Late Precambrian (Meso-to Neoproterozoic) lithostratigraphic Units in North China and their multiple division and correlation

Abstract: Late Precambrian strata are the first sedimentary cover on the early Precambrian folded metamorphic basement in North China. They are mainly distributed in some late Precambrian rift systems and aulacogens in North China, but the timing of deposition varies from area to area and the strata underwent more or less erosion in the late stage. Diverse views have long existed about the stratigraphic division and naming, use and age assignment of lithostratigraphic units. The divergence is even great in some areas. On the basis of the understanding of the geological characteristics of lithostratigraphic units, the author makes the stratigraphic correlation throughout the region and put forward unifying groups and formations, determines the features of representative lithostratigraphic units and rock associations that may serve as late Precambrian depositional sequences in North China, introduces the late Precambrian stromatolite assemblage and characteristic elements of the microflora, as well as mega-algae and metaphytes, and discusses the evidence for determining the chronostratigraphic division in the area where the stratotype is located and the age assignment of the chronostratigraphic units in various stratigraphic areas beyond the area of ??the stratotype.