Position of the Tarim Craton in Gondwana: Constraints from Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic strata in South Tarim, NW China

Some Asian blocks were welded into Gondwana, whereas their positions in Gondwana are controversial, especially the Tarim Craton. This is mainly because the Tarim Craton is largely occupied by the Taklamakan desert and only a few rocks crop out along its margins. In this study, we investigate previously little-studied early Neoproterozoic to late Silurian strata, compile up-to-date published data in South Tarim and compare provenance between potential terranes to locate the position of the Tarim Craton in Gondwana. In South Tarim, detrital zircons are characterized by two prominent peaks at 950-750 and 550-450 Ma. Their epsilon(Hf(t)) values range from -20 to 10 (72% negative values) and 12 to 5 (75% negative values), respectively. In West Australia, two main peaks at 700-500 and 1200-1100 Ma characterize Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic strata and the 950-750 Ma population featuring South Tarim is absent. In Arabia-Iran, zircons from Neoproterozoic-Ordovician strata are characterized by 1000-500 Ma ages with a main peak at ca. 660 Ma and predominantly positive epsilon(Hf(t)) values (65%). Instead, zircons from Neoproterozoic-Ordovician strata in North India are dominated by two main peaks at 1000-800 and 600-490 Ma. Their epsilon(Hf(t)) values range from -20 to 10 (66% negative values), and - 15 to 5 (77% negative values), respectively. Therefore, well comparable age spectra and Hf isotopic compositions suggest a close linkage of South Tarim and North India in Gondwana. Additionally, our results also identify Mesoproterozoic basement rocks in the South Western Kunlun Terrane, southwestern Tarim. The 487 +/- 7 Ma andesitic lava sample with epsilon(Hf(t)) values clustering 10 to 15 formed during retreating subduction indicates that the northward subduction of the Proto-Tethys oceanic lithosphere initiated prior to 487 +/- 7 Ma

Automated summary

The study reveals a close connection between South Tarim and North India in Gondwana, as well as the presence of Mesoproterozoic basement rocks in the South Western Kunlun Terrane. The northward subduction of the Proto-Tethys oceanic lithosphere was initiated prior to 487+/-7 Ma, as indicated by the andesitic lava sample with epsilon(Hf(t)) values clustering 10 to 15.