Geochronological, Sedimentary, Structural, and Metallogenic Characteristics of Southeast China during the Mesozoic: A General Review ()
ABSTRACT
The tectonic evolution of
Southeast China during Late Mesozoic is a prominent topic. Numerous tectonic
models on Late Mesozoic evolution ofSoutheast Chinahave been published in the past 50 years. We
synthesized many up-to-date and precise zircon U-Pb ages, sedimentary strata,
and regional structures and discussed the oxygen fugacity of magmas and related
ore deposits. We also analyzed the most current tectonic models published by
some scholars. A multistage tectonic stress evolution history during Late
Mesozoic was constructed, which included the following stages: 1) Early-Middle
Jurassic (196 - 175 Ma) extension, in which many bimodal volcanics formed; 2)
Middle-Late Jurassic (165 - 140 Ma) compression, which generated largescale
gneissic granites, garnet-bearing granites, stratigraphic hiatus, and nappe
structures; 3) Early Cretaceous (140 ± 5 - 120 Ma) extension, which formed
weakly deformed or undeformed granites, alkali granites, metamorphic core
complexes, graben basins, and basic dike swarms; 4) Early Cretaceous (120 - 110
Ma) compression, which generated nappe structures, volcanic hiatuses, and
garnet-bearing granites; and 5) Early-Late Cretaceous (110 - 80 Ma) extension,
which generated largescale bimodal volcanics, basic dike swarms, alkali
granites, and graben basins. The Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution ofSoutheast
Chinamay be attributed to the drifting history of the Paleo-Pacific plate. The
drifting direction of the Paleo-Pacific plate has changed several times since
140 Ma, which led to major changes in the tectonicphenomena from Jurassic to
Cretaceous and to the formation of Late Mesozoic mineral deposits.