Changes in the palaeoenvironment are investigated in two representative Frasnian sections of the NW Algerian Sahara, integrating sedimentology and magnetic susceptibility (MS). The Ben Zireg section is characterized by condensed and ferruginous calcareous deposits; in the South Marhouma section the sedimentation rate is high, dominated by muddy nodular limestones with several hypoxic shale intervals. In both sections, sediments were mostly emplaced on pelagic outer ramps below the limit of storm wave-base, evolving through time from proximal to distal setting. Investigations of the temporal evolution of facies and MS data permit a first estimate of the local sea-level trends in NW Algeria. These trends match the overall long-term rise of sea level recognized worldwide from Frasnian Zone 5 upwards. Noteable positive excursions of the sea-level curve related to the semichatovae transgression, as well as to the late Frasnian transgression prior to the late Kellwasser event, can be established in this area. Although the sharp regression of sea level at the upper Kellwasser level can be confirmed from our data, no particular trend is depicted at the transition of conodont zones (Frasnian Zones 12–13) where the presence of the lower Kellwasser level has not yet been clearly recognized.

We investigate the formation and deformation of transfer zones and their impact on sedimentation during multiphase rifting using a three-dimensional seismic dataset in the Baxian Sag, the onshore part of the Bohai Bay Basin, northern China. The fault system in the study area is dominated by two arcuate, opposing boundary faults, that is, the Niudong and Maxi faults, which form an S-type fault system which does not link together. The fault system and structural-stratigraphic features between the Eocene and Oligocene syn-rift sequences were distinctly different during the Palaeogene rifting. These differences allow us to identify the two-phase transfer zones: (1) a NW–SE-trending Eocene transfer zone linking the NW-tilted Baxian Block and the SE-tilted Raoyang Block , and (2) the N–S-trending Oligocene transfer zone forming along the central part of the S-type fault system between the two inward kinks, and linking S-tilted and N-tilted fault blocks. The two-phase transfer zones comprise transverse boundary fault segments and fault styles which are related to strike-slip motion. The strike-slip faults occurred in the sequence where the transfer zone formed. The transfer zones significantly influenced the syn-rift sediments, drainage catchments and reservoir properties during the periods when they formed, and the two-phase transfer zones represent favourable positions for hydrocarbon accumulation in the Eocene and Oligocene sequences, respectively.

This special issue of Geological Magazine is dedicated to the memory of Dr Alan Gilbert Smith, Fellow of St John's College and Emeritus Reader in Geology at the University of Cambridge, who passed away on 13 August 2017 at the age of 80. I first met Alan at the 5th International Symposium on Eastern Mediterranean Geology in Thessaloniki, Greece, in spring 2004 and later on several occasions when I was working on the Cambridge Arctic Shelf Programme (CASP) in Cambridge. The palaeotectonic evolution of Greece was one of our common interests. Alan was one of the pathfinders in palaeogeographic research in the 20th century. Together with Sir Edward Bullard (1907–1980) and Jim E. Everett, he published the first computational approach in palaeogeography in their famous paper ‘The fit of the continents around the Atlantic’ (Bullard, Everett & Smith, 1965), which shows a very accurate geometrical fit of the circum-Atlantic continents using the early Cambridge University EDSAC 2 computer. Later, in a contribution in Nature entitled ‘The fit of the southern continents’, Smith & Hallam (1970) presented the first computer fit of the contour of the southern continents forming Gondwanaland. Worth mentioning also are his detailed palaeogeographical maps of the entire Earth, down to epoch level (e.g. Smith, Briden & Drewry 1973; Smith, Hurley & Briden 1981) and his work on the first three editions of A Geologic Time Scale (Harland et al.1982, 1990; Gradstein, Ogg & Smith 2005). Alan's great achievements in the Earth sciences have stimulated new ideas and had a huge impact on geological research, including palaeogeography.

