Transformation from Neoproterozoic Sinistral to Early Paleozoic Dextral Shearing for the Jingdezhen Ductile Shear Zone in the Jiangnan Orogen, South China

Early Palaeozoic deformation features and tectonic implications in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen, South China: Constraints from structural analysis of north–north‐east ductile shear zones and relevant dating

“…Recent studies have shown that several tectonic events occur in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen during the Late Early Palaeozoic (Chu & Lin, 2014; Xu et al, 2015), and have focused on the distribution of NNE‐, NE‐, and N–E‐trending ductile shear zones (Charvet et al, 1996; Chu & Lin, 2014; Hu, Yu, Liu, et al, 2018; Shu et al, 1994; Xu et al, 2015, 2016, 2018; Yu et al, 2007, 2011) or folds and faults. Most studies have not reported the kinematic tectonic setting and geochronology of the Jiekou and Huangmao shear zones.…”

“…New geochronological data show that the WZG fault zone and boundary fault zone between Anhui and Zhejiang provinces are characterized by brittle deformation Neoproterozoic post‐orogenic extension after ~810 Ma (Xu, Xue, Li, Hu, & Chen, 2014; Yu et al, 2011) and ductile shearing (Huangmao and Jiekou shear zones, respectively) in the Early Palaeozoic Orogeny (~430 Ma, Xu et al, 2015, Yu et al, 2011). The zircon U–Pb and Ar/Ar ages indicate that the Jingdezhen shear zone underwent Neoproterozoic sinistral shearing and Early Palaeozoic dextral shearing (Xu et al, 2016, 2018). The Zhanggongshan shear zone consists of some near E–W‐striking small dextral shear zones (Xu et al, 2015, 2018; Yu et al, 2011), and the new Ar/Ar age suggests its development during ~430 Ma (Xu et al, 2015; Yu et al, 2011).…”

“…A series of convergent plate margin accretionary rocks dated between 930 and 800 Ma constitute the Jiangnan Orogen (Li et al, 2013; Zhang, Wang, et al, 2012; Zhang, Zhang, et al, 2012; Zhao et al, 2011), which is the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block (Figure 1a). The SCB experienced several tectonic events in the Neoproterozoic, Early Palaeozoic, Early Mesozoic, and Late Mesozoic (Charvet et al, 1996; Chu & Lin, 2014; Li et al, 2010, 2015; Li & Li, 2003; Li, Lin, et al, 2016; Li, Zhang, et al, 2016; Shu et al, 2008; Wu et al, 2006; Xu, Li, Tang, Xue, & Zhang, 2015; Xu, Lin, Tang, & Zhang, 2018; Zhao, He, Tai, Le, & Nie, 1997; Zheng et al, 2008).…”

“…Other scholars considered this occurrence without synchronous folding (Wan, 2006; Wan & Zhu, 1991) and magmatism (Shu, 2012; Yu et al, 2007); only a tectonic reactivation develops during the Early Palaeozoic. The second debate is on the kinematics and timing of ductile shearing in the study area (Deng, Luo, Lou, Liao, & Ling, 2002; Li, Lin, et al, 2016; Li, Zhang, et al, 2016; Shu et al, 1996; Xu et al, 2015, 2018; Yu et al, 2011). Several scholars believed that the Early Palaeozoic shear zone underwent early syn‐orogenic thrusting and superimposed post‐orogenic strike‐slip shearing during the Early Palaeozoic orogeny (Charvet et al, 2010; Chu & Lin, 2014; Gong, Chen, Wang, Liu, & Meng, 2016; Xu et al, 2015, 2018).…”

“…The second debate is on the kinematics and timing of ductile shearing in the study area (Deng, Luo, Lou, Liao, & Ling, 2002; Li, Lin, et al, 2016; Li, Zhang, et al, 2016; Shu et al, 1996; Xu et al, 2015, 2018; Yu et al, 2011). Several scholars believed that the Early Palaeozoic shear zone underwent early syn‐orogenic thrusting and superimposed post‐orogenic strike‐slip shearing during the Early Palaeozoic orogeny (Charvet et al, 2010; Chu & Lin, 2014; Gong, Chen, Wang, Liu, & Meng, 2016; Xu et al, 2015, 2018). Several scholars indicated that the Early Palaeozoic ductile deformation with strike‐slip shearing and thrusting synchronously occurs (Li, Lin, et al, 2016; Li, Lin, Xing, Jiang, & Xia, 2017; Li, Zhang, et al, 2016; Shu, Wang, Cawood, Santosh, & Xu, 2015; Wang et al, 2015).…”