Stratigraphy of the Lower Devonian sediments in the northwestern Shan Plateau, Myanmar

Abstract

A new lithostratigraphic subdivision for the Lower Devonian sediments of the Pyin Oo Lwin Township, in northwestern Shan Plateau is proposed as the Zebingyi Formation (Pragian-Emsian) which comprises three members, stratigraphically from lower to upper, Khinzo Chaung Limestone, In-ni Chaung Limestone and Doganaing Chaung Orthoquartzite. The type section is designated at the Zebingyi area and the Anisakan-Phaungdaw area, Pyin Oo Lwin Township is considered as a complementary section. The stratigraphy and lithofacies of the formation is studied in detail. Very rich micro-and macrofauna indicate a Lower Devonian (Pragian-Emsian) age and stratigraphically it is closely correlated with those of the same age from the neighbouring regions such as Malaysia, Thailand and China. The Zebingyi Formation as a whole is interpreted as pelagic to shallowing up locally with intertidal channel environment.