The division of tectonic units of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent regions

The division of tectonic units of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent regions is currently not only the key to studying the minute configuration of plate tectonics but also a basic theoretical problem of studying the intraplate tectonics. Based on the previous work, combined with the results of the new-round 1:250,000 regional geological survey, the framework of tectonic units of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent regions is proposed according to the understanding that the formation of the archipelagic arc-basin system is the indication of transformation of the oceanic lithosphere to continental lithosphere. The first-order units comprise arc-arc, arc-continent, continent-continent collision zones and the continental blocks and/or magmatic arcs sandwiched in these zones. Three domains are separated by the south Kunlun suture zone and Bangong Co-Nujiang suture zones (linked to Changning menglian suture zones southly). From the north to south, the three domains as follow: 1) Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun tectonic domain is mainly composed of pan-Cathaysian continental terranes and the Early Paleozoic magmatic arcs and suture zones, 2) the Qingtang-Sanjing( Jinsha, Lancang and Nujiang rivers) tetonic domain is primary consisted of pan-Cathaysian continental fragments and the Late Paleozoic-Triassic magmatic arcs and suture zones, 3)the Gangdise-Himalaya tectonic domain is dominantly made of Gondwana continental fragments and the Late Paleozoic-Paleogene magmatic arcs and suture zones.The blue print above the tectonic units is not only great academic significance to the geological science research but also practical value to the regional geological survey and mineral deposit perspective on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent regions.