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The Permian of East and Northeast Asia
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 26 (2006) 173–174 www.elsevier.com/locate/jaes
Preface
The Permian of East and Northeast Asia This special issue of the Journal of Asian Earth Sciences is a ‘sister’ volume to a similar Special Issue focusing on the Permian of Southeast Asia, co-edited by G.R. Shi and I. Metcalfe and published earlier in the same journal (Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2002, 20(6)). Both special issues represent the continuing effort by members of the International Working Group on ‘Using Permian transitional biotas as gateways for global correlations’ under the auspices of IUGSICS Subcommission on Permian Stratigraphy (SPS). The key objective of the SPS International Working Group is to identify (or verify) certain geographical areas of the world where Permian biotas demonstrate unequivocal mixing of warm- and cool- to cold-water biotas, either in the same stratigraphical horizon, or within a set of stratigraphically proximal horizons, with the aim of using these mixed Permian biotas as ‘biostratigraphical gateways’ for dating and correlating Permian rock successions in the higher palaeolatitudinal regions of both hemispheres with those of palaeotropical regions, where the current Permian international chronostratigraphical timescale was established. The geographical coverage of the papers included in this Special Issue is broad, covering the entire region of East and Northeast Asia, including Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Mongolia and eastern Russia. This vast territory forms a tectonic mosaic comprised primarily of two large Precambrian platforms (i.e. the Siberian and Sino-Korean Platforms) and a number of significant microcontinents (massifs or continental terranes), embedded in a tectonic matrix of interwoven sutures, fold belts and accretionary complexes. Although the broad geological outline of this region appears reasonably well established, details of its geological history are still poorly constrained. The Permian Period, and its ensuing transition into the Mesozoic, appears to mark a major turning point in the geological history of East and Northeast Asia, as in the rest of the world. It was during this interval that the tectonic regime of East and Northeast Asia changed from N–S compression, dominated by the Palaeozoic Palaeo-Tethys (or Palaeo-Asian Ocean), to E–W compression dominated by the Mesozoic–Cenozoic PalaeoPacific regime (e.g. Ren et al., 1999). Naturally, together with these large-scale changes in tectonic setting, profound environmental and biotic changes took place across the entire region, reflected in highly varied Permian rock successions and in biogeographical provincialism. However, at present many 1367-9120/$ - see front matter q 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.12.001
problems concerning the Permian of this region, especially the geodynamic processes of its changing palaeogeographical, biogeographical and tectonic configurations throughout the period, remain under-studied, and few regional syntheses on these aspects are available. It is with this in mind that we have organized this special issue with a view to bringing together a collection of papers, either reporting new data, presenting new or alternative interpretations of existing data, or providing comprehensive ‘state of the art’ reviews on the Permian of East and Northeast Asia in both a regional and a global context. It is anticipated that the various papers included in this special issue will result in a much improved understanding of the geological history of this region in the Permian Period, and through the Permian-Triassic transition. Although the primary objective of the special issue is to present current knowledge of the Permian stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of East and Northeast Asia to a broader readership, we have also included a paper on the regional Permian tectonic and palaeogeographical setting of East Asia, modeled on structural, geochemical and palaeomagnetic data. The Permian palaeogeographical reconstructions offered in this paper may be cross-examined against the palaeontological, biostratigraphical and biogeographical data presented in the other papers in this issue. Many of the papers included in this special issue were invited contributions to cover the Permian stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of key areas. In reviewing papers written by Russian colleagues the Guest Editors and some journal reviewers encountered a special problem regarding the use of Russian stratigraphical terms. Several papers use the terms ‘Horizon’, ‘Superhorizon’ and ‘Lone’. It is therefore necessary to make a brief comment here about these terms to avoid potential confusion. A ‘Horizon’ is a formal stratigraphical unit that has been adopted and widely used by Russian colleagues as a useful regional (as opposed to global) biostratigraphical unit for a body of sedimentary strata that is definable principally (but not exclusively) by palaeontological characteristics, and is clearly traceable within a geographical region, a palaeo-basin or a palaeobiogeographical province (Zhamoida et al., 1979). In this sense, a ‘Horizon’ is probably equivalent in rank to a ‘Stage’ in the International Stratigraphic Code (Salvador, 1994). Further, it should be noted that the utility of a ‘Horizon’ beyond the geographical region where its stratotype is established is believed to diminish considerably or to
174
Preface / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 26 (2006) 173–174
