Lithologic Boundaries in Permian Post‐glacial Sediments of the Gondwana‐affinity Regions of China: Typical Sections, Age Range and Correlation

Abstract

Abstract:In Southwest China, Gondwana‐affinity Permo‐Carboniferous deposits are known to occur in the Northern Himalayas, the Lhasa Block and the South Qiangtang Block, the Baoshan Block and the Tengchong Bock. The three‐fold clastic successions, namely diamictite–pebbly mudstone–dark mudstone and shale are commonly interpreted as representing deposits of glacial–deglacial–post‐glacial periods in marine environments. Deposits, for example, the Dingjiazhai Formation in the Baoshan Block, the Kongshuhe Formation in the Tengchong Block, the Yongzhu Group and the Poindo Group in the Lhasa Block, are all succeeded by carbonate deposits. This marks a significant change from post‐glacial clastic environment to a carbonate environment. Available paleontological data show that the change from post‐glacial clastic environment to carbonate environment took place in the Baoshan, Tengchong and Lhasa Block at the beginning of the Artinskian. The carbonate environment in the Baoshan Block was spoiled by the eruption of the Woniusi Basalts, and in the Xainza area of the Lhasa Block was shortly replaced by clastic environment until the Kungurian. In the northern Himalayas limestones began to occur in the Late Permian in a fluctuating manner.