Using detrital zircon to reconstruct Neoproterozoic crustal thickness variation in the northwestern margin of the Yangtze Block.

ABSTRACT: Trace element geochemistry and chronology of zircon are reliable tools for reconstructing sediment provenance and crustal evolution, particularly in contexts where early crustal and rock records are sparse. We hereby employ in-situ U-Pb dating of Neoproterozoic detrital zircons to refine our understanding of sediment sources, tectonic settings, and crustal evolution along the northwestern margin of the Yangtze Block. Detrital zircons from the Doushantuo and Dengying formations exhibit similar Neoproterozoic age distributions (700-950 Ma). The lithology of the zircon source rocks correlates with the bimodal volcanic rocks extensively developed in the Micangshan-Hannan region along the Yangtze Block's northwestern margin. Using Eu/Eu* ratios derived from detrital zircons, we reconstructed cr

SUBMITTER: Gu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12022102 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature