evolution of Kalimantan and adjacent areas show that Southeast Asia continental margin crustobody was formed at about middle-late Triassic. In addition, the geotectonic units of the Kalimantan area were subdivided, and characteristics of their geotectonic evolution were discussed.

Crustobody's movement and evolution and its relationship with Cu-Au mineralization of Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang

Eastern Tianshan, a cardinal part of Northern Xinjiang compound continental crustoblock, is located in the east of Tianshan Diwa region. By analysis of regional geological and geophysical data, and by using crustobody theory and researching methods, this region can be divided into three sectors of different crustal structure. During Proterozoic to Eopaleozoic, the spreading and closing of Northern Tianshan Sea, on the foundation of disparate continental basements of each sectors, the transversal heterogeneity of tectonic movement and evolution resulted in the diversity of crustal structure and material formations. The metallogenic evolution indicated that different geotectonic evolution periods had not only different characteristics of mineralization commodity and mineral deposit types, but also the progressive mineralization feature. In Neopaleozoic, the closing of Northern Tianshan Sea from north to south and the difference of transmeridional tectonic deformation and magmation formed in the movement constituted the different metallogenic environment in shallow crust. Furthermore, it brought on the diverse Cu-Au-polymetal mineral deposit types and metallogenetic epoch from north to south and from west to east.

ACTIVATION (DIWA) STRUCTURES AND METALLOGENIC FEATURES OF THE CONTINENTAL-TYPE CRUSTOBODIES OF ASIA

Since the end of the Paleozoic, various crustobodies of the Asian continental lithosphere have successively undergone activation, resulting in the formation of widespread diwa-regime mobile belts. This is one of the important events in the evolution-movement history of the Asian continental lithosphere, occupies an important position in the problems of global tectonics and forms a frontier subject in modern geoscience. This paper, from an angle of crustobody geotectonics, discusses the following problems: formation time, distribution 1imits, types, development peculiarities and geotectonic significance of the diwa-regime tectonic element ; geochemical conditions of ore formation, principal mineral associations and ma jor deposit types in diwa structures of the Asian continent and their difference from those in other tectonic elements i and relationships between diwa-type metallogenesis and polygenetic compound and ultragiant ore deposits. Such a discussion can contribute to a better understanding of the tectonic types, distribution pattern and economic value of non-ferrous and rare meta1 endogenic ore deposits, peat, lignite and oil-gas fields.

THE EASTERN ASIA CONTINENTAL MARGIN EXTENSIONAL BELT

From an angle of integrative analysis on historical-dynamic geotectonics, the formation mechanism of the Eastern Asia continental-margin and historical background of the evolution-movement of the crustobody are discussed. The pull-breaking-extending and thinning of the continental margin crustobody in the region result in the formation of the continental-margin extensional belt.Finally, the theoretical and practical significance of the study is pointed out.

A PRELIMINARY APPROACH TO THE GEOTECTONIC EVOLUTION HISTORY AND MINERLIZATION IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

According to the available data and field research, based on the diwa theory, the authors have studied the geotectonic evolution history and the associated minerlization in the Victoria area. It has been shown that this area is in fact a part of the Lachlan diwa region. The Victoria area can be divided into geodome fault fold zone and subsidence zone. The former can be subdivided into three zones, from west to east, which are western uplift zone, central depression zone and eastern uplift zone. The evolution history of the Victoria area can be divided into four stages——Pregeosyncline, geosyncline, plateform and diwa. Each stage has distinct sedimentary, magmatic and structural features. Of the four stages, diwa stage is the most important for minerlization. Diwa stage started in the Devonian. During the development of diwa, a number of granites, which are characterized by high SiO 2 and Na 2O+K 2O, were formed. The granites were abundance with mineral forming material. On the other hand, diwa geotectonism reformed and enriched the geosynclinal or platform ore deposits. Therefore, most of the ore deposits that occurred in the Victoria area are, more or less, related with diwa tectonism.

Petro-Geochemistry Contraints of Côte d’Ivoire North-East Plutonites: Implications for Eoeburnean Magmatism of Baoulé-Mossi Domain (Southern of West African Craton)

Plutonites are part of the set of crystallines compose the Precambrian basement. Their study is capital because it allows participating in the debates on the geodynamic evolution of the West African craton. This study concerns granitoids and dioritoids of the North-East of Côte d’Ivoire located in the Man-Leo ridge structured by Eoeburnean magmatism. The petrographic and geochemistry constraints make it possible to say that these rock formations have evolved by the process of fractional crystallization. They have a hybrid origin (mantle and crust), metaluminous to peraluminous highlighted by geochemistry. Concerning the geotectonic context, these plutonites of the Baoulé-Mossi domain are emplacement in a context of subduction more precisely in a context of volcanic arc.

Major Characteristics of the Lajishan Orogenic Belt of the South Qilian Mountains and Its Geotectonic Attribute

The Lajishan orogenic belt is one of the E-W-trending Caledonian orogenicbelts within the Qinling-Qilian orogenic system. It was formed upon the Jiningian basement byintensive taphrogenesis. Its major characteristics comprise the prominent faulting along the northand south boundaries, the highly complicated petrological and petro-geochemical features of thevolcanic rock series, and the development of a new type of ophiolite suite. In terms of tectonicanalysis and the sequential analysis of tectonic settings of magmatic rocks, it is suggested thatthe Lajishan orogenic belt has undergone a complete 'opening-closing' cycle, which can be furtherdivided into 3 second-order 'opening-closing' cycles. The composite characteristics of the'opening-closing' movement show that Laji Mountain is a typical fault orogenic belt. The faultorogenic belt is one of the most important types of intracontinental orogens. It is of criticaltheoretical and practical significance to summarize the characteristics and the diagnostic criteriaof this kind of orogenic belts, and study the mechanism of their formation and build models of theirevolution.

On the Crisis of Geotectonical Science in China and the World

The crisis in the present-day geotectonics consists in that leading specialists do not recognize the rotation of the Earth. The absolute majority of tectonists base their constructions on the model of an unmovable Earth. The laws of geodynamics differ essentially from the models of the unmovable or rotating Earth. As the Earth does rotate, it is to be hoped that sooner or later the researchers will be made to use a model of the rotating Earth. But the adoption of a new model is not a simple matter. It is necessary to overcome some traditions so that many tectonical regularities can be established anew on “a clean sheet”.

Amur Gold-Bearing Belt: Geotectonic Position and Perspectives for Revealing New Deposits of Precious Metals

The ore-bearing belts, specialized for precious metals, are substantia ted to exist in the south Far East of Russia. The longest of which is the Amursk y gold-bearing belt extended from the Amur River mouth to the Ussuri River lowe r course and further to the southwest on China territory, probably, to the Sungar i River head. The fact that we have distinguished the Amursky and other gold-be a ring belts, make it possible to reevaluate the perspectives of the South Far Eas t of Russia and North-East China for new deposits of precious metals.