Stratigraphic correlation of Cambrian–Ordovician deposits along the Himalaya: Implications for the age and nature of rocks in the Mount Everest region

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2009 Stratigraphic correlation of Cambrian–Ordovician deposits along the Himalaya: Implications for the age and nature of rocks in the Mount Everest region Paul M. Myrow; Paul M. Myrow † 1Department of Geology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, USA †E-mail: pmyrow@coloradocollege.edu. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nigel C. Hughes; Nigel C. Hughes 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael P. Searle; Michael P. Searle 3Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PR, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C.M. Fanning; C.M. Fanning 4Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.-C. Peng; S.-C. Peng 5State Key Laboratory on Paleobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Nanjing, 210008, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.K. Parcha S.K. Parcha 6Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun, Uttranchal, 248001, India Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2009) 121 (3-4): 323–332. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26384.1 Article history received: 04 Dec 2007 rev-recd: 06 Jul 2008 accepted: 09 Jul 2008 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Paul M. Myrow, Nigel C. Hughes, Michael P. Searle, C.M. Fanning, S.-C. Peng, S.K. Parcha; Stratigraphic correlation of Cambrian–Ordovician deposits along the Himalaya: Implications for the age and nature of rocks in the Mount Everest region. GSA Bulletin 2009;; 121 (3-4): 323–332. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B26384.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The depositional age and stratigraphic correlations of metamorphosed and variably deformed rocks of Mount Everest are poorly known because of limited recovery of diagnostic fossils. Detailed study of Cambrian and Ordovician strata from along the length of the Himalaya has produced a coherent stratigraphy that stretches from northern India to Tibet. Our work also demonstrates that the North Col Formation rocks (= Everest series), between the Qomolangma and Lhotse detachments of the South Tibetan detachment system, still locally preserve sedimentary textures and primary stratigraphy that match those within Cambrian strata ~1100 km to the west in northern India. This demonstrates a coherency of depositional systems and stratigraphic architecture for Cambrian deposits along much of the Himalaya Tethyan margin. It also allows, for the first time, identification of precise depositional ages of several units in the Everest region, in particular, the Yellow Band carbonate and directly underlying siliciclastic strata, which are both shown to be late Middle Cambrian in age. Detrital zircon data presented herein for a sample from these siliciclastic strata contain a similar age spectrum to those from Middle Cambrian strata in northern India, as well as grains as young as ca. 526 Ma, both of which support the depositional age and continuity of depositional systems along the length of the Himalaya. Highly fractured rocks of the Ordovician lower Chiatsun Group in the hanging wall of the South Tibetan detachment system in Nyalam, 75 km to the west of Everest, correlate with Ordovician strata of the Mount Qomolangma Formation on Mount Everest. Our correlations indicate that the base of the summit pyramid of Everest, the foot of the “Third Step,” is composed of a 60-m-thick, white-weathering thrombolite bed. The top of this ancient microbial deposit crops out only 70 m below the summit of Mount Everest. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.