Reinterpretation of the Guangxian Orogeny

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