A Review on the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Permian-Triassic Boundary

This paper provides a synthetic review of researches on Meishan Section D, the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Permian-Triassic Boundary （PTB）. The history of research, geographic and geological setting of the section are briefly introduced. Changhsingian to ＂Griesbachian＂ conodont and ammonoid zonations, the most perfect Permo-Triassic zonations over the world, are presented, with a short discussion on the age of Otoceras, The Changhsingian to ＂Griesbachian＂ strata are subdivided into three 3rd order sequences, and the sedimentary structure of each sequence is indicated. The paper presents a correlation of the Changhsingian to ＂Griesbachian＂ magneetostratigraphy of the Meishan section with the general scale, and informed the negation of a short magnetic reversal at the PTB suggested by Zhu and Liu （1999）. Recent developments of chemostratigraphy of δ^13C and δ^34S are introduced, especially the discovery of more than one negative δ^13C excursions across the PTB. Two important molecular researches reveal the profound changes at the base of eco-system, the microbial catastrophy, and the euxinic conditions in the photic zone during the Permian-Triassic superanoxic event. The paper reports the changes in dating the age of PTB since 2001. According to recent achievements, the age of volcanogenic claybed 25, 14 cm below the PTB, is now set at 252.4±0.3 Ma. A discussion on the eventostratigraphy concludes that, although there is a major event episode at beds 25-26, the events across the PTB at Meishan are multi-episodic and commenced prior to the Event Beds 25-26, thus the possibility that the mass extinction was mainly induced by an exterrestrial impact is largely excluded.

A Potential Candidate For the Middle-Upper Cambrian Boundary Stratotype——An Introduction to the Paibi Section in Huayuan,Hunan

The Middle-Upper Cambrian boundary is one of the current stratigraphical problems which remain openin the geological world, since there have been no universally acknowledged delimiting standard and stratotype.Acting on the instruction of Profs. Lu Yanhao and An Taixiang the author studied in details the Paibi Section,which is well exposed as a continuous sequence at an easily accessible locality. The Middle-Upper Cambrianboundary strata are composed of biocalcimicrosparite, indicating the sedimentary environment of anunderwater upheaval on the gentle slope along the frontal margin of the Yangtze carbonate platform. For the upper Middle and lower Upper Cambrian agnostid trilobite zones and conodont zones are erected,and a more accurate correlation between the trilobite and conodont sequences is established. Based on these,the Middle-Upper Cambrian boundary is drawn more reasonably and precisely than what was done before. Inshort, the section studied is superior to other known sections of Middle-Upper Cambrian. and it will probablybe an ideal candidate for the Middle-Upper Cambrian boundary stratotype.

A Candidate Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Precambrian——Cambrian Boundary at Meishucun,Yunnan,China

This paper gives the detail description of Meishucun section , Yunnan , China . By studying biotic characteristics , analyzing isotopic age and comparing with the main Precambrian - Cambrian boundary sections in the world , we construct a global stratotype section and a point for the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary at Meishucun , which are of the convenient assessibility , abundant fossils of diverse groups , continuous sedimentation . perfect outcropping , lock of tectonic and metamorphic alteration , and have been deep studied in all related disciplines of sciences .

A Comprehensive Evaluation on the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary Stratotype Candidate Section in Nanbiancun, Guilin, Guangxi

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation on the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary (DCB) sectionin Nanbiancun. Guilin. Guangxi on the basis of Palaeontological, biostratigraphical and sedimentarypetrological studies as well as microfacies analysis. REE and trace element analysis and isotopic dating. The DCB at this section conforms to the definition of this boundary and essentially measure up the criteriaand conditions for selection of the boundary stratotype. Up to 14 fossil groups are contained in the section. Thesection presents a general biostratigraphical framework with multispecies fossils zones, assemblage zones andmultiple groups of fossils and has latent preponderant conditions for magnetostratigraphic andchronostratigraphic studies. The boundary and point occur in a persistent and continuous monofacialcarbonate succession. and the section is located in a tourist city with convenient communication, where variousfacies of DCB sections are developed. allowing the correlation within a small area. So it is an ideal candidateboundary stratotype.

