The stratotype and facies of the glacial Lower Vendian Nichatka Formation,Chara River basin,Central Siberia

Sediments of the Nichatka Formation are facially studied and thoroughly described, the sections are correlated, and the subformations are recognized. The formation represents a key stratigraphic unit to reveal the origin of the Central Siberian glacial horizon and to correlate it with glacial horizons in other regions of the world, namely, with the Laplandian Horizon of the Lower Vendian, Nantou and Marino tillites, etc. The Nichatka Formation is correlated with the glacial Bolshoi Patom (Dzhemkukan) Formation of the Vendian reference section at the Ura Uplift. Unlike the latter, it is mainly composed of continental glacial deposits and is marked by a complex facies composition. The glacial origin of the Nichatka Formation is reliably determined on the basis of a set of diagnostic characters. This permits a more complete reconstruction of the Early Vendian depositional environments. In addition to typical basal tillites and marginal moraine deposits, the formation includes glaciolacustrine and fluvioglacial sediments along with aquatillites, allotillites, and the glacial fan, including subaqueous, deposits.     

The Yudomian of Siberia,Vendian and Ediacaran systems of the International stratigraphic scale

In Russia, the terminal Neoproterozoic formally includes the Vendian of western part of the East European platform and the concurrent Yudoma Group of Siberia. As is shown in this work, the designated subdivisions correspond in the stratotypes only to the upper, Yudomian Series of the Vendian. In the Siberian platform, the Ust-Yudoma and Aim horizons of the Yudomian are tightly interrelated. The lower of them, bearing remains of Ediacaran Fauna, represents the Ediacarian Stage, whereas the upper one containing small-shelled fossils (SSF) corresponds to the Nemakit-Daldynian Stage divided into the trisulcatus and antiqua superregional zones. In more complete sections of the platform periphery, sediments of these subdivisions conformably rest on siliciclastic succession that should be ranked as basal subdivision of the Yudomian. The succession is concurrent to the Laplandian Stage of the East European platform. According to geochronological dates obtained recently, the Yudomian Series spans interval of 600–540 Ma. In the East European platform, the Upper Vendian (Yudomian) begins with the Laplandian basal tillites of synonymous stage. In the west of the platform, tillites are dated at 600 Ma like the Upper Vendian base in Siberia. The next Ediacarian Stage of the East European platform is stratigraphic equivalent of the Redkino Horizon, while summary range of the Kotlin and Rovno horizons is concurrent to that of the Nemakit-Daldynian Stage. The Vendian of Russia is conformably overlain by the Tommotian Stage of the Lower Cambrian. Intense pre-Vendian events constrained distribution areas of the Lower Vendian sediments in Russia. The Lower Vendian deposits of the East European platform are most representative and well studied in the central Urals, where they are attributed to the Serebryanka Group. In Siberia, separate subdivisions representing the Lower Vendian are the Maastakh Formation of the Olenek Uplift, two lower members of the Ushakovka Formation in the Baikal region, and the Taseeva Group of the Yenisei Range. Chronological interval of the Lower Vendian corresponds to 650–600 Ma. The Marinoan Glaciation dated in Australia at 650–635 Ma is concurrent to basal part of the pre-Yudomian interval of the Vendian in Russia, whereas the Laplandian Tillite and Gaskiers Glaciation (600–580 Ma) correspond to onset of the Yudomian Epoch. The new Ediacaran System (Knoll et al., 2004) legalized in the International Neoproterozoic scale is close in range to the entire Vendian (635–544 Ma), although without basal beds (Marinoan Tillite) it deprives the terminal Neoproterozoic of its original sense. Inferiority of the system consists also in its indivisibility into stages. Hence, it is clear that the Vendian System subdivided in detail in Russia should be retained in the rank of terminal system of the Precambrian, one of the basic in general scale of the Neoproterozoic.     

