Preface: New advances in the integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

A series of major geological and biological events which altered the evolutionary processes of whole biosphere occurred during the earth history. Establishing a high-resolution stratigraphic framework and timescale is essential to understand their tempo and causes. High-resolution biostratigraphy remains the most useful approach and forms the basis of dividing the chronostratigraphic system and making the inter-continental and regional correlation. China possesses nearly complete strata from Ediacaran to Quaternary covering wide palaeogeographic regions and containing abundant well-preserved fossils. Traditional biostratigraphy based on sytematic palaeontology of various fossil groups have played an important role in establishing the GSSPs and improving the International and Chinese Stratigraphic Charts. 11 out of 72 establised GSSPs are located in China.Recently, more high-precision geochronology, chemostratigraphy, cyclostrtatigraphy have been applied for stratigraphy and correlation and important advances have been made in some periods. This volume invited Chinese palaeontologists and stratigraphers to summarize the progresses of stratigraphy and timescale from Ediacaran to Quaternary and intercontinental and regional correlation during the last two decades.     

Triassic integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Triassic rocks are widespread in China, and both marine and terrestrial strata are well developed. The Triassic stratigraphic architecture of China is very complex in both spatial variation of the so-called "South Marine and North Continental", i.e. the southern areas of China occupied mostly by marine facies while the northern China by terrestrial facies during the Triassic Period, and temporal transition of the "Lower Marine and Upper Continental", i.e. the lower part of the Triassic System composed mainly of marine facies and the upper part of terrestrial strata especially in South China. Although the Global Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP) of the Permian-Triassic boundary is located in South China, the Triassic of China except for some marine Lower-Middle Triassic depositions shows significantly local characteristics and is hardly correlated with the global chronostratigraphic chart. Consequently, the Triassic of China contains not only the international research hotspots but also difficult points in stratigraphic study. This paper aims to present a brief review of the Triassic in China, including chronostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy, and summarize an integrated Triassic stratigraphic framework of China. Accordingly, a stratigraphic correlation is proposed for the lithostratigraphic sequences among the three tectono-paleogeographic stratigraphic regions. The comprehensive study indicates that ammonoids are the classic index fossils in Triassic biostratigraphy but conodonts are more advantageous in the study and definition of the Triassic chronostratigraphic boundaries. China still has the potential to optimize the GSSPs of the Induan-Olenekian boundary and Olenekian-Anisian boundary. The correlation of the Permian-Triassic boundary between marine and terrestrial facies might be achieved with the help of the Permian-Triassic "transitional bed" and its related biotic and environmental events in association with the biostratigraphic study of conchostracan, vertebrate and plant fossils. In addition, the carbon isotopes have been proved to be one of the powerful methods in marine Triassic stratigraphic study, whereas the oxygen and strontium isotopes may be additional important bridges to establish the correlation between the marine and terrestrial strata, but as yet lacking of relevant studies in terrestrial strata. Considering the most stratigraphic intervals of the Triassic and the terrestrial Triassic in China are difficult to be correlated to the global chart, the proposed Chinese(regional) Triassic chronostratigraphic chart of marine and terrestrial stages would be of importance to the study of Chinese Triassic stratigraphy and related aspects, but the stages must be conceptually in line with international standards and studied as soon as possible in order to finalize the definition.     

Cambrian integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Cambrian Period is the first period of the Phanerozoic Eon and witnessed the explosive appearance of the metazoans, representing the beginning of the modern earth-life system characterized by animals in contrary to the Precambrian earth-life system dominated by microbial life. However, understanding Cambrian earth-life system evolution is hampered by regional and global stratigraphic correlations due to an incomplete chronostratigraphy and consequent absence of a highresolution timescale. Here we briefly review the historical narrative of the present international chronostratigraphic framework of the Cambrian System and summarize recent advances and problems of the undefined Cambrian stage GSSPs, in particular we challenge the global correlation of the GSSP for the Cambrian base, in addition to Cambrian chemostratigraphy and geochronology. Based on the recent advances of the international Cambrian chronostratigraphy, revisions to the Cambrian chronostratigraphy of China, which are largely based on the stratigraphic record of South China, are suggested, and the Xiaotanian Stage is newly proposed for the Cambrian Stage 2 of China. We further summarize the integrative stratigraphy of South China, North China and Tarim platforms respectively with an emphasis on the facies variations of the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary successions and problems for identification of the Cambrian base in the different facies and areas of China. Moreover, we discuss stratigraphic complications that are introduced by poorly fossiliferous dolomite successions in the upper Cambrian System which are widespread in South China, North China and Tarim platforms.     

