Evaluation of the four potential Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundaries in the Nanxiong Basin based on evidences from volcanic activity and paleoclimatic evolution

Determining the location of the Cretaceous-Paleogene(K-Pg) boundary in terrestrial strata is highly significant for studying the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems at the end of the Cretaceous(especially the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs). At present, research on terrestrial K-Pg boundaries worldwide is concentrated in the middle and high latitudes, such as North America and Northeast China. Although many studies have also been carried out in the Nanxiong Basin, located at low latitudes(which has become the standard for dividing and comparing the continental K-Pg stratigraphy in China), many researchers have proposed four possible boundaries from different perspectives. Therefore, the exact location remains to be determined. In this study, the total mercury(Hg) content, environmental magnetism, geochemistry, and other parameters for the samples collected near the four boundaries were determined and compared with existing records. Results indicated that: 1) The total Hg content significantly increased in the upper part of the Zhenshui Formation and Pingling part of the Shanghu Formation with sharp fluctuations. As per latest dating results of Deccan Traps, the significantly high Hg value was attributed to the Deccan Traps eruption. Boundary 1 was located in the middle of the Hg anomaly interval, which was consistent with the relationship between the global K-Pg boundary and time of volcanic eruption. 2) The reconstructed paleoclimate evolution curve revealed that the red sediments in the basin recorded the late Maastrichtian warming event(66.2 Ma). Regarding the relationship between the four boundaries and this warming event, only boundary 1 was found to be closest to the real K-Pg boundary of the Nanxiong Basin.     

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.     

Magnetic minerals in sediments at the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (the Gams Section,Eastern Alps)

The paper presents results of detailed magnetomineralogical and microprobe studies of sediments at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/T) boundary in two epicontinental sections in the Eastern Alps (Austria), where deposits, including the K/T boundary, outcrop along the Gams River and its tributaries. K/T boundary layers in these sections are similar in the set of such magnetic minerals as iron hydroxides, ferrospinels, hemoilmenite, titanomagnetite, magnetite, hematite, and metallic iron. However, the boundary layer in the Gams-1 section is distinguished by the presence of metallic nickel and its alloy with iron and by the absence of iron sulfides, whereas nickel has not been discovered in the Gams-2 section, which, however, contains iron sulfides of the pyrite type. Therefore, these minerals occur locally. It is suggested that enrichment in iron hydroxides of a common origin can be regarded as a global phenomenon inherent in the K/T boundary and unrelated to an impact event.     

Cosmic dust and micrometeorites in the transitional clay layer at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in the gams section (Eastern Alps): Morphology and chemical composition

Results of investigation of the cosmic matter in the transitional clay layer at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in the Gams section, Eastern Alps, are presented. A great diversity of iron microspherules and particles of different morphologies, pure nickel spherules, awaruite (Fe₃Ni) particles, and diamond crystals are discovered. Iron microspherules are also met in the overlying Paleocene deposits, but their diversity there is not great. The discovered metallic microspherules and particles are described, their chemical compositions are presented, and their origin is discussed.     

Paleogene integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Paleogene is the first period after the Mesozoic Mass Extinction. Mammals become the dominant group in the terrestrial ecosystem with a rapid radiation, and Asia has been considered to be the origin place of several mammalian groups.The Paleogene System consists mostly of terrestrial deposits in Asia, especially in East Asia. A well-established regional chronostratigraphic framework is the foundation for understanding both the Paleogene geologic history and evolutionary history of Asia and their relationships. The Paleogene is subdivided into the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart. Based on the land mammal ages, the Chinese terrestrial Paleogene can be subdivided into 11 stages:the Shanghuan, Nongshanian and Bayanulanian stages of the Paleocene, the Lingchan, Arshantan, Irdinmanhan, Sharamurunian,Ulangochuian and Baiyinian stages of the Eocene, and the Ulantatalian and Tabenbulukian stages of the Oligocene. These stages have distinctive paleontological characters, with special significance of fossil mammals, which provide a reliable practical basis.The bases of the Shanghuan, Lingchan, and Ulantatalian stages are coincident respectively with those of the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene. The ages for their bases are determined as 66.0, 56.0 and 33.9 Ma, respectively, following that for the corresponding series in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart. For other stages, estimated ages are provided based on available paleomagnetic results.     

