Une Microflore du Barrémien dans la Province de Valencia,Espagne

A Barremian microflora is recorded in the terrigenous facies (Weald) of the Lower Cretaceous in the northern region of the Province of Valencia (Spain), these beds have been poorly dated up to now due to the absence of fossils. The Villar del Arzobispo microflora correspond unquestionably to the Barremian-Aptien period, but the numerical importance of derived forms from the Jurassic, the remarkable variety of forms of Cicatricosisporites, and the rareness of pollen of Angiosperms, indicate a Barremian age to be more likely.This discovery permits us to establish the stratigraphical relationship of this terrigenousfacies of Villar del Arzobispo with the dated “Weald” of other areas of the Iberian Chain and to give a complete chrono-stratigraphical interpretation to the different litho-stratigraphical units that constitute the Lower Cretaceous of this region.     

Discovery of two ophiolite complexes of different ages in the Khoy area (NW Iran)

New field and laboratory studies on the ophiolite of Khoy (northwestern corner of Iran) lead to the discovery that there are not one, but two ophiolitic complexes in the Khoy area: (1) an old, poly-metamorphic ophiolite, whose oldest metamorphic amphiboles yielded a Lower Jurassic apparent ⁴⁰K–⁴⁰Ar age, and whose primary magmatic age should logically be pre-Jurassic (Upper-Triassic?); (2) a younger non metamorphic ophiolite of well dated Upper Cretaceous age. To cite this article: M. Khalatbari-Jafari et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Jurassic–Cretaceous radiolarian biostratigraphy and sedimentary environments of the Ceno-Tethys: records from the Xialu Chert in the Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone,southern Tibet

Radiolarian biostratigraphic research has been carried out along two continuous sections through the Xialu Chert, one of the accreted sheets included in the Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone. Six radiolarian zones have been identified as follows: Laxtorum(?) jurassicum Zone (Aalenian), Tricolocapsa plicarum Zone (Bajocian–lower Bathonian), Stylocapsa(?) spiralis Zone (upper Callovian–Oxfordian), Hsuum maxwelli Zone (Kimmeridgian), Pseudodictyomitra carpatica Zone (upper Tithonian–lower Valanginian), and Turbocapsula costata Zone (Aptian).A reconstructed stratigraphy of the Xialu Chert, based on lithological succession and radiolarian dating, indicates that the chert exhibits a long depositional history, at least from early Middle Jurassic (Aalenian) to late Early Cretaceous (Aptian). The separation of the Lhasa Block from the northern Gondwana margin must, therefore, be dated before the Aalenian. The absence of calcareous sediments in the Xialu Chert indicates that the oceanic basin was deeper than the CCD throughout the depositional history. The transition from chert to siliceous mudstone is recorded sometime in Early Cretaceous, most probably around the Barremian/Aptian boundary. This means that the oceanic plate had already started being consumed at a trench by that time. The accretion of the Xialu Chert occurred after the Aptian time.     

Petrology,geochemistry and geochronology of the Zhongcang ophiolite,northern Tibet: implications for the evolution of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean

Ophiolites are widespread along the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone, northern Tibet. However, it is still debated on the formation ages and tectonic evolution process of these ophiolites. The Zhongcang ophiolite is a typical ophiolite in the western part of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. It is composed of serpentinized peridotite, cumulate and isotropic gabbros, massive and pillow basalts, basaltic volcanic breccia, and minor red chert. Zircon SHRIMP Ue Pb dating for the isotropic gabbro yielded weighted mean age of 163.4 ± 1.8 Ma. Positive zircon ε Hf(t) values(+15.0 to +20.2) and mantle-like σ~(18)O values(5.29 ±0.21)% indicate that the isotropic gabbros were derived from a long-term depleted mantle source. The isotropic gabbros have normal mid-ocean ridge basalt(N-MORB) like immobile element patterns with high Mg O, low TiO_2 and moderate rare earth element(REE) abundances, and negative Nb,Ti, Zr and Hf anomalies. Basalts show typical oceanic island basalt(OIB) geochemical features, and they are similar to those of OIB-type rocks of the Early Cretaceous Zhongcang oceanic plateau within the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean. Together with these data, we suggest that the Zhongcang ophiolite was probably formed by the subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean during the Middle Jurassic. The subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Ocean could begin in the Earlye Middle Jurassic and continue to the Early Cretaceous, and finally continental collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes at the west Bangong-Nujiang suture zone probably has taken place later than the Early Cretaceous(ca. 110 Ma).     

