Reappraisal of the ages of Neoproterozoic strata in South China: No connection with the Grenvillian orogeny

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2011 Reappraisal of the ages of Neoproterozoic strata in South China: No connection with the Grenvillian orogeny Jun-Hong Zhao; Jun-Hong Zhao * 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China *E-mail: zhao-junhong@hotmail.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mei-Fu Zhou; Mei-Fu Zhou 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dan-Ping Yan; Dan-Ping Yan 3State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jian-Ping Zheng; Jian-Ping Zheng 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jian-Wei Li Jian-Wei Li 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jun-Hong Zhao * 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China Mei-Fu Zhou 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China Dan-Ping Yan 3State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China Jian-Ping Zheng 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China Jian-Wei Li 1State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China *E-mail: zhao-junhong@hotmail.com. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 26 Aug 2010 Revision Received: 18 Oct 2010 Accepted: 26 Oct 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2011 Geological Society of America Geology (2011) 39 (4): 299–302. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31701.1 Article history Received: 26 Aug 2010 Revision Received: 18 Oct 2010 Accepted: 26 Oct 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jun-Hong Zhao, Mei-Fu Zhou, Dan-Ping Yan, Jian-Ping Zheng, Jian-Wei Li; Reappraisal of the ages of Neoproterozoic strata in South China: No connection with the Grenvillian orogeny. Geology 2011;; 39 (4): 299–302. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31701.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Jiangnan fold belt separates the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in South China and has long been considered Grenvillian in age in order to place South China in central Rodinia. It consists of deformed Early Neoproterozoic strata that are unconformably overlain by undeformed Late Neoproterozoic strata and intruded by undeformed and unmetamorphosed granitic plutons. Zircons from the Early Neoproterozoic strata yield U-Pb ages as young as 830 Ma, and one granitic pluton has a zircon U-Pb age of ca. 827 Ma. The ≥830 Ma mafic rocks along the southeastern margin of the Yangtze block have arc-affinity geochemical characters, whereas mafic rocks younger than 830 Ma have typical ocean island basalt (OIB)—like compositions. Thus, we suggest that the Early Neoproterozoic strata were deposited on an active continental margin prior to amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks at ca. 830 Ma. The overlying Late Neoproterozoic strata were deposited in the intracontinental rifted Nanhua Basin at 820–730 Ma and probably reflect backarc spreading above the long-lived (950–735 Ma) oceanic subduction zone along the northern and western margin of the Yangtze block. This model is consistent with the secular tectonic evolution of South China during the Neoproterozoic. The Jiangnan fold belt is therefore not a Grenvillian feature as previously suggested, and there is no evidence to place South China in central Rodinia. Instead, we believe that South China was located in a marginal position relative to this supercontinent. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.