Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 2: May–June 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-06-27
DOI: 10.11646/mesozoic.1.2.11
Page range: 192-207
Abstract views: 148
PDF downloaded: 102

Discussion on the age of the Early Cretaceous amber from the Hailar Basin, NE China

School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
amber Damoguaihe Formation Yimin Formation U-Pb geochronology

Abstract

Amber in China is predominantly found from the Cenozoic era, with the oldest-known amber originating from the Middle Triassic Qingyan biota in Guiyang, Guizhou. Chinese Cretaceous amber has been known from Xixia and Neixiang (Henan Province), Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), and the Buir Lake area (Inner Mongolia). Some previous studies have suggested that the amber found at the base of the Yimin Formation in the Yimin Coal Mine in the Hailar Basin (130.9 ± 2.8 Ma, as constrained by detrital zircon U-Pb dating in the original paper) represents the oldest known amber in China at that time. In this paper, detrital zircon U-Pb dating was conducted on the clastic rocks from the Damoguaihe Formation of the Zhalainuoer Coal Mine, Hailar Basin to contest the age of the Buir Lake amber. Our results suggest that the upper part of the Damoguaihe Formation was deposited earlier than 116 Ma (late Aptian), consistent with biostratigraphy and isotopic chronology. Therefore, the age of the amber-bearing Damoguaihe Formation in Hailar Basin should be slightly older than 116 Ma. Amber from the Yimin Formation was discovered from two layers, with the lower layer (the first coal seam) likely near the Aptian–Albian boundary and the upper layer slightly later than 111.7 Ma. Our analyses further confirm that Buir Lake ambers are from the upper Lower Cretaceous Damoguaihe Formation and Yimin Formation, dating to the Aptian–Albian.

