The metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi, located in the compound terrain within the Cathaysia, Yangtze Block and Caledonian fold zone of South China, is composed dominantly of meta-argillo-are-naceous rocks, with minor amphibolite. These rocks underwent amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks show large variations in major element composition, but have similar REE patterns and trace element composition, incompatible element and LIE enrichments [high Th/Sc (0.57−3.59), La/Sc (1.46−12.4), La/Yb (5.84−19.0)] and variable Th/U ratios, with ΣREE=129−296µg/g, δEu=0.51−0.86, and (La/Yb)_N=3.95−12.9. The Nd isotopic model agest _DM of these rocks vary from 1597 to 2124 Ma. Their¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values are low [ɛ_Nd(0)=−11.4 to −15.8]. Some conclusions have been drawn as follows: (1) The metamorphic rocks in central Jiangxi Province are likely formed in a tectonic environment at the passive continental margin of the Cathaysia massif. (2) The metamorphosed argillo-arenaceous rocks are composed dominantly of upper crustal-source rocks (Al- and K-rich granitic or/and sedimentary rocks of Early Proterozoic), which experienced good sorting, slow deposition and more intense chemical weathering. (3) According to the whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron ages (1113±49 to 1199±26 Ma) of plagioclase-amphibole (schist) and Nd isotopic model aget _DM (1597−2124 Ma) of meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks, the metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi Province was formed during the Middle Proterozoic (1100−1600 Ma).

The metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi, located in the compound terrain within the Cathaysia, Yangtze Block and Caledonian fold zone of South China, is composed dominantly of meta-argillo-are-naceous rocks, with minor amphibolite. These rocks underwent amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks show large variations in major element composition, but have similar REE patterns and trace element composition, incompatible element and LIE enrichments [high Th/Sc (0.57−3.59), La/Sc (1.46−12.4), La/Yb (5.84−19.0)] and variable Th/U ratios, with ΣREE=129−296µg/g, δEu=0.51−0.86, and (La/Yb)_N=3.95−12.9. The Nd isotopic model agest _DM of these rocks vary from 1597 to 2124 Ma. Their¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values are low [ɛ_Nd(0)=−11.4 to −15.8]. Some conclusions have been drawn as follows: (1) The metamorphic rocks in central Jiangxi Province are likely formed in a tectonic environment at the passive continental margin of the Cathaysia massif. (2) The metamorphosed argillo-arenaceous rocks are composed dominantly of upper crustal-source rocks (Al- and K-rich granitic or/and sedimentary rocks of Early Proterozoic), which experienced good sorting, slow deposition and more intense chemical weathering. (3) According to the whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron ages (1113±49 to 1199±26 Ma) of plagioclase-amphibole (schist) and Nd isotopic model aget _DM (1597−2124 Ma) of meta-argillo-arenaceous rocks, the metamorphic belt in central Jiangxi Province was formed during the Middle Proterozoic (1100−1600 Ma).