Quantitative characterization of orogenic evolution within the Wilcon cycle

Orogens are mostly composite and experience multiple stages of the orogenic processes, such as the accretion of relatively small terranes (or soft collision) and continental collision, and these orogens are commonly called composite orogens, Thus, orogens vary in their nature and style, defining a broad spectrum of types that encompass the Wilson Cycle.

 From the point of view of the Wilson Cycle, orogens begin as accretionary and evolve into collisional, culminating in the termination phase during supercontinent amalgamation. Thus, each orogen may be viewed as having reached a certain stage of its evolution path in the Wilson Cycle. Moreover, active accretionary orogens will continue to evolve; for instance, the active accretionary orogenic systems around the margins of the Pacific Ocean, such as the North and South American Cordillera, may evolve or be reformed into collisional or even intracratonic orogens if the Pacific Ocean closes in the future. Based on this expected orogenic evolution, we use the decrease in the juvenile crustal areal proportions to semi-quantitatively trace the orogenic stages. Our research, part of the IGCP-662 project, "Orogenic Architecture and Crustal Growth from Accretion to Collision," investigates these orogen progresses, and characterization of orogens through comparative studies on the lithospheric architecture and crustal growth patterns of Phanerozoic orogens. A global igneous rock database, in collaboration with the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE), provides the foundation for our analyses. The juvenile crustal areal proportions can be determined Quantitatively through isotopic mapping (Wang et al., 2023). This innovative approach enhances our understanding of orogenic processes, shedding light on the intricate relationships between orogenesis and continental growth within the framework of the Wilson Cycle.