The granitic rocks of the Tarim large igneous province (LIP) are temporally and spatially related to mafic intrusions. However, their tectonic setting and genetic relationship are debated. Here, we report geochemical, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic results for three alkali feldspar granitic plutons in the Halajun area, western margin of the Tarim Block. Zircon U–Pb ages suggest these plutons were emplaced at 268–275 Ma, coeval with the neighbouring mafic–ultramafic complexes and syenitic rocks. These granitic rocks have high contents of SiO2, alkalis, Rb, Th, Zr and REE (except Eu), and high ratios of FeO*/MgO and Ga/Al, and show strong depletions in Ba, Sr, Eu, which are commonly observed in the A1-type granites. Zircon Hf isotopes reveal a limited range of εHf(t) values from −1.0 to +3.5 for different samples from three granitic plutons, obviously higher than those (mostly <0) of the mafic rocks. This distinct difference, along with a Daly gap and small volume of mafic rocks, argues against extreme fractionation of mafic magma as the main origin of the A1-type granites. Instead the A1-type granites were most likely derived from partial melting of newly underplated rocks triggered by the upwelling asthenosphere, followed by extensive fractionation. These A1-type granites were emplaced within an anorogenic setting during the late stage of the Tarim LIP, which possibly lasts for more than 30 Ma. The Piqiang mafic–ultramafic complex directly stemmed from asthenospheric mantle and Halajun A1-type granites represent two manners of vertical crustal growth.

Geochronological, major and trace element, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data are reported for the monzonitic rocks of the Fushan pluton in the Taihang Mountains, central North China Craton, in order to investigate their sources, petrogenesis and tectonic implications. Zircon U–Pb dating results reveal that the Fushan pluton was emplaced during the Early Cretaceous (∼126–124 Ma). The monzonites and quartz monzonites are mainly characterized by calc-alkaline and magnesian features and display light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment and flat heavy REE (HREE) patterns with slightly positive Eu anomalies. They have similar whole-rock initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70653–0.70819), εNd(t) values (−13.6 to −18.6) and zircon εHf(t) values (−21.8 to −17.3). The primary magma of the Fushan pluton was derived from the partial melting of a spinel-facies amphibole-bearing ancient enriched lithospheric mantle. The monzonitic rocks also have high Ba–Sr and low Y and Yb contents, with high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios. These geochemical features of monzonitic rocks are not only inherited from the magma source but also significantly enhanced by crystal fractionation during magmatic evolution; e.g. hornblende fractionation increased the Ba–Sr concentrations and Sr/Y ratios. During the Early Cretaceous, the slab sinking and roll-back of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate could have created an ancient big mantle wedge beneath East Asia and induced a lithospheric extensional process in the central North China Craton within an intracontinental setting.

The field of provenance analysis has seen a revival in the last decade as quantitative data-acquisition techniques continue to develop. In the 20th century, many heavy-mineral data were collected. These data were mostly used as qualitative indications for stratigraphy and provenance, and not incorporated in a quantitative provenance methodology. Even today, such data are mostly only used in classic data tables or cumulative heavy-mineral plots as a qualitative indication of variation. The main obstacle to rigorous statistical analysis is the compositional nature of these data which makes them unfit for standard multivariate statistics. To gain more information from legacy data, a straightforward workflow for quantitative analysis of compositional datasets is provided. First (1) a centred log-ratio transformation of the data is carried out to fix the constant-sum constraint and non-negativity of the compositional data. Next, (2) cluster analysis is followed by (3) principal component analysis and (4) bivariate log-ratio plots. Several (5) proxies for the effects of sorting and weathering are included to check the provenance significance of observed variations and finally a (6) spatial interpolation of a provenance proxy extracted from the dataset can be carried out. To test this methodology, available heavy-mineral data from the southern edge of the Miocene North Sea Basin are analysed. The results are compared with available information from literature and are used to gain improved insight into Miocene sediment input variations in the study area.

Late Carboniferous magmatism in the Chinese Altai provides an important view of geodynamic processes active during crustal growth in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). In this study, five representative peraluminous granite plutons from the Chinese Altai were selected for systematic geochronological, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic analyses (Table 1). These granites were emplaced between 449 and 327 Ma in an active subduction zone, and have moderate to high SiO2 (66.54–76.13 wt%), moderate Na2O+K2O (6.27–7.66 wt%), and high Al2O3 contents (12.43–16.18 wt%). All granite samples in this study showed significant decoupling of the Nd and Hf isotope systems. Results show negative εNd(t) values (−3.3 to −0.9), and predominantly positive εHf(t) values (+0.24 to +8.01, n=57) except for a few negative εHf(t) values (−7.44 to −0.03, n=9), high Mg# values (28.69–53.33), high Nd/Hf ratios (4.26–43.57), and enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g. Pb, Th, and U), suggesting that the granites were derived from the partial melting of oceanic sediments and the associated mantle wedge, with fractionation of plagioclase, K-feldspar and biotite. In situ zircon Hf isotopic analyses yield negative εHf(t) values from −30.6 to −13.7 for the zircon xenocrysts. The U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic ratios of these zircon xenocrysts were probably inherited from oceanic sediments. Zircon saturation temperatures suggest that these peraluminous granites were emplaced at 537–765°C. We propose that: (1) the Nd isotopic system more faithfully reflects the source of peraluminous magmas in the Chinese Altai than the Hf isotopic system, and (2) the oceanic sediment recycling was an important process during continental growth in the CAOB.

