Reinterpretation of the Guangxian Orogeny

The Guangxian Orogeny, as an important concept on geology of South China, was created 70 years ago. It is generally regarded as an erogenic movement caused by the convergence of the Cathaysian and Yangtze blocks at the end of Silurian. Based on the recent progress of the geological research on Guangxi and adjacent areas, western Guangxi and Liuzhou-Heshan area of central Guangxi may belong to a stable block of Early Paleozoic. The Guangxian Orogeny originated from the northward translation of the Yunkai Block on its south at the end of Cambrian, and formed the Damingshan-Dayaoshan fold belt between the two blocks. It was possibly related with the Late Pan-African Orogeny. The convergence of the Cathaysian and Yangtze blocks occurred in Late Ordovician to Early Silurian and mainly had effect on Hunan and Jiangxi provinces. The term "Chongyu Orogeny" may be suitable for it. At the end of Silurian orogenic movement did not occur in this area.