Upper Mesozoic stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin (Russian Far East) and northeastern China: Non-marine and marine correlations. Part 1: Upper Jurassic–Hauterivian

Abstract

Upper Mesozoic (Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous) rocks are widely distributed in Sikhote-Alin (Russian Far East) and northeastern China. In Sikhote-Alin, the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous rocks are represented mainly by marine deposits, whereas the Upper Cretaceous rocks are mainly volcanic and non-marine sedimentary-volcanic. In northeastern China, the upper Mesozoic rocks are, on the contrary, mainly non-marine. Fully marine Upper Jurassic–Valanginian deposits are restricted to the northeastern Heilongjiang Province near the border with Russia. Barremian–Albian non-marine deposits alternating with marine ones also occur in this region. They contain marine and non-marine fauna and, therefore, represent an important object for non-marine and marine correlation. On the rest of the territory of northeastern China, upper Mesozoic rocks are represented by non-marine sedimentary and volcanogenic deposits. The complex geological structure of the region as well as different types of sedimentary basins cause difficulties in correlation between the upper Mesozoic rocks of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China. Despite the long history of investigations, their correlation schemes are still rare. Creation of a correlation scheme between Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China should be based on revision of published stratigraphic data on both regions. This article is the first in a series of articles devoted to the upper Mesozoic stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China. In the present article the Upper Jurassic–Hauterivian stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China is reviewed. The Upper Jurassic–Hauterivian deposits of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China contain abundant Buchia and rarer ammonites. Based on stratigraphic distribution of buchiid assemblages, the correlation scheme for Kimmeridgian–Valanginian (possibly lowermost Hauterivian) strata of northeastern China and Sikhote-Alin is proposed. The succession of Jurassic–Cretaceous buchiid assemblages of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China is similar to those of the other regions, e.g., Northern Siberia (Arctic Realm) and California (North Pacific Realm).