SpringerLink
Log in

New micropalaeontological evidence for a Late Triassic Shan-Thai orogeny

  • Published:
Geosciences Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Shan-Thai block is viewed as a remnant of Paleotethys in South East Asia. The general consensus about its origin is that it happened through the rifting from Gondwanaland and final amalgamation to Eurasia, sealed by fluvial-shallow marine Jurassic deposits. As the main Paleotethyan closure, the Nan-Uttaradit/Nan-Chantaburi and Bentong-Raub sutures were proposed by other workers. However, a suture further west, flanked by the Gondwana-Tethys divide (GTD), is advocated here as the main Paleotethyan closure. The Middle and Late Triassic radiolarian faunas were extracted from a chert-sequence in the Mae-Sot and Umphang areas of NW Thailand. The radiolarian faunas indicate early Ladinian, early-middle Norian, and Norian-Rhaetian, individually. The Triassic chert-sequence is overlain by the ‘Jurassic base-conglomerate’. The limestone and chert clasts in the conglomerate yield Early-Late Triassic conodonts and Middle-Late Triassic radiolarians, respectively. Chert clasts in the conglomerate yield among others Norian-Rhaetian radiolarians that are correlative with those from TM3, while Early-Late Triassic conodonts are found in limestone clasts. The silici-pelagic origin of the clasts suggests the Mae Sariang Zone that amalgamated the parts of the Shan-Thai block. This first finding of Late Triassic radiolarians from chert-sequence, next to the Middle Triassic and older radiolarian faunas, adds another element to the reconstruction of the sequence now comprised in the Mae Sariang Zone, west of the Nan-Uttaradit Suture. The occurrence of Triassic limestone, as that of the Chaiburi Formation in the Mae Sariang Zone, or the Kodiang Limestone in the “Western Zone”, may elucidate the question about the provenance of the Triassic conodont-bearing limestone clasts in the Jurassic base-conglomerate that seals the Mae-Sariang Zone. The newly dated Triassic sequence is further sealed by the continental-shelf deposits of the Toarcian-early Bajocian Hua Fai Group.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ampornmaha, A., 1995, Triassic carbonate rocks in the Phatthalung area, Peninsular Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences, 11(3), 225–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barr, S.M. and Mac Donalds, A.S., 1987, Nan river suture zone, northern Thailand. Geology, 15, 907–910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blome, C.D., 1983, Upper Triassic Capnuchosphaeridae and Capnodocinae (Radiolaria) from east-central Oregon. Micrpaleontology, 29(1), 11–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blome, C.D., 1984, Upper Triassic radiolaria and radiolarian zonation from Western North America. Bulletins of American Paleontology, 85(318), 1–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bragin, N.J. and Krylov, K.A., 1999, Early Norian Radiolaria from Cyprus. Geodiversitas, 21(4), 539–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budurov, K. and Stefanov, S., 1965, GattungGondolella aus der Trias Bulgariens. Acad. Bul. Des Sci., Travaux geologigues de Bulgarie, Paleontologie, 7, 31–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunopas, S., 1981, Paleogeographic history of western Thailand and adjacent parts of Sout-East Asia—A plate tectonics interpretation. Ph-D. Thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 810 p.; 1982. Geol. Survey Paper; Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand, Bangcok, 5, 180 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunopas, S., Vella, P., Fontaine, H., Hada, S., Burrett, C., Haines, P., Potisal, S., Wongwanich, T., Chaodanrong, P., Howard, K.T. and Khositanoui, S., 2002, Growing of Asia in the Late Triassic Continent-Continent Collision of Shan-Thai and Indochina against South China. In: Mantajit, N. (ed.), The Symposium on Geology of Thailand (Proceedings), Bangkok, Aug. 26–31, 129–135.

  • Burton, C.K., 1973, Mesozoic. In: Gobett, D.J. and Hutchison C.S. (eds.), Geology of Malaysia Peninsular, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 97–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey, S.P., Burrett, C.F., Chaodumrona, P., Wongwanich, T. and Chonglakmani, C., 1995, Triassic and Permian conodonts from the Lampang and Ngaol groups, northern Thailand. Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, 182, 497–513.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caridroit, M., 1991, Taxonomic study on Carboniferous and Permian Radiolaria from NW Thailand. Paleontologic, Stratigraphic and tectonic significances. Sixth Meeting of the International Association of Radiolarian Paleontologists (INTERAD VI, Abstact), Florence, Oct. 4–6, 21.

  • Caridroit, M., 1993, Permian Radiolaria from NW Thailand. In: Thanasuthipitak, T. (edit.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Biostratigraphy of Mainland Southeast Asia: Facies and Paleontology, Chang Mai, Jan. 31–Feb. 5, 83–96.

