Pre-Devonian tectonic evolution of the eastern South China Block: Geochronological evidence from detrital zircons

Using the U-Pb LA-ICP-MS analysis technique we analyzed geochronological features of detrital zircons from Devonian and Ordovician coarse sandstone in southern Jiangxi Province, northern Cathaysia Block. Abundant ancient crustal information was obtained. The 350 groups of U-Pb age center on five ranges: 2600-2300 Ma (peak at 2470 Ma), 1100-900 Ma (peak at 980 Ma), 900-700 Ma (peak at 800 Ma), 650-520 Ma (peak at 600 Ma) and 450-400 Ma (peak at 440 Ma). We also found a detrital zircon of ∼3.5 Ga. This is the oldest age in northern Cathaysia Block obtained so far. From the analysis we concluded that: (1) the 2600-2300 Ma period, characterized by a global continent-building, records late Neoarchean magmatism that did not occur in the neighboring area of Cathaysia; (2) the marked peak at 1100-900 Ma corresponds with the assembly time of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent, Rodinia, suggesting that the Cathaysia Block was once a part of Rodinia, and numerous euhedral zircons with similar ages likely resulted from the Grenville event; (3) the peak at 900-700 Ma corresponds to the breakup of Rodinia, as evidenced by wide occurrence of Neoproterozoic granite, basic dyke swarms and continental rift-type deposition; (4) the 650-520 Ma period is the typical time of the Pan-African event, but as yet no associated magmatic rock has been reported in this area; and (5) the peak at 450-400 Ma, representing the early Paleozoic orogeny, was recorded in various igneous rocks. Abundant Silurian-Lower Devonian granitic plutons, orthogneisses and their zircon U-Pb dating ages (450-400 Ma) are important evidence of an early Paleozoic orogenic event. Geological data support the interpretation of an Early Paleozoic tectonic heat event in Cathaysia, which was likely to be caused by intracontinental collision.