From amalgamation to post-orogenic Rodinian rifting: Decoded by the Neoproterozoic Shenshan Group, South China

Abstract

The Shenshan Group provides important geological information which is vital in unraveling the amalgamation and subsequent rifting processes of South China. While conventional studies have asserted its formation in a subduction setting, the distinct investigation reveals the necessity for reassessment. To address this, the authors employ integrated methods encompassing petrological, zircon U-Pb geochronological, Lu-Hf isotopic and geochemical methods for sedimentary rocks from the upper Shenshan subgroup and Banxi Group. The geochemical results indicate that they were formed through the recycling deposition of intermediate-acidic igneous source material and experienced moderate chemical weathering. Additionally, both sedimentary sequences exhibit characteristics consistent with those formed in an intracontinental extensional rift setting since ca. 810 Ma. The provenance analysis indicates that the upper Shenshan subgroup primarily originates from the Yangtze Domain, while the Banxi Group from both the Yangtze and Cathaysia domains. Synthesizing with previous studies, the Shenshan Group should be subdivided into the lower and upper subgroups which represent distinct tectonic backgrounds. The lower subgroup is inferred to have formed in an Early Neoproterozoic fore-arc setting, akin to the Zhoutan group. The upper subgroup corresponds to the Banxi Group, representing the Middle Neoproterozoic postorogenic rift setting, responding to the breakup of Rodinia.

Keywords

South China plate / Subdivision of the Shenshan Group / The upper Shenshan Subgroup / Sedimentary rock / Intermediate-acidic igneous source material / Post-orogenic rift setting / Meso-Neoproterozoic / Fore-arc environment / Rodinian continental rifting / Geological survey engineering

References

[1] Alireza P, Grant MY, Robert HR. 1999. Behavior of major and trace elements (including REE) during Paleoproterozoic pedogenesis and diagenetic alteration of an Archean granite near Ville Marie, Québec, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 64(13), 2199-2220. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(99)00420-2.

[2] Bhatia MR. 1983. Plate tectonics and geochemical composition of sandstones. The Journal of Geology, 91(6), 611-627. doi: 10.1086/628815.

[3] Bhatia MR, Crook KAW. 1986. Trace element characteristics of graywackes and tectonic setting discrimination of sedimentary basins. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 92(2), 181-193. doi: 10.1007/BF00375292.

[4] Cawood PA, Hawkesworth CJ, Dhuime B. 2012. Detrital zircon record and tectonic setting. Geology, 40(10), 875-878. doi: 10.1130/g32945.1.

[5] Chen K, Gao S, Wu YB, Guo JL, Hu ZC, Liu YS, Zong KQ, Liang ZW, Geng XL. 2013. 2.6-2.7 Ga crustal growth in Yangtze craton, South China. Precambrian Research, 224, 472-490. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2012.10.017.

[6] Chen Q, Sun M, Long XP, Zhao GC, Yuan C. 2016. U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic record of zircons from the late Neoproterozoic and Silurian-Devonian sedimentary rocks of the western Yangtze Block: Implications for its tectonic evolution and continental affinity. Gondwana Research, 31, 184-199. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2015.01.009.

[7] Condie KC. 1993. Chemical composition and evolution of the upper continental crust: Contrasting results from surface samples and shales. Chemical Geology, 104(1-4), 1-37. doi: 10.1016/0009-2541(93)90140-E.

[8] Cui X, Zhu WB, Ge RF. 2014. Provenance and crustal evolution of the northern Yangtze Block revealed by detrital zircons from Neoproterozoic-early Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the Yangtze gorges area, South China. The Journal of Geology, 122(2), 217-235. doi: 10.1086/674801.

[9] Dickinson WR, Beard LS, Brakenridge GR, Erjavec JL, Ferguson RC, Inman KF, Knepp RA, Lindberg FA, Ryberg PT. 1983. Provenance of North American Phanerozoic sandstones in relation to tectonic setting. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 94(2), 222. doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1983)942.0.CO;2.