Some fundamental problems in outcrop sequence stratigraphy

Some fundamental problems in outcrop sequence stratigraphy are discussed, and the following ideas are obtained: (i) Detailed sedimentary facies analysis and study on stacking pattern of parasequences, careful and accurate study of biostratigraphy, and stratigraphical correlation of different facies areas are the essential conditions for proper identification of sequences. (ii) The first flooding surface may be an ideal sequence boundary in outcrop sequence stratigraphy, where the most distinct palaeontological and sedimentary changes take place and make the surface readily recognizable in outcmp. (iii) The distribution in space, specially in different facies belts, is regarded as an important criterion for defining and recognizing the various orders of sequences. The third-order sequence is probably global in nature, which may be discerned in various depositional facies belts at least on one continental margin, and can be correlated over long distances, sometimes worldwide. (iv) The first flooding surface may be used as a useful reference marker in optimizing chronostratigraphic boundaries. Project jointly supported by the SSER, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources of China.     

江南古陆变质基底地层年代的修正和武陵运动构造意义

江南古陆变质基底的研究中,最突出的基础地质问题依然是地层年代的精确标定。地层年代标定涉及到成矿地层的划分和对比及其构造演化的时限,也直接影响层控矿床找矿中涉及的基础地质问题。在最新的中国地层年表中,前寒武纪地层对比和构造背景解释已发生重大变化。本文依据扬子块体和华夏块体新元古代地层中最新的系列锆石U—Pb测年结果,初步揭示“江南古陆”变质基底地层火山事件和分布范围。结合全球格林威尔造山运动基本特征,对江南古陆变质基底地层年代的修正将有利于重新厘定江南造山带的成矿背景,提供层控矿床基础年代地层资料,为新的矿产资源大调查服务。     

Devonian integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points(GSSPs) for the bases of all seven international Devonian stages have been formally defined and ratified by IUGS till 1996, and nowadays, the main tasks for Devonian stratigraphers include further subdivision of these standard stages, strictly constrained absolute ages for the boundaries, and precise neritic-pelagic and marine-terrestrial correlations using multidisciplinary stratigraphy methods. Establishment of high-resolution Devonian integrative stratigraphy framework and timescale of China would play an important role in improving regional and international correlation, facilitating the recognition of important stratigraphic levels in different paleogeographic settings, and understanding the evolution pattern of biota, paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during this critical interval. Based on well-studied bio-and chronostratigraphy of Devonian in South China and adjacent areas, in combination with recent achievements in carbon isotope stratigraphy, event stratigraphy and radioactive isotope ages, this paper briefly summarize the research history and current status of Devonian chronostratigraphy of China, and for the first time introduce Devonian integrative stratigraphy framework of China.Up to date, few studies have been conducted on the astronomical cyclostratigraphy and high-resolution radioactive isotope dating in Devonian of China, which should be our main focuses in the near future.     

Cambrian-Ordovician sequence stratigraphy on the northern Tarim Platform and its correlation with Yangtze Platform and North China Platform

The Cambrian and Ordovician on the northern Tarim Platform are mainly composed of carbonates. On the basis of detailed outcrop analysis, the sequence stratigraphic system of the Cambrian-Ordovician in the northern Tarim Platform is outlined in this paper. Altogether 35 third-order sequences, 12 supersequences, 4 supersequence sets and 2 megasequences are recognized. The characteristics of the major sequence boundaries have been documented with an integrated examination of outcrop, seismic and borehole data, and the ages of these sequence boundaries have been calibrated through the combination of sequence stratigraphy with biostratigraphy. It is discovered that there is good correlation of the sequence stratigraphy of the Cambrian-Ordovician among Tarim, Yangtze and North China platforms. This may illustrate that the development of the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequences in these three platforms is mainly controlled by regional or global sea level changes. This forms the theoretical basis for the construction of high-resolution chronostratigraphic system of the Cambrian-Ordovician in the three platforms in China.     

