Precambrian geology of China

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt records the accretion and convergence of three collage systems that were finally rotated into two major oroclines. The Mongolia collage system was a long, N–S-oriented composite ribbon that was rotated to its current orientation when the Mongol-Okhotsk orocline was formed. The components of the Kazakhstan collage system were welded together into a long, single composite arc that was bent to form the Kazakhstan orocline. The cratons of Tarim and North China were united and sutured by the Beishan orogen, which terminated with formation of the Solonker suture in northern China. All components of the three collage systems were generated by the Neoproterozoic and were amalgamated in the Permo-Triassic. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt evolved by multiple convergence and accretion of many orogenic components during multiple phases of amalgamation, followed by two phases of orocline rotation.

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A Tale of Amalgamation of Three Permo-Triassic Collage Systems in Central Asia: Oroclines, Sutures, and Terminal Accretion

Introduction to tectonics of China

The western Central Asian Orogenic Belt: A window to accretionary orogenesis and continental growth

Geological reconstructions of the East Asian blocks: From the breakup of Rodinia to the assembly of Pangea

The Tarim Craton, located in the center of Asia, was involved in the assembly and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic and the subduction-accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) during the Paleozoic. However, its tectonic evolution during these events is controversial, and a link between the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic tectonic processes is missing. Here we present zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemical data for the extensive granitoids in the western Kuruktag area, northeastern Tarim Craton. Three distinct periods of granitoid magmatism are evident: circa 830–820 Ma, 660–630 Ma, and 420–400 Ma. The magma sources, melting conditions (pressure, temperature, and water availability), and tectonic settings of various granitoids from each period are determined. Based on our results and the geological, geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data from adjacent areas, a long-lived accretionary orogenic model is proposed. This model involves an early phase (circa 950–780 Ma) of southward advancing accretion from the Tianshan to northern Tarim and a late phase (circa 780–600 Ma) of northward retreating accretion, followed by back-arc opening and subsequent bidirectional subduction (circa 460–400 Ma) of a composite back-arc basin (i.e., the South Tianshan Ocean). Our model highlights a long-lived accretionary history of the southwestern CAOB, which may have initiated as part of the circum-Rodinia subduction zone and was comparable with events occurring at the southern margin of the Siberian Craton, thus challenging the traditional southward migrating accretionary models for the CAOB.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/2013TC003501

Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic long‐lived accretionary orogeny in the northern Tarim Craton

The Paleozoic northern margin of the Tarim Craton; passive or active?

Early Pan-African magmatism in the Tarim Craton: Insights from zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotope and geochemistry of granitoids in the Korla area, NW China

Zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes of Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks in the Korla Complex, NW China: Implications for metamorphic zircon formation and geological evolution of the Tarim Craton

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes of Neoproterozoic strata in the Aksu area, northwestern Tarim Craton: Implications for supercontinent reconstruction and crustal evolution

Rongfeng Ge

Papers

Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic long‐lived accretionary orogeny in the northern Tarim Craton

The Paleozoic northern margin of the Tarim Craton; passive or active?

Early Pan-African magmatism in the Tarim Craton: Insights from zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotope and geochemistry of granitoids in the Korla area, NW China

Zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes of Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks in the Korla Complex, NW China: Implications for metamorphic zircon formation and geological evolution of the Tarim Craton

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes of Neoproterozoic strata in the Aksu area, northwestern Tarim Craton: Implications for supercontinent reconstruction and crustal evolution