Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic revealed by early Silurian remagnetization

Min Zhang; Yan Liu; Huafeng Qin; Jinhua Li; Yifei Hou; Bitian Wei; Wei Liu; Linhao Cui; Xingliang Zhang; Chenglong Deng; Yongxin Pan

doi:10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

Article Contents

Journal of Earth Science > 2026 > Accepted Manuscript

Min Zhang, Yan Liu, Huafeng Qin, Jinhua Li, Yifei Hou, Bitian Wei, Wei Liu, Linhao Cui, Xingliang Zhang, Chenglong Deng, Yongxin Pan. Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic revealed by early Silurian remagnetization. Journal of Earth Science. doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

Citation:

Min Zhang, Yan Liu, Huafeng Qin, Jinhua Li, Yifei Hou, Bitian Wei, Wei Liu, Linhao Cui, Xingliang Zhang, Chenglong Deng, Yongxin Pan. Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic revealed by early Silurian remagnetization. Journal of Earth Science. doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

Citation:

Min Zhang, Yan Liu, Huafeng Qin, Jinhua Li, Yifei Hou, Bitian Wei, Wei Liu, Linhao Cui, Xingliang Zhang, Chenglong Deng, Yongxin Pan. Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic revealed by early Silurian remagnetization. Journal of Earth Science. doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

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Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic revealed by early Silurian remagnetization

doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

1 Key Laboratory of Planetary Science and Frontier Technology, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing, China
2 Key Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China,
3 State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric and Environmental Coevolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
4 College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy Sciences, Beijing 101400, China
5 Beijing National Observatory of Space Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
6 State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Early Life and Environment, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China

Funds:

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 42388101 and 42225402).

Available Online: 14 Apr 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Paleogeographic reconstruction provides a key surface boundary condition for the study of many first-order Earth systems and geodynamic processes. However, scarcity of robust Early Paleozoic paleomagnetic data leads to a controversial reconstruction between South China Block (SCB) and Gondwana. Here, we performed rock-magnetic, mineralogical and paleomagnetic analyses on the Ediacaran and Cambrian strata in Jiulongwan and Gunshi’ao sections in the Three Gorges area, Hubei province in South China. Rock-magnetic and mineralogical analyses suggested that the secondary magnetite - formed via pyrite oxidation - is the main remanence carriers, recording a post-tilting remagnetization event associated with fluid alterations. Paleomagnetic measurements showed a new Early Silurian paleopole (5.0° N, 194.1° E, A₉₅ = 3.0°) from the overprinted Ediacaran-Cambrian carbonates. These results indicated that the SCB was positioned in the equatorial region during the Early Silurian. Comparison of the Early Paleozoic apparent polar wander paths between the SCB and Gondwana further suggests that the SCB was united to northwest Australia, part of Gondwana, from late Cambrian to early Devonian. These findings refine the paleogeographic reconstructions of the Early Silurian and favor the proximity between South China and Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic.
- Early Silurian,
- remagnetization,
- South China block,
- Ediacaran-Cambrian carbonates