Tectonic evolution of the Qiangtang Block, northern Tibet during the Late Cisuralian (Late Early Permian): Evidence from fusuline fossil records

Abstract

The tectonic evolution of the Qiangtang Block in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau has been a controversial subject for a long time. In this paper, the discovery of new stratigraphic and fusuline fossil evidence from the Permian sequences (Qudi and Lugu formations) of the Qiangtang Block is reported and the palaeogeographical position and tectonic history of this block during the Late Cisuralian (Late Early Permian) are discussed.The Qudi Formation is typified by thick turbidite deposits and contains Artinskian fusulines such as Pseudofusulina and Chalaroschwagerina. The fusulines were deposited as grains involved in debris flow deposits, suggesting a synchronicity with the depositional time of the turbidites. The subsequent Lugu Formation is dominated by seamount-type carbonates with an irregular basalt base. Fusulines Cancellina, Pseudodoliolina and Parafusulina in the base of the carbonates confirm its age as middle Kungurian. The transition from the turbidite Qudi Formation to the seamount Lugu Formation is here interpreted to be a continuous depositional process recording the Qiangtang Block's separation from the Indian Plate. This separation signaled the opening of the Neotethys Ocean between the Qiangtang Block and the Indian Plate. Palaeogeographically, the Qiangtang Block's separation is comparable with the Baoshan Block's separation in the east and Central Pamir's separation in the west. By contrast, the ultimate opening of the Neotethys Ocean by the separation of India–Pakistan and northern Oman is apparently much later than this event recorded in the Qiangtang Block. Consequently, it is interpreted that the opening of the Neotethys Ocean in the whole northern Gondwanan margin is a diachronous series of events.