Cambrian-Ordovician sequence stratigraphy on the

The Cambrian and Ordovician on the northern Tarim Platform are mainly composed of carbonates. On the basis of detailed outcrop analysis, the sequence stratigraphic system of the Cambrian-Ordovician in the northern Tarim Platform is outlined in this paper. Altogether 35 third-order sequences, 12 supersequences, 4 supersequence sets and 2 megasequences are recognized. The characteristics of the major sequence boundaries have been documented with an integrated examination of outcrop, seismic and borehole data, and the ages of these sequence boundaries have been calibrated through the combination of sequence stratigraphy with biostrati-graphy. It is discovered that there is good correlation of the sequence stratigraphy of the Cambrian-Ordovician among Tarim, Yangtze and North China platforms. This may illustrate that the development of the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequences in these three platforms is mainly controlled by regional or global sea level changes. This forms the theoretical basis for the construction of high-resolution chronostratigraphic system of the Cambrian-Ordovician in the three platforms in China.     

K-bentonite beds and high-resolution integrated stratigraphy of the uppermost Ordovician Wufeng and the lowest Silurian Longmaxi formations in South China

More than 20 K-bentonite beds were discovered from the Wufeng Formation and the lowest Longmaxi Formation in two sections, both adjacent to the Ordovician-Silurian (O-S) boundary and located in Tongzi, Guizhou Province and Yichang, Hubei Province, some 500 km apart from each other in South China. This indicates that many volcanic eruptions occurred near the southeast margin of the Yangtze Platform between the latest Ordovician and the earliest Silurian. Mainly through biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic studies, it was found that almost all these far-apart K-bentonite beds may be correlated with each other. This is the first time that a succession of volcanic ash deposits with high potential of correlation was discovered within a strata interval on the main platforms of China. Therefore, these K-bentonite beds may afford excellent event-marker beds helpful to high-resolution research in integrated stratigraphy as well as other lines of research on the O-S boundary in South China.     

四川盆地震旦系-下古生界烃源岩热演化模式及主控因素

烃源岩热演化是含油气盆地烃源岩评价的基本内容之一,也是油气动态成藏研究的基础.通过系统分析地层沉积样式,结合盆地热史恢复结果,应用Easy%Ro化学动力学模型,模拟了四川盆地86口代表性钻井和200余口人工井点震旦系-下古生界烃源岩热演化史.结果表明,在盆地不同构造单元,下寒武统和下志留统烃源岩热演化特征存在明显差异,并据此建立了四种热演化模式:①加里东期成熟,早晚二叠世期间快速演化定型,以川南地区下寒武统烃源岩为代表;②加里东期未熟,早晚二叠世期间一次快速演化定型,以川西南下寒武统和川南下志留统烃源岩为代表;③加里东期成熟,晚海西-燕山期再次增熟,以川东、川北地区下寒武统烃源岩为代表;④加里东期未熟,晚海西-燕山期持续增熟,以川中地区下寒武统和川东、川北下志留统烃源岩为代表.通过对比研究沉积速率、热流和增温速率之间的耦合关系,剖析了四川盆地震旦系-下古生界烃源岩热演化的控制因素,即川西南和川南局部地区主要受控于早晚二叠世期间峨眉山地幔柱和玄武岩的异常热效应,而盆地其它地区则受沉积地层埋深增热和盆地热流演化的共同作用,其中沉积地层埋深增热对烃源岩增温效应更加显著.     

U–Pb zircon age from the radiolarian‐bearing Hitoegane Formation in the Hida Gaien Belt,Japan