[10] Dickinson WR, Gehrels GE. 2009. Use of U-Pb ages of detrital zircons to infer maximum depositional ages of strata: A test against a Colorado Plateau Mesozoic database. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 288(1-2), 115-125. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.013.

[11] Dostal J, Chatterjee AK. 2000. Contrasting behaviour of Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in a peraluminous granitic pluton (Nova Scotia, Canada). Chemical Geology, 163(1-4), 207-218. doi: 10.1016/S0009-2541(99)00113-8.

[12] Duan Z, Xing GF, Liao SB, Chu PL, Huang WC, Zhu YH, Shu XJ, Li CB. 2018. Petrogenesis of the microcrystalline-dioritic enclaves from Jiuling granitoids in the eastern segment of Jiangnan Orogen and constraints on magma source materials. China Geology, 2(3), 374-391. doi: 10.31035/cg2018042.

[13] Falvey DA. 1974. The Development of Continental Margins in Plate Tectonic Theory. The APPEA Journal, 14(1), 95-106. https://www.publish.csiro.au/AJ/AJ73012.

[14] Floyd PA, Leveridge BE. 1987. Tectonic environment of the Devonian Gramscatho basin, south Cornwall: Framework mode and geochemical evidence from turbiditic sandstones. Journal of the Geological Society, 144(4), 531-542. doi: 10.1144/gsjgs.144.4.0531.

[15] Floyd PA, Shail R, Leveridge BE, Franke W. 1991. Geochemistry and provenance of rhenohercynian synorogenic sandstones: Implications for tectonic environment discrimination. Geological Society of London Special Publications, 57(1), 173-188. doi: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1991.057.01.14.

[16] Gan CS, Wang YJ, Sheldrick TC, Qian X, Zhang YZ. 2024. Spatio-temporal framework of the Jurassic mafic rocks in South China: Implications for two stages of intra-continental extension. Lithos, 466, 107456. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2023.107456.

[17] Gao LZ, Chen J, Ding XZ, Liu YR, Zhang CH, Zhang H, Liu XY, Pang WH, Zhang YH. 2011. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of the Tuff Bed of Lengjiaxi and Banxi Groups, Northeastern Hunan: Constraints on the Wuling Movement. Geological Bulletin of China, 30(7), 1001-1008 doi: 10.12097/gbc.20110701. (in Chinese with English abstract).

[18] Gao LZ, Ding XZ, Liu YX, Zhang CH, Zhang H, Huang ZZ, Xu XM, Zhou ZY. 2014. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of Neoproterozoic Chencai Complex in Jiangshan-Shaoxing fault zone and its implications. Geological Bulletin of China, 33(5), 641-648 https://webofscience.clarivate.cn/wos/alldb/full-record/CSCD:5163236. (in Chinese with English abstract).

[19] Green TH. 1994. Experimental studies of trace-element partitioning applicable to igneous petrogenesis—Sedona 16 years later. Chemical Geology, 117(1-4), 1-36. doi: 10.1016/0009-2541(94)90119-8.

[20] Greentree MR, Li ZX, Li XH, Wu HC. 2006. Late Mesoproterozoic to earliest Neoproterozoic basin record of the Sibao orogenesis in western South China and relationship to the assembly of Rodinia. Precambrian Research, 151(1-2), 79-100. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2006.08.002.

[21] Guo FS, Shi G, Yang QK, Zhang WL, Xie CF, Zhou WP, Zhang JW. 2018. Timing of metamorphism and provenance of the metamorphic basement of the Xiangshan Uranium Orefield, Jiangxi Province, China. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 92, 34-55. doi: 10.1111/1755-6724.13493.