References

  1. A, M.N., Zhang, F.Q. Yang, S.F., Chen, H.L., Batt, G.E., Sun, M.D., Meng, Q.A., Zhu, D.F., Cao, R.C. & Li, J.S. (2013) Early Cretaceous provenance change in the southern Hailar Basin, northeastern China and its implication for basin evolution. Cretaceous Research, 40, 21–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2012.05.005
  2. Azar. D., Maksoud, S., Cai, C.Y. & Huang, D.Y. (2019) A new amber outcrop from the Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China. Palaeoentomology, 2 (4), 345–349. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.2.4.8
  3. Bray, P.S. & Anderson, K.B. (2009) Identification of Carboniferous (320 million years old) class Ic amber. Science, 326, 132–134. https://doi. org/10.1126/science.1177539
  4. Cawood, P.A., Hawkesworth, C.J. & Dhuime, B. (2012) Detrital zircon record and tectonic setting. Geology, 40 (10), 875–878. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32945.1
  5. Chen, C.Y., Gao, Y.F., Wu, H.B., Qu, X.J., Liu, Z.W., Bai, X.F. & Wang, P.J. (2016) Zircon U-Pb chronology of volcanic rocks in the Hailaer Basin, NE China and its geological implications. Earth Science, 41 (8), 1259–1274. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  6. Delclòs, X., Peñalver, E., Barrón, E., Peris, D., Grimaldi, D.A., Holz, M., Labandeira, C.C., Saupe, E.E., Scotese, C.R., Solórzano-Kraemer, M.M. & Álvarez-Parra, S. (2023) Amber and the Cretaceous resinous interval. Earth-Science Reviews, 243, 104486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104486
  7. Dickinson, W.R. & Gehrels, G.E. (2009) Use of U–Pb ages of detrital zircons to infer maximum depositional ages of strata: A test against a Colorado Plateau Mesozoic database. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 288, 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.013
  8. Gou, J., Sun, D.Y., Ren, Y.S., Liu, Y.J., Zhang, S.Y., Fu, C.L., Wang, T.H., Wu, P.F. & Liu, X.M. (2013) Petrogenesis and geodynamic setting of Neoproterozoic and Late Paleozoic magmatism in the Manzhouli—Erguna area of Inner Mongolia, China: Geochronological, geochemical and Hf isotopic evidence. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 67–68, 114–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2013.02.016.
  9. Han, G., Cao, Y., Zhang, W.J. Wang, J.Y., Xue, Y.F. & Bao, L. (2019) Stratigraphy and sporo-pollen assemblages of well Bei 32 from the Nantun Formation in the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia. Geological Bulletin of China, 2019, 38 (6), 916–921.
  10. Huang, Q.H., Zhao, L.S., Lu, Z.W., Dang, Y.M., Wang, L.Q. & Kong, H. (2006) Sporopollen fossil of the Damoguaihe Formation and its age in Hailaer Basin, Inner Mongolia. Geological Science and Technology Information, 25 (1), 19–26. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  11. Inner Mongolia Bureau of Geological and Mineral Survey (IBGMR) (1996) Strata of the Inner Mongolia Province. China University of Geosciences Press, Wuhan, 354 pp. [In Chinese]
  12. Ji, Z., Wan, C.B., Meng, Q.A., Zhu, D.F., Ge, W.C., Zhang, Y.L., Yang, H., Dong, Y. & Jing, Y. (2019) Chronostratigraphic framework of late Mesozoic terrestrial strata in the Hailar–Tamtsag Basin, Northeast China, and its geodynamic implication. Geological Journal, 55 (7), 5197–5215. https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.3731
  13. Li, C.B., Wan, C.B., Qiao, X.Y., Shan, X.L., Wang, L.Y. Shao, H.J., Chi, H.Y. & Liu, T.Y. (2007) Pollen and spore assemblages of the Yimin Formation of Haican-1 Well, Hailaer Basin and their stratigraphic significance. Journal of Stratigraphy, 31 (1), 23–34. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  14. Li, P.P., Ge, W.C. & Zhang, Y.L. (2010) Division of volcanic strata in the northwestern part of Hailar basin: evidence from zircon U-Pb dating. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 26 (8), 2482–2494.
  15. Li, Y.L, Zheng, D.R., Sha, J.G., Zhang, H.C., Denyszyn, S. & Zhang, S.C. (2023) Lower Cretaceous Hailar amber: the oldest-known amber from China. Cretaceous Research, 145, 105472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105472
  16. Ludwig, K.R. (2003) User’s manual for Isoplot 3.0. A geochronological toolkit for Microsoft Excel. Berkeley Geochronology Centre, Berkeley, California, Special Publication, 4a, 1–70.
  17. Meng, E., Xu, W.L., Yang, D.B., Qiu, K.F., Li, C.H. & Zhu, H.T. (2011) Zircon U-Pb chronology, geochemistry of Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Zhalainuoer basin in Manzhouli area, and its tectonic implications. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 27 (4), 1209–1226. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  18. Meng, Q.A, Wan, C.B., Qiao, X.Y., Sun, Y.W., Shan, X.L., Xu, Y.B., Ren, Y.G. & Zhao, C.B. (2003) Palynological assemblages from the Damoguaihe Formation in the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia. Journal of Stratigraphy, 27 (3), 173–184. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  19. Meng, Q.A, Wan, C.B., Zhu, D.F., Zhang, Y.L. Ge, W.C. & Wu, F.Y. (2013) Age assignment and geological significance of the “Budate Group” in the Hailar Basin. Science China: Earth Sciences, 56, 970–979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-013-4614-5