The dating of radiolarian biostratigraphic zones from the Silurian to Devonian is only partially understood. Dating the zircons in radiolarian‐bearing tuffaceous rocks has enabled us to ascribe practical ages to the radiolarian zones. To extend knowledge in this area, radiometric dating of magmatic zircons within the radiolarian‐bearing Hitoegane Formation, Japan, was undertaken. The Hitoegane Formation is mainly composed of alternating beds of tuffaceous sandstones, tuffaceous mudstones and felsic tuff. The felsic tuff and tuffaceous mudstone yield well‐preserved radiolarian fossils. Zircon grains showing a U–Pb laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry age of 426.6 ± 3.7 Ma were collected from four horizons of the Hitoegane Formation, which is the boundary between the Pseudospongoprunum tauversi to Futobari solidus–Zadrappolus tenuis radiolarian assemblage zones. This fact strongly suggests that the boundary of these assemblage zones is around the Ludlowian to Pridolian. The last occurrence of F. solidus is considered to be Pragian based on the reinterpretation of a U–Pb sensitive high mass‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon age of 408.9 ± 7.6 Ma for a felsic tuff of the Kurosegawa belt, Southwest Japan. Thus the F. solidus–Z. tenuis assemblage can be assigned to the Ludlowian or Pridolian to Pragian. The present data also contribute to establishing overall stratigraphy of the Paleozoic rocks of the Fukuji–Hitoegane area. According to the Ordovician to Carboniferous stratigraphy in this area, Ordovician to Silurian volcanism was gradually reduced to change the sedimentary environment into a tropical lagoon in the early Devonian. And the quiet Carboniferous environment was subsequently interrupted, throwing it once more into the volcanic conditions in the Middle Permian.     

Quaternary integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

Quaternary strata in China mainly comprise continental deposits in a variety of depositional settings. The continental Quaternary in temperate northern China consists mainly of eolian and fluvio-lacustrine deposits; that in subtropical southern China, mainly of vermiculated red soils, cave/fissure deposits, and fluvio-lacustrine deposits; and that in the alpine Tibetan Plateau, mainly of fluvio-lacustrine and piedmont deposits. The marine Quaternary in China consists of detrital deposits and biogenic reef deposits. The integration of biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, climatostratigraphy and an astronomically calibrated chronology has led to the establishment of high-precision climatochronostratigraphic timescales for the detrital marine Quaternary in the South China Sea and the loess-paleosol sequence in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Extremely high-precision230 Th dating has provided a high-precision absolute age model for cave stalagmites over the past 640000 years as well as highresolution oxygen isotope records representing orbital-to suborbital-scale climate changes. By combining magnetic stratigraphy and biostratigraphy, robust chronostratigraphic frameworks for non-eolian continental Quaternary deposits on the scale of Quaternary geomagnetic polarities have been established. The continental Pleistocene Series consists, from oldest to youngest,of the Nihewanian Stage of the Lower Pleistocene, the Zhoukoudianian Stage of the Middle Pleistocene, and the Salawusuan Stage of the Upper Pleistocene. Stages of the continental Holocene Series have not yet been established. This review summarizes recent developments in the Quaternary chronostratigraphy of representative Quaternary strata and associated faunas, and then proposes an integrative chronostratigraphic framework and a stratigraphic correlation scheme for Quaternary continental strata in China. In the near-future, it is hoped to establish not only a Chinese continental Quaternary climatochronostratigraphic chart on the scale of glacial-interglacial cycles but also a Quaternary integrative chronostratigraphic chart including both continental and marine strata in China.     

Neogene integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The widely exposed Chinese Neogene terrestrial deposits provide the best circumstance for the establishment of an accurate chronostratigraphic system of Eurasia, and the rapidly evolved mammalian fossils contribute efficiently to the division and correlation of Asian Neogene strata. A uniform Neogene biostratigraphic framework for China has already been established,with seven mammalian ages named. With a developed stratigraphic basis for the geochronologic "ages", seven chronostratigraphic "stage" have been established for the Chinese Neogene terrestrial strata, namely the Miocene Xiejian, Shanwangian,Tunggurian, Bahean, and Baodean stages, and the Pliocene Gaozhuangian and Mazegouan stages. Based on a series of research achievements, refined biostratigraphic, paleomagnetic and isotopic methods were combined and applied to continuous sections,and a Chinese Neogene chronostratigraphic sequence with accurate geological ages was established and improved in recent years. The lower boundaries of most of the stages could be correlated with those of the marine stages in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, except the Tunggurian Stage, which is correlated with the European land mammal age. The biostratigraphic markers of the Chinese Neogene stages are usually first appearance of a single taxon, some representing regional species replacement, others indicating intercontinental migration of certain taxa. Candidate stratotype sections have been proposed for all the Chinese Neogene stages according to the principle and rule of modern stratigraphy, and other Chinese Neogene strata in different regions are comprehensively correlated.     

