FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLY PALAEOZOIC CARBONATE PLATFORM IN SOUTHERN CHINA

The Early Palaeozoic carbonate platform in southern China shows a long and complex history with a complete dynamic evolution of the Welson cycle,spanning the initiation,development and termination due to extensional rifting of the Yangtze plate,tectonic thermal subsidence of the passive continental margins,and foreland warping. This huge carbonate platform was finally died and buried by thick piles of siliciclastic rocks trom the Cathaysian plate,and now is interpreted as a potential area for the prospecting and exploration of oil and gas resources.