Division of tectonic–strata superregions in China

Abstract

The continent of China is grouped into Pan–Cathaysian blocks, Laurasia and Gondwana Continental margins and relics of three oceans-Paleoasian, Tethys, and Pacific as a whole. In detail, the continent of China grew up by coalescence of three blocks or platforms (North China, Tarim and Yangtze) and eight orogenic belts (Altay–Inner Mongolia–Daxinganling, Tianshan–Junggar–Beishan, Qinling–Qilian– Kunlun, Qiangtang–Sanjiang, Gangdisê, Himalaya, Cathaysia, Eastern Taiwan) during the processes of oceanic crust disappearance and acceretionary-collision of continental crusts. In the orogenic belts, six convergent crustal consumption zones (Ertix–Xar Moron, South Tianshan, Kuanping–Foziling, Bangong co–Shuanghu–Nujiang–Changning–Menglian, Yarlung–Tsangpo, Jiangshao–Chenzhou–Qinfang) have been distinguished. Correspondingly, the strata of the continent of China are subdivided into 17 tectonic-strata superregions, which tectonically belong to three blocks or platforms, six convergent crustal consumption zones and eight orogenic series, respectively. This division is based mainly on differences of tectonic environment and tectonic evolution among blocks, zones and belts, including the timing of when the oceanic crusts transferred into continental crusts, the paleobiogeographic features, and the types of strata.