First Direct Evidence of Pan-African Orogeny Associated with Gondwana Assembly in the Cathaysia Block of Southern China

Abstract

Abstract Metamorphic zircon from a hornblendite in the South China Block (SCB) yield U-Pb age of 533 ± 7 Ma and Hf model ages from 900 to 1200 Ma. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that primary magma of the hornblendites was probably derived from an enriched asthenospheric mantle source. This Late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian (Pan-African) metamorphic event provides the first direct evidence that the SCB was an integral part of the Gondwana assembly. Combined with available geological data which show that the SCB has great affinity with India or Australia, the Pan-African metamorphic event most likely belongs to the eastern Kuunga orogeny. We propose that the SCB was located at the nexus between India, Antarctica and Australia along the northern margin of East Gondwana, with the Cathaysia Block connecting western Australia whereas the Yangtze Block facing northern India at ca. 533 Ma.