U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes in detrital zircon from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern Yangtze Block: Implications for Precambrian crustal evolution

► Zircon Hf isotopes are combined with ages to unravel the crustal evolution of provenance in northern Yangtze Block. ► An unexposed widespread old basement is suggested to occur beneath the northern part of the Yangtze Block. ► The basement underwent reworking at ~2.0 Ga and then was not reactiviated until notable crustal growth at 740-900 Ma. ► This crustal history is similar to those of source regions for the coeval sediments elsewhere in the Yangtze Block. ► This pattern is distinct from that of the adjacent North China Craton and Cathaysia Block.