Resolving the Tectonic Setting of South China in the Late Paleozoic

The tectonic setting of South China during the late Paleozoic is essential to understanding geodynamics off eastern margin Pangea supercontinent due its unique paleo-position at confluence Paleo-Tethys and Panthalassic oceans. Limited magmatic matemorphic records in have hampered resolution this setting. Here, we present integrated biostratigraphic, geochronological, isotope geochemical data on Carboniferous siliciclastic rocks from southeast order decipher evolution Block. sandstones were predominantly sourced Wuyi Terrane via short-distance transportation. Rapid exhumation ca. 318 Ma plutonic source region, magmatism, continuous crustal thinning demonstrate that underwent episodic lithospheric delamination triggered by thermal perturbation as a result subduction paleo-Pacific plate beneath Block Paleozoic.