Abstract: This paper deals with palaeomagnetic reconstruction of Guizhou in Southwest China. It is evident that the South China block drifted episodically northwards or southwards during its geological evolution. Being a part of the South China block, Guizhou is thought to be placed around 24° north latitude during the Late Devonian. Until well into the Early Carboniferous, the South China block continued to drift southwards to 15.1° north latitude during the Tangbagou stage, then returned northwards to 19.4° north latitude during the Xiangbai stage, migrated southwards again to 8.7° north latitude during the late Datang stage. and lastly to 7.8° north latitude during the Late Carboniferous. The block may be close to the equator during the Permian, and subsequently moved towards the southern hemisphere. It once migrated dramatically between 20° and 30° north latitude from Middle Triassic to Jurassic times. It follows that the drifting of the block may be regarded as a leading factor controlling the distribution of reefs and ore deposits, especially the bauxite deposits.
Detailed magnetic study may also serve as a useful tool for palaeogeographic reconstruction.