Detrital zircons record the evolution of the Cathaysian Coastal Mountains along the South China margin

• DOI: 10.1111/bre.12636
• Publication Date: 2021-11-14T16:59:20Z
• Authors: Yan Chen; Jun Meng; Hao Liu; Chengshan Wang; Ming Tang; Tao Liu; Yinan Zhao
• Keywords: Continental Margin

Abstract The Cathaysian Coastal Mountains are thought to be an ancient high‐topographic feature that existed along the margin of South China. They characterised by extensive Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatism; however, their formation mechanism and timing remains uncertain. In this paper, we present sedimentological detrital zircon analyses from Cretaceous–Eocene strata drainage sediments Hainan Island. Our show a change in provenance proximal arc source Cretaceous widely distributed intra‐island granite Eocene modern river sediments. Reconstruction crustal thickness evolution for China Eu/Eu*‐in‐zircon proxy shows significant thickening during Late Jurassic–Cretaceous, thereby suggesting existence Mountains. Together with compilation U‐Pb ages northern basins Sea margin, conclude extended Red River region Taiwan then collapsed/eroded northeast southwest Eocene–Miocene. This large mountain range supplied marginal formed topographic barrier prohibited moist Pacific air reach relatively arid inland area Jurassic–Cretaceous.