Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (6): 131-155.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2025.4.91

Previous Articles     Next Articles

The distribution and evolution of Ocean Plate Stratigraphy in the Central Orogenic System of China

ZHANG Kexin1,2,3,*(), LUO Mansheng3, KOU Xiaohu2, HE Weihong1,3, XU Yadong1,3, SONG Bowen2,3, WANG Lijun4, WANG Jiaxuan5, WANG Shendong6, CHEN Fenning7, CHEN Ruiming7, LI Chengdong8   

  1. 1. Faculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
    2. Institute of Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
    3. State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430078, China
    4. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ürümqi 830011, China
    5. School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
    6. Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration Chinese, Academy of Geological Sciences, Langfang 065000, China
    7. Xi’an Center of China Geological Survey, Xi’an 710119, China
    8. Tianjin Center of China Geological Survey, Tianjin 300170, China
  • Received:2025-04-10 Revised:2025-07-01 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-12
  • Contact: ZHANG Kexin

Abstract:

The Central Orogenic System spans the central part of China, comprising six NW-SE trending orogenic belts: the Qilian, Altun, North Qaidam, West Kunlun, East Kunlun, and Qinling. Tectonically located in the northern part of the Tethyan domain of China, it has undergone the evolution of the Proto- and Paleo-Tethyan archipelagic ocean systems since the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. This paper systematically compiles and integrates the geological records of ophiolitic mélanges and other oceanic crust remnants from over 185 outcrops of various ages in the Central Orogenic System (including 393 isotopic dating data). Based on tectonic settings and evolution with age constrained, seven OPS (Ocean Plate Stratigraphy) tectonic-stratigraphic provinces are delineated and further divided into 15 sub-provinces. The study introduces the lithological assemblages of OPS and their spatiotemporal distributions in each province and sub-province. Based on the division and correlation of OPS chronological sequences, the Phanerozoic OPS framework and its spatiotemporal evolution model of the Central Orogenic Belt is established for the first time and the evolution of Tethyan domain related to the Central Orogenic System is discussed.

Key words: Oceanic Plate Stratigraphy, spatial and temporal distribution, Phanerozoic, evolution of Tethyan Domain in China, the Central Orogenic System, tectonics

CLC Number: