Deep-large faults controlling on the distribution of the venting gas hydrate system in the middle of the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea

Many locations with concentrated hydrates at vents have confirmed the presence of abundant thermogenic gas in the middle of the Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB).However,the impact of deep structures on gasbearing fluids migration and gas hydrates distribution in tectonically inactive regions is still unclear.In this study,the authors apply high-resolution 3D seismic and logging while drilling(LWD)data from the middle of the QDNB to investigate the influence of deep-large faults on gas chimneys and preferred gasescape pipes.The findings reveal the following:(1)Two significant deep-large faults,F1 and F2,developed on the edge of the Songnan Low Uplift,control the dominant migration of thermogenic hydrocarbons and determine the initial locations of gas chimneys.(2)The formation of gas chimneys is likely related to fault activation and reactivation.Gas chimney 1 is primarily arises from convergent fluid migration resulting from the intersection of the two faults,while the gas chimney 2 benefits from a steeper fault plane and shorter migration distance of fault F2.(3)Most gas-escape pipes are situated near the apex of the two faults.Their reactivations facilitate free gas flow into the GHSZ and contribute to the formation of fracture‐filling hydrates.

Conodont Biostratigraphy of the Middle Cambrian through Lowermost Ordovician in Hunan, South China

Since 1985, samples with a total weight of more than 14,000 kg, mainly from three key sections in western and northwestern Hunan, South China, have been processed for conodonts. In strata older than the late Late Cambrian paraconodonts have proved useful for stratigraphic subdivision and correlation. Thirteen conodont zones are proposed in the Middle Cambrian through lowermost Ordovician. The correlation between these zones and those of North China, western U. S.A., western Newfoundland, Canada, and Iran is discussed. In ascending order, these 13 zones are as follows: The Gapparodus bisulcatus-Westergaardodina brevidens Zone, Shandongodus priscus-Hunanognathus tricuspidatus Zone, Westergaardodina quadrata Zone, Westergaardodina matsushitai-W. grandidens Zone, Westergaardodina lui-W. am Zone, Westergaardodina cf. calix-Prooneotodus rotundatus Zone, Proconodontus tenuiserratus Zone, Proconodontus Zone, Eoconodontus Zone, Cordylodus proavus Zone, Cordylodus intermedius Zone, Cordylodus lindstromi Zone, and Cordylodus angulatus Zone (lower part). The Westergaardodina lui-W. ani and Westergaardodina cf. calix-Prooneotodus rotundatus Zones replace the Westergaardodina proligula and Westergaardodina cf. behrae-Prooneotodus rotundatus Zones, respectively, in the lowermost Upper Cambrian. Two new species (Westergaardodina Iui and Westergaardodina ani) and one conditionally identified species (Westergaardodina cf. calix) are described.

Intracontinental Collisional Orogeny During Late Permian-Middle Triassic in South China: Sedimentary Records of the Shiwandashan Basin

Sedimentary response to an orogenic process is important for determining whether South China had compressional or extensional orogeny during the period from the Late Permian to the Middle Triassic besides the tectonic and magmatologic evidence. An intracontinental collision event took place between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in the Late Permian. Beginning at the Late Triassic, the tectonic movement was completely changed in nature and entered a post-collisional extensional orogenic and basin-making process. This paper presents sedimentological evidence from the Late Permian to the Middle Triassic in the Shiwandashan basin at the southwestern end of the junction zone between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks.

A New Perleidiform(Actinopterygii,Osteichthyes)from the Middle Anisian(Middle Triassic)of Yunnan,South China

Two complete specimens from the Pelsonian （Middle Anisian, Middle Triassic） of Luoping, Yunnan Province, South China are referred to a new actinopterygian genus, Luopingichthys gen. nov., and ascribed to the perleidiform family Polzbergidae based especially on a typical synapomorphy of a peculiar premaxillary-maxillary complex, i.e., the fusion between premaxillary and maxillary along the antero-dorsal margin of the maxillary. The new taxon differs from other deep-bodied representatives of the family, Felberia and Stoppania, in its fusiform or deep fusiform body shape; sickle-shaped preopercular with short infraorbital process; lack of modified scales at the base of the anal fin; the short-based dorsal fin; scarcely ornamented scales; and thin anterior teeth. Based on a redescription of the holotype of the taxon Ctenognathichthys hattichi from the Middle Triassic （Ladinian） Prosanto Formation, Canton Graubiinden, eastern Switzerland, the only known specimen, which shows the same fusion between premaxillary and maxillary, the systematic position of the species is clarified and the taxon is proposed to be a further representative of the family Polzbergidae, and is transferred to the new genus.

Biostratigraphic and Chemostratigraphic Correlation for the Base of the Middle Ordovician between Yichang and Western Zhejiang Areas,South China

The base of the Middle Ordovician （i.e. Dapingian Stage） has been defined at the first appearance datum （FAD） of conodont Baltoniodus？ triangularis at Huanghuachang, Yichang, China,but the precise correlation of the boundary to regions of other facies remain to be resolved. Herein we review the biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Huanghuachang Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point （GSSP） section, and present our latest stratigraphic work on the nearby Chenjiahe s ection in Yichang, and the Hengtang Quarry section, Jiangshan, Zhejiang, which is regarded as representative of slope facies. The conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy as well as chemostratigraphy of the Chenjiahe section indicate that the base of the Middle Ordovician also falls within the graptolite Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a high or maximum δ13C value within a minor positive carbon isotope excursion, suggesting that the base boundary can be readily recognized across the entire Yangtze Gorges area. The integrated graptolite and conodont biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Hengtang section, Jiangshan, indicates that the basal boundary probably falls within the graptolite lsograptus caduceus imitatus Zone that overlies the Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a remarkable drop of δ13C. This difference indicates that a multi-disciplinary approach is critical to identify the base boundary in those regions where the Baltoniodus ？ triangularis is absent.

Controlling Factors of Organic Nanopore Development: A Case Study on Marine Shale in the Middle and Upper Yangtze Region, South China

The Upper Ordovician Wufeng-Lower Silurian Longmaxi and the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi shales are the major targets for shale gas exploration and development in China.Although the two organic-rich shales share similar distribution ranges and thicknesses,they exhibit substantially different exploration and development results.This work analyzed the nanopore structures of the shale reservoirs in this region.Pore development of 51 shale samples collected from various formations and locations was compared using the petromineralogical,geochemical,structural geological and reservoir geological methods.The results indicate that the reservoir space in these shales is dominated by organic pores and the total pore volume of micropores,mesopores,macropores in different tectonic areas and formations show different trends with the increase of TOC.It is suggested that organic pores of shale can be well preserved in areas with simple structure and suitable preservation conditions,and the shale with smaller maximum ancient burial depth and later hydrocarbongeneration-end-time is also more conducive to pore preservation.Organic pore evolution models are established,and they are as follows:①Organic matter pore development stage,②Early stage of organic matter pore destruction,and③late stage of organic matter pore destruction.The areas conducive to pore development are favorable for shale gas development.Research results can effectively guide the optimization and evaluation of favorable areas of shale gas.

Land Cover Changes and Drivers in the Water Source Area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China from 2000 to 2015

The Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project(MR-SNWDP)in China,with construction beginning in 2003,diverts water from Danjiangkou Reservoir to North China for residential,agriculture and industrial use.The water source area of the MR-SNWDP is the region that is most sensitive to and most affected by the construction of this water diversion project.In this study,we used Landsat Thematic Mapper(TM)and HJ-1 A/B images from 2000 to 2015 by an object-based approach with a hierarchical classification method for mapping land cover in the water source area.The changes in land cover were illuminated by transfer matrixes,single dynamic degree,slope zones and fractional vegetation cover(FVC).The results indicated that the area of cropland decreased by 31%and was replaced mainly by shrub over the past 15 years,whereas forest and settlements showed continuous increases of 29.2% and 77.7%,respectively.The changes in cropland were obvious in all slope zones and decreased most remarkably(–43.8%)in the slope zone above 25°.Compared to the FVC of forest and shrub,significant improvement was exhibited in the FVC of grassland,with a growth rate of 16.6%.We concluded that local policies,including economic development,water conservation and immigration resulting from the construction of the MR-SNWDP,were the main drivers of land cover changes;notably,they stimulated the substantial and rapid expansion of settlements,doubled the wetlands and drove the transformation from cropland to settlements in immigration areas.