  20. Ni, Z.J., Song, X.B., Azar, D., Wwang, Z.X., Cai, C.Y., Xuan, Q., Maksoud, S., Lian, X.N. & Huang, D.Y. (2023) Discovery of Late Cretaceous amber from Guangzhou, South China. Palaeoentomology, 6 (4), 329–332. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.6.4.3
  21. Pu, R.G. & Wu, H.Z. (1985) The palynological assemblages of the Hingganling and Zhalainuoer in Hinggan Ling Region, Northeast China and their stratigraphical significance. Bull. Shenyang, Inst. Geol. Min. Res., Chinese Acad. Geol. Sci, 11, 47–113. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  22. Roghi, G., Gianolla, P., Kustatscher, E., Schmidt, A.R. & Seyfullah, L. (2022) An exceptionally preserved Terrestrial record of LIP effects on plants in the Carnian (Upper Triassic) amber-bearing section of the Dolomites, Italy. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10, 900586. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.900586
  23. Şengör, A.M.C., Natal’in, B.A. & Burtman, V.S. (1993) Evolution of the altaid tectonic collage and Palaeozoic crustal growth in Eurasia. Nature, 364, 299–307. https://doi.org/10.1038/364299a0
  24. Shi, G.L., Dutta, S., Paul, S. Wang, B. & Jacques, F.M.B. (2014) Terpenoid compositions and botanical origins of Late Cretaceous and Miocene amber from China. PLoS ONE, 9 (10), 0111303. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111303
  25. Stilwell, J. D., Langendam, A., Mays, C., Sutherland, L.J.M., Arillo, A., Bickel, D.J., Silva, W.T.D., Pentland, A.H., Roghi, G., Price, G.D., Cantrill, D.J., Quinney, A. & Penalver, E. (2020) Amber from the Triassic to Paleogene of Australia and New Zealand as exceptional Preservation of poorly known terrestrial ecosystems. Scientific Reports, 10 (1), 5703. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62252-z
  26. Tian, Y.K., Chu, D.L., Cao, Y., Corso, J.D., Roghi, G., Song, H.J., Tian, L., Liu, C.Y., He, X., Miao, X., Zhang, S.Y., Shu, W.C. & Tong, J.N. (2024) Anisian (Middle Triassic) amber from Qingyan section, Guizhou Province and its significance. Earth Science, 49 (4), 1515–1523. [In Chinese with English abstract] https://doi.org/10.3799/dqkx.2023.182
  27. Wan, C.B. (2006) Cretaceous palynological flora in Hailar Basin. PhD Thesis of Jilin University, Changchun, 209 pp. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  28. Wang, L.Y., Wan, C.B. & Sun, Y.W. (2014) A spore-pollen assemblage from the Damoguaihe Formation in the Tamutsag Basin, Mongolia and its geological implication. Acta Geologica Sinica, 88 (1), 46–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-6724.12182
  29. Wang, Y.Q., Sha, J.G., Pan, Y.H., Zhang, X.L. & Rao, X. (2012) Non-marine Cretaceous ostracod assemblages in China: a preliminary review. Journal of Stratigraphy, 36, 289–299.
  30. Wilde, S.A. & Zhou, J.B. (2015) The late Paleozoic to Mesozoic evolution of the eastern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 113, 909–921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2015.05.005
  31. Windley, B.F., Alexeiev, D., Xiao, W.J., Kr öner, A. & Badarch, G. (2007) Tectonic models for accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 164, 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492006-022
  32. Wu, H., Huang, Q., Dang, Y., Kong, H. & Wang, L. (2006) Achievements in the study on Cretaceous biostratigraphy of the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 45, 283–291. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  33. Xu, W.L., Pei, F.P., Wang, F., Meng, E., Ji, W.Q., Yang, D.B. & Wang, W. (2013) Spatial-temporal relationships of Mesozoic volcanic rocks in NE China: Constraints on tectonic overprinting and transformations between multiple tectonic regimes. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 74, 167–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2013.04.003
  34. Xue, Y.F. (2017) Sporopollen assemblages and their geological significances for Yimin Formation in Chargannuoer Sag of Hailer Basin. Petroleum Geology and Oilfield Development in Daqing, 36 (2), 52–59. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  35. Xue, Y.F. & Wang, L.Y. (2010) Jalai Nur Group sporopollen assemblages in Qagan Nur Depression, Hailar Basin. Coal Geology of China, 22 (1), 6–9. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  36. Yang, Y.J., Yang, X.P., Jiang, B., Wang, Y. & Pang, X.J. (2022) Spatio-temporal distribution of Mesozoic volcanic strata in the Great Xing’an Range: response to the subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and Paleo-Pacific Ocean. Earth Science Frontiers, 29 (2), 115–131. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  37. Zhang, Y. Wu, X., Zhang, C., Guo, W, Yang, Y. & Sun, G. (2018) New evidence for dating of the Middle Jurassic Wanbao Formation in the Longjiang Basin, western margin of Heilongjiang Province. Earth Science Frontiers, 25 (1), 182–196. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  38. Zhao, L., Gao, F.H., Zhang, Y.L., Xu, H.M. & Zhang, L.Y. (2015) Zircon U-Pb chronology and its geological implications of Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Hailaer basin. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 29 (3), 864–874. [In Chinese with English abstract]
  39. Zhong, B.H. (2003) Amber resource of China. Journal of Gems & Gemmology, 5 (2), 33. [In Chinese with English abstract]