  • Caridroit, M., Fontaine, H., Jongkanasoontorn, Y., Suteethorn, V. and Vachard, D., 1990, First results of a palaeontological study of Northwest Thailand, CCOP Technical Secretariat, 27, 337–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caridroit, M., Bohlke, D., Lumjuan, A., Helmcke, D. and De Wever, P., 1993, A mixed radiolarian fauna (Permian/Triassic) from clastics of the Mae Sariang area, northwestern Thailand. In: Thanasuthipitak, T. (edit.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Biostratigraphy of Mainland Southeast Asia: Facies and Paleontology, Chang Mai, Jan. 31–Feb. 5, 401–413.

  • Carter, E.S., 1993, Biochronology and paleontology of uppermost Triassic (Rhaetian) radiolarians, Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, Canada, Mmoires de Gologie Lausanne, (11), 1–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charusiri, P., Daorerk, V., Archibald D., Hisada, K. and Ampaiwan, T., 2002, Geotectonic Evolution of Thailand: A New Synthesis. Journal of the Geological Society of Thailand, (1), 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chonglakmani, C., 2002, Current status of Triassic stratigraphy of Thailand and its implication for geotectonic evolution. In: Mantajit, N. et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the Symposium on Geology of Thailand, Department of Mineral Resources, Bangkok, 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chonglakmani, C. and Grant-Mackie, J.A., 1993, Biostratigraphy and facies variation of the marine Triassic sequences in Thailand. International Symposium on Biostratigraphy of Mainland SE Asia: Facies and Paleontology (Proceedings 1), Chiang Mai, Jan. 31–Feb. 5, 97–123.

  • Chonglakmani, C., Gabel, J., Helmcke, D., Lamchuan, A. and Meischner, D., 1991, Geodynamic interpretation of marine Triassic basins of Northern Thailand (Abstract). GEOSEA VII, Bangkok, 13.

  • Chonglakmani, C., Feng, Q., Meishner, D., Ingavat-Helmcke, R. and Helmcke, D., 2001, Correlation of tectono-stratigraphic units in northern Thailand with those of Western Yunnan (China). Journal of the China University of Geosciences, 12, 207–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Wever, P., 1982, Radiolaires du Trias et du Lias de la Tths (Systematique, Stratigraphie). Socit Geologique Du Nord, 1(7), 1–356; 2(7), 357–599, Villeneuve D-Ascq.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Wever, P., Sanfilippo, A. and Gruber, B., 1979, Triassic radiolarians from Greece, Sicily and Turkey. Micropaleontology, 25(1), 75–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontaine, H. and Suteethorn, V., 1988, Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic fossils of West Thailand and their environments. Committee for cooperation of joint prospecting for mineral resources in Asian offshore areas (CCOP), 20, 1–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hada, S., Bunopas, S., Ishii, K. and Yoshikura, S., 1999, Rift-drift histry and the amalgamation of Shan-Thai and Indochina/East Malaya Blocks. In: Metcalfe, I. (ed.), Gondowana Dispersion and Asian Accretion. IGCP321 Final Results Volume, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 67–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, L. and Siebenhuner, M., 1982, Explanatory Notes (Plaeontology) on the Geological Maps of Northern and Western Thailand 1:250,000 (Sheets Nan, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai, Li, Thong Pha Phum). Bundesan, Geowissen Rohstoffe, Hanover, 76 p.

  • Hayashi, S., 1968, The Permian conodonts in chert of the Adoyama Formation, Ashio mountains, central Japan. Earth Science (Chikyu Kagaku), 22, 63–77, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmcke, D., 1984, The orogenic evolution (Permo-Triassic) of central Thailand. Implications on palaeogeographic models for mainland SE-Asia. Memoires de la Societe Geologique de France, N.S. (147), 83–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, F. and Ishida, K., 2002, The Izanami Plateau: Pre-accretionary origin of Japan's low latitude Triassic pelagic carbonates. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, 95, 43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, F., Ishida, K., Kozai, T. and Meesook, A., 2005, The welding of Shan-Thai. In: Ueno, K, Hara, H., Kamata, Y. and Hisada, K. (eds), Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Geological Anatomy of East and South Asia (IGCP 516), Tsukuba, Oct. 10–17, 38–41.