[22] Hofmann M, Linnemann U, Rai V, Becker S, Gärtner A, Sagawe A. 2011. The India and South China cratons at the margin of rodinia—Synchronous Neoproterozoic magmatism revealed by LA-ICP-MS zircon analyses. Lithos, 123(1-4), 176-187. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2011.01.012.

[23] Hoskin PWO. 2003. The composition of zircon and igneous and metamorphic petrogenesis. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 53(1), 27-62. doi: 10.2113/0530027.

[24] Hugh R Rollinson. 1993. Using Geochemical Date: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation. London (Longman Scientific and Technical). 384. doi: 10.4324/9781315845548.

[25] Hunan BGMR (Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Hunan Province). 1988. Regional Geology of Hunan Province. Geological Publishing House, Beijing (in Chinese).

[26] Jiangxi BGMR (Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Jiangxi province). 1984. Regional Geology of Jiangxi Province. Geological Publishing House, Beijing (in Chinese).

[27] Jiang Y, Zhao XL, Zhang YJ, Xing GF, Xu MC, Liu H. 2019. Neoproterozoic arc volcanic rocks of the Nanping-Ninghua tectonic belt, South China: Implications for the collision between the North and South Wuyi blocks. Geological Journal, 54(4), 2679-2692. doi: 10.1002/gj.3318.

[28] Lan ZW, Li XH, Zhu MY, Zhang QR, Li QL. 2015. Revisiting the Liantuo formation in Yangtze Block, South China: SIMS U-Pb zircon age constraints and regional and global significance. Precambrian Research, 263, 123-141. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2015.03.012.

[29] Li WX, Li XH, Li ZX. 2005. Neoproterozoic bimodal magmatism in the Cathaysia Block of South China and its tectonic significance. Precambrian Research, 136(1), 51-66. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2004.09.008.

[30] Li XH. 1999. U-Pb zircon ages of granites from the southern margin of the Yangtze Block: Timing of Neoproterozoic Jinning: Orogeny in SE China and implications for Rodinia Assembly. Precambrian Research, 97(1-2), 43-57. doi: 10.1016/S0301-9268(99)00020-0.

[31] Li XH, Li WX, He B. 2012. Building of the South China Block and its relevance to assembly and breakup of Rodinia supercontinent: Observations, interpretations and tests. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 31(6), 543-559. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1007-2802.2012.06.002.

[32] Li ZX, Zhang LH, Powell CM. 1995. South China in rodinia: Part of the missing link between Australia-east Antarctica and laurentia? Geology, 23(5), 407. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1995)0232.3.co;2.

[33] Li ZX, Liu YB, Ernst R. 2023. A dynamic 2000-540 Ma earth history: From cratonic amalgamation to the age of supercontinent cycle. Earth-Science Reviews, 238, 104336. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104336.

[34] Lin SF, Xing GF, Davis DW, Yin CQ, Wu ML, Li LM, Jiang Y, Chen ZH. 2018. Appalachian-style multi-terrane Wilson cycle model for the assembly of South China. Geology, 46(4), 319-322. doi: 10.1130/g39806.1.

[35] Liu XM, Gao S, Diwu CR, Ling WL. 2008. Precambrian crustal growth of Yangtze Craton as revealed by detrital zircon studies. American Journal of Science, 308(4), 421-468. doi: 10.2475/04.2008.02.

[36] Mapila PH, Tiercelin JJ, Benoit M, Ringrose S, Diskin S, Cotten J, Hémond C. 2009. Sediment geochemistry and tectonic setting: Application of discrimination diagrams to early stages of intracontinental rift evolution, with examples from the Okavango and southern Tanganyika Rift basins. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 53(1-2), 33-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2008.07.005.

[37] McLennan SM, McCulloch MT, Taylor SR, Maynard JB. 1989. Effects of sedimentary sorting on neodymium isotopes in deep-sea turbidites. Nature, 337(6207), 547-549. doi: 10.1038/337547a0.

