Accretion–extrusion cycles in the evolution of the proto-Tibetan Plateau

<h3 dir="ltr">Dataset Overview</h3><p dir="ltr">This repository contains the complete, raw, and processed paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, and petrographic datasets supporting the research article entitled <b>"Accretion–extrusion cycles in the evolution of the proto-Tibetan Plateau"</b>.</p><p dir="ltr">The datasets provide high-quality, systematic results from the Middle–Upper Jurassic red beds across the Chuxiong Terrane (Binchuan section) and the Changdu–Mangkang Terrane (Changdu sections).

These data are utilized to calculate discrete mean paleomagnetic poles, establish regional apparent polar wander (APW) trajectories, and reconstruct the Mesozoic tectonic evolution, latitudinal displacements, and block extrusion history of the proto-Tibetan Plateau.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Data Structure and Content</h3><p dir="ltr">This repository includes the following primary components:</p><ul><li><b>Raw Paleomagnetic Demagnetization Data:</b> Detailed step-by-step thermal demagnetization data (13 steps from room temperature to 680 °C) for all 170 core samples from the Chuxiong Terrane and 276 core samples from the Changdu–Mangkang Terrane (provided in standard PaleoMac-compatible and Excel formats).</li><li><b>Rock Magnetic Data:</b> Comprehensive rock-magnetic results demonstrating the magnetic mineralogy, including:</li><li><ul><li>Isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition curves and mathematical component analysis following the Kruiver method.</li><li>Three-axis thermal demagnetization curves of composite IRMs imparted at 2.45 T, 0.40 T, and 0.12 T.</li></ul></li><li><b>Petrographic & SEM Analysis Reports:</b> High-resolution optical microscopy images, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectra, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data identifying the textural relationships, diagenetic conditions, and chemical compositions of the magnetic carriers.</li><li><b>Statistical Compilations:</b> Orthogonal projections, principal component analysis (PCA) line fits (filtered with MAD $\le$ 15°), site-mean directions calculated using Fisher statistics, and compiled regional datasets utilized for tectonic comparisons.</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Methodology and Experimental Framework</h3><ul><li><b>Paleomagnetism & Rock Magnetism:</b> All NRM demagnetization and rock-magnetic experiments were conducted at the Key Laboratory of Paleomagnetism and Tectonic Reconstruction of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Institute of Geomechanics, Beijing, China.