The history of the Cretaceous environments of the northeastern Asian continental margin, Russia

Abstract The Cretaceous geodynamic and paleogeographic evolution of the northeastern Asian continental margin is summarized in five maps for time-intervals of 115-110, 100-90, 90-85, 85-74 and 70-50 Ma. Four major evolutionary stages are recognized: (i) the moderate extensional tectonic regime and origination of a system of island arcs in the Jurassic-Neocomian stage; (ii) Middle Cretaceous strong collisional and accretional processes resulting in the Asian continent formation in the Barremian-Early Albian stage; (iii) the origination of the subduction-related Okhotsk-Chukotka continental marginal volcanic belt in relation to the newly formed convergent plate boundary in the Late Albian-Senonian stage; and (iv) the next collision accompanied by the extinction of the subduction-related volcanism in the Late Cretaceous-Early Paleocene stage (Laramian orogeny) and displayed rift-related processes with the intraplate-type volcanism on the Asian continental margin. Those stages had been established through the whole Pacific ring and had close genetic relationships with mid-ocean ridges tectonic activity.     

On steps and methods for the establishment of global boundary stratotype section and point (GSSP) from the viewpoint of integrated stratigraphy

The steps and methods for the establishment of the global boundary stratotype section and point (GSSP) are summed up briefly as follows. (i) Select rock sequences of approximately the same age duration in a region, make a thorough study of their properties or attributes in order to establish the high-resolution stratigraphic units reflecting the natural rhythms in Earth's history, and proceed by multidisciplinary comprehensive studies to reveal the relationship, including time-space relation and possible mutual causality, among the various stratigraphic units and the different natural rhythms established. (ii) Seek for the "natural break" that represents the "major natural changes in the historical development of the Earth" in shallow marine facies areas, which is frequently the third-order sequence boundaries. (iii) Trace from shallow marine facies areas toward the continental slope and bathyal areas to seek for a continuous depositional sequence that corresponds in time span to the "natural break" of shallow marine facies areas. (iv) Seek for a horizon within the continuous depositional sequence that approximately coincides with the maximum regressive point in the "natural break". This horizon is commonly within a lowerstand systems tract (LST) or a shelf margin systems tract (SMST) of the relevant third-order sequence. (v) Seek immediately above this horizon of maximum marine regression for an organic radiation or explosion event closely related to the natural boundary, which is generally the first flooding surface (FFS) of the relevant third-order sequence. (vi) Select within the organic event deposits closely related to the FFS the base boundary of a fossil taxon with widest geographical range as the Leading Group biozone for designation of the stratigraphic boundary. (vii) Select from among the sections with continuous depositional sequence formed under similar sedimentary palaeogeographic background (in general continental slope or bathyal environments) the section which possesses the shortest distance between the base boundary of the Leading Group biozone and the immediately underlying FFS of the relevant third-order sequence as the global stratotype section. The first appearance datum (FAD) of the Leading Group biozone species in the section may be regarded as the ideal GSSP. The steps suggested above are a supplement and improvement of the currently used procedures and methods for establishing GSSP. The GSSP established by using the steps and methods suggested here would make the stratigraphic boundaries better reflect the "major natural changes in the historical development of the Earth", more readily distinguishable and easily operable in recognition and correlation, and at the same time also make the designation of boundaries more objective.     

Lithology and palynology of Neogene sediments on the narrow edge of the Kitakami Massif (basement rocks), northeast Japan: Significant change for depositional environments as a result of plate tectonics

Abstract A controversial stratigraphic section, the Taneichi Formation, is exposed along the Pacific Coast of northeastern Honshu, the main island of the Japanese Archipelago. Although most sediments of the formation have long been dated as late Cretaceous, the northern section of it has been assigned to (i) the Upper Cretaceous; (ii) the Paleogene; or (iii) the Neogene. In the present report, we present the data of palynological and sedimentological studies, showing that the northern section should be assigned to the Neogene. A more important point in the present study is that we invoke some basic principles of fluvial sedimentology to resolve this stratigraphic subject. The lignite layers full of Paleogene–Miocene dinoflagellate cysts and pollen assemblages drape over the boulder‐sized (>40 cm in diameter) clasts in the northern section. However, the layers totally consist of aggregates of small lignite chips, indicating that the lignites are allochthonous materials. The mega‐clasts with derived microfossils in the lignites are thought to have been deposited as Neogene fluvial (flood) sediments in the newly formed Japanese Archipelago. Prior to the Miocene, the northern Honshu was part of the Eurasian Plate, thus the boulder‐sized clasts cannot be envisaged as long river flood deposits along the continental Paleogene Pacific Coast. Instead, the mega‐clasts with the draping lignites were probably derived from nearby Miocene highlands in the newly born island arc.     