[38] Nesbitt H, Markovics G. 1997. Weathering of granodioritic crust, long-term storage of elements in weathering profiles, and petrogenesis of siliciclastic sediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 61(8), 1653-1670. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(97)00031-8.

[39] Nesbitt HW, Young GM. 1982. Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature, 299, 715-717. doi: 10.1038/299715a0.

[40] Pan GT, Lu SN, Xiao QH, Zhang KX, Yin FG, Hao GJ, Luo MS, Ren F, Yuan SH. 2016. Division of tectonic stages and tectonic evolution in China. Earth Science Frontiers, 23(06), 1-23. doi: 10.13745/j.esf.2016.06.001.

[41] Pettijohn FJ, Potter PE, Siever R. 1972. Sand and Sandstone. Springer, New York. doi: 10.1016/0012-8252(72)90066-9.

[42] Robert LC, Victor NP. 2002. The source and origin of terrigenous sedimentary rocks in the Mesoproterozoic Ui group, southeastern Russia. Precambrian Research, 117, 157-183. doi: 10.1016/S0301-9268(02)00079-7.

[43] Ronadh C, Donald RL, Cullers RL. 1995. The influence of sediment recycling and basement composition on evolution of mudrock chemistry in the southwestern United States. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 59(14), 2919-2940. doi: 10.1016/0016-7037(95)00185-9.

[44] Roser BP, Korsch RJ. 1988. Provenance signatures of sandstone-mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data. Chemical Geology, 67(1-2), 119-139. doi: 10.1016/0009-2541(88)90010-1.

[45] Shu LS, Yao JL, Wang B, Faure M, Charvet J, Chen Y. 2021. Neoproterozoic plate tectonic process and Phanerozoic geodynamic evolution of the South China Block. Earth-Science Reviews, 216, 103596. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103596.

[46] Sun SS, McDonough WF. 1989. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: Implications for mantle composition and processes. Geological Society of London Special Publications, 42(1), 313-345. doi: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1989.042.01.19.

[47] Sun WH, Zhou MF, Gao JF, Yang YH, Zhao XF, Zhao JH. 2009. Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological and Lu-Hf isotopic constraints on the Precambrian magmatic and crustal evolution of the western Yangtze Block, SW China. Precambrian Research, 172(1-2), 99-126. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2009.03.010.

[48] Taylor SR, McLennan SM. 1985. The Continental Crust: Its composition and Evolution, An Examination of the Geochemical Record Preserved in Sedimentary Rocks. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford London. https://xueshu.baidu.com/usercenter/paper/show?paperid=dfaf1e11602387cf62b5a3ab97478ff4&site=xueshu_se&hitarticle=1.

[49] Verma SP, Armstrong-Altrin JS. 2016. Geochemical discrimination of siliciclastic sediments from active and passive margin settings. Sedimentary Geology, 332, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2015.11.011.

[50] Wan YS, Liu DY, Xu MH, Zhuang JM, Song B, Shi YR, Du LL. 2007. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon geochronology and geochemistry of metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks in Northwestern Fujian, Cathaysia block, China: Tectonic implications and the need to redefine lithostratigraphic units. Gondwana Research, 12(1-2), 166-183. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2006.10.016.

[51] Wang J, Li XH, Duan TZ, Liu DY, Song B, Li ZX, Gao YH. 2003. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating for the Cangshuipu volcanic rocks and its implications for the lower boundary age of the Nanhua Strata in South China. Chinese Science Bulletin, 48(16), 1726-1731. doi: 10.1360/03wd0168.

[52] Wang JQ, Shu LS, Santosh M. 2017. U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes of detrital zircon grains from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the central Jiangnan Orogen, South China: Implications for Precambrian crustal evolution. Precambrian Research, 294, 175-188. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2017.03.025.

[53] Wang KX, Sun LQ, Sun T, Huang H. 2020. Depositional age, provenance, and tectonic implications of Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the Xiangshan area, South China. Geological Journal, 56(3), 1584-1603. doi: 10.1002/gj.4000.

