Subdivision and Correlation of Middle and Upper Cambria in North China in Light of Sequence Stratigraphy

TheMiddleandUpper~aninNorthCabhasbeenextenSiVelystudiedfor~yearSinbiostratigraphy(LuandDong,1953;Xiangatal.,1981;An,1982;Met,1993a,1993b).Ho~,thelithOStratigraphictntSwereunfortunatelydefinedbytrilobitezonesotherthanlithologitalcriteria,owingtothecomplicatedChangeSandt~itioninlithofades.CbnseqUentiy,thebio--,litho~andchronostrstigraphictntS~confuSed,asPOintedOuttosomeextentbyLuetal.(1994).Nevertheless,thezoningfossilsoftrilobiteSoCCUrredatthehorizonsSeparatedfromeachotherinseveralt…

Subdivision and Correlation of Middle and Upper Cambria in North China in Light of Sequence Stratigraphy

Correlation of Middle and Late Cambrian cyclic carbonates from the widely separated Zhangxia section, Qingxing section, Xishan section and Zhaogezhuang section has defined five major third-order depositional sequences. Correlation of biostratigraphy is used to establish the equivalency of stratigraphic sequences between individual sections. Even though the individ- ual sections are composed of different lithofacies and meter-scale cycles that reflect the varied environmental settings in the localities, the overall upward shallowing character of individ- ual sequences is evident. The sequences, named on their relation to the regional stages in range, are in ascending order: Zhangxia Sequence, Gushan Sequence, Guchang Sequence, Changshan Sequence and Fengshan Sequence, of which the upper four sequences were correlated with those defined by Osleger and Read in the United States, with the aid of biostratigraphic correlation. The Middle/Upper Cambrian boundary is tentatively suggested to be between the Guchang Sequence and the Changshan Sequence in North China. The optimization of the existing litho-and regional chronostratigraphic boundaries is discussed based on the sequence boundaries.