SEQUENCE AND AGE OF THE MESOZOIC STRATA IN THE MOHE BASIN

The Mesozoic strata in the Mohe Basin have been collated on the basis of the recent stratigraphic research and field geologic survey. Therefore the Ahangtihe Formation is incorporated into the Xiufeng Formation, Murui Formation into the lower part of the Shangkuli Formation, and the coal bearing beds between the Shangkuli and the Yiliekede Formation into the upper part of the Shangkuli Formation. The sequence of the Tamulangou, Shangkuli, and Yeliekede Formations displays vertically the cycles of volcanics—clastics intercalated with volcanics and coal beds—volcanics and may be well correlated with strata of the neighboring regions. According to new isotopic data, the age of the Tamulangou Formation is Early Cretaceous. Also, the age of the Emuerhe Group in the basin is discussed and then considered as Late Jurassic based on fossil bivalves, gastropods, ostracodes, plants and sporo pollen collected in this sequence.