[54] Wang LJ, Zhang KX, Lin SF, He WH, Kou XH, Zhou XH. 2020. Turbidite record of a middle Neoproterozoic active continental margin in the West Cathaysia terrane, South China: Implications for the relationships between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks and their positions in Rodinia. Precambrian Research, 337, 105457. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2019.105457.

[55] Wang LJ, Zhang KX, Lin SF, He WH, Yin LM. 2022. Origin and age of the Shenshan tectonic mélange in the Jiangshan-Shaoxing-Pingxiang Fault and late Early Paleozoic juxtaposition of the Yangtze Block and the West Cathaysia terrane, South China. GSA Bulletin, 134(1-2), 113-129. doi: 10.1130/b35963.1.

[56] Wang PM, Yu JH, Sun T, Ling HF, Chen PR, Zhao KD, Chen WF, Liu Q. 2012. Geochemistry and detrital zircon geochronology of Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in Eastern Hunan Province and their tectonic significance. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 28(12), 3841-3857. https://webofscience.clarivate.cn/wos/alldb/full-record/WOS:000313315700005 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[57] Wang PM, Yu JH, Sun T, Shi Y, Chen PR, Zhao KD, Chen WF, Liu Q. 2013. Composition variations of the Sinian-Cambrian sedimentary rocks in Hunan and Guangxi provinces and their tectonic significance. Scientia Sinica(Terrae), 11(43), 1893-1906 doi: 10.1007/s11430-013-4634-1. (in Chinese with English abstract).

[58] Wang W, Zhou MF. 2012. Sedimentary records of the Yangtze Block (South China) and their correlation with equivalent Neoproterozoic sequences on adjacent continents. Sedimentary Geology, 265, 126-142. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2012.04.003.

[59] Wang W, Zhou MF, Yan DP, Li L, Malpas J. 2013. Detrital zircon record of Neoproterozoic active-margin sedimentation in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen, South China. Precambrian Research, 235, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2013.05.013.

[60] Wang XL, Shu LS, Xing GF, Zhou JC, Tang M, Shu XJ, Qi L, Hu YH. 2012. Post-orogenic extension in the eastern part of the Jiangnan orogen: Evidence from ca 800-760 Ma volcanic rocks. Precambrian Research, 222, 404-423. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2011.07.003.

[61] Wang XL, Zhou JC, Griffin WL, Zhao GC, Yu JH, Qiu JS, Zhang YJ, Xing GF. 2014. Geochemical zonation across a Neoproterozoic Orogenic Belt: Isotopic evidence from granitoids and metasedimentary rocks of the Jiangnan Orogen, China. Precambrian Research, 242, 154-171. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2013.12.023.

[62] Wang YJ, Gan CS, Tan QL, Zhang YZ, He HY, Xin Q, Zhang YH. 2018. Early Neoproterozoic (about 840 Ma) slab window in South China: Key magmatic records in the Chencai complex. Precambrian Research, 314, 434-451. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2018.06.002.

[63] Wang YJ, Zhang AM, Cawood PA, Fan WM, Xu JF, Zhang GW, Zhang YZ. 2013. Geochronological, geochemical and Nd-Hf-Os isotopic fingerprinting of an early Neoproterozoic arc-back-arc system in South China and its accretionary assembly along the margin of Rodinia. Precambrian Research, 231, 343-371. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2013.03.020.

[64] Wang YJ, Zhang YZ, Cawood PA, Wang C, Gan CS. 2024. Proterozoic tectonics of eastern South China: From Ca. 1.45 Ga rifting in the interior of Columbia to a long-lived convergent orogen at the periphery of rodinia. Earth-Science Reviews, 249, 104652. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104652.