Palaeomagnetic Study on the Precambrian-Cambrian Boundary Candidate Stratotype Section at Meishucun, Yunnan

The Meishucun secton has been recommended as an international candidate stratotype secton of thePrecambrian-Cambrian boundary. The paper deals with the palaeomagnetic study on the section. A total of159 palaeomagnetic samples were successively collected from the platform-facies sequence of carbonates andphosphates at the section. Thermal demagnetization results indicate a great majority of the rocks at the sectionhave been strongly overprinted by recent magnetic field, but 57 samples have preserved remanentmagnetization with antipodal directions (mean D/I=4.2°/ 7.1°, K=9, α_(95) = 6.6°). Baaed on calculation,the location of the palaeomagnetic pole was at 68.8°N and 270.7°E, which is different from any palaeopolesobtained from younger Phanerozoic rocks in South China. The results reveal a polarity zonation which in-cludes at least 9 reversal events. A comparison of China's magnetostratigraphic records with those fromSiberia, Australia and the western U.S.A. shows that all the sections are characterized by frequent polarity re-versals.

Zircon U-Pb dating on the Mesozoic volcanic suite from the Qingshan Group stratotype section in eastern Shandong Province and its tectonic significance

A geochronological study of zircon U-Pb on the volcanic rocks from the stratotype section of the Qingshan Group within the Jiaozhou Basin, eastern Shandong Province, is presented. The zircons were analyzed using the method of in situ ablation of a 193 nm excimer laser system coupled with an up to date ICP-MS system. Among the three formations of the Qingshan Group, zircons recovered from the lowest part of the Houkuang Fm. were dated at 106±2 Ma (95% confidence, the same below), whereas those from the lower and upper parts of the Shiqianzhuang Fm. were given ages of 105±4 Ma and 98±1 Ma, respectively. A spatially decreasing trend for the Mesozoic magmatic timing from west to east in the province is observed through comparing the data of this study with those by previous works on the Qingshan volcanic lavas occurring at western Shandong and within the Yishu fault zone. The Qingshan volcanic rocks are constituent of the 'Shoshonite Province' in East China. Exposed at most provinces of central East China along the Tan-Lu fault and the Yangtze fault zones, these volcanic suites are characterized by shoshonite and high-K calcalkalic rocks in lithology and thought to be correlated with the partial melting of continental mantle in genesis. It is also shown that the Qingshan potassic volcanic suite from eastern Shandong basins is distinctly younger than those from other ar-eas of the shoshonite province. By contrary, ages of the Mesozoic to Cenozoic alkaline basalts, sourced by asthenospheric mantle, from both northern Huaiyan basin and northern Dabie belt along the Tan-Lu fault zone and from the Ningwu, Lishui and Luzong basins along the Yangtze fault zone are observably older than those occurring within eastern Shandong. The revealed temporal and spatial patterns in magmatism for the two types of volcanic suites make an important geochronological con-straint on the Mesozoic to Cenozoic dynamic evolution model of the subcontinental lithosphere in East China.

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

A stratotype section, boundary point and conodont sign have been recommended for GSSP of the Tournaisian-Visean boundary, based on studies of sectional sedimentology, conodont facies and phylogeneses in South China. Two areas representing margin and inner of the Yangtzi Plate and three sections of different facies were chosen, i.e. the Longdianshan sec-tion of the platform facies in Liuzhou of Guangxi, the Yudong section of the ramp facies in Shidian of Yunnan and the Pengchong section of the basin facies in Liuzhou of Guangxi. Stratigraphic frameworks of two areas were set up by systematical studies of carbonate facies and cycles. Conodont facies-distribution and paleoecologic conditions were researched on statistics of fossil variation and richness, and a kind of planktonic conodont, gnathodids that were widespread, is chosen to select the sign-fossil from it. Seven conodont pedigrees were supplemented or erected by studies of statistics and transitional forms. Conodont evolution in the Early Carboniferous could be divided into three stages, i.e. the Siphonodella stage, the Gnathodus typicus stage and the Gnathodus bilineatus stage. The transform-surface between the later two stages could be put as the Tournaisian-Visean boundary. Finally, this paper proposes that the Pengchong section can be the stratotype candidate of the Tournaisian-Visean boundary, the boundary point be put at the bottom of bed 58 and the stratotype sign of conodont be the first occurrence of Gnathodus praebilineatus of the Gnathodus semiglaber branch.

