PALAEOTECTONIC SETTINGS AND THE TYPES OF TECTONOSEDIMENTARY BASINS IN THE UPPER AND MIDDLE YANGTZE REGIONS,SOUTHERN CHINA

The Carboniferous tectonics inherited the post-Caledonian tectonic framework in the Upper and Middle Yangtze regions, southern China. Six types of tectono-sedimentary basins are recognized in accordance with tectonic characteristics, sedimentary formations, sedimentary facies differences, biologic assemblages, basement structures, magmatism and associated mineral resources, They are:Type a-the passive continental margin basin with a unilateral steep slope; Type b-the shallow stable intracratonic basin; Type c-the uniclinal steplike extensional basin; Type d-the extensional basin with intracontinental rifts; Type e-the uniclinal relic trough basin, and Type f-the intracontinental basin. As a reference, the present paper has provided the significant geologic records for the study of the tectonic evolution and basin-controlled mineral resources in southern China.