[65] Wang YJ, Zhang YZ, Cawood PA, Zhou YZ, Zhang FF, Yang X, Cui X. 2019. Early Neoproterozoic assembly and subsequent rifting in South China: Revealed from mafic and ultramafic rocks, central Jiangnan Orogen. Precambrian Research, 331, 105367. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2019.105367.

[66] Watson EB, Harrison TM. 1984. Accessory minerals and the geochemical evolution of crustal magmatic systems: A summary and prospectus of experimental approaches. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 35(1-3), 19-30. doi: 10.1016/0031-9201(84)90031-1.

[67] Wollast R, Chou L. 1992. Surface reactions during the early stages of weathering of albite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 56(8), 3113-3121. doi: 10.1016/0016-7037(92)90292-Q.

[68] Wu FY, Li XH, Zheng YF, Gao S. 2007. Lu-Hf isotopic systematics and their applications in petrology. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 23(2), 185-220. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-0569.2007.02.001.

[69] Wu H, Jiang XS, Wang J, Wang ZJ, Du QD, Deng Q, Cui XZ, Yang F. 2013. Ages and provenance of Neoproterozoic Dajiangbian Formation and Aiqiling Formation in southeast Hunan Province: U-Pb geochronological evidence of detrital zircons. Geological Review, 59, 853-868. doi: 10.16509/j.georeview.2013.05.021.

[70] Wu L, Jia D, Li HB, Deng F, Li YQ. 2010. Provenance of detrital zircons from the late Neoproterozoic to Ordovician sandstones of South China: Implications for its continental affinity. Geological Magazine, 147(6), 974-980. doi: 10.1017/s0016756810000725.

[71] Wu RX, Zheng YF, Wu YB, Zhao ZF, Zhang SB, Liu XM, Wu FY. 2006. Reworking of juvenile crust: Element and isotope evidence from Neoproterozoic granodiorite in South China. Precambrian Research, 146(3-4), 179-212. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2006.01.012.

[72] Xu XB, Zhang YQ, Shu LS, Jia D, Wang RR, Xu HZ. 2010. Precambrian geochronology and stratigraphy in the Wuyishan Area, South China. Journal of Stratigraphy, 34, 254-267 doi: 10.19839/j.cnki.dcxzz.2010.03.004. (in Chinese with English abstract).

[73] Yang X, Wang YJ, Zhang YZ, Gan CS, Qian X. 2022. Early Neoproterozoic (-840 Ma) assemblage in South China and the southern extension of the Jiangshan-Shaoxing zone: Records from the Zhoutan and Shenshan igneous rocks in central Jiangxi. Precambrian Research, 371, 106573. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2022.106573.

[74] Yang X. 2022. Early Neoproterozoic Assemblage in South China: Records from the Magmatism and Sedimentation in Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces. Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai (in Chinese with English abstract).

[75] Yao JL, Cawood PA, Shu LS, Zhao GC. 2019. Jiangnan Orogen, South China: A about 970-820 Ma Rodinia margin accretionary belt. Earth-Science Reviews, 196, 102872. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2019.05.016.

[76] Yu JH, O’Reilly SY, Wang LJ, Griffin WL, Zhang M, Wang RC, Jiang SY, Shu LS. 2008. Where was South China in the rodinia supercontinent? Precambrian Research, 164(1-2), 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2008.03.002.

[77] Yu JH, O’Reilly SY, Wang LJ, Griffin WL, Zhou MF, Zhang M, Shu LS. 2010. Components and episodic growth of Precambrian crust in the cathaysia block, South China: Evidence from U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes of zircons in Neoproterozoic sediments. Precambrian Research, 181(1-4), 97-114. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2010.05.016.

[78] Yu PP, Zhang YZ, Zhou YZ, Weinberg RF, Zheng Y, Yang WB. 2019. Melt evolution of crustal anatexis recorded by the Early Paleozoic Baiyunshan migmatite-granite suite in South China. Lithos, 332, 83-98. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2019.02.020.

