South Tarim tied to north India on the periphery of Rodinia and Gondwana and implications for the evolution of two supercontinents

Abstract Constraining the positions of, and interrelationships between, Earth's major continental blocks has played a role in validating concept of supercontinent cycle. Minor fragments can provide additional key constraints on modes assembly dispersal. The Tarim craton been placed both at core Rodinia or its periphery, differentiating between two scenarios widespread implications for breakup subsequent Gondwana. In South terrane, detrital zircon grains from Neoproterozoic–Silurian strata display dominant populations 950–750 550–450 Ma. Similarly, main peaks 1000–800 600–490 Ma characterize Neoproterozoic–Ordovician northern India. Moreover, north India lag global 1200–1000 650–500 Ma, which reflect Gondwana assembly, arguing against position within heart supercontinents. Ages Hf isotopes Tarim's zircons argue margin supercontinents adjacent to with periodic dispersal through opening closing small ocean basins (e.g., Proto-Tethys). Alternating tectonic transitions advancing retreating subduction North coincide drift Gondwana, emphasizing importance Rodinia-related orogenic belts spatially overlap Gondwana-related blocks, indicating no significant relative rotation during evolution