Devonian northward drift of the Qaidam–Kunlun continent constrains the early evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean

Abstract Rifting and drifting of the Qaidam–Kunlun continent in northern Tibet triggered the opening of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, but its paleogeography remains debated, particularly the timing of ocean opening, which ranges from pre-Silurian to Devonian. This debate largely reflects the lack of reliable Devonian paleolatitude constraints. Here, we present new paleomagnetic, geochronological, and geochemical data from Devonian bimodal volcanics of Qaidam–Kunlun. Primary remanent magnetization directions, supported by positive fold, reversal, and conglomerate tests, yield a paleolatitude of ~25.6°S at ~411 Ma. These results place Qaidam–Kunlun along the northern margin of Gondwana and demonstrate significant latitudinal separation from the contemporaneously northern North China during the Early Devonian. Geochemical characteristics of the volcanic indicate formation in an intraplate extensional regime. Integration with available Paleozoic paleomagnetic data suggests that Qaidam–Kunlun rifted from Indian Gondwana in the Early Devonian, and subsequently drifted northward during the Devonian, facilitating the opening of Paleo-Tethys.