Kaili Formation

Kaili Formation
Stratigraphic range: Cambrian
TypeGeological formation
Thickness~200 m (660 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryClaystone, mudstone, shale
OtherSiltstone, marl, limestone
Location
Coordinates24°54′N 102°30′E / 24.9°N 102.5°E / 24.9; 102.5
Approximate paleocoordinates35°06′N 161°18′E / 35.1°N 161.3°E / 35.1; 161.3
RegionGuizhou
Country China
Type section
Named forKaili
Kaili Formation is located in China
Kaili Formation
Kaili Formation (China)
Kaili Formation is located in Guizhou
Kaili Formation
Kaili Formation (Guizhou)

The Kaili Formation(凯里組) is a stratigraphic formation which was deposited during the Lower and Middle Cambrian (~513 to 506 million years ago). The formation is approximately 200 metres (660 ft) thick and was named after the city Kaili in the Guizhou province of southwest China.

The depositional environment of the Kaili Formation is not entirely known, and there are two hypotheses for its formation. It may have been a nearshore marine environment with 'normal' levels of oxygenation; or it may have been a deeper water environment further from the shore, on the open continental shelf; in this setting oxygen would not be available below the surface layers of the deposited sediment.[1] The trace fossil assemblages in the formation suggest that it was below the wave base and was reasonably well-oxygenated.[1]

  1. ^ a b Wang, Y.; Lin, J. P.; Zhao, Y. L.; Orr, P. J. (2009). "Palaeoecology of the trace fossil Gordia and its interaction with nonmineralizing taxa from the early Middle Cambrian Kaili Biota, Guizhou Province, South China". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 277 (1–2): 141–148. Bibcode:2009PPP...277..141W. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.02.017.

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