Subduction and accretionary tectonics of the East Kunlun orogen, western segment of the Central China Orogenic System

Abstract The Kunlun Orogen is generally divided into the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (E-KOB) and the West Kunlun Orogenic Belt (W-KOB) by the Altyn Tagh fault. The E-KOB forms part of the western segment of the Central China Orogenic System (CCOS), and is considered to have formed by the collision between the Qaidam Block and Qiangtang or Bayanhar Terrane as a consequence of the closure of the Kunlun Ocean (branch of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean). Based on a compilation recently published high-quality data, this contribution provides an overview of the composition, nature and ages of the principal tectonic elements, including ophiolitic melanges and related volcanic rocks, intrusive plutons and sedimentary cover sequences in the E-KOB. According to multiple lines of evidence from these tectonic elements, we proposed herewith a Paleozoic–Triassic subduction and accretionary tectonic model to interpret the spatiotemporal tectonic framework, plate subduction polarity, and tectonic processes from accretion to collision of the E-KOB. Three main ophiolitic melange zones are identified in the E-KOB, from north to south, they are the Qimantagh–Xiangride ophiolitic melange zone (QXM), the Aqikekulehu–Kunzhong ophiolitic melange zone (AKM) and the Muztagh–Buqingshan–Anemaqen ophiolitic melange zone (MBAM). According to these ophiolitic melange zones, the E-KOB is divided into four major tectonic units: the North Qimantagh belt, the Central Kunlun belt, the South Kunlun belt and the Bayanhar Terrane. Based on several lines of evidence from geology, geochemistry and geochronology, the South Kunlun belt is interpreted as a Paleozoic to Triassic fore-arc and accretionary complex related to northward subduction of the Kunlun Ocean during the Ordovician–Triassic time. The AKM, MABM and the South Kunlun belt constitute a wide accretionary complex along the Kunlun Suture zone that marks final closure of the major Paleo-Tethyan Ocean, while the QXM represents the best expression of another suture that records final closure of the Qimantagh back-arc basin. The Central Kunlun Belt, as a long-lived island-arc terrane from Ordovician to Triassic times, rifted from the Qaidam Block due to the spreading of the Qimantagh back-arc basin during the period of ca. 485–425 Ma. Taken into all the geological, geochemical and geochronological lines of evidence together, a trench / arc / back-arc basin tectonic system in the E-KOB was built up, and evolved into a protracted and long-lived northward-subduction and accretion along the Kunlun Suture during Paleozoic and Triassic time.