A new xinjiangchelyid turtle, Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi n. gen. n. sp., is described on the basis of skull and shell material from the Upper Jurassic Phu Kradung Formation at Phu Noi locality, Kalasin Province, in NE Thailand. This second xinjiangchelyid turtle from Phu Noi is distinct from Phunoichelys thirakhupti by the smooth shell surface, the presence of a cervical notch, and vertebral 1 narrower than nuchal. The skull presents an arterial system characteristic of the Xinjiangchelyidae (basal Eucryptodira), and its outline is similar to that of Annemys spp. known from the Middle–Late Jurassic of China and Mongolia, but distinct from the latter mainly by the wider triturating surface, smaller foramen palatinum posterius and the shape of the prefrontal and frontal, as well as that of the basisphenoid and basioccipital. Based on the turtle assemblages, the correlation with mainland Asia further supports a Late Jurassic age for the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation where Phu Noi site is located stratigraphically. Our study provides new insight on the evolution of the basal eucryptodiran turtles in Asia.

The δ13C profile from an interval of the Martin Point section in western Newfoundland (Canada) spans the upper Furongian (uppermost Cambrian). The interval (~90 m) is a part of the Green Point Formation of the Cow Head Group and consists of the Martin Point (lower) and the Broom Point (upper) members. It is formed of slope marine carbonates alternating with shales (rhythmites) and conglomeratic interbeds. The preservation of the investigated micritic carbonates was meticulously evaluated by multiple petrographic and geochemical screening tools. The δ13C and δ18O values (−0.5 ± 0.8 ‰VPDB and −7.1 ± 0.3 ‰VPDB, respectively) exhibit insignificant correlation (R2 = 0.002) and similarly the correlation of δ13C values with their Sr and Mn counterparts, which supports the preservation of at least near-primary δ13C signatures that can be utilized to construct a reliable high-resolution carbon-isotope profile for global correlations.

The δ13C profile exhibits two main negative excursions, a lower broad excursion (~3 ‰) that reaches its maximum at ~70 m below the Martin Point / Broom Point members boundary and an upper narrow excursion (~2.5 ‰) immediately below the same boundary. The lower excursion can be correlated with the global latest Furongian HERB event (TOCE), which is also recognized in the C-isotope profile of the GSSP boundary section at Green Point whereas the upper excursion matches with that of the Cambrian‒Ordovician boundary in the same section. The peak of the HERB δ13C excursion is correlated with positive shifts on the Th/U and Ni profiles (redox and productivity proxies).

The Grönhögen-2015 core drilling on southern Öland, Sweden, penetrated 50.15 m of Cambrian Series 3, Furongian and Lower–Middle Ordovician strata. The Cambrian succession includes the Äleklinta Member (upper Stage 5) of the Borgholm Formation and the Alum Shale Formation (Guzhangian–Tremadocian). Agnostoids and trilobites allowed subdivision of the succession into eight biozones, in ascending order: the uppermost Cambrian Series 3 (Guzhangian) Agnostus pisiformis Zone and the Furongian Olenus gibbosus, O. truncatus, Parabolina spinulosa, Sphaerophthalmus? flagellifer, Ctenopyge tumida, C. linnarssoni and Parabolina lobata zones. Conspicuous lithologic unconformities and the biostratigraphy show that the succession is incomplete and that there are several substantial gaps of variable magnitudes. Carbon isotope analyses (δ13Corg) through the Alum Shale Formation revealed two globally significant excursions: the Steptoean Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion (SPICE) in the lower–middle Paibian Stage, and the negative Top of Cambrian Excursion (TOCE), previously referred to as the HERB Event, in Stage 10. The δ13Corg chemostratigraphy is tied directly to the biostratigraphy and used for an improved integration of these excursions with the standard agnostoid and trilobite zonation of Scandinavia. Their relations to that of coeval successions in Baltoscandia and elsewhere are discussed. The maximum amplitudes of the SPICE and TOCE in the Grönhögen succession are comparable to those recorded in drill cores retrieved from Scania, southern Sweden. The results of this study will be useful for assessing biostratigraphic relations between shale successions and carbonate facies on a global scale.

