From tectonic-environmental factors of Early life diversification during Gondwana assembly to Earth Science System

YAO Jinlong; CUI Pengyuan; HAN Yigui; ZHANG Donghai; LIU Qian; ZHAO Guochun

doi:10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2025-03-001

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From tectonic-environmental factors of Early life diversification during Gondwana assembly to Earth Science System

更新时间：2025-06-26

- From tectonic-environmental factors of Early life diversification during Gondwana assembly to Earth Science System
- Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition) Vol. 55, Issue 3, Pages: 475-488(2025)
- 作者机构：
  
  1.西北大学地质学系/大陆演化与早期生命全国重点实验室/NWU-HKU地球与行星科学中心，陕西　西安　 710069
  2.香港大学地球科学系，香港　 999077
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
  
  陕西省基础研究定向委托项目(2021JCW-18)
- DOI：10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2025-03-001
  CLC： P541
- Received：15 March 2025，
  
  Published：25 June 2025
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
YAO Jinlong, CUI Pengyuan, HAN Yigui, et al. From tectonic-environmental factors of Early life diversification during Gondwana assembly to Earth Science System[J]. Journal of northwest university (natural science edition), 2025, 55(3): 475-488.
DOI：

YAO Jinlong, CUI Pengyuan, HAN Yigui, et al. From tectonic-environmental factors of Early life diversification during Gondwana assembly to Earth Science System[J]. Journal of northwest university (natural science edition), 2025, 55(3): 475-488. DOI： 10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2025-03-001.

摘要

在地球生物演化历史上，寒武纪生命大爆发最为引人注目。这一时期前后，即新元古代中晚期至寒武纪时期，又发了冈瓦纳大陆聚合（~680~430 Ma）、大气增氧（NOE）、三期雪球地球与冰期事件、地球磁场特殊演化、内核形成等全球性重大事件。而且，现代板块构造可能在这一时期建立。可见地球表生圈层与固体圈层之间存在紧密的相互作用。但是，这一时期推动表生圈层巨变的构造因子及其作用机制

争议巨大，目前大多局限于概念模型。地球多圈层定量化数据规律显示，这一时期可能以罗迪尼亚（Rodinia）超大陆裂解诱发雪球地球和启动增氧为开端。其后，冈瓦纳大陆聚合期间，现代板块构造体制下持续超过2亿年的造山作用形成了总规模超过9 000 km的巨型造山带，为地球表生圈层巨变、质变提供了持续驱动力。这一时期的大规模造山带、高压超高压变质和温压比（

T/P

）急剧下降，表明造山规模均接近现代地球；其根本原因在于大规模大陆深俯冲。另一方面，地幔降温，洋壳减薄，地球上的海陆二分性在这一时期更为显著，地形起伏可能在这一时期达到前所未有的水平，能够为动物活动提供生态空间位置。在海陆二分性的加持下，这些低纬度山脉引发了超强的风化剥蚀作用，为海洋提供了巨量陆缘沉积物，海水Sr同位素在这一时期达到了地球历史最高值。此外，雪球地球也对大陆风化有所贡献。巨量陆缘沉积物和营养元素深刻改变了海洋成分并提升了生产力，持续驱动了增氧事件。另外，新元古代晚期至寒武纪，地球磁场强度极弱，超强宇宙辐射有利于基因突变和生物多样性形成，这可能与地球内核的形成有关；此外还可能发生了真极移和高频倒转。多方面偶然和必然条件的共同作用，为早期生命辐射提供了基因和环境诱因以及生态位置（即外因），最终形成了多圈层相互作用的地球系统。

Abstract

The Cambrian animal diversification is a milestone in life evolution history. This also coincides well the Neoproterozoic atmospheric oxygenation (NOE)

Gondwana assembly (~680~430 Ma) and Snowball Earth event

as well as magnetic field extreme evolution and formation of Earth inner core. Moreover

modern plate tectonics may have also been established during this period. Thus

solid Earth and surficial system evolution must be closely linked. However

the tectonic factors that drove the evolution of surficial systems during Gondwana assembly are less constrained

as is the driving mechanism. Most earlier studies are limited to conceptual models. Here

a review of data patterns shows that this period initiated with the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent

whic'h induced the Snowball Earth and oxygenation events. The subsequent Gondwana assembly

within the modern plate tectonic regime

generated super-orogens that lasted for more than 200 million years. The elevations of these over 9 000 km long super orogens might have been comparable to those of modern Earth

which should have served as a continuous driving force for the Earth's surficial environs. The large-scale Himalaya type collision orogenic belt during this period is consistent with the sudden drops of the global thermobaric ratio (

T/P

) and the large-scale occurrence of high-pressure and ultrahigh-pressure met

amorphism. On the other hand

due to secular mantle cooling and thinning of the oceanic crust

the duality of ocean and continental crust became more significant at this time. This indicates that the topographic relief might have reached an unprecedented level during this period

which can provide ecological space for ocean animal system. This

together with low-latitude orogenic belts caused extensive weathering and supplied a huge amount of continental sediments to the ocean

consist with the seawater Sr isotope that reached the highest value in the history. Meanwhile

snowball Earth also contributed to continental weathering. Huge sediments and nutrients supply profoundly changed ocean composition and increased ocean productivity

triggering oxygenation events. In addition

in the late Neoproterozoic to the Cambrian time

the Earth had an extremely weak magnetic field

possibly related to the formation of the Earth's inner core. Ediacaran true polar wander path and high frequency magnetic field reversing also occurred. This indicates high cosmic radiation that might have contributed to genetic mutation. Therefore

multiple accidental and inevitable factors provided genetic

environmental and ecological conditions for Ediacaran life radiation and Cambrian life explosion. In addition

the increased supply of sediments reduced the friction coefficient within subduction zone and increases the plate subduction rate

which can explain the rapid continental plate drift during Gondwana cycle Overall

the Gondwana cycle is a critical period in the evolution of the Earth system.

关键词

Keywords

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