Proposed GSSP for the base of Cambrian Stage 9, coinciding with the first appearance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agnostotes orientalis</Emphasis>, at Duibian,Zhejiang, China

Exposed in natural outcrops near the Duibian Village, Jiangshan County, Zhejiang Province, China, the Duibian B section is proposed as the boundary stratotype for the base of an unnamed stage termed provisionally Cambrian Stage 9. The proposed position of the GSSP is 108.12 m above the base of the Huayansi Formation, at a horizon coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Agnostotes orientalis. This horizon coincides also with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan polymerid trilobite Irvingella angustilimbata. The section fulfills all the requirements for a GSSP, and the horizon can be constrained not only by the primary stratigraphic marker (A. orientalis) but also with secondary biostratigraphic, chemostratigraphic, and sequence-stratigraphic correlation tools. The first appearance of A. orientalis is one of the most readily recognizable levels in Cambrian, and can be correlated with precision to all paleocontinents. Supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-122), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant Nos. 2006FY120300, 2006CB806400), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40072003, 40023002, 40332018, 40672023, 40602002), and the U.S. National Science Foundation (Grant No. EAR-0106883)     

Conodont evolution and stratotype sign of carboniferous Tournaisian-Visean boundary in South China

Sediment-successive strata of the Carboniferous Tournaisian-Visean period, i.e. Aikuanian-Datangian, are widespread in South China, where it is most possi- ble to establish the GSSP of the T\V boundary. Owing to a global drop of sea-level in the period, when the dropping-range could reach to 150 m[1], sedimentary interruptions, sudden changes of facies and disjunc- tions of organic-evolutionary chains occurred com- monly and cause sharp conflicts on division and cor- relation of the bound…     

Timing of the terrestrial Permian-Triassic boundary biotic crisis: Implications from U-Pb dating of authigenic zircons

The Late Permian to Early Triassic transition represents one of the most important Phanerozoic mass extinction episodes. The cause of this event is still in debate between catastrophic and gradual mechanisms. This study uses the U-Pb method on zircons from the uppermost Permian/lowermost Triassic clay deposits at Chahe (Guizhou Province, SW China) to examine time constraints for this event. The results of both this and previous studies show that the ages of Bed 68a and 68c (the upper clay bed of the terrestrial Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB)) respectively are 252.6±2.8 and 247.5±2.8 Ma. This age (within the margin of error) almost accords with the upper clay bed (Bed 28) age of Meishan and the eruption age of Tunguss Basalt, and is so far the most accurate age obtained from terrestrial PTB. The claystone of Bed 68 was formed in the earliest Triassic. The biotic crisis occurred at nearly the same time in terrestrial and marine environments during Permian-Triassic interval; however the extinction patterns and processes are different. The extinction pattern of the terrestrial plants shows a major decline at the PTB after long-term evolution, followed by a retarded extinction of the relicts in the earliest Triassic.     

Cretaceous integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

Cretaceous strata are widely distributed across China and record a variety of depositional settings. The sedimentary facies consist primarily of terrestrial, marine and interbedded marine-terrestrial deposits, of which marine and interbedded facies are relatively limited. Based a thorough review of the subdivisions and correlations of Cretaceous strata in China, we provide an up-to-date integrated chronostratigraphy and geochronologic framework of the Cretaceous system and its deposits in China.Cretaceous marine and interbedded marine-terrestrial sediments occur in southern Tibet, Karakorum, the western Tarim Basin,eastern Heilongjiang and Taiwan. Among these, the Himalayan area has the most complete marine deposits, the foraminiferal and ammonite biozonation of which can be correlated directly to the international standard biozones. Terrestrial deposits in central and western China consist predominantly of red, lacustrine-fluvial, clastic deposits, whereas eastern China, a volcanically active zone, contains clastic rocks in association with intermediate to acidic igneous rocks and features the most complete stratigraphic successions in northern Hebei, western Liaoning and the Songliao Basin. Here, we synthesise multiple stratigraphic concepts and charts from southern Tibet, northern Hebei to western Liaoning and the Songliao Basin to produce a comprehensive chronostratigraphic chart. Marine and terrestrial deposits are integrated, and this aids in the establishment of a comprehensive Cretaceous chronostratigraphy and temporal framework of China. Further research into the Cretaceous of China will likely focus on terrestrial deposits and mutual authentication techniques(e.g., biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy). This study provides a more reliable temporal framework both for studying Cretaceous geological events and exploring mineral resources in China.     

