Evolution of the Precambrian Continental Crust in Eastern China

Based on 1143 Sm-Nd analytical data, the Precambrian continental crustal accretion and evolution in eastern China are discussed in this paper. Eastern China is generally subdivided into five geological units. From north to south these are: the Xiangʹan Fold Belt, North China Block, Qinling Fold Belt, Yangtze Block and Cathaysian Block. The most important crust-mantle fractionation of the North China Block occurred in the Archaean, whereas that of the other terrains of eastern China took place in the Proterozoic. The Nd isotopic character in the North China Block is similar to that of the Tarim Block of western China and the Aldan Shield of Arabia, but is different from the other terrains of eastern China. There may be several micronucleii in the North China Block which are Eoarchaean and Palaeoarchaean in age. They are the oldest crustal remnants, and around these micronucleii, the lateral and vertical growth, including underplating and overplating, occurred. At least four important stages of Precambrian accretion of the North China Block are identified. We propose here a multi-cycle model of Precambrian continental accretion.