The Permian-Triassic kinematic evolution of the South Qiangtang Block

As a central constituent of the Tibetan Plateau, the South Qiangtang Block represents a critical tectonic terrane separating the Paleo- Tethys and Neo-Tethys ocean systems. Therefore, constraining the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic kinematic evolution of the South Qiangtang Block is crucial for the evolution of the Tibetan and Tethyan geodynamics. By systematically compiling reliable Permian-Triassic paleomagnetic data from the South Qiangtang Block, we established its paleolatitude evolution curve and delineated its kinematic history—from its rifting from Gondwana to its amalgamation with the southern Eurasian margin—into two distinct stages: a rapid northward drift phase from the late Early Permian to the late Middle Triassic, and a decelerated northward drift phase during the Late Triassic collision and amalgamation process. This quantified kinematic framework provides a pivotal constraint for reconstructing the paleogeographic configuration of the South Qiangtang Block and serves as a key dataset for reconstructing the multi-stage evolution of the Tethys oceans.