Astronomical Dating of the Middle Miocene Hanjiang Formation in the Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China Sea

The Hanjiang Formation of Langhian age （middle Miocene） in the Pearl River Mouth Basin （PRMB）, South China Sea consists of deltaic siliciclastic and neritic shelf carbonate rhythmic alternations, which form one of the potential reservoirs of the basin. To improve stratigraphic resolutions for hydrocarbon prospecting and exploration in the basin, the present study undertakes spectral analysis of high-resolution natural gamma-ray （NGR） well-logging record to determine the dominant frequency components and test whether Milankovitch orbital signals are recorded in rhythmic successions. Analytical results indicate the orbital cycles of precession （~19 ka and ~23 ka）, obliquity （-41 ka）, and eccentricity （~100 ka and --405 ka）, which provide the strong evidence for astronomically driven climate changes in the rhythmic alternation successions. Within biochronological constraint, a high-resolution astronomical timescale was constructed through the astronomical tuning of the NGR record to recent astronomically calculated variation of Earth＇s orbit. The astronomically tuned timescale can be applied to calculate astronomical ages for the geological events and bioevents recognized throughout the period. The first downhole occurrences of foraminifers Globorotalia peripheroronda and Globigerinoides sicanus are dated at 14.546 Ma and 14.919 Ma, respectively, which are slightly different from earlier estimates in the South China Sea. When compared with the global sea-level change chart, the astronomical estimate for the sequences recognized based on microfossil distributions have the same end time but the different initiation time. This is probably due to the local or regional tectonic activities superimposed on eustatic rise which postponed the effect of global sea-level rising. Astronomical timescale also resolves the depositional evolution history for the Langhian Stage （middle Miocene） with a variation that strongly resembles that of Earth＇s orbital eccentricity predicted from 13.65 Ma to 15.97 Ma. We infer that the main factor controlling the variability of the sedimentation rate in the Hanjiang Formation is related to the ^-405-ka-period eccentricity.

Final-stage Southward Subduction of the Eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean:Evidence from the Middle Permian Mafic Intrusions in the Northern Margin of the North China Craton

The northern margin of the North China Craton(NCC)contains widespread Permian magmatic rocks,but the origin of these rocks remains controversial.This uncertainty hampers us from better understanding of tectonic framework and evolution of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean,particularly with respect to its final-stage subduction and closure time.To address these questions,this study presents petrological,zircon U-Pb geochronological,whole-rock geochemical and in situ zircon Hf isotopic data for these Permian mafic intrusions in the northern margin of the NCC.Precise zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that these mafic intrusions were emplaced in the Middle Permian(ca.260 Ma).Geochemically,the studied mafic intrusions have high MgO and transition metals element contents,with high Mg^(#) values,indicating a mantle origin.These mafic intrusions are characterized by enrichments in large ion lithophile elements(LILEs;e.g.,Rb,Ba,and K)and light rare earth elements(LREEs),and depletions in high field strength elements(HFSEs;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti)and heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),indicating that they were formed in a subduction-related setting.These geochemical features,together with zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values(-1.1 to+11.2),indicate that their parental magmas were derived from partial melting of heterogeneous mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-related fluids,with the contributions of slab sediments.The studied mafic intrusions also show wide range of major and trace elements contents,and variable Mg^(#) values,Eu and Sr anomalies,suggesting that their parental magmas had undergone variable degrees of fractional crystallization.Together with the E-W trending Permian continental arc along the northern margin of the NCC,we confirm that the generation of the Middle Permian mafic intrusions was related to southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic lithosphere beneath the NCC and the Paleo-Asian Ocean had not closed prior to the Middle Permian.

