Sequence Stratigraphy and Chemostratigraphy of the Cambrian Sesong and Hwajeol formations (Taebaek area) and the Machari Formation (Yeongweol area), Gangweon Province, Korea: Implications for a Mixed Carbonate-siliciclastic Environment of Stable Cratonic Interior

Abstract

The focus of this study is application of sequence stratigraphy and chemostratigraphy to the Sesong and Hwajeol formations (Taebaek area) and the Machari Formation (Yeongweol area), which are interpreted to have deposited in mixed carbonate-siliciclastic stable craton interior during the upper Cambrian Series 3 to Furongian. The Sesong and Hwajeol formations consist of nine lithofacies, and seven lithofacies are recognized in the Machari Fromation based on facies analysis. According to the facies stacking pattern and the recognition of bounding surface, the Sesong and Hwajeol formations are comprised of three stratigraphic sequences with two bounding surfaces, and the Machari Formation consists of two stratigraphic sequences with a sequence boundary. Trace elements suggestive of redox condition are analyzed in the Machari Formation. Stable carbon isotope values of whole rock sample, which imply relative sea-level fluctuation, are analyzed in the Sesong and the overlying Hwajeol formations. The Sesong and Hwajeol formations (Taebaek area) and Machari Formation (Yeongweol area) are well correlated based on sequence stratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, and biostratigraphy. Stratigraphic sequences and bounding surfaces are compared with those of Gushan and Chaomidian formations in Shandong region, China. Sequence stratigraphic correlation between the two regions suggests that a basin-scale correlation is possible with sequence-bounding surfaces developed in stable cratonic interior basins characterized by mixed carbonate-siliciclastic environment. Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of this region suggest that the interplay between carbonate productivity and siliciclastic sediment input and complexity of this setting of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic environments in stable cratonic interior differs from traditional models