有~ 3 .8 Ga 和 Hf 模型的 U-Pb 年龄的锆石的出现在华南~ 4 .0 Ga 变老在华南建议地府的外壳的残余的存在。而且,有象 4.1 Ga 一样旧的 U-Pb 年龄的由岩屑形成的锆石在西藏被发现了。这是到目前为止在中国报导的最旧的锆石。这些结果暗示那个大陆人外壳比以前想在是更普遍的晚地府,但是它的多数高效地被重做进太古代的大陆人外壳。根据可得到的锆石 U-Pb 年龄和 Hf 同位素数据,看来,在华南的大陆人外壳的生长后来开始了早太古代,但是著名计算机生产厂商通过重做的有能力的 cratonic 块没发生直到 Paleoproterozoic。自从 Eoarchean,因此,板 tectonics 的某形式的操作可以发生在中国大陆。华南 craton 的起始的破坏被集中的 magmatic 活动在 Neoproterozoic 期间与超级大陆 Rodinia 的集会和决裂联合引起。然而,大多数太古代并且在华南的 Paleoproterozoic 外壳的材料不作为表面岩石发生,但是作为分散的外壳的残余存在。不过, Neoproterozoic magmatism 的出现仍然是签名把华南与诺思中国区分开来。
The occurrence of zircons with U-Pb ages of -3.8 Ga and Hf model ages of -4.0 Ga in South China suggests the existence of the Hadean crustal remnants in South China. Furthermore, a detrital zircon with a U-Pb age as old as 4.1 Ga has been found in Tibet. This is the oldest zircon so far reported in China. These results imply that continental crust was more widespread than previously thought in the late Hadean, but its majority was efficiently reworked into Archean continental crust. On the basis of available zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope data, it appears that the growth of continental crust in South China started since the early Archean, but a stable cratonic block through reworking did not occur until the Paleoproterozoic. Thus the operation of some form of plate tectonics may occur in China continents since Eoarchean. The initial destruction of the South China craton was caused by intensive magmatic activity in association with the assembly and breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia during the Neoproterozoic. However, most of the Archean and Paleoproterozoic crustal materials in South China do not occur as surface rocks, but exist as sporadic crustal remnants. Nevertheless, the occurrence of Neoproterozoic magmatism is still a signature to distinguish South China from North China.