Conodont Biostratigraphy and Age Determination of the Lower-Middle Triassic Boundary in South Guizhou Province,China

The demarcation of the Lower-Middle Triassic boundary is a disputed problem in global stratigraphic research. Lower-Middle Triassic strata of different types, from platform to basin facies,are well developed in Southwest China. This is favorable for the study of the Olenekian-Anisian boundary and establishing a stratotype for the Qingyan Stage. Based on research at the Ganheqiao section in Wangmo county and the Qingyan section in Guiyang city, Guizhou province, six conodont zones have been recognized, which can be correlated with those in other regions, in ascending order as follows： 1, Neospathodus cristagalli Interval-Zone; 2, Neospathodus pakistanensis Interval-Zone; 3,Neospathodus waageni Interval-Zone; 4, Neospathodus homeri-N, triangularis Assemblage-Zone; 5,Chiosella timorensis Interval-Zone; and 6, Neogongdolella regalis Range-Zone. An evolutionary series of the Early-Middle Triassic conodont genera Neospathodus-Chiosella-Neogongdolella discovered in the Ganheqiao and Qingyan sections has an intermediate type named Neospathodus qingyanensis that appears between Neospathodus homeri and Chiosella timorensis in the upper part of the Neospathodus homeri-N, triangularis Zone, showing an excellent evolutionary relationship of conodonts near the Lower-Middle Triassic boundary. The Lower-Middle Triassic boundary is located at 1.5 m below the top of the Ziyun Formation, where Chiosella timorensis Zone first appears in the Qingyan section,whereas this boundary is located 0.5 m below the top of the Ziyun Formation, where Chiosella timorensis Zone first appears in the Ganheqiao section. There exists one nearly 6-m thick vitric tuff bed at the bottom of the Xinyuan Formation in the Ganheqiao section, which is usually regarded as a lithologic symbol of the Lower-Middle Triassic boundary in South China. Based on the analysis of high -precision and high-sensitivity Secondary Ion Mass Spectrum data ,the zircon age of this tuff has a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 239.0±2.9 Ma （2σ）, which is a directly measured zircon U-Pb age of the Lower-Middle Triassic boundary. The Ganheqiao section in Wangmo county can therefore provide an excellent section through the Lower-Middle Triassic because it is continuous, the evolution of the conodonts is distinctive and the regionally stable distributed vitric tuff near the Lower-Middle Triassic boundary can be regarded as a regional key isochronal layer. This section can be regarded not only as a standard section for the establishment of the Qingyan Stage in China, but also as a reference section for the GSSP of the Lower-Middle Triassic boundary.

Characteristics and origins of middle Miocene mounds and channels in the northern South China Sea

Numerous elongated mounds and channels were found at the top of the middle Miocene strata using 2D/3D seismic data in the Liwan Sag of Zhujiang River Mouth Basin(ZRMB)and the Beijiao Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB).They occur at intervals and are rarely revealed by drilling wells in the deepwater areas.Origins of the mounds and channels are controversial and poorly understood.Based on an integrated analysis of the seismic attribute,palaeotectonics and palaeogeography,and drilling well encountering a mound,research results show that these mounds are dominantly distributed on the depression centres and/or slopes of the Liwan and Beijiao sags and developed in a bathyal sedimentary environment.In the Liwan and Beijiao sags,the mounds between channels(sub)parallel to one another are 1.0–1.5 km and 1.5–2.0 km wide,150–300 m and 150–200 m high,and extend straightly from west to east for 5–15 km and 8–20 km,respectively.Mounds and channels in the Liwan Sag are parallel with the regional slope.Mounds and channels in the Beijiao Sag,however,are at a small angle to the regional slope.According to internal geometry,texture and external morphology of mounds,the mounds in Beijiao Sag are divided into weak amplitude parallel reflections(mound type I),blank or chaotic reflections(mound type II),and internal mounded reflections(mound typeⅢ).The mounds in Liwan Sag,however,have the sole type,i.e.,mound type I.Mound type I originates from the incision of bottom currents and/or gravity flows.Mound type II results from gravity-driven sediments such as turbidite.Mound typeⅢis a result of deposition and incision of bottom currents simultaneously.The channels with high amplitude between mounds in the Beijiao and Liwan sags are a result of gravity-flow sediments and it is suggested they are filled by sandstone.Whereas channels with low-mediate amplitudes are filled by bottom-current sediments only in the Beijiao Sag,where they are dominantly composed of mudstone.This study provides new insights into the origins of the mounds and channels worldwide.