  • Hirsch, F., Ishida, K., Kozai, T. and Mesook, A., 2006, The welding of Shan-Thai. Geosciences Journal, 10, 195–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huckriede, R., 1958, Die Conodonten der mediterranen trias und ihr stratigraohisher Wert. Palaeontology & Zoology, 32, 141–175, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igo, H., Nagano, N. and Nakinbodee, V., 1988, Middle Triassic conodonts from southern Thailand (preliminary report). Annual Report of the Institute of Geoscience, the University of Tsukuba, (14), 46–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishida, K. and Hirsch, F., 2001, Taxonomy and faunal affinity of late Carnian-Rhaetian conodont in the Southern Chichibu Belt, Shikoku, SE Japan. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 107(2), 227–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishida, K., Nanba, A., Hirsch, F., Kozai, T. and Meesook, A., 2004, Microfossil analysis of the Shan-Thai Terrane Jurassic basal conglomerate in NW Thailand. Proceedings and Abstracts of the sixth International Symposium of IGCP 434 “Cretaceous geology and resources in South, East Asia and adjacent areas”, Ha Noi (Viet Nam), Nov. 2–9, 29–30.

  • Ishii, K. and Nogami, Y., 1966, Discovery of Triassic conodonts from the so-called Paleozoic limestones in Kedah, Malaya. Journal of Geoscience, Osaka City University, 9, 93–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike, T., 1973, Triassic Conodonts from Kedah and Pahang, Malaysia. In: Kobayashi, T. and Toriyama, R. (eds.), Geology and Palaeontology of Southeast Asia. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 12, 91–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike, T., 1982a, Review of some platform conodont of the Middle and Late Triassic in Japan. Science Reports of the Yokohama National University, Sec. II, 29, 15–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike, T., 1982b. Triassic conodont biostratigraphy in Kedah, West Malaysia. Geology and Palaeontology of Southeast Asia. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 23, 9–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike, T., 1988, Lower Triassic conodontsPlatyvillosus from the Taho Limestone in Japan. Science Reports of the Yokohama National University, Sec. II, 35, 61–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozur, H. and Mostler, H., 1979, Beirrage zur Erforschung der mesozoischen Radiolarien. Teil III: Die oberfamilien Actinomacea HAECKEL, 1862 emend., Artiscacea HAECKEL, 1882, Multiarcusallacea nov. Der Supmellaria und triassische Nassellaria. Geologisch-Palaeontologische Mitteilungen Innsbruck, 9(1, 2), 1–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozur, H. and Mostler, H., 1981, Beirrage zur Erforschung der mesozoischen Radiolarien. Teil IV: Thalassosphaeracea HAECKEL, 1862, Hexastylacea HAECKEL, 1882 emend. PETRUSEVSKAJA, 1979, Sponguracea HAECKEL, 1882 emend. Und weitere triassische Lithocycliacea, Trematodiscacea, Actinomacea und Nassellaria. Geologisch-Palaeontologische Mitteilungen Innsbruck, Sonderband, 1–208.

  • Kozur, H. and Mostler, H., 1994, Anisian to Middle Carnian radiolarian zonation and description of some stratigraphically important radiolarians. Geologisch-Palaeontologische Mitteilungen Innsbruck, Sonderband, 3, 39–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meesook, A. and Grant-Mackie, J.A., 1996, Marine Jurassic lithostratigraphy of Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Science, 14(5), 377–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meesook, A., Suteethorn, V., Chaodumrong, P., Teerarungsipul, N., Sardsud, A. and Wangprayoon T., 2002, Mesozoic Rocks of Thailand: A summary. In: Mantajit, N. (ed.), The Symposium on Geology of Thailand, (Proceeding), Bangkok, Aug. 26–31, 82–85.

  • Metcalfe, I., 1990, Stratigraphic and tectonic implications of Triassic conodonts from northwest Peninsular Malaysia. Geological Magazine, 127, 567–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalfe, I., Spiller, F.C.P., Benpei, L., Haoruo, W., and Sashida, K., 1999, The Palaeo-Tethys in Mainland East and Southeast Asia: contributions from radiolarian studies. In: Metcalfe, I. (ed.), Gondowana Dispersion and Asian Accetion, IGCP321 Final Results Volume, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 259–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mock, V.R., 1979,Gondolella carpathica n. sp., eine wichtige wvalische Conodontenart. Geologisch-Palaeontologische Mitteilungen Innsbruck, 9, 171–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myo Min, K., Feng, Q., Chonglakmani, C., Meishner, D., Ingavat-Helmcke, R. and Helmcke, D., 2001, Tracing disrupted outer margin of Paleoeurasian continent through Union of Myanmar. Journal of the China University of Geosciences, 12, 201–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakaseko, K. and Nishimura, A., 1979, Upper Triassic Radiolaria from Southwest Japan. Science Report of the College of General Education of the Osaka Univ., 28(2), 61–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nogami, Y., 1968, Triassic-conodonten von Timor, Malaysien und Japan (Palaeontological Study of Portuguese Timor, 5). Memoire of the Faculty of Science of the Kyoto University, Geology & Mineralogy, 34, 115–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orchard, M.J., 1991, Upper Triassic conodont biochronology and new index species from the Canadian Cordillera. In: Orchard, M.J. and Mc Cracken A.D. (eds.), Ordovician to Triassic conodont paleontology of the Canadian Cordillera, Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, 417, 299–335.

