Correlation of Pre-Jurassic sections of ancient continents and microcontinents in East Asia

Abstract

Between the Siberian and north China platforms, within the Mongol-Okhotsk fold belt there are a series of ancient massifs (microcontinents), whose origin is not yet known. Combined with available data, the author's studies support the conclusion that the Siberian and north China continents, as well as the Tuvin-Mongolian and central Mongolian microcontinents constituted a unified supercontinent in Early Riphean. The formation of the Paleoasian and Mongol-Okhotsk oceans resulted in its disintegration in Late Riphean. Other Precambrian massifs of this region such as Near Argun, Jiamusi-Bureya, South Gobi and Xingkai are allochthonous terranes of an unknown origin and age. The structures of their basement and sedimentary cover are not similar to those of the Siberian and north China platforms.