A Study of the Kunlun‐Qilian‐Qinling Suture System

Abstract  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 Küda‐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, Mianlüe 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 (∼780–600 Ma); (2) the formation and evolution of the KQQ archipelagic ocean during the Late Sinian‐Ordovician (∼600–440 Ma), and (3) closing of the KQQ ocean and forming of the KQQ suture system during the Late Ordovician—early Silurian (∼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.