  • Pessagno, E.A.Jr., Finch W. and Abbot, P.L., 1979, Upper Triassic Radiolaria from the San Hipolito Formation, Baja California. Micropaleontology, 25(2), 160–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarsud, A., 2002, Triassic conodont faunas and zonation in the Chaiburi Formation from the Phattalung area, Peninsular Thailand. In: Mantajit, N. (ed.), The Symposium on Geology of Thailand, (Proceeding), Bangkok, Aug. 26–31 (2002), 82–85.

  • Sashida, K. and Igo, H., 1992, Triassic radiolarians from a limestone exposed at Khao Chiak near Phatthalung, southern Thailand. Transactions and Proceedings of the Paleontological Society of Japan, New Series, (168), 1296–1310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sashida, K. and Igo, H., 1999, Occurrence and tectonic significance of Paleozoic and Mesozoic Radiolaria in Thailand and Malaysia. In: Metcalfe, I. (ed.) Gondowana Dispersion and Asian Accretion. IGCP321 Final Results Volume, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 175–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sashida, K., Igo, H., Hisada, K., Nakornsri, N. and Ampornmaha, A., 1993, Occurrence of Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic Radiolaria in Thailand (preliminary report). Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences, 8, 97–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sashida, K., Adachi, S., Igo, H., Koike, T. and Ibrahim, B.A., 1995, Middle and Late Permian radiolarians from the semanggol Formation, northwest Peninsular Malaysia. Transactions and Proceedings of the Paleontological Society of Japan, New Series, 177, 43–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, G.R. and Archbold, N.W., 1998, Permian marine biogeography of SE Asia. In: Hall, R. and Holloway, J.D. (eds.), Biogeography and Geological Evolution of SE Asia, Backhuys Publication, Leiden, p. 57–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staesche, U., 1964, Conodonten aus dem Skyth von Sudtirol. Neues Jahrbuch fuer Geologie und Palaeontologie Abhandlungen, 119, 247–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugiyama, K., 1997, Triassic and Lower Jurassic radiolarian biostratigraphy in the siliceous claystone and bedded chert units of the southeastern Mino Terrance, Central Japan. Bulletin of the Mizunami Fossil Museum, (24), 79–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamura, M., Hashimoto, W., Igo, H., Ishibashi, T., Iwai, J., Kobayashi, T., Koike, T., Pitakpaivan, K., Sato, T. and Yin, E.H., 1975, The Triassic System of Malaysia, Thailand and some adjacent areas. In: Kobayashi, T. and Toriyama, R. (eds.), Geology and Palaeontology of Southeast Asia, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 14, 103–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tantiwanit, W., Raksaskulwong, L. and Chitmanee, S., 1985, Geological map of Amphoe Mae Sot Quadrange (Sheet 4742-III), scale 1∶50,000. Geological Survey Division, Department of Mineralogy and Resouces, Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tekin, U.K., 1999, Biostratigraphy and systematics of late Middle to Late Triassic radiolarians from the Taurus Mountains and Ankara region, Turkey. Geologisch-Palaeontologische Mitteilungen Innsbruck, 5, 1–296, Innsbruck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teoh, L.H., 1991, Geology and mineral resources of the Sungai Tiang area, Kedah Darul Aman. Geological Survey of Malaysia Map Report 5, 93 p.

  • Ueno, K., 1999, Gondwana/Tethys Divide in East Asia: Solution from Late Paleozoic Foraminiferal Paleobiography. Proceedings of the International Symposium Shallow Tethys (ST), Chiang Mai, 5, 45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, A., 1982, Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic radiolarians from the Inuyama Area, Central Japan. Journal of Geosciences, Osaka City Umiversity, 25, 53–70.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Geology, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, University of Tokushima, 1-1 Minamijosanjima, 770-8502, Tokushima, Japan

    Keisuke Ishida & Ariko Nanba

  2. Laboratory of Geosciences, Faculty of Science Education, Naruto University of Education, 748 Takashima, 772-8502, Naruto, Japan

    Francis Hirsch & Takeshi Kozai

  3. Department of Mineral Resources, Bureau of Geological Survey, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand

    Assanee Meesook

Authors
  1. Keisuke Ishida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ariko Nanba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Francis Hirsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Takeshi Kozai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Assanee Meesook
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keisuke Ishida.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ishida, K., Nanba, A., Hirsch, F. et al. New micropalaeontological evidence for a Late Triassic Shan-Thai orogeny. Geosci J 10, 181–194 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02910363

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02910363

Key words

Search

Navigation