Summer Monsoon Impacts on Chlorophyll-a Concentration in the Middle of the South China Sea:Climatological Mean and Annual Variability

Climatological mean and annual variations of Chlorophyll-a （Chl-a） distribution, sea surface wind （SSW）, and sea surface temperature （SST） from 1998 to 2008 were analyzed in the middle of the South China Sea （SCS）, focusing on the typical region off the east coast of Vietnam （8.5-14°N, 109.5-114°E）. Based on remote sensing data and SCS summer monsoon index （SCSSMI） data, high Chl-a concentrations in the middle of the SCS in the southwest summer monsoon season （June-September） may be related to strong Ekman pumping and strong wind stress. The maximum of the monthly averaged cli- matological Chl-a in the summer appeared in August. According to the annual variation, there was a significant negative correlation （r = -0.42） between the SCSSMI and SST, a strongly positive correlation （r=0.61） between the SCSSMI and Chl-a, and a strongly negative correlation （r = -0.74） between the SST and Chl-a in the typical region off the east coast of Vietnam during 1998-2008. Due to the E1 Nifio event specifically, the phenomena of a low Chl-a concentration, high SST and weak SCSSMI were extremely predominant in the summer of 1998. These relationships imply that the SCSSMI associated with the SST could be used to predict the annual variability of summer Chl-a in the SCS.

Types,characteristics and implication for hydrocarbon exploration of the Middle Miocene deep-water sediments in Beikang Basin,southern South China Sea

The internal seismic architectures of the Middle Miocene in Beikang Basin, southern South China Sea, were investigated and described using regional 2D seismic data from Guangzhou Marine Geology Survey. In particular, five typical seismic facies were identified based on an integrated analysis of the amplitude, continuity, contact relationship, and morphologies of seismic reflections. Bathyal-abyssal fine-grained sediments, deltaic front sandy bodies, turbidites, and small-scale turbidite channels were developed in the Middle Miocene according to the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the sedimentary basins in the southern South China Sea. The findings of this study suggest that deltaic front sandy bodies and turbidites can be considered as the two major types of deep-water clastic reservoirs for the depression stage of Beikang Basin. A well-developed source-reservoir-cap assemblage was composed by deep rift-stage source rocks, deep-water clastic reservoirs of the Middle Miocene, and bathyal-abyssal deep-water fine-grained sediments after the Middle Miocene, implying a good potential for hydrocarbon exploration.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL BAROCLINIC NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA CIRCULATION'S SEASONAL CHARACTERISTICS II. MIDDLE AND DEEP CIRCULATION

A three-dimensional baroclinic shelf sea model’s numerical simulation of the South China Sea (SCS) middle and deep layer circulation structure showed that: 1. In the SCS middle and deep layer, a southward boundary current exists along the east shore of the Indo-China Peninsula all year long. A cyclonic eddy (gyre) is formed by the current in the above sea areas except in the middle layer in spring, when an anticyclonic eddy exists on the eastern side of the current. In the deep layer, a large-scale anticyclonic eddy often exists in the sea areas between the Zhongsha Islands and west shore of southern Luzon Island. 2. In the middle layer in summer and autumn, and in the deep layer in autumn and winter, there is an anticyclonic eddy (gyre) in the northeastern SCS, while in the middle layer in winter and spring, and in the deep layer in spring and summer, there is a cyclonic one. 3. In the middle layer, there is a weak northeastward current in the Nansha Trough in spring and summer, while in autumn and winter it evolves into an anticyclonic eddy (gyre), which then spreads westward to the whole western Nansha Islands sea areas.

