Evidence for regional metamorphism in a continental rift during the Rodinia breakup

•Both metamorphic andalusite and sillimanite occur in metagranitic rocks from a Neoproterozoic continental rift.•Metamorphic titanite U-Pb dating yields consistent age with the peak time of Rodinia breakup.•High-T/low-P metamorphism is evident during the continental rifting in the Middle Neoproterozoic.•The continental rift was superimposed on a Grenvillian orogen developed during the Rodinia assembly.•Continental rifting transferred high heat flow from the asthenospheric mantle into the crust.