GLOBAL 3D PALEOGEOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION AND ITS GEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Reconstruction of global paleogeography has long been the interest of geologists. Since A. Wegener drew the first generation of paleogeographic map for his theory of continental drifting, paleogeographic reconstruction methods have passed a long way from paleocontinent reconstruction to paleogeographic reconstruction, from fixism to mobilism, from mapping with single factor to mapping with multiple factors, from two-dimensional mapping to three-dimensional computer made visualized paleogeographic maps. This paper proposes the term of "paleogeographic system" based on the viewpoint that it is mature to make the integration of paleomagnetism, paleontology, lithofacies, paleogeography, tectonomorphologic and geochemical methods quantitatively for three-dimensional palaeogeographic reconstruction in order to restore the ancient global pattern of continents and oceans, and relic ancient landforms. Paleogeography, biogeography, lithofacies and paleogeography, and tectonic paleogeography are the key elements for quantitative reconstruction of the paleogeographic system. Reconstruction of global paleogeographic system is of significance not only for research and exploration of mineral resources, but also for revelation of the mechanism of the formation and disintegration of the supercontinent or superocean.