The lithostratigraphic characteristics of the iconic Blue Lias Formation of southern Britain are influenced by sedimentation rates and stratigraphic gaps. Evidence for regular sedimentary cycles is reassessed using logs of magnetic susceptibility from four sites as an inverse proxy for carbonate content. Standard spectral analysis, including allowing for false discovery rates, demonstrates several scales of regular cyclicity in depth. Bayesian probability spectra provide independent confirmation of at least one scale of regular cyclicity at all sites. The frequency ratios between the different scales of cyclicity are consistent with astronomical forcing of climate at the periods of the short eccentricity, obliquity and precession cycles. Using local tuned time scales, 62 ammonite biohorizons have minimum durations of 0.7 to 276 ka, with 94% of them <41 ka. The duration of the Hettangian Stage is ≥2.9 Ma according to data from the West Somerset and Devon/Dorset coasts individually, increasing to ≥3.7 Ma when combined with data from Glamorgan and Warwickshire. A composite time scale, constructed using the tuned time scales plus correlated biohorizon limits treated as time lines, allows for the integration of local stratigraphic gaps. This approach yields an improved duration for the Hettangian Stage of ≥4.1 Ma, a figure that is about twice that suggested in recent time scales.

The Tsenkher structure in the Gobi-Altai, Mongolia is a c. 3.7 km diameter crater with a well-preserved ejecta blanket. It has been hypothesized to be either of impact or volcanic origin in our previous work. Observations during our 2007 expedition and related sample analyses give further support for an impact origin. The evidence includes the presence of a structurally uplifted near-circular rim surrounded by an ejecta blanket, and abundant breccias, some of which are melt- and millimetre-scale spherule-bearing. Planar deformation features (PDFs) were found in one quartz grain in a breccia sample. Fe-rich grains are found in a vesicular melt sample that is also characterized by elevated platinum group element (PGE) abundances with respect to the sedimentary bedrock of the area (approximately an order of magnitude). Noble gas analysis of one breccia sample yielded an elevated 3He/4He value of (5.0±0.2) × 10−6. Although not conclusive alone, these geochemical results are consistent with a contribution of meteoritic components. A volcanic origin, in particular a maar formation, would require explanations for the unusual conditions associated with Tsenkher, including its large size occurring in isolation, the structurally uplifted rim and the lack of a bedded base surge deposit. A pronounced rampart structure observed at the eastern ejecta is also unusual for any volcanic origin. 40Ar–39Ar dating of a vesicular melt sample gives an age of the Tsenkher structure of 4.9±0.9 Ma. The rampart structure could provide insights into the formation of similar ejecta morphologies associated with numerous impact craters on Mars.

The Ordos Basin is the largest and most important intracontinental sedimentary depression in China, and a significant amount of crude oil resources has developed within this Mesozoic formation. High-grade organic-rich shale is prevalent in the large-scale areas of the Chang 7 sedimentary stage and provides essential hydrocarbon resources for abundant oil enrichment in the Mesozoic. This research investigated the geochemical characteristics of Chang 7 shale using core samples and well logs and via laboratory tests. In addition, the microscopic components of the shale organic matter (OM), biological marker compounds, carbon isotopes, enrichment grade of trace elements, and elemental ratio were analysed systematically. Moreover, the aspects related to the shale OM source, sedimentary environment and resource potential were evaluated. Our results revealed that spherical alginate and calcium spherical alginate were predominant in the micropetrological components of the shale. Many biomarkers, including n-alkanes, steranes and terpanes, were detected in the gas chromatography – mass spectrometry spectra. An analysis of n-alkanes, regular sterane shapes (C21−/C22− and C26+C27/C28+C29), odd–even predominance index (OEP) and carbon preference index (CPI) values and carbon isotope distributions showed that OM was produced from aquatic organisms. The indicators of trace elements, such as Sr/Ba and V/V+Ni, combined with the biomarker compound in Pr/Ph and the gammacerane index showed the presence of a semi-deep – deep lake environment containing fresh–brackish water. In addition, the hydrocarbon conversion rate index and shale rock pyrolysis parameters revealed that Chang 7 has a high hydrocarbon generation ability and hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency.