Event chronostratigraphy: A high-resolution tool for dating the recent past

The most recent part of the geological timescale presents us with some of the greatest challenges for dating. With the exception of ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U methods, whose use is restricted to rather specific depositional environments, there is no established geochronometric tool capable of dating more than a fraction of the recent past at a resolution adequate to tackle the environmental issues of this period. Event stratigraphy, the investigation of comparatively rare and abrupt occurrences that leave some trace in the stratigraphic record, has been widely employed as a means of correlation and dating of older geological strata. Yet this approach has frequently been overlooked in efforts to establish chronologies of the recent past. It is ironic, therefore, that because of the acceleration of human activity, stratigraphic events have almost certainly occurred with greater frequency over the last few centuries than at any preceding time in Earth history. Because the history of human-induced events is usually well-established, the markers of such events have immense chronostratigraphic value. They may be employed in circumstances in which radiometric techniques may not be suitable, and may offer higher-resolution dates than those associated with conventional dating methods. Dated event horizons may also provide the essential means by which to validate geochronometric analyses of the recent past.Event markers may be divided into those that produce discontinuities in the rock record and those (of much greater value in the terrestrial deposits that are the focus of most investigations of the recent past) that leave some tangible signal in the rocks. These signals may be the result of either natural factors or human-induced processes, and may occur in a range of temporal contexts. They may mark the instant of occurrence of a short-lived phenomenon, or they may represent the abrupt disappearance or sudden appearance of some feature. This paper reviews each of these markers, focussing specifically on their application to the chronology of the recent past and the global environmental transformation that has taken place during this time.     

从第29届国际地质大会看含油气盆地分析的某些进展

总结分析了第２９届国际地质大会上有关含油气盆地分析中某些方面的进展，主要包括：（１）弧后及大陆裂谷盆地、克拉通盆地、前陆盆地以及与走滑作用有关的盆地形成的地球动力学背景及形成机理分析；（２）利用砂岩岩石学和火山岩地球化学特征探讨盆地形成的构造背景及其演化；（３）层序地层学在分析沉积盆地沉积充填特征及历史、识别和预测储集砂体、预测源岩分布及有机质丰度中的应用；（４）盆地发育过程中主要地质作用的数值模拟；（５）油气生成、运移和聚集的数值模拟。     

Ordovician backarc‐basin metadolerite and metabasalt of the South Kitakami Terrane,Northeast Japan

Basement rocks that occur along the northern margin of the South Kitakami Terrane in Japan consist of Ordovician ultramafic rocks (Hayachine ultramafic complex), gneissose amphibolite (Kuromoriyama amphibolite), and mafic rocks (Kagura igneous rocks, KIR). The KIR are composed of metagabbro, metadolerite, metabasalt, and minor felsic–intermediate dikes. Although the KIR contain green hornblende due to metamorphism of greenschist to epidote–amphibolite facies, they rarely retain primary brown hornblende. Approximately 30% of the metabasalt shows porphyritic textures, with phenocrysts of saussuritized plagioclase and/or altered mafic minerals. The geochemistry of the common metadolerite and metabasalt of the KIR shows a tholeiite trend, a low TiO₂ content, and high Th/Nb and Ti/V ratios. The KIR are therefore indicative of a supra‐subduction zone tectonic setting, which implies a backarc origin (as also indicated by discrimination diagrams). Trace element patterns of the KIR resemble those of the backarc‐basin basalt of the Japan and Yamato basins in the Japan Sea. We propose that the KIR formed during backarc spreading from the Ordovician to Early Silurian. This view is supported by the geochemical data, the tectonic setting of the Hayachine ultramafic rocks, and the provenance of clastics within Silurian sedimentary rocks.     