A Paleogene magmatic overprint on Cretaceous seamounts of the western Pacific

The West Pacific Seamount Province (WPSP) represents a series of short-lived Cretaceous hotspot tracks. However, no intraplate volcanoes in advance of petit-spot volcanism erupted near a trench have been identified after the formation of the WPSP on the western Pacific Plate. This study reports new ages for Paleogene volcanic edifices within the northern WPSP, specifically the Ogasawara Plateau and related ridges, and Minamitorishima Island. These Paleogene ages are the first reported for basaltic rocks on western Pacific seamounts, in an area that has previously only yielded Cretaceous ages. The newly found Paleogene volcanisms overprint the Early–middle Cretaceous volcanic edifices, because the seamount or paleo-island material-covered reefal limestone caps on these edifices are uniformly older than the Paleogene volcanism identified in this study. This study outlines several possible causative factors for the Paleogene volcanism overprinting onto existing Cretaceous seamounts, including volcanism related to lithospheric stress, or a younger hotspot track within the northern part of the WPSP that records magmatism from ~60 Ma.     

Proposed GSSP for the base of Cambrian Stage 9, coinciding with the first appearance of Agnostotes orientalis, at Duibian, Zhejiang, China

Exposed in natural outcrops near the Duibian Village, Jiangshan County, Zhejiang Province, China, the Duibian B section is proposed as the boundary stratotype for the base of an unnamed stage termed provisionally Cambrian Stage 9. The proposed position of the GSSP is 108.12 m above the base of the Huayansi Formation, at a horizon coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Agnostotes orientalis. This horizon coincides also with the first appearance of the cosmopoli-tan polym...     

Pre-accretionary mineralization of Japan

Abstract The metallogeny of Japan can be grouped into four environments: (1) Paleozoic-Mesozoic stratiform Cu and Mn deposits within accretionary complexes, (2) Cretaceous-Paleogene post-accretionary deposits related to felsic magmatism in a continental-margin are environment, (3) Miocene epigenetic and syngenetic deposits related to felsic magmatism during back-arc opening, and (4) late Miocene-Quaternary volcanogenic deposits in an island-are environment. Group (1) deposits were a major source of Cu and Mn for the Japanese mining industry, and this style of mineralization is reviewed here. The stratiform Cu and Mn deposits were formed on the sea floor during the late Paleozoic to Mesozoic, and were subsequently accreted to active continental margins mainly in Jurassic to Cretaceous age. The Cu sulfide deposits, termed Besshi type, are classified into two subtypes: the Besshi-subtype deposit is related to basaltic volcanism, probably at a mid-oceanic ridge or rise; the Hitachi subtype is related to bimodal volcanism, probably in a back-arc or continental rift. Most of the Besshisubtype deposits occur in the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt, with some occurrences in weakly metamorphosed Jurassic and Cretaceous accretionary terrains. This subtype is divided into two groups: the sediment-barren group is hosted by basalt-chert sequences; whereas the sedimentcovered group is hosted by basalt-shale sequences. Both subtypes are characterized by S isotope trends similar to those of sea-floor sulfide deposits now forming at mid-oceanic ridges. The Hitachi-subtype deposits occur in late Paleozoic volcanic-sedimentary sequences and lack pelagic sediments. These deposits are characterized by association of sphalerite- and barite-rich ores. The Mn deposits occur mainly in Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous accretionary complexes containing abundant chert beds of Triassic to Jurassic age. Their locations are well separated from those of the Cu sulfide deposits. The Mn deposits are divided into two types: the Mn type, hosted by chert, and the Fe-Mn type, sandwiched between chert and basaltic volcanic rocks. The Mn-type ores appear to have deposited on the deep-sea floor further from the site of hydrothermal activity than the Fe-Mn type. Primary Mn precipitates may have been transformed to rhodochrosite and other Mn-minerals during diagenesis. Many of the Mn deposits were significantly metamorphosed during intrusion of Cretaceous granitoids, resulting in a very complex mineralogy.     

