Abstract
Abstract Whether there existed the Songpan‐Garzê massif is a controversial problem. This paper expounds and proves that the old basement of the massif is represented by the pre‐Sinian granitic rock series. This massif and the South Qinling fold belt might both be a part of the old Yangtze platform. Rifting generated by the Caledonian orogeny in the terminal Early Palaeozoic caused the massif to be disintegrated from the northwestern part of the Yangtze platform. This disintegration, however, was not thorough, and the rift troughs were later gradually closed and filled up. The Emei taphrogeny that was initiated in the Early Permian Maokou'an Stage involved a second disintegration of this massif from the Yangtze platform. The rift line largely goes along the Muli‐Pingwu line. This rifting belongs to synchronous extensional rifting at peripheries of the Yangtze platform and in its interior, showing that the posterior, lateral and interior extension resulting from rapid northward shift of the Yangtze platform led to isolation of this massif together with South Qinling from their adjacent areas. During the Ladinian Stage, the Songpan‐Garzê massif and southern Qinling sank strongly en masse. This subsidence continued till the end of the Late Triassic when the late Indosinian movement caused the sea trough to be closed and Songpan‐Garzê and southern Qinling to be folded and uplifted and become mountains.
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