New evidence of deposition under cold climate for the Xieshuihe Formation of the Nanhua System in northwestern Hunan, China

Abstract

Yangjiaping section is located in Hupingshan Town, Shimen County, Hunan Province. The section has been intensively studied since 1980. However, The paleoclimate during the deposition of the Xieshuihe Formation remains controversial. Based on chemical analysis of sedimentary clastic rocks of the unit, the resulting CIA (the chemical index of alteration) values of the Xieshuihe Formation are similar to those of the overlying Gucheng Formation (also called the Dongshanfeng Formation). It indicates that the sedimentary rocks of the Xieshuihe Formation and Gucheng Formation underwent the similar degrees of chemical weathering before deposition. Therefore, the Xieshuihe Formation was also likely to be deposited under a cold climatic condition, which probably belongs to a part of the record of glaciations.