Tectonic evolution of the Dabieshan orogen: In the view from polyphase deformation of the Beihuaiyang metamorphic zone

Abstract

The Beihuaiyang metamorphic zone was formed by the Early Mesozoic collision of the North and South China Blocks. It consisted of the Foziling and Luzhenguan complexes and was thought to have never afforded a deep subduction. A similar feature of the deformation in the Dabieshan UHP metamorphic rocks implies that these different tectonic units share the same geodynamic background. The early stage of deformation can be preserved on account of their relatively shallower subduction than that for UHP rocks. On the basis of an analysis of the geo- logical structure and geochronological results, five deformational stages have been recognized: a D1-Early compressional deformation which represents the continental subduction; a D2-Early exhumation deformation producing a syn-convergence exhumation; a D3-Main deformation, represented by an exhumation deformation with Late Triassic age; a D4-Doming and its margin extensional gravity collapse deformation and finally a D5-regional extensional deformation of Cretaceous that was mostly introduced by the migmatization and plutonism.