An integration of geochemical and grain association studies were carried out on Middle Permian deposits in central Iran where both cool and warm water carbonates are found. The recrystallization of most bioclasts, lime-mud matrix and ooids along with high Sr contents suggests a probable original aragonite mineralogy for carbonates of the Middle Permian Jamal Formation at the Shotori section. Low bulk carbonate δ18O values imply pervasive diagenetic alteration in this section. Conversely, Middle Permian deposits at the correlative Bagh-e Vang section have a probable calcite precursor supported by low Sr contents and no evidence of recrystallization. This mineralogical variation in these coeval carbonates is considered to be due to the change in depth and temperature of the depositional palaeoenvironment. δ13C values started to rise over 2 ‰ PDB and reached a maximum of 4.3 ‰ PDB at the Wordian–Capitanian boundary at the Bagh-e Vang section. This δ13C rise is attributed to high primary productivity as previously reported in the Capitanian Abadeh Formation in central Iran. The positive δ13C excursion in these sections is correlated with the Capitanian ‘Kamura event’ identified from the mid-Panthalassian sections in Japan. No noticeable positive excursion occurs in the δ13C plot at the Shotori section making the interpretation of palaeo-productivity difficult. It is suggested that an active oceanic upwelling was the probable driver of the Middle Permian oceanic productivity in central Iran. Remarkable negative δ13C excursions around 3.7 and 4.2 ‰ PDB in Capitanian carbonates close to the Guadalupian–Lopingian boundary at the Bagh-e Vang and Abadeh sections, respectively are recorded, which are a proxy for low palaeo-productivity and a transition from a cool to warm climate, consistent with an early Lopingian sea level rise.

Palaeogeography is the cartographic representation of the past distribution of geographic features such as deep oceans, shallow seas, lowlands, rivers, lakes and mountain belts on palinspastically restored plate tectonic base maps. It is closely connected with plate tectonics which grew from an earlier theory of continental drift and is largely responsible for creating and structuring the Earth's lithosphere. Today, palaeogeography is an integral part of the Earth sciences curriculum. Commonly, with some exceptions, only the most recent state of research is presented; the historical aspects of how we actually came to the insights which we take for granted are rarely discussed, if at all. It is remarkable how much was already known about the changing face of the Earth more than three centuries before the theory of plate tectonics, despite the fact that most of our present analytical tools or our models were unavailable then. Here, we aim to present a general conspectus from the dawn of ‘palaeogeography’ in the 16th century onwards. Special emphasis is given to innovative ideas and scientific milestones, supplemented by memorable anecdotes, which helped to advance the theories of continental drift and plate tectonics, and finally led to the establishment of palaeogeography as a recognized discipline of the Earth sciences.

The Early Palaeozoic geology of the South China Craton (SCC) is characterized by an Early Palaeozoic intracontinental orogen with folded pre-Devonian strata and migmatites, MP/MT metamorphic rocks and Silurian post-orogenic peraluminous magmatic rocks in both the Yangtze and the Cathaysia blocks. In this contribution, we present new zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope data for detrital zircons from the Neoproterozoic to Silurian sedimentary sequences in the southeastern Yangtze Block. Samples from Neoproterozoic rocks generally display a major peak at 900–560 Ma, whereas samples from Lower Palaeozoic rocks are characterized by several broader peaks within the age ranges 600–410 Ma, 1100–780 Ma, 1.6–1.2 Ga and 2.8–2.5 Ga. Provenance analysis indicates that the 900–630 Ma detritus in Cryogenian to Ediacaran samples was derived from the Late Neoproterozoic igneous rocks in South China that acted as an internal source. The occurrence of 620–560 Ma detritus indicates the SE Yangtze was associated with Late Neoproterozoic arc volcanism along the north margin of East Gondwana. The change of provenance resulted in the deposition of 550–520 Ma and 1.1–0.9 Ga detrital zircons in the Cambrian–Ordovician sedimentary rocks. The εHf(t) values of these detrital zircons are similar to those of zircons from NW Australia–Antarctica and South India. This change of provenance in the Cambrian can be attributed to the intracontinental subduction between South China and South Qiangtang, and the convergence of India and Australia when East Gondwana finally amalgamated.

Detailed geological mapping, field observations and structural analyses demonstrate that Early Ordovician (‘Sardic’) deformation occurred in the early Palaeozoic successions that are now incorporated in the Variscan Nappe zone of SE Sardinia. This deformation is represented by folds that formed at a shallow depth, lack a significant syn-folding axial planar foliation, and do not affect the overlying Late Ordovician – Devonian sedimentary sequence. These deformation features can be related to the development of the Sardic Unconformity and to calc-alkaline volcanism in several now-scattered terranes of Ordovician northern Gondwana. This reflects a convergent geodynamic setting that in the study sector appears to have failed to reach a continental collisional end-stage. Associating the structural data from this study with those of several published research studies, a preliminary evaluation about which tectonic setting could better fit is proposed. These conditions affected the eastern side of the northern Gondwana margin more or less contemporaneously with the opening of the Rhéic Ocean and the closure of the Qaidam Ocean, before the amalgamation of the Hunia terranes.