[79] Zhang QR, Li XH, Feng LJ, Huang J, Song B. 2008. A new age constraint on the onset of the Neoproterozoic glaciations in the Yangtze platform, South China. The Journal of Geology, 116(4), 423-429. doi: 10.1086/589312.

[80] Zhang YZ, Wang YJ, Geng HY, Zhang YH, Fan WM, Zhong H. 2013. Early Neoproterozoic (-850 Ma) back-arc basin in the central Jiangnan Orogen (eastern South China): Geochronological and petrogenetic constraints from meta-basalts. Precambrian Research, 231, 325-342. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2013.03.016.

[81] Zhang YZ, Wang YJ, Zhang YH, Zhang AM. 2015. Neoproterozoic assembly of the Yangtze and cathaysia blocks: Evidence from the cangshuipu group and associated rocks along the central Jiangnan Orogen, South China. Precambrian Research, 269, 18-30. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2015.08.003.

[82] Zhang YZ, Wang YJ. 2016. Early Neoproterozoic (-840 Ma) arc magmatism: Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the metabasites in the central Jiangnan Orogen. Precambrian Research, 275, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2015.11.006.

[83] Zhang YZ, Wang YJ. 2020. Early Neoproterozoic continental arc system at the central Jiangnan Orogen, South China: Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the key igneous rock-association. GSA Bulletin, 132(3-4), 638-654. doi: 10.1130/b35221.1.

[84] Zhao GC. 2015. Jiangnan orogen in South China: Developing from divergent double subduction. Gondwana Research, 27(3), 1173-1180. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2014.09.004.

[85] Zhao GC, Cawood PA. 2012. Precambrian geology of China. Precambrian Research, 222-223, 13-54. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2012.09.018.

[86] Zhao JH, Zhou MF, Yan DP, Zheng JP, Li JW. 2011. Reappraisal of the ages of Neoproterozoic strata in South China: No connection with the grenvillian orogeny. Geology, 39(4), 299-302. doi: 10.1130/G31701.1.

[87] Zheng Y, Long LJ, Yu PP, Zhang XC, Hu ZB, Wu YH. 2022. Metal endowment and geodynamic evolution of the Late Paleozoic SEDEX deposits in South China: The Yunfu giant iron-sulfide deposit, Yunkai Domain. Ore Geology Reviews, 145, 104918. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.104918.

[88] Zheng YF, Wu RX, Wu YB, Zhang SB, Yuan HL, Wu FY. 2008. Rift melting of juvenile arc-derived crust: Geochemical evidence from Neoproterozoic volcanic and granitic rocks in the Jiangnan Orogen, South China. Precambrian Research, 163(3-4), 351-383. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2008.01.004.

[89] Zheng YF, Zhang SB, Zhao ZF, Wu YB, Li XH, Li ZX, Wu FY. 2007. Contrasting zircon Hf and O isotopes in the two episodes of Neoproterozoic granitoids in South China: Implications for growth and reworking of continental crust. Lithos, 96(1-2), 127-150. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2006.10.003.

[90] Zhou BW, Zeng GF, Xu WT, Feng YX. 2018. The discovery of Early Nanhuan K-bentonite in southern Jiangxi and its tectonic significance. Journal of Geology, 42(1), 95-107 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[91] Zhou JC, Wang XL, Qiu JS. 2009. Geochronology of Neoproterozoic mafic rocks and sandstones from northeastern Guizhou, South China: Coeval arc magmatism and sedimentation. Precambrian Research, 170(1-2), 27-42. doi: 10.1016/j.precambres.2008.11.002.

[92] Zhou MF, Yan DP, Kennedy AK, Li YQ, Ding J. 2002. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon geochronological and geochemical evidence for Neoproterozoic arc-magmatism along the western margin of the Yangtze Block, South China. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 196(1-2), 51-67. doi: 10.1016/S0012-821X(01)00595-7.