Qinling gneiss domes and implications for tectonic evolution of the Early Paleozoic Orogen in Central China

•The Qinling gneiss domes formed in the arc root above the subducted oceanic slab.•Basaltic underplating resulted in crustal melting and formation of gneiss domes.•The Paleozoic Qinling arc had a long duration (≥100 Ma) being tectonically active.•Constriction and extension occurred in the lower and upper crust, respectively.