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One of the major tasks in the reform of the National Natural Science Foundation of China during the new period is to sort out the knowledge system and optimize the discipline layout after finishing the adjustment of application codes. Based on the 14th Five-year Geosciences Development Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, we propose a new discipline layout for the geological sciences (GS) in China. GS should focus on the prior fields and core scientific questions of “Earth system sciences and deep earth, deep sea, and deep space”, and in their respective sub-disciplines. While preserving essential traditional codes within these disciplines, we suggested to obsolete or merge outdated codes and raise special attention to new-rising subjects or interdisciplinary. According to the sub-disciplines’ characteristics, the geological sciences could be divided into four categories, i.e., basic, applied, cutting-edge and interdisciplinary subjects, and technology supporting subjects. Under the Earth system sciences framework, the authors suggest focusing on the core of basic disciplines, enrich applied fields, expand the cutting-edge and interdisciplinary disciplines, strengthen technological support, and promote a balanced development of sub-disciplines. Based on the investigation results of the discipline strategy, important sub-fields and headings of the GS are proposed. The research done at the GS should broaden its international scope and actively answer the major national requirements, with particular attention to crucial scientific problems in social and economic development. In short, the DGS should centralize efforts on the basic scientific research and national strategic needs. Following the development strategy of the Earth system sciences and deep earth, deep sea, and deep space, the authors suggest that improvements of the research ways and methods in the field of geological sciences, interdisciplinary cooperation and integration, promotions of new fields and sub-disciplines are all necessary. It is suggested to focus on the Earth system sciences, and continue to modify and merge the subjects following the guide of “Grand Geology”. More important, the authors suggest utilizing the rich geological resources in China to promote the development of geological sciences, enhance the international cooperation, and accelerate constructing an open geological big data platform.

During the 1:50000 regional geological survey in Jimo, east Shandong Province, Paleoproterozoic metamorphic supracrustal rocks and Neoproterozoic metamorphic plutonite were newly discovered. These rocks displayed inclusions which had occurred in the Mesozoic granite, and the main lithologies are schist, granulite, marble, and granitic gneiss. Geochemical analyses suggest that Neoproterozoic metamorphic plutonite are characterized by high-K, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. They are enriched in LILE and depleted in HFSE, with moderately enrichment of LREE, weak fractionation of LREE from HREE and negative Eu anomalies. The surface age of plutonic rocks in the survey area is 770.2±2.4 Ma, representing the age of magma crystallization, which is agreement with the the Neoproterozoic magmatic event after Rodinia supercontinent in the northern margin of Southern China continental block. In addition, the age of sporadic distribution (298 Ma and 269 Ma) is mixed zircon age, representing the rocks experienced metamorphism in Indosinian period. According to the associated mineral assemblages, and the characteristic metamorphic minerals and temperature pressure conditions, four metamorphic facies were identified, including amphibolitic, epidote amphibolite, greenschist, and mid-high pressure greenschist. Analysis of tectonic setting suggests that granitic gneiss is formed in an extensional environment and was involved from the continental margin magmatic arc to intraplate environment. Jimo is distributed in the east of Zhuwu fault, and has the same Spatial distribution location with the Weihai uplift UHP metamorphic belt rocks. The metamorphic rocks in Jimo area have similar geochemical characteristics of elements, tectonic setting and retrograde metamorphism with that in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt. Therefore, Zhuwu fault may be the boundary fault of Sulu UHP metamorphic belt.

The Carboniferous–Permian boundary is still in high debate in China though this boundary was settled in Aidaralash Creek in Kazakhstan in 1995, where the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) were defined. The topmost Carboniferous lies in the bottom of fuslinida Pseudoschwagerina in the world, but in the upper part of fuslinida Pseudoschwagerina in China. Taking Yanzhou Coalfield as an example, we explore here the boundary between Carboniferous and Permian on the basis of biological evolution and biostratigraphy. This work could be helpful to understand the special situation of the boundary between