Paleozoic accretionary and collisional tectonics of the eastern Tianshan (China): Implications for the continental growth of central Asia

Abstract

This paper deals with the various tectonic units in the Chinese Eastern Tianshan orogenic collage in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and discusses the Paleozoic geological history of the several periods of accretion and collision of archipelago systems lying between the Tarim and southern Angaran continental margins. The Late Ordovician-Silurian to Early Devonian Eastern Tianshan archipelago was characterized by (a) the Harlik-Dananhu subduction system with a S-dipping polarity in the north; (b) a southerly N-dipping subduction system beneath the Central Tianshan arc in the middle; and (c) the South Tianshan ocean against Tarim in the south. During the Devonian to Early Carboniferous, N-dipping subduction led to the Harlik-Dananhu arc and the Kanggurtag forearc basin/accretionary complex. In the Early to Mid-Carboniferous, the magmatic front associated with the N-dipping subduction beneath the Dananhu-Harlik arc migrated southwards, forming the Yamansu arc constructed upon the Kanggurtag accretionary forearc. By the Late Carboniferous the Dananhu-Harlik arc was attached northwards to the Angaran margin, resulting in lateral enlargement of the Angaran continent. In the latest Carboniferous to Early Permian a multiple soft collision left wide suture zones in the south that include the ophiolite-strewn Aqikkuduk-Shaquanzi and Kumishi accretion-collision complexes, which were stitched by Early Permian post-collisional plutons. By re-defining and re-interpreting the various tectonic terranes, this paper presents a new, improved model for the Paleozoic evolution of this part of Central Asia.