Qiuling Liu

Qiuling Liu
Visiting research student from Ocean University of China

Research Project
Paleozoic Plate Reconstruction and Tethys Evolution in East Asia

Project Summary
This project investigates the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of East Asia, with a particular focus on the Central China Orogenic Belt. Geological records, including metamorphic events, magmatism, sedimentary sequences, and ophiolites, are combined with available paleomagnetic data to better understand the relationships and movements of different tectonic units. Using GPlates, the movements of major plates, including the North China Plate, South China Plate, and Tarim Plate, together with other smaller tectonic units in East Asia, will be reconstructed from 540 to 270 Ma. The reconstruction will provide a framework for understanding the Paleozoic evolution of East Asia and the Tethys Ocean, and for further studies of Paleozoic paleogeography and paleoclimate.

Supervisors
Prof Dietmar Müller (The University of Sydney)
Prof Sanzhong Li (Ocean University of China)
Prof Xianzhi Cao (Ocean University of China)

Research Funding
China Scholarship Council (CSC)

Publications
Liu, Q., Li, S., Cao, X., Wang, H., Deng, D., Wang, P., & Zhou, Z. (2026). Reconstruction of Paleozoic microplates and the Tethys Ocean in East Asia. Earth-Science Reviews, 278, 105521.