The Harsin–Sahneh serpentinized peridotites are widely exposed along the Zagros suture zone in the western region of Iran and are considered to represent remnants of Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere at the junction of the Arabian and Iran Plates. These rocks are characterized by low contents of SiO2 (38.8–43.5 wt%), Al2O3 (0.1–3.8 wt%), CaO (0.2–8.2 wt%) and TiO2 (< 1 wt%) and high MgO contents (31.1–46.0 wt%). Their enrichments of large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, with high 87Sr/86Sr(i) values (0.7036–0.7109) and relatively high variations in their εNd(t) (–7.5 to +7.8) values, indicate that the Harsin–Sahneh peridotites were metasomatized by flux released from the oceanic subducting slab in an active margin. The chemical compositions and isotopic ratios of these rocks suggest that they were formed as residue of mid-oceanic ridge basalt in the lithosphere that was then subsequently re-melted and metasomatized in a supra-subduction zone system. The occurrence of both mid-oceanic ridge and supra-subduction zone-type peridotites suggests that the heterogeneity of the upper mantle may have occurred due to the different ratios of partial melting and melt–rock reaction processes in different tectonic settings within the Neo-Tethys realm. The Harsin–Sahneh peridotites provide a good explanation of multistage melt extraction as well as melt–rock and metasomatic reactions in the mantle sequence of the Zagros ophiolite complex.

Eastern Australia was affected by late Cenozoic intraplate deformation in response to far-field stress transmitted from the plate boundaries, but little is known about the intensity and pattern of this deformation. We used recently surveyed two-dimensional seismic reflection lines and aeromagnetic data, and data from the recently released Australian Stress Map, to investigate the structure of the Nagoorin Basin in eastern Queensland. The western margin of the Nagoorin beds was displaced by the Boynedale Fault, which is a NNW-striking SW-dipping oblique strike-slip reverse fault with a vertical throw of c. 900 m and c. 16 km sinistral displacement. A significant part of this large sinistral displacement is interpreted to have occurred prior to late Cenozoic time. Several low-angle (<30°) thin-skinned thrusts with a flat-ramp geometry also displaced the Nagoorin beds, which are interpreted to have developed along detachment surfaces in oil shales and claystone. The Boynedale Fault is a segment within longer NNW-striking faults that include the North Pine and West Ipswich fault systems in eastern Queensland. These NNW-striking faults are potentially active, and may accommodate neotectonic thrust movement in response to the present-day NE–SW orientation of SHmax. Results of this study, in conjunction with previous information on sedimentary basins in eastern Australia, indicate that Cenozoic contractional deformation is stronger at the continental margins, possibly due to the presence of pre-existing rift-related structures.

The Yuanjiacun banded iron formation (BIF) is hosted in lower Proterozoic metamorphic strata, and its structures are dominated by bands or streaks. Based on their differences in mineral compositions, the iron ores can be subdivided into haematite quartzite, magnetite quartzite, stilpnomelane magnetite quartzite and stilpnomelane haematite quartzite. The geochemical characteristics of the surrounding rocks show that the protoliths consisted of argillaceous and arenaceous sedimentary rocks. The predominant provenance was a high-maturity felsic sedimentary terrane. The absence of syn-depositional igneous rocks and the tectonic setting discrimination diagrams indicate that the Yuanjiacun BIF formed in a passive continental margin setting. Negligible terrigenous materials were involved in the precipitation of the Yuanjiacun BIF. The precipitation of the Yuanjiacun BIF was predominantly controlled by the mixing of seawater and hydrothermal fluids. Its metallogenic material originated from the leaching of mafic oceanic crust by hydrothermal fluids. The observed Ce anomaly deficiency and heavy Fe isotope enrichment indicate that the Yuanjiacun BIF formed in an anoxic marine environment. In a redox-stratified palaeo-ocean, the Yuanjiacun BIF formed in reducing seawater below the oxidation–reduction transition zone. The Si and O isotope compositions of quartz suggest that the formation of the Yuanjiacun BIF was closely related to submarine hydrothermal activity. The Si and Fe erupted from the seafloor and precipitated by supersaturation and biological oxidation under anoxic conditions, respectively.