The Tunggurian Stage of the Continental Miocene in China

The Tunggurian Age was nominated in 1984, and the Second National Commission on Stratigraphy of China formally suggested establishing the corresponding chronostratigraphic unit, the Tunggurian Stage, based on the Tunggurian Age in 1999. The name of this stage comes from a lithostratigraphic unit, the Tunggur Formation, and the stratotype section is located at the Tunggur tableland, 15 km southeast of Saihan Gobi Township, Sonid Left Banner, Inner Mongolia. The Tunggurian Age is correlated to the Astaracian of the European land mammal ages, and they share the same definition of the lower boundary at the base of the paleomagnetic Chron C5Bn.1r with an age of 15.0 Ma. In the Tairum Nor section on the southeastern edge of the Tunggur tableland, this boundary is situated within the successive deposits of reddish-brown massive mudstone of the lower part of the Tunggur Formation, with a distance of 7.6 m from the base of the grayish-white sandstones in the middle part of the section. The Tunggurian is approximately correlated to the upper part of the marine Langhian and the marine Serravallian in the International Stratigraphical Chart. The Tunggurian Stage includes two Neogene mammal faunal units, i.e. NMU 6 （MN 6） and NMU 7 （MN 7/8）. The Tairnm Nor fauna from the Talrnm Nor section corresponds to NMU 6, and the Tunggur fauna （senso stricto） from the localities on the northwestern edge of the Tunggur tableland, such as Platybelodon Quarry, Wolf Camp and Moergen, corresponds to NMU 7. Among the Middle Miocene mammalian faunas in China, the Laogou fauna from the Linxia Basin, Gansu, the Quantougou fauna from the Lanzhou Basin, Gansu, the Halamagai fauna from the northern Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, and the Dingjiaergou fauna from Tongxin, Ningxia correspond to NMU 6.

Lower Triassic and Induan-Olenekian Boundary in Chaohu,Anhui Province,South China

Since the West Pingdingshan Section in Chaohu was proposed as the candidate of the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Induan-Olenekian boundary in 2003, the Lower Triassic of Chaohu has been extensively studied. Based on the studies on the Lower Triassic of Chaohu, （1） a continuous conodont zonation is established, which has become an important reference for Lower Triassic stratigraphic correlation over the world; （2） the First Appearance Datum of conodont Neospathodus waageni was suggested and has been basically accepted as the primary marker to define the InduanOienekian boundary; （3） a characteristic Lower Triassic excursion of carbon isotopes was brought to light and has been proven to be not only an excellent index for the stratigraphic correlation but also a unique indication for the perturbation of ecological environments in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction; （4） a magnetostratigraphic sequence is constituted with a certain biostratigraphic control in the low-latitude region and it presents an important correlation to the Boreal sequence; （5） a cyclostratigraphic study provides an alternative method to constrain the age of the chronostratigraphic units; and （6） a scheme of the Olenekian subdivision is recently suggested to define the boundary between the Smithian and Spathian Substages. In addition, Chaohu is also the type locality of the Chaohuan Stage, the upper stage of the Lower Triassic in the China Chronostratigraphic System.Thus, the Lower Triassic of Chaohu is not only a classic sequence in South China, but also a key reference sequence to the investigation of the corresponding stratigraphy and geological events over the world. The recent achievements are viewed here for an overall understanding of the sequence. Then the current situation of the Induan-Olenekian and Smithian-Spathian boundaries is discussed to provide a reference for later works.

