The Formation and Deformational Characteristics of East Asia Multi-Direction Convergent Tectonic System in Late Jurassic

Abstract

The accumulation of new data of plate tectonics and high-resolution isotopic dating brings on the profound understanding of the tectonic events in eastern China during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous.The simultaneous opening of three major global oceans during Late Jurassic(since 165±5 Ma) and subduction of paleo-Pacific,Neo-Tethys and Mongolia-Okhotsk oceans around East Asia,forms Yanshanian multi-direction compressional and convergent tectonic system in eastern China and East Asia,which is named as East Asian multi-direction convergent tectonic system(i.e.,East Asia Convergence).The East Asia Convergence initiates the classical Yanshan Movement,resulting in characteristic deformation styles in East China.The stable Ordos and Sichuan blocks compose the two rigid continental cores in the system,with Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous multi-direction compressional deformation and foreland basins formed around them.Additionally,the East Asia Convergence affects the intra-plate deformation in east and central Asia during Yanshan movement,forms conjugated NS compressional Mongolian Arc of strike-slip and thrust fault system,and intracontinental Yanshan-Yinshan and Dabieshan-Dabashan orogenes.The East Asia Convergence,with profound global tectonic settings and dynamic origin,is an important scientific topic.