南乌拉尔地区中—新元古代地层序列及碳酸盐岩和碎屑岩发现臼齿构造的地质意义

中—新元古代地层在南乌拉尔海槽中极为发育,地层厚度巨大,几个阶段的构造演化和沉积特征清晰可见。新太古代和下里菲是俄罗斯重要的大型层状铁矿和菱镁矿的宿主地层,中里菲群(元古宙地层)地层厚度极大,伴随了几次沉积旋回,发育了从深海相到大陆缓坡的碳酸盐岩沉积;随着新元古代末次冰期之后,文德系发育了可全球对比的白海动物群(伊迪卡拉动物群)。笔者首次确认了南乌拉尔地区中—新元古代地层3套臼齿构造,其中巴卡尔组(Bakal)碳酸盐岩臼齿构造与碎屑岩地震液化脉互层共生,特别是大量臼齿构造也发育在大型叠层石中。从臼齿构造与碎屑岩液化脉互层的共生特征,说明发育在碳酸盐岩中臼齿构造与地震机理的液化作用有关。该3套臼齿构造与中国华北地台中—新元古代地层中发现的臼齿构造(液化脉)时代大体接近。     

Microfossils and biofacies of the Vendian fossil biota in the southern Siberian Platform

Based on the study of the litho- and biofacies of the Vendian Nepa Horizon in the central area of the Siberian Platform inland, a paleoecological model for the Vendian microbiota has been developed. The sedimentation environments of the Katanga saddle have been reconstructed, and three sedimentary systems have been recognized: (1) lower continental, formed by the deposits of proluvial fans and riverbeds of temporary streams; (2) middle transgressive, made up of littoral sand facies in the lower part and of fine-clastic shelf strata in the upper part; and (3) upper, of sea highstand, composed of alternating sand bank facies and fine-clastic lagoon deposits. Four biofacies have been recognized in the fine-terrigenous deposits of the Nepa Horizon: (1) Appendisphaera, represented by a Doushantuo-Pertatataka acanthomorph assemblage; (2) Transitional, with a great diversity of plankton and benthic (including complex) taxa; (3) Vanavarataenia, dominated by Vanavarataenia complex benthic algae; and (4) Oscillatoriopsis, represented by taxonomically poor biotas with morphologically simple (mainly prokaryotic) remains. These biofacies are confined to the following sedimentation environments: Appendisphaera is widespread in the distal open-sea areas; the Transitional biofacies is localized in the distal environments of the semi-isolated inner basin; Vanavarataenia occurs in the proximal areas; and Oscillatoriopsis is typical of the shallow-water environments, both extended (corresponding to the highstand period) and local.     

Eolian deposits in the Neoproterozoic Big Bear Group,San Bernardino Mountains,California, USA

Strata interpreted to be eolian are recognized in the Neoproterozoic Big Bear Group in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California, USA. The strata consist of medium- to large-scale (30 cm to > 6 m) cross-stratified quartzite considered to be eolian dune deposits and interstratified thinly laminated quartzite that are problematically interpreted as either eolian translatent climbing ripple laminae, or as tidal-flat deposits. High index ripples and adhesion structures considered to be eolian are associated with the thinly laminated and cross-stratified strata. The eolian strata are in a succession that is characterized by flaser bedding, aqueous ripple marks, mudcracks, and interstratified small-scale cross-strata that are suggestive of a tidal environment containing local fluvial deposits. The eolian strata may have formed in a near-shore environment inland of a tidal flat.The Neoproterozoic Big Bear Group is unusual in the western United States and may represent a remnant of strata that were originally more widespread and part of the hypothetical Neoproterozoic supercontinent of Rodinia. The Big Bear Group perhaps is preserved only in blocks that were downdropped along Neoproterozoic extensional faults. The eolian deposits of the Big Bear Group may have been deposited during arid conditions that preceded worldwide glacial events in the late Neoproterozoic. Possibly similar pre-glacial arid events are recognized in northern Mexico, northeast Washington, Australia, and northwest Canada.     

Variations of Eu/Eu* ratio in Vendian shales of the Volga-Ural region and the boundary traced between the Redkino and Kotlin Horizons

Variations of Eu/Eu* ratio in shales from the upper Vendian Kairovo and Shkapovo groups of the Shkapovo-Shikhan depression, the Volga-Ural region, are considered. Shales in the lower part of the Karlin Formation are established to be similar in geochemistry to the shale member with abnormally low Eu/Eu* ratios at the base of the Upper Vendian Kotlin Horizon of the East European Platform. According to these data, the studied formation appears to be a lithostratigraphic unit of the Kotlin Horizon, while the Baikibashevo, Staropetrovo and Salikhovo formations belong to the Redkino Horizon of the upper Vendian.     