disappear completely, and hence the term cannot be, and should not be used as a global chronostratigraphical benchmark. Occasionally, horizons have been grouped into ‘Superhorizons’ in recognition of certain regularities in the development of both faunal associations and palaeoenvironmental conditions within a major sedimentary basin or palaeobiogeographical province. The term ‘Lone’ is used in Russia as a subordinate stratigraphic unit within a ‘Horizon’, and its use is restricted to a single palaeobiogeographical province. A ‘Lone’ is defined by a characteristic palaeontological assemblage representing a certain stage of biotic development and evolution within a geographical area or a palaeobiogeographical province (Zhamoida et al., 1979). Therefore, a ‘Lone’ may be equated with a ‘biozone’ in the International Stratigraphic Guide. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the SPS International Working Group who participated in this special issue, and especially all the authors of this special issue for their contributions, cooperation and patience. Each of the papers included in the special issue has been reviewed by at least two peers chosen internationally. We herein extend our thanks to these reviewers for their time and rigor in ensuring that all papers meet the international standard and the requirement of the journal. As Guest Editors, we would like to also thank the Journal Editor, Dr. A. J. Barber, for his encouragement, guidance and patience throughout the project, without which it would not have been possible to even conceive the project. Finally, a special acknowledgement must go to the Australian Research Council (ARC grant LX0348047), and the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC grants 40328003, 40321202, 40225005) for continually supporting our research programs and international research
collaborations with colleagues in the region, which has proved to be a major impetus for the initiation and final deliberation of this special issue. References Ren, J.S., Wang, Z.X., Chen, B.W., Jiang, C.F., Niu, B.G., Li, J.Y., Xie, G.L., He, Z.G., Liu, Z.G., 1999. The tectonics of China from a global view. A Guide to the Tectonic Map of China and Adjacent Regions. Geological Publishing House, Beijing. 32 pp. Salvador, A. (Ed.), 1994. International Stratigraphic Code. A Guide to Stratigraphic Classification, Terminology, and Procedure, second ed. International Union of Geological Sciences and Geological Society of America, Inc., Boulder xix C 214 pp. Zhamoida, A.I., Kovalevsky, O.P., Moissejeva, A.I., Yarkin, V.I., 1979. Stratigraphic Code of the USSR (Provisional Synopsis of Rules and Recommendations). Interdepartmental Stratigraphic Committee of the USSR, Leningrad (Compilers) 148 pp. (in Russian with English translation).
G.R. Shia* Monica J. Campia Shu-zhong Shenb a School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, Melbourne Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia b State Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Palaeobiology, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, China * Corresponding author. Tel.: C61 3 9251 7619; fax: C61 3 9251 7626. E-mail address: [email protected]
Preface
The Permian of East and Northeast Asia This special issue of the Journal of Asian Earth Sciences is a ‘sister’ volume to a similar Special Issue focusing on the Permian of Southeast Asia, co-edited by G.R. Shi and I. Metcalfe and published earlier in the same journal (Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2002, 20(6)). Both special issues represent the continuing effort by members of the International Working Group on ‘Using Permian transitional biotas as gateways for global correlations’ under the auspices of IUGSICS Subcommission on Permian Stratigraphy (SPS). The key objective of the SPS International Working Group is to identify (or verify) certain geographical areas of the world where Permian biotas demonstrate unequivocal mixing of warm- and cool- to cold-water biotas, either in the same stratigraphical horizon, or within a set of stratigraphically proximal horizons, with the aim of using these mixed Permian biotas as ‘biostratigraphical gateways’ for dating and correlating Permian rock successions in the higher palaeolatitudinal regions of both hemispheres with those of palaeotropical regions, where the current Permian international chronostratigraphical timescale was established. The geographical coverage of the papers included in this Special Issue is broad, covering the entire region of East and Northeast Asia, including Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Mongolia and eastern Russia. This vast territory forms a tectonic mosaic comprised primarily of two large Precambrian platforms (i.e. the Siberian and Sino-Korean Platforms) and a number of significant microcontinents (massifs or continental terranes), embedded in a tectonic matrix of interwoven sutures, fold belts and accretionary complexes. Although the broad geological outline of this region appears reasonably well established, details of its geological history are still poorly constrained. The Permian Period, and its ensuing transition into the Mesozoic, appears to mark a major turning point in the geological history of East and Northeast Asia, as in the rest of the world. It was during this interval that the tectonic regime of East and Northeast Asia changed from N–S compression, dominated by the Palaeozoic Palaeo-Tethys (or Palaeo-Asian Ocean), to E–W compression dominated by the Mesozoic–Cenozoic PalaeoPacific regime (e.g. Ren et al., 1999). Naturally, together with these large-scale changes in tectonic setting, profound environmental and biotic changes took place across the entire region, reflected in highly varied Permian rock successions and in biogeographical provincialism. However, at present many 1367-9120/$ - see front matter q 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.12.001
