Proterozoic blueschist belt in western China: Best documented Precambrian blueschists in the world

Geochemistry and SHRIMP U–Pb zircon geochronology of the Korla mafic dykes: Constrains on the Neoproterozoic continental breakup in the Tarim Block, northwest China

“…Aksu mafic dykes with U-Pb zircon ages of 807 , 785 (Zhan et al, 2007) or 759 Ma (Zhang et al, 2009a) intruded the Mesoproterozoic Aksu Group, which are unconformably overlain by the Neoproterozoic strata in the Aksu area, northwest Tarim (Liou et al, 1989(Liou et al, , 1996Nakajima et al, 1990;Zheng et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2009c). In the southern part of the Kuruktag uplift, three SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages of 824, 777 and 773 Ma for the mafic dykes have recently been obtained by Zhang et al (2009a,b).…”

“…The enrichment of the mantle source by subduction components might be related to the ancient subduction processes along the northern margin of the Tarim Block. Relics of Neoproterozoic blueschist in the Aksu blueschist terrain are indicative of the operation of the subduction processes although controversy about the timing of high-pressure metamorphism related to the subduction still exists (Liou et al, 1989(Liou et al, , 1996Nakajima et al, 1990;Chen et al, 2004;Zheng et al, 2010).…”

Lawsonite blueschist in Northern Qilian, NW China: P–T pseudosections and petrologic implications

“…For examples, the Aksu $750 Ma blueschist in western China, may be the oldest blueschist belt in the world (Liou et al, 1989a;Zhang et al, 1999). The North Qilian lawsonite blueschist is well preserved.…”

Integrated Provenance Analysis of a Complex Orogenic Terrane: Mesozoic Uplift of the Bogda Shan and Inception of the Turpan-Hami Basin, NW China

“…Fragmentary ophiolites and blueschist-facies metamorphism have been interpreted to record the subduction of oceanic crust between the NTS and Central Tian Shan (CTS; Liou et al 1989;Wang et al 1990). The North Tian Shan fault, a Cenozoic feature with significant rightlateral strike-slip displacement, corresponds approximately to the inferred suture between these elements (Nelson et al 1987;Allen et al 1992;Laurent-Charvet et al 2002).…”