A new molar from the Middle Pleistocene hominid assemblage of Yanhuidong, Tongzi, South China

1988年,贵州省博物馆对桐梓岩灰洞的支洞进行了最后一次发掘。2014年,在洞内第四层堆积物中鉴定出逾2000件的动物牙齿化石,以及一枚古人类上颊齿(编号:TZ-1)。1991年,铀系法测定这些次生堆积物的沉积年代约为距今24万年。本文运用高精度CT(巴黎自然历史博物馆)对TZ-1的釉质齿质界面(EDJ)和牙髓腔几何形态进行了分析。TZ-1的冠面形态有如下特征:次尖小且在远中舌侧不发育,咀嚼面轮廓呈四边形,颊舌径稍大过近中远中径,原尖舌侧齿带发育,齿尖从大到小依次为原尖、后尖、前尖和次尖。TZ-1牙髓腔的髓角与其釉质齿质界面以及釉质表面的形态都具有相关性。TZ-1的形态与M1虽有相似之处,但完全不同于1983年出土于同一层位的另两颗M1;其应被鉴定为dm2,并可被归入中中更新世的中国直立人支系。岩灰洞上臼齿PA 875的形态与建始龙骨洞PA 1279和周口店直立人等古老型直立人相似。岩灰洞另一枚刚萌发的臼齿PA 874具有凸出的次尖和长菱形的外廓,接近于爪哇型直立人Sangiran NG 91-G10;这也是智人和尼安德特人的共有衍征。但PA 874的冠面仍保留了亚洲型的齿带,因而被归入人属未定种。因出土自次生堆积,岩灰洞的三种古人类类型未必曾同时并存,但却揭示了华南地区人类演化进程中的多样面貌。

Geological characteristics and accumulation mechanisms of the "continuous" tight gas reservoirs of the Xu2 Member in the middle-south transition region,Sichuan Basin,China

＂Continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs are those reservoirs which develop in widespread tight sandstones with a continuous distribution of natural gas. In this paper, we summarize the geological features of the source rocks and ＂＇continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs in the Xujiahe Formation of the middle- south transition region, Sichuan Basin. The source rocks of the Xul Member and reservoir rocks of the Xu2 Member are thick （Xul Member： 40 m, Xu2 Member： 120 m） and are distributed continuously in this study area. The results of drilled wells show that the widespread sandstone reservoirs of the Xu2 Member are charged with natural gas. Therefore, the natural gas reservoirs of the Xu2 Member in the middle-south transition region are ＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs. The accumulation of ＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs is controlled by an adequate driving force of the pressure differences between source rocks and reservoirs, which is demonstrated by a ＂one-dimensional＂ physical simulation experiment. In this simulation, the natural gas of＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs moves tbrward with no preferential petroleum migration pathways （PPMP）, and the natural gas saturation of＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs is higher than that of conventional reservoirs.

Stratigraphic Correlation of Middle TriassicSequences among Different Paleogeographic Sedimentary Facies in South China

