Tectonics of the South China Block

Abstract

South China experienced an unusually complex tectonic history, and features a series of globally significant, and well well-preserved geological records. These include records of the assembly and breakup of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia, Rodinia- and Pangea-age mantle plume events, Neoproterosoic glacial events, early complex life, large intraplate orogenic and magmatic events, extinction events around the P-T boundary, continental subduction and exhumation, and record of the transition from an Andean-type active margin to the present-day Western Pacific-type active margin. These features make a South China one of the few natural laboratories for studying fundamental geoscience problems and testing various theories and hypotheses. Professor Zheng-Xiang Li and his multinational collaborative team have been working on the tectonic evolution of the South China Block for over 25 years. Their work challenged some traditional views, yet some of their interpretations remain controversial amongst contemporary researchers. This book provides readers a summary of their views on the tectonic evolution of South China, and evidence that their interpretations were based on. It also provides a well illustrated eight-day field program in which the authors attempt to unravel the tectonic history of eastern South China through the examination of a series of carefully selected field traverses and outcrops. This latter part of the book can also serve as a materials for field workshops or short courses on tectonic analysis using multidisciplinary field observations and analytical result. The book is designed for researchers of all levels and senior geoscience students.