Vendian Volcanism,Weathering, and Phosphorus Cycle Variation in the East European Platform

Two geochemical types of volcanic ash are recognized in the Redkino Horizon of the East European Platform based on the systematics of trace elements. The first type developed in the northeastern area of the platform is characterized by Ni/Cr and Ce/Yb ratios typical of the silicic tephra of recent volcanic eruptions in the Kuril–Kamchatka and Aleutian island-arc systems. The respective ratios in ash of the second type are typical of volcanics from the lower Vendian Berestovets Formation. Depletion of the upper Vendian pelites of the East European Platform in Ca, Sr and P (relative to the PAAS) indicates the continental chemical weathering of provenance.     

扬子北缘元古宇马槽园群时代归属新证据 ——对地层对比和古地理格局的启示

马槽园群是华南前寒武纪地层中的重要单元,其沉积特征及时代归属对建立和完善扬子北缘地层格架、认识和恢复当时的古地理格局有重要意义.通常认为,扬子北缘马槽园群(下部八里垭组,上部火烧尖组)是一套角度不整合于中元古界神农架群之上的新元古代磨拉石建造.取自该群下部八里垭组上部的同沉积凝灰岩样品的高精度离子探针(SHRIMP)锆石U-Pb年龄为(1165±14)Ma.该年龄数据表明,马槽园群沉积地层的形成时代应为中元古代,而不是新元古代.野外调查与沉积相分析表明,马槽园群沉积地层中滑塌包卷、正粒序等重力流沉积构造发育,主体为一套斜坡相碳酸盐岩重力流沉积,而非磨拉石建造.结合前人研究结果认为,马槽园群无论是在沉积特征还是时代归属上都不能与华南新元古代裂谷系地层进行对比,而应该属于裂谷系之下的基底地层.     

辽宁南华系殷屯组及永宁组冰碛岩沉积特征

通过对辽宁地区出露的新元古代殷屯组、永宁组调查研究取得了新认识,认为辽宁地区存在南华纪地层,以新元古代殷屯组、永宁组为代表,可划分出二次冰川活动（二个冰期和一次间冰期）的沉积,自下而上为殷屯冰期（第一次冰期）、八家子间冰期、河冰期（第二次冰期）.依据殷屯组和永宁组冰碛物组合特点及接触关系,并结合碎屑锆石U-Pb（LA-ICP-MS）同位素测年成果,推测辽宁南华系殷屯组、永宁组形成时代应小于1000 Ma,与南方南华纪形成的时间基本接近或略早（约850 Ma）.     