Lateral variation in seismic velocities and rheology beneath the Qinling-Dabie orogen

The Qinling-Dabie orogen is an important tectonic belt that trends east-west and divides continental China into northern and southern parts.Due to its strong deformation,complicated structure,multiphase structural superposition and the massive exposed high and ultrahigh metamorphic rocks,its tectonic formation and geodynamical evolution are hot research topics worldwide.Previous studies mainly focused on the regional geological or geochemical aspects,whereas the geophysical constraints are few and isolated,in particular on the orogenic scale.Here,we integrate the available P- and S-wave seismic and seismicity data,and construct the rheological structures along the Qinling-Dabie orogen.The results demonstrate that:(1)there are strong lateral variations in the crustal velocity between the western and eastern sections of the Qinling-Dabie orogen,indicating the different origin and tectonic evolution between these two parts;(2) the lateral variations are also manifested in the rheological structure.The rigid blocks,such as South China and Ordos basin(North China Craton),resist deformation and show low seismicity.The weak regions,such as the margin of Tibet and western Qinling-Dabie experience strong deformation and accumulated stress,thus show active seismicity;(3) in the lower crust of most of the HP/UHP terranes the values of P-wave velocity are higher than the global average ones;finally(4) low P- and S-wave velocities and low strength in the lower crust and lithospheric mantle beneath Dabie indicate lithospheric delamination,and/or high temperature,and partial melting condition.     

Chronological dating and tectonic implications of late Cenozoic volcanic rocks and lacustrine sequence in Oiyug Basin of southern Tibet

Reconstruction of uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for understanding its environmental impacts. The Oiyug Basin in southern Tibet contains multiple periods of sedimentary sequences and volcanic rocks that span much of the Cenozoic and has great potential for further studying this issue. However, these strata were poorly dated. This paper presents a chronological study of the 145 m thick and horizontally-distributed lacustrine sequence using paleomagnetic method as well as a K-Ar dating of the underlying volcanic rocks. Based on these dating results, a chronostratigraphic framework and the basin-developmental history have been established for the past 15 Ma, during which three tectonic stages are identified. The period of 15-8.1 Ma is characterized by intense volcanic activities involving at least three major eruptions. Subsequently, the basin came into a tectonically quiescent period and a lacustrine sedimentary sequence was developed. Around 2.5 Ma, an N-S fault occurred across the southern margin of the basin, leading to the disappearance of the lake environment and the development of the Oiyug River. The Gyirong basin on northern slope of the Himalayas shows a similar basin developmental history and thus there is a good agreement in tectonic activities between the Himalayan and Gangdise orogenic belts. Therefore, the tectonic evolution stages experienced by the Oiyug Basin during the past 15 Ma could have a regional significance for southern Tibet. The chronological data obtained from this study may provide some constraints for further studies with regard to the tectonic processes and environmental changes in southern Tibetan Plateau.     

全球变化的地球物理测井研究

地球物理测井可以直接服务于全球变化的方面有;地球物理测井矿物分析（粘土矿物分析计算,碳酸盐含量分析计算,反射光谱计算分析）,地球物理测井岩性分析（粗细成分含量分析计算,平均粒度,层里一纹理类型,岩石孔隙度,渗透率）磁性地层测井分析（磁测试对比或计算后为全球变化问题间接斩有：同位素地层分析,旋回与层序地层划分,地层水化学成分分析;     

Mean densities of Pre-Devonian sedimentary rocks in Poland and their depth dependence

Summary Since 1945 in Poland density measurements have been completed on drilling samples to obtain data for reduction and interpretation of geophysical results. In this paper the developments in density measurements techniques and data processing in Poland are reviewed. Mean density maps have been constructed for the following Pre-Devonian divisions: Volhynian, Valdai and Subholmian Cambrian, Holmian and Protoolenus Cambrian, Middle Cambrian, Lower Ordovician, Middle Ordovician, Upper Ordovician, Lower Silurian, Middle Silurian, Upper Silurian. On the basis of the same data the dependence of mean densities on the present depth of all the above divisions has been examined. This dependence has been approximated by regression equations of the following type: (h)= ah + b , (h) = ah² + bh + c, (h)= alnh + b((h): mean density,h: present depth). In addition to the coefficients of these equations the correlation coefficient, regression standard error, and confidence intervals have been calculated. Analysis of the results obtained revealed a dominant effect of compaction on the mean density values. Hypotheses have been presented concerning other geological factors responsible for the variation of these values. Regression curves constructed for the individual stratigraphic horizons served to estimate the maximum earlier depth of the Palaeozoic rocks of the Holy Cross Mountains and their vertical displacement. Similar studies have been completed for two adjacent boreholes situated in the Bug River depression. Their results indicate that mean density values can readily serve to estimate the amount of vertical tectonic displacement.