The Cambrian paleogeographic position of Shan-Thai (Thailand) in eastern Gondwana: insights from strata of Tarutao Island (INVITED)

Abstract

The Cambrian occupies a time of dramatic climatic and environmental changes, which proudly influenced the early evolutionary trajectory of animals. Changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration and oxygen, as well as nutrient fluxes to the ocean, are intimately linked with volcanism and chemical weathering processes, which are largely driven by plate tectonic processes. The Cambrian is a period characterized by widespread plate re-organization associated with the amalgamation of Gondwana, and understanding the spatial extent and duration of orogenic systems around the various Gondwana terranes is critical to understand the principal mechanisms responsible for changes in Earth’s surface environment during this time. Here, I present detrital zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic data in conjunction with trilobite biogeographical data to assess the paleogeographic configuration of eastern Gondwana, with an emphasis on the relationship between the Shan Thai (Thailand) terrane and other prominent regional terranes. I will further discuss the importance insights to be gained through future studies in the Turatao Formation in Thailand with respect to critical questions of Earth system evolution.