A new afrograptid (Diplostraca: Estheriellina) from the Lower Cretaceous of southern England

The Family Afrograptidae is a ‘conchostracan’ group with multiple radial costae reaching to the umbo on their carapaces. It comprises four described genera: Afrograpta, Camerunograpta, Congestheriella and Graptoestheriella with a total of thirteen described species which are occasionally reported from the Jurassic and the Cretaceous in Africa, Europe and South America (i.e. Afrograpta from the Upper Cretaceous of Cameroon; Camerunograpta from the Jurassic to Cretaceous of Cameroon; Congestheriella from the Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous of the Congo Basin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Venezuela and Argentina; and Graptoestheriella from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous of Brazil). A new genus and a new species, Surreyestheria ockleyensis gen. et sp. nov., belonging to the Family Afrograptidae from the Lower Cretaceous (lower Barremian) Upper Weald Clay Formation of Ockley Village, Surrey County, southern England is described in this paper. The new genus mainly differs from the other four genera by the special reticulate ornamentation on its carapace. It indicates that the Family Afrograptidae was more diverse and more widely distributed in the late Mesozoic than previously supposed. Afrograptidae is a special branch of Estheriellina the latter originating in the late Palaeozoic and the former in the early Mesozoic. Afrograptids, as a whole had been widespread across Pangea in the Early Jurassic.     

A new genus and species of damsel-dragonfly (Odonata: Stenophlebiidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia,China

A taxon of the Stenophlebiidae, Yixianstenophlebia magnifica gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Liutiaogou, Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia of China. Its closest relative is the Late Jurassic European genus Stenophlebia. This new discovery is helpful to understand the Jehol Biota assemblage at Liutiaogou Locality. It also confirms that the Stenophlebiidae was a very diverse and widespread family during the Early Cretaceous. The causes of its extinction in the Late Cretaceous remain enigmatic.     

合肥盆地中生代地层时代与源区的碎屑锆石证据

合肥盆地位于大别造山带北侧、郯庐断裂带西侧,其发育过程与这两大构造带演化密切相关。本次工作对合肥盆地南部与东部出露的中生代砂岩与火山岩进行了锆石年代学研究,从而限定了各组地层的沉积时代,确定了火山岩喷发时间,指示了沉积物的源区。这些年代学数据表明,合肥盆地南部的中生代碎屑岩自下而上分别为下侏罗统防虎山组、中侏罗统圆筒山组或三尖铺组、下白垩统凤凰台组与周公山组(或黑石渡组)与上白垩统戚家桥组,其间缺失上侏罗统。盆地东部白垩系自下而上为下白垩统朱巷组与响导铺组和上白垩统张桥组。该盆地出露的毛坦厂组或白大畈组火山岩喷发时代皆为早白垩世(130～120 Ma)。盆地南部的下——中侏罗统及白垩系源区皆为大别造山带,分别对应该造山带的后造山隆升与造山后伸展隆升。而盆地东部白垩系的源区始终为东侧的张八岭隆起带,后者属于郯庐断裂带伸展活动中的上升盘。     

Stratigraphy and sedimentology of Jurassic bedded chert overlying ophiolites in the North Apennines, Italy

