DISCOVERY OF LATE CARBONIFEROUS-EARLY PERMIAN CATHAYSIAFLORA IN THE EASTERN MARGIN OF DUNHUA RISE AND ITS GEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In 1998,Cathaysia flora containing Neuropteris, Pecopteris, Cordaites, etc. were found for the first time from the Upper Carboniferous-Lower Permian Dasuangou Formation in the eastern margin of Dunhua rise. Based on the discovery and considering the conformity between the Dasuangou Formation and its underlying Shanxiuling Formation, the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian strata in the Kaishantun area were demonstrated to be marineterrestrial sedimentary facies. The existence of Cathaysia flora during the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian and Late Permian shows that the Cathaysia flora began to differentiate and develop in the present area during the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian, and that the present area is an indiscerptible part of the Cathaysia continent.