Paleoproterozoic–Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Longshou Shan, western North China craton

Abstract The Longshou Shan of western China is the northern backstop Cenozoic Himalayan-Tibetan orogen and occupies a key linkage between Tarim continent North craton which separate pre-Cenozoic Tethyan orogenic system Central Asian system. Therefore, Paleoproterozoic–Paleozoic evolution this region critical to understanding extent overprinting deformation, construction Eurasian continent, relationships Here we present detailed field observations results geochronological major trace element Sr-Nd isotope geochemical analyses samples from decipher its complex tectonic history. Our show that Paleoproterozoic basement rocks were part involved in orogeny. A ca. 965 Ma granitoid provides evidence for spatial Tibetan continents, early Neoproterozoic. presence Early Ordovician granitoids arc volcanic suggest bivergent subduction Qilian oceanic lithosphere occurred during Paleozoic. Crustal shortening thickening Ordovician–Carboniferous orogenesis are evidenced by several unconformities Shan. Late Carboniferous granites exposed study area likely associated with southward Paleo-Asian Ocean north Permian siliciclastic strata sourced proximal arc-subduction system, based on detrital zircon ages. Although history can be traced back Neoproterozoic time, most recorded deformation uplift Paleozoic orogeny late Furthermore, interpret events (i.e., China, Qilian, orogenies) spatially temporally correlative along strike those cratons.