The Upper Riphean of the Yenisei Range

The Yenisei Range and the adjacent territories in the east are subdivided into (1) the Mid-Angara intracratonic depression; (2) the Yenisei pericratonic trough; and 3) a marginal oceanic block, the Isakovka-Predivinsk area. The lower part of the Riphean succession is subdivided into two principally different sedimentary complexes — the Lower Sukhoi Pit Subgroup and the Upper Sukhoi Pit Subgroup (the Pogoryui-Alad'in interval of the succession). The fundamental nature of the events that separate these two complexes and the characteristic, rhythmically bedded structure of the Upper Sukhoi Pit Subgroup allow the latter to be ranked a separate straton, the Bol'shoi Pit Group. Its lower boundary is associated with the Grenvillian events commencing with the emplacement of the Teya granite-gneiss domes and other intrusive complexes dated at 1100–1000 Ma. In the sedimentation record these events are manifested as a sudden change from the slate complex, for which we keep the name Sukhoi Pit Group, to the rhythmically bedded succession of the Bol'shoi Pit Group. The latter is interpreted as a product of uproofing of an elevated hinterland to the west. Insofar as the amplitude of this elevated area decreases progressively toward the Mid-Angara trough, the Bol'shoi Pit erosional unconformity and the associated interval of nondeposition are absent from the area. In the west of the Yenisei Range, in contrast, there is a major stratigraphic gap in the sequence, which is associated with the aforementioned events. The hypothesis on intensive events separating the deposition of the Bol'shoi Pit Group of the Kerpylian Horizon and the Tungusik Group of the Lakhandinian Horizon is not supported by the new data. The change from carbonate facies into siliciclastics in the west was misinterpreted as an erosional unconformity, with basal deposits corresponding to the lower boundary of the Tungusik Group. The occurrence of the Upper Tungusik deposits overlying much older rocks is a result of the pre-Bol'shoi Pit erosion and the gradual expansion of the Tungusik transgression. Thus, there are no grounds to argue for significant pre-Lakhandinian events in the region. Hence, the Kerpylian and Lakhandinian in the Yenisei Range, as well as in other parts of the Siberian Craton, constitute two parts of a larger supraregional straton, which corresponds to the lower half of the Upper Riphean and is designated here the Mayanian. The fundamentally different nature of the events associated with the next, Baikalian stage of the development allows its tripartite subdivision in the region. Deposition of the Lower Baikalian (the Oslyanka Group) was preceded by the crustal extension at the junction between the continental and oceanic blocks and, possibly, the formation of one of the Yenisei Range ophiolite complexes, followed by the emplacement of the Tatarka-Ayakhta batholiths at around 850 Ma. Fragments of both complexes are found as clasts in the basal conglomerates of the Middle Baikalian Chingasan Horizon. The specific character of the pre-Baikalian events determines their apparently poor expression in the sedimentation (weaker metamorphism of the Oslyanka deposits compared with the Tungusik Group). Even the activity leading to the formation of the Tatarka-Ayakhta granites cannot be regarded as a full-scale orogenic process. Collisional events separating the Lower and Middle Baikalian are manifested as the erosional unconformity at the base of the Chingasan Group and the emplacement of the Glushikha granites (760–730 Ma). The Middle Baikalian age of the Chingasan deposits is constrained by the data from paleontology, historical geology, and geochronology. Furthermore, the presence of glacial deposits renders this straton as a global stratigraphic marker. Further expansion of transgression in the Upper Baikalian is linked to another important event, but additional paleontological and geochronological information is needed to date the Upper Baikalian (Chapa Group) more accurately. The Baikalian events synchronously manifested themselves in all structural-facies zones of the Yenisei Range and are coeval to structural complexes from adjacent areas of the Siberian Craton. The tripartite Baikalian, therefore, has a potential for being included into the General Scale of the upper Upper Riphean.     

论淮南生物群

淮南生物群 (Huainan Biota)产于安徽淮南地区新元古代淮南群中 ,由宏观藻类 Chuaria- Tawuia组合和蠕形动物 Pararenicola- Paleolina组合组成 ,可与加拿大西北麦肯齐山新元古代小达尔群 (L ittle Dal Group)小达尔生物群 (L ittle Dal Biota)对比 ,为新元古代大冰期前的一个特有生物群落 ,地质时代为前震旦纪 (本文的震旦纪即目前的南华纪至震旦纪 ) ,时限约为 85 0— 75 0 Ma,从而将前人所定淮南生物群为青白口纪至震旦纪的时代结论修订为前震旦纪。这对我国乃至国际上新元古代地层层序的重新划分与对比 ,以及新元古代早期生命演化研究等都具有重大的理论意义和实际价值。文中还着重论述了淮南生物群的组合特征和特定的生物发展阶段 ,而区别于青白口纪和震旦纪的生物群落 ,并通过洲际对比 ,讨论了淮南生物群的地层学意义     

华北地台北缘辽北地区南华系沉积初步研究

中国南华系冰成地层的分布及沉积特点一直为新元古界研究的热点,北方地区是否存在南华系沉积地层仍存在很大的争议,本文通过近3年对辽宁地区新元古代岩石地层单位的野外地质调查、对比与研究,确定了辽宁北部地区在新元古代时期存在冰碛堆积物,并划分出两期冰碛作用阶段,即：新元古代南华纪第一次殷屯冰期,南华纪第二次汎河冰期;其中第一次冰期为一套陆相冰碛堆积,主要岩性为灰紫色块状厚层杂砾岩夹含砾粗砂岩透镜体,分布于辽北铁岭;第二次冰期堆积主要涉及辽北陆相冰水堆积的汎河组。同时确认出永宁组为第一次殷屯冰期前的陆源河流相沉积;陈千户组（陆相）为第一次殷屯冰期和第二次汎河冰期之间的间冰期沉积产物。     

