Biostratigraphic correlation of Carboniferous-Permian sequences of the western margin of the Sibumasu Block in the Eastern Highlands of Myanmar

Abstract

This study firstly presented that the Carboniferous-Permian sequences along the western margin of the Sibumasu Block in Myanmar are characterised by Mississippian Cimmerian-type fauna, Kungurian admixtures of both Cathaysian and Gondwanan taxa, Cathaysian-affinity flora, and Guadalupian warm-water organisms. These biotas represent different paleolatitude settings within the Cimmerian continents and distinct drifting histories. The Asselian to Sakmarian glaciomarine deposits in the lower part of the Mergui Group contain typical Gondwana-type cold-water faunas found in other parts of the Sibumasu, but these have not yet been observed in the Shan Scarp zone of Myanmar. Due to the absence of Pennsylvanian strata, the plant fossil-bearing Mwedaw Beds overlie the Tournaisian-Visean Loikaw Beds and are underlain by the Thitispin Formation in the Shan Plateau zone. The Permian sequences are most clearly observed in the Shan Scarp zone, which lacks Carboniferous strata.

Keywords

• Carboniferous
• Permian
• Sibumasu Block
• Mergui Group
• Shan Plateau