In the North Apennines of Italy, Upper Jurassic bedded chert stratigraphically overlies ophiolitic rocks and is overlain by Lower to Middle Cretaceous pelagic limestone and shale, and Upper Cretaceous flysch. The bedded chert, best exposed in East Liguria and on Elba, is typically 30–80 m thick, but occasionally reaches 150–200 m thickness. It consists of two main alternating lithologïes: siliceous mudstone (SM) and radiolarite (R). Chert sections commonly show characteristic stratigraphic changes. Lower cherts display a striking rhythmic alternation of R and ferruginous SM beds. In middle cherts, SM beds are much less ferruginous and shalier intercalations are locally present. In upper cherts, R beds are less frequent and SM beds are essentially non-ferruginous. R beds are generally 1–4 cm thick, and consist of 80–90% quartz, 5–15% clays and usually < 1% hematite. They are commonly parallel-laminated, and rarely size-graded. In size-graded beds, large radiolaria are more abundant near the bed base (commonly together with ophiolitic or SM clasts) and small radiolaria more abundant near the bed top. Sorting is poor throughout most R beds. R beds are interpreted as turbidites (cf. Nisbet & Price, 1974). Model calculations suggest that typical settling velocities of radiolaria during redeposition are < 1 cm sec^?1, which is low and of restricted range relative to the 1–10 cm sec^?1 settling velocities of clastic grains of comparable size range. Radiolaria therefore should have only a limited tendency to grade and sort during deposition from a turbulent current. SM beds are commonly 1–7 cm thick, although much thicker ones occur near the base of sections, and consist mainly of 50–70% quartz, 15–35% clays and 0–15% hematite. Microscopic clay-silica aggregates and highly corroded remnants of radiolaria are common. SM beds are interpreted as mainly ambient pelagic sediment which accumulated slowly in topographic lows, and which was modified by near-surface dissolution of biogenic silica. In SM beds which contain two texturally different layers, the lower one is interpreted as the top of the underlying radiolarian turbidite. North Apennine cherts represent the first sediment deposited on oceanic crust formed during the opening of the North Apennine part of the Tethys. The ophiolitic basement had a rugged topography which favoured the redeposition of siliceous sediment. Hematite and local Mn enrichments in SM beds in the lower chert sections represent hydrothermal precipitates inferred to have originated at a spreading axis. During seafloor spreading, accumulation of siliceous sediments progressively reduced the topography. Deposition of ophiolitic detritus within the sediments phased out during early chert sedimentation, and the hydrothermal contribution during early-middle chert sedimentation. As local basins filled, during late chert sedimentation, radiolarian turbidites became less frequent. The first limestones at the top of chert sections are calcareous ooze turbidites derived from above the CCD and deposited slightly below it. Gradual descent of the CCD to ocean floor depths at the end of the Jurassic (Bosellini & Winterer, 1975) led to the replacement of siliceous by carbonate sedimentation.     

西藏江孜-浪卡子一带的侏罗-白垩纪界线地层

侏罗系/白垩系界线是显生宙所有系级界线中存在问题最多的一个。西藏南部出露有良好的侏罗-白垩纪地层,本次工作在喜马拉雅地层区的康马隆子地层分区开展了海相侏罗系/白垩系的界线研究。江孜地区的界线地层被划分为维美组和甲不拉组;浪卡子地区的甲不拉组之下发育一套含大量火山岩层的火山－沉积地层,被称为桑秀组。该地层分区的地层系统由下至上为：维美组浅灰色厚层状粗-细粒石英砂岩;桑秀组黑色页岩、安山岩和玄武岩;以及甲不拉组黑色页岩、硅质泥页岩夹砂岩和砂质灰岩。维美组中含化石稀少,仅在江孜地区发现零星菊石Haplophylloceras、Himalayites等。桑秀组下部页岩和粉砂岩中找到少量菊石化石,属于Spiticeras、Berriasella、Haplophylloceras的一些种,和富集成层的双壳类Inoceramus everesti等。江孜甲不拉组下部化石丰富,划分为Spiticeras-Berriasella下组合和Himalayaites-Haplophylloceras上组合。本研究区的生物地层可与聂拉木地区的菊石化石组合对比。通过生物地层学对比,江孜-浪卡子地区的维美组时代为晚侏罗世Tithonian期,江孜地区甲不拉组下部和浪卡子地区的桑秀组均属于下白垩统。桑秀组下部的页岩段与江孜甲不拉组的最下部地层相当,上部火山岩的同位素年龄为133 Ma。据此,桑秀组的时代为Berriasian至Hauterivian期,侏罗系/白垩系的界线位于该组之底,以Virgatosphinctes、Aulocosphinctes的消失和Spiticeras的出现为标志。侏罗纪末期西藏特提斯海区普遍形成大规模海退,表现为维美组和门卡墩组顶部砂岩的同期沉积。     

Aalenian to Cenomanian Radiolaria of the Bermeja Complex (Puerto Rico) and Pacific origin of radiolarites on the Caribbean Plate