武夷山地区前寒武纪地层沉积时代研究

武夷山地区前寒武纪地层出露范围大,目前对该地层的形成时代还存在着不同意见。新获得的武夷山地区前寒武纪地层的4个锆石La-ICPMS U-Pb年龄数据,指示万全群的黄潭组和杜潭组分别形成于746.0±6.2Ma和825±18Ma,马面山群东岩组形成于818±14Ma,麻源群大金山组的形成时间晚于879Ma。通过岩性与形成时代对比,认为武夷山地区新元古界的形成时间可以划分为三期,早期由麻源群大金山组和马面山群龙北溪组的陆源碎屑沉积岩构成,形成时限为879—825Ma;中期包括麻源群南山组、马面山群东岩组和大岭组万全群和龙泉群,以及交溪组、迪口组和桃溪组下段,以火山岩—沉积岩系列为主,可以进一步分为两期,即825—800Ma和751—728Ma;晚期由原"天井坪组"主体、桃溪组上段以及楼子坝群下部的沉积岩组成,形成时限为620—542Ma。根据武夷山地区前寒武纪地层的构造变形记录,前寒武纪地层主要记录了3期构造事件,分别为新元古代早期(900—860Ma)的华夏地块与扬子板块的碰撞、新元古代末期(728—620Ma)的挤压构造事件以及加里东运动。     

华北地台南缘新元古代地层的新认识

根据熊耳群顶部古风化壳的确立、汝阳群底部小沟背组下切河谷沉积特征、白草坪组大型具刺疑源类和洛峪口组宏观藻类的发现以及罗圈冰碛岩在地层柱中的对比位置,笔者对熊耳群之上至寒武系辛集组之下的地层进行了重新厘定,将其归入新元古界(1000～570Ma),代表华北地台在Rodinia超大陆聚合-离散期的沉积记录(青白口系和震旦系)。     

New homologous series of biomarker molecules from Vendian deposits of the Sayan-adjacent Biryusa area

We studied the organochemical distribution of saturated hydrocarbons in organic matter of mudstones of the Vendian Marna Formation in the Sayan-adjacent Biryusa area. The formation is composed of glacial, glacio-alluvial, and lacustrine deposits.In the fraction of saturated hydrocarbons in chloroform extracts (bitumoids), a homologous series of earlier unknown 2,7-dimethyl alkanes has been identified, with molecules having the even number of carbon atoms prevailing. The possible sources of such abundant biomarkers are considered.     

U–Pb LA–ICP–MS Age of Detrital Zircons from the Lower Riphean and Upper Vendian Deposits of the Luga–Ladoga Monocline

The results of LA–ICP–MS U–Pb analyses of detrital zircons from the Precambrian deposits of Luga–Ladoga monocline are discussed. The age spectra of the zircons separated from the Riphean to Upper Vendian sandstones from the Shotkusa-1 well demonstrate dominance of the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic grains while the Archaean zircons are subordinate. The Riphean debris sources were local swells of the Northern Ladoga basement. The sequence interval presumably corresponding to the Vasilieostrov Formation (Upper Vendian) has yielded not only Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic zircon ages, but Neoproterozoic as well, implying a Timanide provenance: these zircons (527 ± 9 and 516 ± 13 Ma) allow deposition of a significant part of the Shotkusa-1 sequence at the very beginning of the Cambrian.     

Deformation in the Neoproterozoic Smalfjord Formation,northern Norway: an indicator of glacial depositional conditions?

Recent studies on Neoproterozoic climate change have prompted renewed interest in Neoproterozoic glacial deposits and renewed debate over the criteria used to identify the nature of glacial influence on sedimentation. Analyses of soft sediment deformation structures have provided important clues to distinguish between competing palaeoenvironmental interpretations of Quaternary glacial deposits; a similar approach is presented here in the analysis of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits of the Smalfjord Formation, northern Norway. A detailed sedimentological and structural analysis at several sites in the Varangerfjorden area reveals complex soft sediment deformation at various scales in conglomerate, sandstone and diamictite. Deformation is predominantly ductile and includes anticlinal and synclinal folding, flow noses, flame structures, recumbent folding and shear structures. The deformed sediments are associated predominantly with conglomerate and sandstone, which record glaciofluvial and deltaic depositional conditions. Some deformations can be attributed to rapid deposition and slumping, whereas others appear to record shear stress associated with overriding ice. The scale, style and range of deformation, together with the coarse-grained nature of the deformed sediments and facies associations, suggest that these were unfrozen outwash sediments that were overridden by ice and resedimented in a dynamic ice-proximal setting. Whereas recent studies of diamictite-bearing strata of the Smalfjord Formation had revealed no clear evidence of glacial influence on deposition, deformation structures documented here suggest that glacial conditions prevailed on the basin margin during deposition of Smalfjord Formation sediments, with sedimentary facies and deformation structures typical of temperate ice-proximal settings.     

