Progress in the study of the Early Paleozoic Kunlun orogenic belt

The authors have analyzed the data obtained from 1∶250000 regional geological surveys carried out in the Kunlun Mountains since 1999. According to the analysis, combined with previous research results, they indicate that the East and West Kunlun underwent Early Paleozoic orogeny. On the basis of the nature and modes of occurrence of mafic-ultramafic and their associated sedimentary and magmatic formations, coupled with the outcropping conditions Precambrian strata and thermometamorphic even, the Early Paleozoic Kunlun orogenic belt may be divided into three major tectonic units. The Central Kunlun orogenic belt is an Early Paleozoic magmatic arc. The northern part is a system of backarc basin sedimentary and magmatic formations composed of the Kuda-Qimanyute-Qimantag mafic-ultramafic belt, Tanjianshan Group and Ordovician-Silurian undivided strata and some other related marginal sediments; and the southern part is a fore-arc flysch accretionary wedge complex composed of the Liushitag-Tumuleke-Urt mafic-ultramafic rocks, Naij Tal Group and Wenquangou Group.