The study of the radiolarian ribbon chert is a key in determining the origins of associated Mesozoic oceanic terranes and may help to achieve a general agreement regarding the basic principles on the evolution of the Caribbean Plate. The Bermeja Complex of Puerto Rico, which contains serpentinized peridotite, altered basalt, amphibolite, and chert (Mariquita Chert Formation), is one of these crucial oceanic terranes. The radiolarian biochronology presented in this work is mainly based by correlation on the biozonations of Baumgartner et al. (1995) and O??Dogherty (1994) and indicates an early Middle Jurassic to early Late Cretaceous (late Bajocian?Cearly Callovian to late early Albian?Cearly middle Cenomanian) age. The illustrated assemblages contain about 120 species, of which one is new (Pantanellium karinae), and belonging to about 50 genera. A review of the previous radiolarian published works on the Mariquita Chert Formation and the results of this study suggest that this formation ranges in age from Middle Jurassic to early Late Cretaceous (late Aalenian to early?Cmiddle Cenomanian) and also reveal a possible feature of the Bermeja Complex, which is the younging of radiolarian cherts from north to south, evoking a polarity of accretion. On the basis of a currently exhaustive inventory of the radiolarite facies s.s. on the Caribbean Plate, a re-examination of the regional distribution of Middle Jurassic sediments associated with oceanic crust, and a paleoceanographic argumentation on the water currents, we come to the conclusion that the radiolarite and associated Mesozoic oceanic terranes of the Caribbean Plate are of Pacific origin. Eventually, a discussion on the origin of the cherts of the Mariquita Formation illustrated by Middle Jurassic to middle Cretaceous geodynamic models of the Pacific and Caribbean realms bring up the possibility that the rocks of the Bermeja Complex are remnants of two different oceans.     

The first Early Cretaceous damsel–dragonfly (Odonata: Stenophlebiidae: Stenophlebia) from western Liaoning,China

A well-preserved forewing of the damsel–dragonfly Stenophlebia liaoningensis sp. nov. is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in the Huangbanjigou Village, western Liaoning, China. This is the first discovery of the genus Stenophlebia in China, although it was widely distributed in Europe during the Late Jurassic. The discovery adds to the biodiversity of Stenophlebiidae in the Chinese Cretaceous, and provides insight on the evolution of this extinct family.     

冀北-辽西地区侏罗纪土城子组的时代归属

土城子组的时代归属存有分歧.目前主要有5种观点：①中侏罗世晚期-晚侏罗世早期;②晚侏罗世早期;③晚侏罗世;④晚侏罗世-早白垩世;⑤早白垩世.根据侏罗纪年代地层学的研究现状,综合生物地层、磁性地层及同位素年代学的资料,认为土城子组的时代应为中侏罗世晚期-晚侏罗世早期（Callovian-Oxfordian）.土城子组的同位素年龄在147~136 Ma之间.     

Archegocimicidae (Insecta: Heteroptera) from the Purbeck Limestone Group (Lower Cretaceous: Berriasian) of southern England

Four new genera and five new species of Archegocimicidae are described from the Lower Cretaceous of England: namely Mortalia martini gen. et sp. nov., Tyrion lannister gen. et sp. nov., T. cersei sp. nov., Stannis baratheon gen et sp. nov., Daenerys khaleesi gen. et sp. nov. A transitional position of the complex between Asian Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous entomofaunas is indicated by this new material.     

Zurupleuropholis gen. nov. (Teleostei,Albian, Argentina), first pleuropholids from the Cretaceous of South America

Although the Cretaceous is characterized by a rich fish diversity, Cretaceous continental fishes from Gondwana are poorly known and comparatively scarce. Among these fishes, the family Pleuropholidae is only known by a few species relatively poorly preserved, from the Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous of Europe, Africa, North America, and South America. In this paper, two new species of the pleuropholid new genus Zurupleuropholis are described, Z. quijadensis gen. et sp. nov. and Z. decollavi gen. et sp. nov. The new fishes were recovered in the Lower Cretaceous lacustrine Lagarcito Formation of central-west Argentina. This taxon constitutes a relevant finding considering that the representation of the family Pleuropholidae is rare worldwide. Zurupleuropholis gen. nov. appears to be the youngest known member of Pleuropholidae, and it represents the second record of the family in South America and the first record in the Cretaceous of the continent.     

