Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2021, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4): 299-315.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2020.7.3

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Discussion on the characteristics of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary correlation in the Songliao Basin and adjacent areas

QU Xuejiao1(), GAO Youfeng2,*(), LIN Zhicheng1, WANG Pujun3, WU Kangjun1   

  1. 1. School of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
    2. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Evolution of Past Life and Environment in Northeast Asia, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China
    3. College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China
  • Received:2020-01-05 Revised:2020-03-27 Online:2021-07-25 Published:2021-07-25
  • Contact: GAO Youfeng

Abstract:

The Songliao Basin and adjacent areas, one of the largest Cretaceous sedimentary landmass, is an excellent candidate for recovering a complete terrestrial sedimentary record from the top of the Upper Jurassic to the Cretaceous. However, the Jurassic-Cretaneous (J/K) boundary bearing areas and beds in the region have not been confirmed because of discontinuous outcrops and deep burial depth. It is important to note that the terrestrial J/K boundary division and correlation is a complex issue with no quick solutions. A set of framework characteristics of inter-region correlation need to be devised. In this report, we discuss the framework characteristics of the J/K boundary correlation in the Songliao Basin and adjacent area and summarize the basis of tectonic setting, magmatic events and biotic macroevolution from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. The region west and south of the Songliao Basin has a post-collision extensional setting related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in the Jurassic, and an extensional setting in the Cretaceous caused by continental crustal thickening and delamination related to N-S thrust. The Songliao Basin was in a post-collision orogeny setting related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in the Jurassic, and in an extensional setting in the Cretaceous caused by plate reorganization involving the active northern and eastern continental margins. The region east of the Songliao Basin was in a strike-slip setting from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. The Yanliao and Jehol Biotas are two big fossil groups representing the Jurassic and the Cretaceous, respectively. The Jurassic palynological assemblage is dominated by gymnosperm pollens with high abundance of Classopollis, while the Cretaceous one is dominated by bisaccate pollens of conifers with low Classopollis abundance. The Tuchengzi Formation in northern Hebei and western Liaoning, the Donganzhen Formation in Raohe, and the Dongrong Formation in Suibin are the most probable J/K boundary bearing beds. The J/K boundary may also present in the Daxing’anling Manketouebo Formation, Changjiaweizi Fault Depression and the area between the Changjiaweizi Fault Depression and Daxing’anling.

Key words: Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary, tectonic setting, biotic macroevolution, Songliao Basin and adjacent areas

CLC Number: