Early Paleozoic Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana 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

Volume 37 Issue 3

Jun 2026

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Journal of Earth Science > 2026 > 37(3): 1166-1178.

Min Zhang, Yan Liu, Huafeng Qin, Jinhua Li, Yifei Hou, Bitian Wei, Wei Liu, Linhao Cui, Xingliang Zhang, Chenglong Deng, Yongxin Pan. Early Paleozoic Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana Revealed by Early Silurian Remagnetization. Journal of Earth Science, 2026, 37(3): 1166-1178. 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. Early Paleozoic Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana Revealed by Early Silurian Remagnetization. Journal of Earth Science, 2026, 37(3): 1166-1178. 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. Early Paleozoic Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana Revealed by Early Silurian Remagnetization. Journal of Earth Science, 2026, 37(3): 1166-1178. doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

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Early Paleozoic Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana Revealed by Early Silurian Remagnetization

doi: 10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z

Min Zhang^{1
,
,
,},
Yan Liu^2
,,
Huafeng Qin^{3, 4, 5
,},
Jinhua Li^{2, 4
,},
Yifei Hou^3
,,
Bitian Wei^3
,,
Wei Liu^6
,,
Linhao Cui^7
,,
Xingliang Zhang^6
,,
Chenglong Deng^{3, 4
,},
Yongxin Pan^{1, 4
,}

1.
Key Laboratory of Planetary Science and Frontier Technology, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, 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 of 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
7.
Hunan Geological Museum, Changsha 410004, China

More Information

Corresponding author: Min Zhang, zhangm@mail.iggcas.ac.cn
Received Date: 23 Jun 2025
Accepted Date: 29 Oct 2025
Issue Publish Date: 30 Jun 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 the South China Block (SCB) and Gondwana. Here, we performed rock-magnetic, mineralogical and paleomagnetic analyses on the Ediacaran and Cambrian strata in the 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 carrier, 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 northwestern 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,
- structural geology

Electronic Supplementary Materials: Supplementary materials (Figures S1–S2; Tables S1–S4) are available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-025-0394-z.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Early Paleozoic Affiliation between South China Block and Gondwana Revealed by Early Silurian Remagnetization

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