Sedimentary response to the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic

With the aim of constraining the influence of the surrounding plates on the Late Paleozoic–Mesozoic paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton (NCC), we undertook new U–Pb and Hf isotope data for detrital zircons obtained from ten samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic sediments in the Luoyang Basin and Dengfeng area. Samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic strata were obtained from the Taiyuan, Xiashihezi, Shangshihezi, Shiqianfeng, Ermaying, Shangyoufangzhuang, Upper Jurassic unnamed, and Lower Cretaceous unnamed formations (from oldest to youngest). On the basis of the youngest zircon ages, combined with the age-diagnostic fossils, and volcanic interlayer, we propose that the Taiyuan Formation (youngest zircon age of 439 Ma) formed during the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, the Xiashihezi Formation (276 Ma) during the Early Permian, the Shangshihezi (376 Ma) and Shiqianfeng (279 Ma) formations during the Middle–Late Permian, the Ermaying Group (232 Ma) and Shangyoufangzhuang Formation (230 and 210 Ma) during the Late Triassic, the Jurassic unnamed formation (154 Ma) during the Late Jurassic, and the Cretaceous unnamed formation (158 Ma) during the Early Cretaceous. These results, together with previously published data, indicate that: (1) Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sandstones were sourced from the Northern Qinling Orogen (NQO); (2) Lower Permian sandstones were formed mainly from material derived from the Yinshan–Yanshan Orogenic Belt (YYOB) on the northern margin of the NCC with only minor material from the NQO; (3) Middle–Upper Permian sandstones were derived primarily from the NQO, with only a small contribution from the YYOB; (4) Upper Triassic sandstones were sourced mainly from the YYOB and contain only minor amounts of material from the NQO; (5) Upper Jurassic sandstones were derived from material sourced from the NQO; and (6) Lower Cretaceous conglomerate was formed mainly from recycled earlier detritus.The provenance shift in the Upper Carboniferous–Mesozoic sediments within the study area indicates that the YYOB was strongly uplifted twice, first in relation to subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate beneath the northern margin of the NCC during the Early Permian, and subsequently in relation to collision between the southern Mongolian Plate and the northern margin of the NCC during the Late Triassic. The three episodes of tectonic uplift of the NQO were probably related to collision between the North and South Qinling terranes, northward subduction of the Mianlue Ocean Plate, and collision between the Yangtze Craton and the southern margin of the NCC during the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian, Middle–Late Permian, and Late Jurassic, respectively. The southern margin of the central NCC was rapidly uplifted and eroded during the Early Cretaceous.     

羌塘地块西南缘上侏罗统-下白垩统海相地层的发现

通过1∶5万区域地质调查,在青藏高原羌塘地块西南缘鸡夯地区原划上三叠统日干配错群中新识别出一套上侏罗统—下白垩统地层。本文根据该套地层的岩石组合以及古生物面貌特征,初步探讨了该套地层的沉积环境和沉积相特征,对其中发育的玄武岩夹层采用锆石U-Pb(LA-ICP-MS)同位素测年方法,获得其年龄为118.3±2.1Ma。在发育的生物碎屑灰岩夹层中采集了珊瑚、双壳类、腕足、腹足类化石,化石资料显示该套地层形成于晚侏罗世—早白垩世。这是首次在南羌塘地块发现该时期海相地层,这一发现证明南羌塘地块在晚侏罗世—早白垩世时期海水并未完全退出,而是局部发育海相三角洲。     

Characteristics and evaluation of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf

Source rocks are the material basis of oil and gas generation and determine the potential resources of exploration blocks and have important research value. This paper studies the lithology, thickness, and geochemistry of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf. The results show that the Mesozoic source rocks are mainly dark mudstone and coal-bearing strata. The total thickness of Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks ranges from 100 m to 700 m, and that of Lower Cretaceous source rocks ranges from 50 m to 350 m. The overall thickness of Mesozoic source rocks is distributed in the NE direction and their thickness center is located in the Jilong Depression. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks are mainly developed shallow marine dark mudstone and transitional coal measure strata. Those of the Lower Cretaceous are mainly mudstone of a fan delta front. Lower–Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks are dominated by type III kerogen, with Lower–Middle Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks having high organic matter abundance and being medium–good hydrocarbon source rocks, while Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks have relatively poor quality. From northwest to southeast, the vitrinite reflectance Ro of Mesozoic source rocks increases gradually. Source rocks in the study area are divided into three types. The first hydrocarbon-generating area is mainly located in the southeastern region of the study area, and the Jilong Depression is the hydrocarbon-generating center. The results of this study can provide a basis for exploration of Mesozoic oil and gas resources in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf.© 2019 China Geology Editorial Office.     

