The Qinling-Dabie orogenic complex, part of a large east-west mountain range in the heart of China, plays a key role in helping scientists understand the formation and breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia.
But the exact configuration and geodynamic history of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic complex and the surrounding region are not fully known. Contributing a piece to the puzzle, Bader et al. useduranium-thorium-lead geochronology-from both published studies and new data-to investigate the Neoproterozoic (1 billion years ago to 700 million years ago) evolution of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic collage.
The authors outline a tectonic model for evolution of the Qinling-Dabie orogen, placing it into the context of the evolution of Rodinia, which formed around 1 billion years ago and broke up around 700 million years ago.
Their synthesis could help researchers gain a more complete understanding of the geologic history of one of Earth'ssupercontinents.
Source: Tectonics, 2013doi: 10.1002/tect.20024