Development and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Beijing 100037, China
Ke-xin Zhang
Institute of Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Corresponding author: E-mail address: [email protected] (Ke-xin Zhang).
Wei-hong He
State Key Laboratory of Biological and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Ya-dong Xu
State Key Laboratory of Biological and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Bo-wen Song
Institute of Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Yang Yu
Institute of Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xue Ke
Institute of Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xiao-hu Kou
Institute of Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Man-sheng Luo
State Key Laboratory of Biological and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Hou-tian Xin
Tianjin Institute of Geology and Minerals Resources, Tianjin 710054, China
Jun-yu Fu
Shenyang Institute of Geology and Minerals Resources, Shenyang 110032, China
Zhu-liang Yang
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Minerals Resources, Nanjing 210016, China
Xiao-ming Zhao
Wuhan Institute of Geology and Minerals Resources, Wuhan 430223, China
Fu-guang Yin
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Minerals Resources, Chengdu 610082, China
Zhi-pei Li
Xi’an Institute of Geology and Minerals Resources, Xi’an 710054, 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.