Affected by the Indosinian movement, the sediments in the main part of South China, Yangtze platform, started to transform from marine to continental during the Middle Triassic. In the meantime, a noticeable paleogeographic and sedimentary facies differentiation occurred in the marginal regions of the platforms and produced completely different lithologic and paleontologic sequences in various paleogeographic gradients and sedimentary facies areas, which brought about the difficulties for the stratigraphic correlation based on the traditional stratigraphies. This paper proposes to use some characteristic environmental events as the markers of the stratigraphic correlation across various paleogeographic sedimentary facies, considering that some distinctive regional environmental events should have affected at the same time on the entire basin or the connected sedimentary regions and produced some closely related sedimentary records in the stratigraphic sequences though the affected intensity and recorded pattern might be different among the regions. The change of violent relative sea level (generally water depth) and the alteration of tectonic activity summarized from the dynamic mechanism of sedimentation are the best markers of environmental events for stratigraphic correlation. Based on the analysis and recognition of some significant environmental events at the typical stratigraphic sequences from various paleogeographic sedimentary facies and combined with the consideration of the variations in expressed form and strength of the events among different paleogeographic gradients and sedimentary facies, the stratigraphic sequences from different sedimentary facies can be easily correlated directly. Furthermore, the evolutionary history of the whole sedimentary basin can be clearly established.

Middle Triassic Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Paleogeography of South China

The Middle Triassic was the great turning period of South China from marine sedimentary basins to continental deposits or erosion. This paper summarizes the distribution and variation of the stratigraphic sequences, lithofacies and biotas in various Middle Triassic depositional basins of South China. The close relationship between the biotic paleoecology and the lithofacies as well as the sedimentary facies, thus the paleogeography, is demonstrated. The process of the transition from the depositional paleogeography and its relation to the tectonic settings is concluded.

Sediment Provenance and Climate Changes Since the Middle Pleistocene in the Yingqiong Continental Slope of the South China Sea

The age,grain size compositions and major elemental compositions for sediments in core YQ1 from the Yingqiong continental slope in the South China Sea was determined in this paper.It is noted that the periodically cyclic change of sedimentation rates occurred in the Yingqiong continental slope in the South China Sea.During the interglacial periods,the sedimentation rates were high,while the sedimentation rates exhibited low values during the glacial periods.During Marine Isotope Stage 1(MIS1),the sedimentary rate could reach about 800 cm kyr-1 and during the MIS6 this area is characterized by the lowest sedimentary rate,which is lower than 3 cm kyr-1.According to the R-mode factor analysis of the major element data,three factors F1(Al2O3,Fe2O3,TiO2 and K2O),F2(MgO and MnO)and F3(Na2O and P2O5)were obtained,which shows that vertical change of the major elemental concentrations in the core was mainly controlled by the nearby terrestrial inputs and the early diagenesis,while the effect of volcanic and biogenous inputs was less.The obvious glacial-interglacial cyclic features are presented in the changes of the typical terrestrial element ratios contained in factor F1,which reflects the impact of glacial-interglacial climatic cycle on the evolution of the East Asian monsoon.This indicates that the major element ratios in terrestrial sediments are significant indicators of regional climate changes.

Fertile Woodwardia from the middle Eocene of South China and its implications for palaeogeography and palaeoclimate

The genus Woodwardia,which together with the genera Anchistea and Lorinseria comprise the subfamily Woodwardioideae of Blechnaceae,has a disjunct distribution across Central and North America,Europe and the temperate to tropical areas of Asia.Fossil records of Woodwardia occur throughout the Paleogene and Neogene of North America,Europe and Asia.However,well-preserved fertile pinna fossils of this genus have not yet been reported in South China.In this paper,a new species,W.changchangensis Naugolnykh et Song,sp.nov.is described from the middle Eocene of the Changchang Basin,Hainan Island,South China.Macromorphological and micromorphological features of the fertile pinna show a straight pinna rachis,alternate,subtriangular pinnules,acute pinnule apices,almost entire or slightly undulate pinnule margins,long-ovoid sori,stalked sporangia and spores with wing-like folds on the surface,which are characterised in detail.Overall,the present fossil is most similar to the extant species Woodwardia japonica,which mostly grows in warm and moist environments.The discovery of this new species from the Changchang Basin of Hainan Island indicates that this genus has been distributed in the low-latitude tropical regions of South China from as early as the middle Eocene.Based on this find,and previous studies of other ferns from the same site,we infer that the climate of the Palaeo-Hainan landscape during deposition of the Changchang Formation was warm and humid,similar to conditions prevailing today across this region.