Terrestrial Mio-Pliocene Boundary in the Linxia Basin,Gansu,China

The Lower Pliocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu Province is one of only a few representative sections for the Early Pliocene sedimentary records in northern China, and even in East Asia. Recently,abundant mammalian fossils were found from the base of red clays of the Lower Pliocene Hewangjia Formation at Duikang in Guanghe County within this basin. Previously, the Pliocene mammals were sparsely found in China, and most were collected from fluvial and lacustrine deposits in the eastern Loess Plateau. Mammals from the widely distributed Pliocene Hipparion Red Clay are less in number.The known fossils from Duikang include 20 species and belong to the Shilidun Fauna. Their faunal components are similar to the Early Pliocene Gaozhuang Fauna from Ynshe, Shanxi. On the other hand, some taxa from Duikang have not been found in the Gaozhuang Fauna, are slightly more primitive in evolutionary level, and appeared mainly in the Late Miocene. As a result, the age of the Duikang fossils may be slightly earlier than that of the Gaozhuang Fauna and closer to the lower boundary of the Piiocene. The Duikang fossiliferons bed is 0.8 m above the top of the Late Miocene Linshu Formation, and the first occurrence of the three-toed horse Hipparion pater can be regarded as a biostratigraphical marker of the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. In conclusion, Duikang is an ideal candidate locality to establish as the stratotype of the lower boundary of the Chinese terrestrial Pliocene.

Correlation of the Tournaisian-Visean Boundary Beds

With the definition and adoption of the Global Stratotype Section and Point （GSSP） for base of the Visean in China, the newly synthesized zonations and correlation of some significant fossil groups： foraminifera, conodont, coral and brachiopoda near the Tournaisian-Visean boundary beds are reviewed, which help in the recognition of the boundary in various sedimentary facies. The occurrence of two physical events, one pre- and one post- the Tournaisian-Visean boundary is emphasized, which allows for recognition of the position close to the Tournaisian-Visean boundary in the field. The regional correlation in southern China and international correlation throughout Eurasia around the Tournaisian-Visean boundary beds with the GSSP is proposed.

Devonian-Carboniferous Hangenberg Crisis in South China:Variations in Trace Elements,Strontium and Carbon Isotope Chemostratigraphy in the Nanbiancun Carbonate Section

The global Hangenberg Crisis or Hangenberg Extinction is a mass extinction near the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary.Comprehensive research of petrology and geochemistry on the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary,as exposed in the Nanbiancun auxiliary stratotype section,South China,elucidates paleoenvironmental changes and controls on marine strontium(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)and carbonate carbon(δ^(13)C_(carb))isotopes during the Hangenberg Crisis.The new^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr data reveal a regression in the Middle Siphonodella praesulcata Zone,while the Hangenberg Extinction was occurring in South China.Moreover,theδ^(13)C_(carb)data records a negative excursion near the base of the Middle Siphonodella praesulcata Zone that may have been connected with the Hangenberg Extinction.A positiveδ^(13)C_(carb)excursion,corresponding with the Upper Siphonodella praesulcata Zone,may reflect the effects of a vigorous biological pump.The magnitude of the Hangenberg Carbon Isotopic Excursion in peakδ^(13)carb values andδ^(13)C_(carb)gradient in carbonate Devonian-Carboniferous boundary sections of the South China Craton during the Hangenberg Crisis,are a function of depositional water depth and distance from the shore.The carbon cycling during the Hangenberg Carbon Isotopic Excursion had a much stronger impact on oceanic surface waters than on the deep ocean and theδ^(13)C_(carb)gradient of local seawater was likely caused by enhanced marine productivity,associated with biological recovery in platform sediments during the Hangenberg Crisis.

Carboniferous integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Carboniferous period lasted about 60 Myr, from ～358.9 Ma to ～298.9 Ma. According to the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the Carboniferous System is subdivided into two subsystems, i.e., Mississippian and Pennsylvanian, including 6 series and 7 stages. The Global Stratotype Sections and Points(GSSPs) of three stages have been ratified, the Tournaisian, Visean, and Bashkirian stages. The GSSPs of the remaining four stages(i.e., the Serpukhovian, Moscovian,Kasimovian, and Gzhelian) have not been ratified so far. This paper outlines Carboniferous stratigraphic subdivision and correlation on the basis of detailed biostratigraphy mainly from South China, and summarizes the Carboniferous chronostratigraphic framework of China. High-resolution biostratigraphic study reveals 37 conodont zones, 24 foraminiferal(including fusulinid) zones, 13 ammonoid zones, 10 brachiopod zones, and 10 rugose coral zones in the Carboniferous of China. The biostratigraphic framework based on these biozones warrants the precise correlation of regional stratigraphy of China(including2 subsystems, 4 series, and 8 stages) to that of the other regions globally. Meanwhile, the Carboniferous chemo-, sequence-,cyclo-, and event-stratigraphy of China have been intensively studied and can also be correlated worldwide. Future studies on the Carboniferous in China should focus on(1) the correlation between shallow-and deep-water facies and between marine and continental facies,(2) high-resolution astronomical cyclostratigraphy, and(3) paleoenvironment and paleoclimate analysis based on geochemical proxies such as strontium and oxygen isotopes, as well as stomatal indices of fossil plants.

