A comprehensive study of outcrop sequence stratigraphy in China began in the early 1990s. The investigated strata range from Mesoproterozoic to Quaternary and the studied areas cover the three platforms and margins, t...A comprehensive study of outcrop sequence stratigraphy in China began in the early 1990s. The investigated strata range from Mesoproterozoic to Quaternary and the studied areas cover the three platforms and margins, the Southern Himalayas and the East China and South China seas. Problems of general concern in the sequence stratigraphy of China are discussed. These are: the hierarchy for sequence stratigraphy, the third order Sequence and eustasy, the chronostratigraphic boundaries and GSSP, and the International Stratigraphic Chart and the sequence chronostratigraphy of China. The average time interval of Mesosequence (25-40 Ma) and of the Sequence (2-5 Ma) is suggested and the minor sequences below the Sequence are discussed. The time interval of the Sequence shows no evident decrease with time, but several epochs with remarkable short intervals occur in the Phanerozoic, which may represent a planetary behavior denoting the special development stages in earth’s evolution. Sea level change curves are given separately for the three platforms and the different regions. The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) concept and practice are discussed, and a comparison between the first appearance point of biozone and the first flooding surface in the Sequence is made for designation of the chronostratigraphic boundary. It is suggested that the chronostratigraphic boundaries might be set at the first flooding surface in the Sequence for easy recognition. The idea of sequence chronostratigraphy is recommended, and a comparison between the International Stratigraphic Chart and the sequence chronostratigraphy of China is made. The close relation between chronostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy makes it possible for sequence stratigraphy to improve chronostratigraphic research. It is pointed out that multidisciplinary study in chronostratigraphy is necessary and should be promising and profitable.展开更多
A study on the relationship between biostratigraphy and seguence stratigraphy in several designated global boundary stratotypes shows that the best way may be to take the GSSP at a point coincident with the base of th...A study on the relationship between biostratigraphy and seguence stratigraphy in several designated global boundary stratotypes shows that the best way may be to take the GSSP at a point coincident with the base of the first widespread Leading Group biozone above the first flooding surface (FFS) of the relevant third-order seguence. it is suggested that the first flooding surface of the sequence should be an important reference criterion for the selection of GSSP. As the base of the first widespread Leading Group biozone chosen for the definition of GSSP could not be lower than the first flooding surface of the referred seguence, the latter surface may be an important criterion for the recognition and correlation of the chronostratigraphic boundaries.展开更多
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, ma...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.展开更多
基金The study is supported by the key project"SSER"sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the key project"Pange
文摘A comprehensive study of outcrop sequence stratigraphy in China began in the early 1990s. The investigated strata range from Mesoproterozoic to Quaternary and the studied areas cover the three platforms and margins, the Southern Himalayas and the East China and South China seas. Problems of general concern in the sequence stratigraphy of China are discussed. These are: the hierarchy for sequence stratigraphy, the third order Sequence and eustasy, the chronostratigraphic boundaries and GSSP, and the International Stratigraphic Chart and the sequence chronostratigraphy of China. The average time interval of Mesosequence (25-40 Ma) and of the Sequence (2-5 Ma) is suggested and the minor sequences below the Sequence are discussed. The time interval of the Sequence shows no evident decrease with time, but several epochs with remarkable short intervals occur in the Phanerozoic, which may represent a planetary behavior denoting the special development stages in earth’s evolution. Sea level change curves are given separately for the three platforms and the different regions. The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) concept and practice are discussed, and a comparison between the first appearance point of biozone and the first flooding surface in the Sequence is made for designation of the chronostratigraphic boundary. It is suggested that the chronostratigraphic boundaries might be set at the first flooding surface in the Sequence for easy recognition. The idea of sequence chronostratigraphy is recommended, and a comparison between the International Stratigraphic Chart and the sequence chronostratigraphy of China is made. The close relation between chronostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy makes it possible for sequence stratigraphy to improve chronostratigraphic research. It is pointed out that multidisciplinary study in chronostratigraphy is necessary and should be promising and profitable.
文摘A study on the relationship between biostratigraphy and seguence stratigraphy in several designated global boundary stratotypes shows that the best way may be to take the GSSP at a point coincident with the base of the first widespread Leading Group biozone above the first flooding surface (FFS) of the relevant third-order seguence. it is suggested that the first flooding surface of the sequence should be an important reference criterion for the selection of GSSP. As the base of the first widespread Leading Group biozone chosen for the definition of GSSP could not be lower than the first flooding surface of the referred seguence, the latter surface may be an important criterion for the recognition and correlation of the chronostratigraphic boundaries.
基金This work was jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40172014)the "SSER" of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and the Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology
文摘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.
