Early Jurassic initiation of the modern drainage pattern of the Dabie orogen (East China) revealed by a multi‐proxy provenance approach

• DOI: 10.1111/bre.12834
• Publication Date: 2023-12-01T08:54:16Z
• Authors: Tao Deng; Xiumian Hu; David Chew; Jan Schönig; Anlin Ma; Wendong Liang; Foteini Drakou
• Keywords: Phengite

Abstract The timing of the initiation present‐day tectonic architecture and drainage systems in eastern China remains debated. This study presents a comprehensive provenance Early Jurassic peripheral basins surrounding Dabie orogen including framework petrography, heavy‐mineral analysis, single‐grain chronology chemistry. Clasts high‐grade schist, muscovite grains, rare gneissic fragments, abundant metamorphic garnet phengite (Si > 3.3 pfu), combined with main 216–256 Ma rutile U–Pb population found these sandstones, indicate source from Triassic (U)HP belt orogen. Sedimentary lithics ultra‐stable assemblages an additional recycled sedimentary rocks. Combined continuous shift youngest detrital age toward younger ages north that mimics pattern bedrock orogen, we infer present surface paleodrainage patterns were established Jurassic. Thus, exhumation marked development watershed between Northern Southern China, namely Huai River several principal tributary middle‐lower Yangtze River.