Dynamic palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Wuchiapingian Stage (Lopingian, Late Permian) for the South China Block

As an important tool in natural resource exploration, palaeogeography provides a portrayal of deep time Earth. The South China Block located in the eastern Palaeotethys includes multiple natural resources (e.g., coal, shale gas, bauxite, etc.) in the Permian, which are well known for their important economic significance. In this paper, data gathered from literature amount to 431 stratigraphic sections of Wuchiapingian age from South China. These data were quantitatively analyzed and dynamically reconstructed in the global context under the revised plate motion model by GPlates software for the first time. A schematic 3-D model was constructed based on the high-resolution reconstructions in this paper, showing two relatively large highlands developed in the South China Block during the Wuchiapingian, including the Kangdian Highland in the west and the Cathaysia Highland in the east and a small Yunkai Highland in the south. A broad platform-dominated depositional system with small uplifts and depressions was developed between these two highlands. These reconstructions show great potential to explore enriched coal seams and shale gas in the peripheral areas of the two ancient highlands in the west and east of the South China Block. Based on the dynamic evolution of this depositional system, South China experienced an overall sea-level rise with frequent secondary transgressions and regressions during the Wuchiapingian. This is in contrast to the widespread continental and evaporite deposits on much of Pangea and its surrounding margins after the end-Guadalupian global regression. Compilation of conodont biostratigraphic data suggest that the temporal and spatial constraints on the unconformity across the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary (GLB) resulted from Dongwu Uplift movement. The regression began during the Jinogondolella shannoni Zone and ended in the Clarkina leveni Zone, but the response time varies in different localities of South China. These results provide detailed information about sea-level eustacy, tectonic uplift, sedimentary hiatus, resource accumulation and palaeoclimate change from the South China Block during the Wuchiapingian. •Quantitative and dynamical reconstruction of South China palaeogeography.•Platform-dominated depositional system was developed between the two highlands.•Great natural resources potentials in the peripheral areas of the two highlands.•The end-Guadalupian sedimentary hiatus varied identified by biostratigraphy.