Geochemical characteristics and tectonic setting of clastic rocks of the Baishuijiang Group in the Kangxian-Liuba area on the southern margin of the West Qinling, China

The Baishuijiang Group on the southem margin of the West Qinfing is composed of clastic matrix and blocks of different origins. The clastic rocks are marked by a sequence of deep-water turbidite current deposits. The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns for the clastic rocks are LREE-enriched with flat HREE and negative Eu anomalies and the characteristics of the major elements and trace elements indicate that the clastic rocks were derived from multiple provenances but mainly from an island arc. This suggests that the tectonic setting of the Baishuijiang Group is the active continental margin rather than the active continental margin.