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Timing of the Nihewan formation and faunas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Chenglong Deng*
Affiliation:
Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (SKL-LE), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Rixiang Zhu
Affiliation:
Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (SKL-LE), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Rui Zhang
Affiliation:
Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (SKL-LE), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Hong Ao
Affiliation:
Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (SKL-LE), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Yongxin Pan
Affiliation:
Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (SKL-LE), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
*
*Corresponding author. Fax: +86 10 6201 0846.E-mail address:[email protected] (C. Deng).

Abstract

Magnetostratigraphic dating of the fluvio-lacustrine sequence in the Nihewan Basin, North China, has permitted the precise timing of the basin infilling and associated Nihewan mammalian faunas. The combined evidence of new paleomagnetic findings from the Hongya and Huabaogou sections of the eastern Nihewan Basin and previously published magnetochronological data suggests that the Nihewan Formation records the tectono-sedimentary processes of the Plio–Pleistocene Nihewan Basin and that the Nihewan faunas can be placed between the Matuyama–Brunhes geomagnetic reversal and the onset of the Olduvai subchron (0.78–1.95 Ma). The onset and termination of the basin deposition occurred just prior to the Gauss–Matuyama geomagnetic reversal and during the period from the last interglaciation to the late last glaciation, respectively, suggesting that the Nihewan Formation is of Late Pliocene to late Pleistocene age. The Nihewan faunas, comprising a series of mammalian faunas (such as Maliang, Donggutuo, Xiaochangliang, Banshan, Majuangou, Huabaogou, Xiashagou, Danangou and Dongyaozitou), are suggested to span a time range of about 0.8–2.0 Ma. The combination of our new and previously published magnetostratigraphy has significantly refined the chronology of the terrestrial Nihewan Formation and faunas.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Elsevier Inc.

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