Neoproterozoic South China Palaeocontinents: An overview

Key words: 
• South China

Abstract: Numerous studies have been conducted in recent years on the Neoproterozoic South China palaeocontinents, and notable advances are generalized in the following aspects, including: (1) advances in the researches of the Neoproterozoic Nanhua rifting related to the evolution of the South China palaeocontinents, Chang’anian and Nantuoan glaciation and sedimentary events, and stratigraphic division and correlation of the Banxi Group, and (2) progress towards the researches of volcanicmagmatic events associated with the palaeocontinental evolution and concomitant studies of lithogeochemistry, isotope geochemistry and chronology. In view of the current status of research, the authors in this paper present a detailed review of the researches of Neoproterozoic South China palaeocontinents, especially the stratigraphic division and correlation of the wedgeshaped strata above the JinningSibao unconformity and the ages of the metamorphic rocks beneath the unconformity, the attributes of sedimentary basins, sedimentary evolution and tectonic settings. The authors have also been looking forward to greater progress in the studies of the abovementioned fields in the near future.