The Yangtze Block exemplifies the gradual formation of cratons since the Archean, and its pre-Neoproterozoic basement constitution needs to be clarified by a study of the combination of spatiotemporal relationship, geochemistry, and radiogenic isotopes of pre-Neoproterozoic rocks within and around the continent. It is suggested that the Yangtze Block could be divided into the north (NYB) and south (SYB) parts before the Neoproterozoic due to distinct rock configuration and tectonic evolution. The NYB consists of extensive Archean lithosphere and witnessed nascent stage (~2.0 Ga) of Columbia (Nuna)-assembly tectonics and was less involved in subsequent supercontinent breakup. It was then surrounded by a series of early Neoproterozoic (1.0–0.93 Ga) intra-oceanic accretionary system, which facilitated the tectonic emplacement of ~1.1–0.95 Ga ophiolite suites and the accretion of allochthonous terranes. The SYB, as well as the south Qinling Orogenic Belt and western Cathaysia Block, in part or in whole, may serve as one of the accretionary terranes around the NYB. These accreted terranes were generally involved in the extensional tectonics in response to the breakup of Columbia supercontinent, with the post-1.5 Ga rift locally evolved to seafloor spreading as evidenced by the occurrences of relic oceanic lithosphere in some areas. We highlight the progressive continental growth from a large-scale, long-term continental rifting during Columbia breakup to subsequent Rodinia-assembly-related tectonics around the NYB. The former stage is characterized by the consuming of ancient continental lithosphere and creation of thick, juvenile volcanic-sedimentary rocks within continents (failed rift) or along passive margins (successful rift). In contrast, the latter stage may have driven the subduction–accretion of allochthonous rift terranes around the NYB and promoted the emplacement of circum-NYB 1.1–0.9 Ga ophiolite suites and island-arc units. We suggest that the significant mantle input in both extension and convergence stages and the successive lateral accretion of terranes may have contributed to the continental growth and reshaping of the Yangtze Block.

扬子地块是自太古宙以来克拉通逐渐形成的例证，其前新生代基底构造需要通过对时空关系，地球化学以及该大陆及其周围新前生代岩石的放射性同位素的研究加以阐明。由于新石器时代岩石构造和构造演化的不同，建议将扬子地块划分为新元古代之前的北部（NYB）和南部（SYB）部分。NYB由广泛的太古代岩石圈组成，并见证了哥伦比亚（努纳）组装构造的新生阶段（〜2.0 Ga），并且很少参与随后的超大陆破裂。然后，它被一系列的新元古代（1.0-0.93 Ga）洋内增生系统所包围，这有利于构造构造〜1.1-0。95 Ga蛇绿岩套件和异形地体的增加。SYB以及南部的秦岭造山带和西部的华夏地块可能是NYB周围增生的地层之一。这些增生的地层通常响应于哥伦比亚超大陆的破裂而参与伸展构造，其后1.5 Ga裂谷局部演化为海底扩散，这在某些地区出现了遗迹性的海洋岩石圈。我们强调了大陆的逐渐增长，从哥伦比亚解体期间的大规模，长期大陆裂谷到随后纽约州周围与罗迪尼亚组装相关的构造。前一个阶段的特征是消耗了古代大陆岩石圈并形成了厚厚的 大陆内部（失败的裂谷）或被动边缘（成功的裂谷）的幼年火山沉积岩。相比之下，后一阶段可能推动了NYB附近异相裂谷的俯冲-增生，并促进了周围NYB 1.1-0.9 Ga蛇绿岩套件和岛弧单元的安放。我们认为，在扩张和收敛阶段，大量的地幔输入以及连续的地表横向增生可能有助于长江三角洲的大陆增长和重塑。