1D PetroMod software modeling of the Basrah oil fields, Southern Iraq

1D (Petromod) hydrocarbon charge modeling and source rock characterization of the Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic underlying the prolific Cretaceous and Tertiary reservoirs in the Basra oilfields in southern Iraq. The study is based on well data of the Majnoon, West Qurna, Nahr Umr, Zubair, and Rumaila oil fields. Burial histories indicate complete maturation of Upper Jurassic source rocks during the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene followed by very recent (Neogene) maturation of the Low/Mid Cretaceous succession from early to mid-oil window conditions, consistent with the regional Iraq study of Pitman et al. (Geo Arab 9(4):41–72, 2004). These two main phases of hydrocarbon generation are synchronous with the main tectonic events and trap formation associated with Late Cretaceous closure of the neo-Tethys; the onset of continent–continent collision associated with the Zagros orogeny and Neogene opening of the Gulf of Suez/Red Sea. Palynofacies of the Lower Cretaceous Sulaiy and Lower Yamama Formations and of the Upper Jurassic Najmah/Naokelekan confirm their source rock potential, supported by pyrolysis data. To what extent the Upper Jurassic source rocks contributed to charge of the overlying Cretaceous reservoirs remains uncertain because of the Upper Jurassic Gotnia evaporite seal in between. The younger Cretaceous rocks do not contain source rocks nor were they buried deep enough for significant hydrocarbon generation.     

Spherules from the Late Cretaceous Phosphorite of the Fatehgarh Formation,Barmer Basin,India

A first report of discovery of spherules, glassy balls, highly magnetic fine dust and microbracciated matrix in the Fatehgarh Formation of Barmer Basin, Rajasthan, India is being presented in this paper. The Fatehgarh Formation is a mixed siliciclastic, carbonate and phosphorite formation of Cretaceous age in the Barmer Basin that comprises sediments of Middle Jurassic to Lower Eocene age. The phosphorite zone in the Fatehgarh Formation is ∼8 metre-thick zone that comprises phosphatic sandstone, bone bed, bedded phosphorite and phosphatic and non phosphatic gastropod beds. The spherules occur in a thin phosphatic-clay mud and silt band of bone bed, which also yielded a very rich and diverse microvertebrate assemblage with a dominant Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) form of Igdabatis along with forms comprising of Semionodontid, Lapisosteum and Enchodontid. The end Cretaceous is marked for a mass extinction of numerous species including dinosaurs. An extraterrestrial impact is interpreted as the reason for this mass extinction. Whether these spherules are related to the volcanic source or K/T Boundary impact ejecta found at Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico region needs detailed chemical and age characterization for which study is in progress.     

Radiolarian-bearing conglomerate from the Hayang Group, the Kyongsang Supergroup, southeastern Korea

The non-marine Cretaceous Kyongsang Supergroup, which is divided into the Sindong, the Hayang and the Yuchon groups, is widely distributed in southeastern Korea. Radiolarian-bearing pebbles are collected from the conglomerates of the Kumidong and the Kisadong formations of the Hayang Group. The age of radiolarian fossils range from Late Permian to Middle Jurassic. In Korea, Permian to Middle Jurassic marine chert beds are not exposed. The directions of paleocurrents of the Kumidong and the Kisadong formations are mainly from the northeast to southwest. During Cretaceous time, the Mino-Tamba Belt, within which Permian to Middle Jurassic chert beds are exposed, is suggested to have been located northeast of the Kyongsang Basin. The radiolarian faunas of the Hayang Group are similar to those of the Mino-Tamba Belt and other associated Mesozoic accretionary belts in Japan (e.g. the Ashio Belt). The provenance of the radiolarian-bearing pebbles collected from the Kumidong and the Kisadong formations is interpreted to be the Mino-Tamba Belt and other associated Mesozoic accretionary belts in Japan.