A study of the Kunlun-Qilian-Qinling suture system

The Late Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic suture zones within the Central Orogenic Belt of China can be considered a system-the Kunlun-Qilian-Qinling suture system (KQQ suture system). It is basically divided into the western, central-and eastern sectors. The. western sector consists of the Kuda-Subashi suture zone, the Mazar-Kangxiwar suture and the central West Kunlun microblock. The central sector covers the following five suture zones: the Altun, North Qilian, Qaidam northern marginal, Qimantag-Wutuo and East Kunlun southern marginal sutures, in addition to some microblocks such as the mid-south Qilian. Qaidam, Ayakkum and Maqen microblocks. The eastern sector is composed of the Shangdan suture zone, Mianlue suture zone and central Qinling-Dabie microblock. The KQQ suture system experienced (1) extending-rifting of the Rodinia super-continent in the early-middle Sinian (similar to 780-600 Ma); (2): the formation and evolution of the KQQ archipelagic ocean during the Late Sinian-Ordovician (similar to 600-440 Ma), and (3) closing of the KQQ ocean and forming of the KQQ suture system during the Late Ordovician -early Silurian (similar to 440-400 Ma). As a system comprising many suture zones and microblocks, the KQQ suture system constitutes the foundation of the Central Orogenic Belt of China.