Integrated correlation of the Vendian to Cambrian Arroyo del Soldado and Corumbá Groups (Uruguay and Brazil): palaeogeographic, palaeoclimatic and palaeobiologic implications

The Corumbá Group of SW Brazil and the Arroyo del Soldado Group (ASG) of Uruguay are correlated on the basis of litho-, bio- and chemostratigraphy. Both units represent marine sedimentation with alternating siliciclastics and carbonates developed on a stable continental shelf. In the Corumbá basin, sedimentation began in the Varangerian, represented by the glaciomarine Puga Formation. A series of sea-level fluctuations coupled with climatic changes are recorded up section. While uppermost deposits of the ASG are of lowermost Cambrian age, sedimentation ceased in the latest Vendian in the Corumbá basin. An assemblage of six species of organic-walled microfossils dominated by Bavlinella faveolata and Soldadophycus bossii, three species of vendotaenids and two species of skeletal fossils (Cloudina and Titanotheca) is described from the Corumbá Group. The vendotaenid Eoholynia corumbensis sp. nov is described from siltstones of the Guaicurus Formation. An important diversity of skeletal fossils in the Corumbá, Arroyo del Soldado and Nama groups points to favourable Vendian palaeoclimatic conditions in SW-Gondwana. Preliminary carbon isotopic data show a series of alternating positive and negative excursions, corroborating the upper Vendian age indicated by fossils for both units. Previously reported strontium isotopic data are also consistent with this age. It is postulated that the Corumbá and ASGs were deposited onto the same shelf, which opened to the east. The Rio de la Plata Superterrane (Craton) extends farther to the north than previously expected, or it was already amalgamated with the Amazonian Craton by Vendian times. Collision of the platform with the Paraná Block caused closure of the basin during the Cambrian-Early Ordovician. Finally, models of Neoproterozoic glaciations based on enhanced bioproductivity driven by high nutrient availability are discussed.     

Sedimentation settings of the Vendian Vanavara formation,the Siberian platform

A model of sedimentation settings is elaborated for siliciclastic deposits of the Vendian Vanavara Formation, the Katanga saddle, inner areas of the Siberian platform. Four lithologic complexes are distinguished in the formation. The lower complex is composed of proluvial continental deposits exemplifying a dejection cone of ephemeral streams. Its eroded surface is overlain by second complex largely represented by sandstones of coastal zone, which grade upward into siltstones and shales of deeper sedimentation settings (third complex). Sea transgression advanced in northeastern direction. The fourth complex resting with scouring on the third one was deposited in settings of a spacious shallow-water sea zone: in a tidal flat, sand shoals and islands. Sedimentological data are used to correlate more precisely the Vendian siliciclastic deposits of the Katanga saddle and northeastern Nepa-Botuoba anteclise, and to verify subdivision of the Vanavara Formation into subformations and character of its boundary with the overlying Oskoba Formation.     

A section of Vendian in the east of West Siberian Plate (based on data from the Borehole Vostok 3)

The Borehole Vostok 3 drilled in the east of the West Siberian Plate (Tomsk Region) revealed a Vendian section in the depth range 5002–3870 m, which was subdivided into the Poiga, Kotodzha, and Raiga Formations based on geological, geophysical, and paleontological data. In the Kotodzha and Raiga Formations, typical Upper Vendian fossils of Cloudina hartmanae and Namacalathus sp. were found along with diverse Platysolenites, which are commonly considered to be of zonal significance in Lower Cambrian strata. Hence, the stratigraphic interval with abundant diverse Platysolenites has a wider stratigraphic range than it was believed earlier and seems to cover the Upper Vendian and Lower Cambrian deposits. The Borehole Vostok 3 is the first Siberian occurrence of the fossils Namacalathus, the world's fourth occurrence of the Cloudina-Namacalathus association, and the first site where coexisting Platysolenites and typical Vendian organisms have been found. Therefore, the borehole provides one of the most informative (in paleontological context) Upper Vendian sections.