Ediacaran integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

Ediacaran successions occur widely in various depositional facies in South China and yield a series of fossil Lagerst?tten, providing a complete fossil record for the evolution of marine ecosystems after the terminal Cryogenian global glaciation. Carbonate-dominated Ediacaran successions in shallow water facies in South China record a nearly complete δ^(13)C profile that may reflect variations of marine carbon isotopic composition during the Ediacaran Period. The Ediacaran fossils andδ^(13)C profiles from South China permit stratigraphic correlation and subdivision of the Ediacaran strata. Based on biostratigraphic, chemostratigraphic, and geochronometric data from the Ediacaran successions in South China, we propose that the Ediacaran System in China can be subdivided into two series, with three stages in each series. The lower series is characterized by acanthomorphic acritarchs and the upper series by Ediacara-type macrofossils, and the two series are separated by the declining limb of a pronounced δ^(13)C negative excursion(EN3) in the upper Doushantuo Formation. The basal boundary of Stage1 is the same as the basal boundary of Ediacaran System, which has been defined at the base of the cap carbonate unit. Stage 2 represents the first radiation of Ediacaran microscopic organisms, with δ^(13)C feature representing by positive values(EP1). The base of the Stage 2 is placed at the first appearance level of a spiny acritarch species. Stage 3 is characterized by the occurrence of more diverse acritarchs and δ^(13)C feature EP2, with its basal boundary defined by a δ^(13)C negative excursion(EN2) occurring in the middle Doushantuo Formation. The basal boundary of Stage 4 is the same as the upper series. Stage 5 is marked by the occurrence of macrfossils of Miaohe biota, and its lower boundary can be placed at the level where δ^(13)C values transition from positive to negative in MNE, or the first appearance level of macrofossils of the Miaohe biota. Stage 6 is characterized by the occurrences of Ediacara-type Shibantan biota and Gaojiashan biota, with its lower boundary defined by the first appearance level of Conotubus hemiannulatus. The formal establishment of the aforementioned series and stages requires further and more detailed integrative stratigraphic study on the Ediacaran successions in China. Some of the Ediacaran successions in South China have great potential to become global standards in Ediacaran subdivision.

Sequence stratigraphy of Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary strata in Luanping, Northern Hebei, China

A sediment-continuous section of Jurassic-Cretaceous (J-K) boundary strata was found in Zhangjiagou of Luanping, northern Hebei Province, China. The boundary strata were systematically divided into 5 sequences, 13 subsequences and 139 parasequences by sedi-mentary cyclicities and facies analysis. According to stable time-ranges of subsequences and parasequences, some boundary ages can be marked as 142.90 Ma of the SQ I (Dabeigou Fm) basal bound , 141.16 Ma of the SQ II basal bound, 140.00 Ma of the SQ III (Dadianzi Fm) basal bound, 138.24 Ma of the SQ VI (Zhangjiagou Fm) basal bound and 135.34 Ma of the SQ V (Zhangjiagou Fm) top-bound. A sequence-stratigraphic framework of the Dabeigou- Zhangjiagou Fms has been constructed by tracing sequence-bounds, marker-beds and fossil zones. The ba-sin-development and tectonic activities are studied based on sequence-stratigraphic evidence. 5 sequences represent 5 tectonic cycles and all the 6 sequence-bounds reflect tectonic activities. Tectonic activities clearly influence the basin-development that can be divided into 3 stages in the J-K transitional period. Each stage consists of a down-faulting-rising process, i.e. from strongly rising of basin-bottom, then violently faulting down (with volcanic eruptions) and to gently rising. The development shows a pattern of bottom down-faulting with basin narrowing and rising with spreading.