Provenance and Paleogeographic Evolution During Triassic Continental Amalgamation: Insights From Turbiditic Successions in the West Qinling Orogen, Central China

ABSTRACT The West Qinling Orogen, located at the junction of the North China Craton, the South China Craton, and the Qiangtang Block, preserves critical geological records of the amalgamation of these various blocks and, consequently, the formation of the central China continent. The successions deposited in this region contain essential sedimentary evidence that aids in reconstructing the regional tectonic geography. This helps to clarify the complex processes involved in continental assembly. This study presents new zircon U–Pb geochronology, Hf isotope, and whole‐rock geochemistry data from Triassic turbidites and mafic intrusions in the West Qinling Orogen, aiming to unravel a complex tectonic history—from basin evolution to continental amalgamation. The significant spatial and temporal variation in sedimentary provenance indicates a dynamic evolution of palaeogeography in the West Qinling Orogen, which is closely linked to oceanic subduction, closure, and the eventual amalgamation of the North and South China cratons. The data suggest that basin evolution and the tectonic setting occurred in three distinct stages: (1) a back‐arc extensional tectonic setting, (2) the southward migration of arc magmatism driven by the northward subduction and rollback of the Paleo‐Tethyan oceanic lithosphere, and (3) the oblique amalgamation of the North and South China cratons, resulting in the diachronous closure of the depositional system from east to west. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparison of basin evolution with other successions from multiple locations provides a broader perspective on the tectonic and palaeogeographical evolution and amalgamation processes during the formation of the central China continent.