problems concerning the Permian of this region, especially the geodynamic processes of its changing palaeogeographical, biogeographical and tectonic configurations throughout the period, remain under-studied, and few regional syntheses on these aspects are available. It is with this in mind that we have organized this special issue with a view to bringing together a collection of papers, either reporting new data, presenting new or alternative interpretations of existing data, or providing comprehensive ‘state of the art’ reviews on the Permian of East and Northeast Asia in both a regional and a global context. It is anticipated that the various papers included in this special issue will result in a much improved understanding of the geological history of this region in the Permian Period, and through the Permian-Triassic transition. Although the primary objective of the special issue is to present current knowledge of the Permian stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of East and Northeast Asia to a broader readership, we have also included a paper on the regional Permian tectonic and palaeogeographical setting of East Asia, modeled on structural, geochemical and palaeomagnetic data. The Permian palaeogeographical reconstructions offered in this paper may be cross-examined against the palaeontological, biostratigraphical and biogeographical data presented in the other papers in this issue. Many of the papers included in this special issue were invited contributions to cover the Permian stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of key areas. In reviewing papers written by Russian colleagues the Guest Editors and some journal reviewers encountered a special problem regarding the use of Russian stratigraphical terms. Several papers use the terms ‘Horizon’, ‘Superhorizon’ and ‘Lone’. It is therefore necessary to make a brief comment here about these terms to avoid potential confusion. A ‘Horizon’ is a formal stratigraphical unit that has been adopted and widely used by Russian colleagues as a useful regional (as opposed to global) biostratigraphical unit for a body of sedimentary strata that is definable principally (but not exclusively) by palaeontological characteristics, and is clearly traceable within a geographical region, a palaeo-basin or a palaeobiogeographical province (Zhamoida et al., 1979). In this sense, a ‘Horizon’ is probably equivalent in rank to a ‘Stage’ in the International Stratigraphic Code (Salvador, 1994). Further, it should be noted that the utility of a ‘Horizon’ beyond the geographical region where its stratotype is established is believed to diminish considerably or to
174
Preface / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 26 (2006) 173–174
disappear completely, and hence the term cannot be, and should not be used as a global chronostratigraphical benchmark. Occasionally, horizons have been grouped into ‘Superhorizons’ in recognition of certain regularities in the development of both faunal associations and palaeoenvironmental conditions within a major sedimentary basin or palaeobiogeographical province. The term ‘Lone’ is used in Russia as a subordinate stratigraphic unit within a ‘Horizon’, and its use is restricted to a single palaeobiogeographical province. A ‘Lone’ is defined by a characteristic palaeontological assemblage representing a certain stage of biotic development and evolution within a geographical area or a palaeobiogeographical province (Zhamoida et al., 1979). Therefore, a ‘Lone’ may be equated with a ‘biozone’ in the International Stratigraphic Guide. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the SPS International Working Group who participated in this special issue, and especially all the authors of this special issue for their contributions, cooperation and patience. Each of the papers included in the special issue has been reviewed by at least two peers chosen internationally. We herein extend our thanks to these reviewers for their time and rigor in ensuring that all papers meet the international standard and the requirement of the journal. As Guest Editors, we would like to also thank the Journal Editor, Dr. A. J. Barber, for his encouragement, guidance and patience throughout the project, without which it would not have been possible to even conceive the project. Finally, a special acknowledgement must go to the Australian Research Council (ARC grant LX0348047), and the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC grants 40328003, 40321202, 40225005) for continually supporting our research programs and international research
collaborations with colleagues in the region, which has proved to be a major impetus for the initiation and final deliberation of this special issue. References Ren, J.S., Wang, Z.X., Chen, B.W., Jiang, C.F., Niu, B.G., Li, J.Y., Xie, G.L., He, Z.G., Liu, Z.G., 1999. The tectonics of China from a global view. A Guide to the Tectonic Map of China and Adjacent Regions. Geological Publishing House, Beijing. 32 pp. Salvador, A. (Ed.), 1994. International Stratigraphic Code. A Guide to Stratigraphic Classification, Terminology, and Procedure, second ed. International Union of Geological Sciences and Geological Society of America, Inc., Boulder xix C 214 pp. Zhamoida, A.I., Kovalevsky, O.P., Moissejeva, A.I., Yarkin, V.I., 1979. Stratigraphic Code of the USSR (Provisional Synopsis of Rules and Recommendations). Interdepartmental Stratigraphic Committee of the USSR, Leningrad (Compilers) 148 pp. (in Russian with English translation).
G.R. Shia* Monica J. Campia Shu-zhong Shenb a School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, Melbourne Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia b State Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Palaeobiology, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, China * Corresponding author. Tel.: C61 3 9251 7619; fax: C61 3 9251 7626. E-mail address: [email protected]