| Abstract: | Abstract The original locations and relationships of four plates within the mainland of China from 800 to 600 Ma during the terminal Precambrian were reconstructed based on the palaeomagnetic and geological data. The Tarim, Yangtze and Cathaysian plates were once linked (in 800-700 Ma) and located in the same low-latitude zone of the northern hemisphere. But later, in 700-600 Ma, the Tarim plate was separated from the Yangtze-Cathaysian plate. The Sino-Korean plate was always far away from the Yangtze plate, both being separated by oceanic crust, and lay in the high-latitude zone of the northern hemisphere. The above-mentioned palaeogeographic framework directly led to complete differences in respect to distribution of low- latitude glaciation, sedimentary facies, palaeoclimate, palaeobiogeography and stratigraphic sections between the North and South China domains during the terminal Precambrian. |