Seismic-stratigraphic framework of the forearc basin off central Sumatra,Sunda Arc

New multichannel seismic reflection data provide information on the stratigraphic framework and geologic history of the forearc basin west of central Sumatra. We recognize six seismic-stratigraphic sequences that reflect the Cenozoic history and development of the outer continental shelf and forearc basin southeast of Nias Island. These sequences indicate several episodes of uplift of the subduction complex and filling of the forearc basin.Early in the development of this margin, Paleogene slope deposits prograded onto the adjacent basin floor. Onlapping this assemblage are two units interpreted as younger Paleogene(?) trough deposits. Uplift associated with rejuvenation of subduction in the late Oligocene led to erosion of the Sumatra shelf and formation of a regional unconformity.The early Miocene was a period of significant progradation. A Miocene limestone unit partly downlaps and partly onlaps the older Paleogene deposits. It is characterized by shallow shelf and oblique progradational facies passing into basin floor facies. A buried reef zone occurs near the shelf edge. The cutting of an erosional unconformity on the shelf and slope in late Miocene/early Pliocene time culminated this episode of deposition.In the late Pliocene, a large flexure developed at the western boundary of the basin, displacing the outer-arc ridge upward relative to the basin. Over 1 km of Pliocene to Recent sediment was deposited as a wedge in the deep western portion of the basin landward of the outer-arc ridge. These deposits are characterized by flat-lying, high-amplitude, continuous reflections that overstep the late Miocene unconformity. Up to 800 m of shallow-water limestone have been deposited on the shelf since mid-Pliocene time.     

Origin of the early Cenozoic belt boundary thrust and Izanagi–Pacific ridge subduction in the western Pacific margin

The belt boundary thrust within the Cretaceous–Neogene accretionary complex of the Shimanto Belt, southwestern Japan, extends for more than ~ 1 000 km along the Japanese islands. A common understanding of the origin of the thrust is that it is an out of sequence thrust as a result of continuous accretion since the late Cretaceous and there is a kinematic reason for its maintaining a critically tapered wedge. The timing of the accretion gap and thrusting, however, coincides with the collision of the Paleocene–early Eocene Izanagi–Pacific spreading ridges with the trench along the western Pacific margin, which has been recently re‐hypothesized as younger than the previous assumption with respect to the Kula‐Pacific ridge subduction during the late Cretaceous. The ridge subduction hypothesis provides a consistent explanation for the cessation of magmatic activity along the continental margin and the presence of an unconformity in the forearc basin. This is not only the case in southwestern Japan, but also along the more northern Asian margin in Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and Sikhote‐Alin. This Paleocene–early Eocene ridge subduction hypothesis is also consistent with recently acquired tomographic images beneath the Asian continent. The timing of the Izanagi–Pacific ridge subduction along the western Pacific margin allows for a revision of the classic hypothesis of a great reorganization of the Pacific Plate motion between ~ 47 Ma and 42 Ma, illustrated by the bend in the Hawaii–Emperor chain, because of the change in subduction torque balance and the Oligocene–Miocene back arc spreading after the ridge subduction in the western Pacific margin.     

A new middle to late Eocene continental chronostratigraphy from NE Spain

The calibration of the European Paleogene mammal biochronology with the international reference geochronological scale is unconstrained due to the lack of direct marine-continental correlations and insufficient robust magnetostratigraphic data for mammal fossil-bearing sequences. The currently accepted European continental biochronology argues for a correlation of the Paleogene MP14 to MP16 mammal reference levels with the Bartonian stage, and of the MP17 to MP20 levels with the Priabonian. However, new magnetostratigraphic data of the continental sediments of the south-central Pyrenees substantially challenge this chronology. Our new results from the La Pobla de Segur Basin and Sierra de Sis have been integrated into the framework of previous marine-continental stratigraphic correlations and magnetostratigraphic data of the south-central Pyrenees. In this new chronology, MP14 and MP15 reference levels correspond to the Lutetian, whereas MP16 and early MP17 correlate with the early Bartonian. This calibration represents a significant revision of currently accepted marine-continental correlations in Europe, but is not in conflict with the available biostratigraphic data of the south Pyrenean Ebro foreland basin and other western European reference basins.     

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.     

Mesozoic basin-fill records in south foot of the Dabie Mountains: Implication for Dabie Orogenic attributes

For the Triassic continental collision, subduction and orogenesis in the Dabie-Sulu belt, a lot of data on petrology, geochemistry and chronology have been published[1]. However, so far no depositional records on the Triassic syn-collisional orogenesis of…