Abstract:
This paper is the result of geological survey engineering.
Objective Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS), one of the international research hotspots, have been paid more attentions in Precambrian rather than other period in China. Microbials flourished globally in the Early Ordovician. However, the MISS was found in the shallow water clastic rocks in France and Newfoundland of Canada, but not yet reported in China.
Methods Here, we first discovered the MISS at the upper Nantsinkuan Formation of Early Tremadocian of Early Ordovician in Jieling area, Yichang, Hubei Province.
Results The MISS at Jieling contained microbial mat growth features and microbial mat destruction features. It is noteworthy that the microbial mat destruction features are morphologically similar to the molar tooth that widely developed in Precambrian.
Conclusions The discovery of the MISS in Jieling not only enriches the global MISS−bearing stratigraphic units, but also has important theoretical significance for the study of Phanerozoic microbialites. Moreover, it is an important supplement to the geological relics of Yichang City.