A Study of the Kunlun‐Qilian‐Qinling Suture System

The Late Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic suture zones within theCentral Orogenic Belt of China can be considered a system-the Kunlun-Qilian-Qinling suture system (KQQ suture system). It is basically divided into the western, central and eastern sectors. The western sector consists of the Kuda-Subashi suture zone, the Mazar Kangxiwar suture and the central West Kunlun microblock. The central sector covers the following five suture zones: the Altun, North Qilian, Qaidam northern marginal, Qimantag-Wutuo and East Kunlun southern marginal sutures, in addition to some microblocks such as the mid-south Qilian, Qaidam, Ayakkum and Maqen microblocks. The eastern sector is composed of the Shangdan suture zone, Mianlue suture zone and central Qinling-Dabie microblock. The KQQ suture system experienced (1) extending-rifting of the Rodinia super-continent in the early-middle Sinian (～780-600 Ma); (2) the formation and evolution of the KQQ archipelagic ocean during the Late Sinian-Ordovician (～600-440 Ma), and (3) closing of the KQQ ocean and forming of the KQQ suture system during the Late Ordovician-early Silurian (～440-400 Ma). As a system comprising many suture zones and microblocks, the KQQ suture system consti tutes the foundation of the Central Orogenic Belt of China.CLC Number：P5 Document ID：Afoundation Item：This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 49872077 and 49572153), and the Lu Jiaxi Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.Author Resume：Bian Qiantao Born in 1945; graduated from the Department of Geology, South-Central University of Technology in 1970, and obtained his master's degree and doctor's degree at the Graduate School and the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1981 and 1987, respectively. He is currently a professor of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and has long been engaged in the research of tectonics, petrology, mineral deposits and geochemistry. Tel: (010) 62008058: E-mail:bianqt