Advertisement

Stratigraphy and Geological Correlation

, Volume 26, Issue 7, pp 721–733 | Cite as

Integrated Ichnological and Sedimentological Analysis of the Cambrian Kunzam La (Parahio) Formation, Shian Section, Pin Valley, Spiti, Northwest Himalaya

  • R. S. Chaubey
  • B. P. Singh
  • R. MikulášEmail author
  • O. N. Bhargava
  • N. K. Subhay
  • S. K. Prasad
Article
First Online:

Abstract

The Kunzam La (Parahio) Formation along the Shian section of the Pin Valley was previously interpreted as containing Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary trace fossils, but re-examination of the Shian section shows that the oldest part of the section belongs to the late part of Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4, which contradicts the previous interpretation. The trace fossil assemblage comprises ?Arborichnus isp., Archaeonassa isp., Diplichnites isp., Hormosiroidea isp., Monomorphichnus lineatus, Bergaueria aff. langi, Palaeophycus tubularis, Rusophycus isp., and Treptichnus-like fossils that occur stratigraphically below the Oryctocephalus indicus biozone (Series 3, Stage 5) along the section and belong to the late part of Series 2, Stage 4. Sedimentary structures recorded along the section include hummocky cross-stratification (HCS) with deeply bioturbated tops, trough- and low-angle cross stratification, ball and pillow structures and climbing-ripple cross stratification. Integrated ichnofabric and sedimentological data suggest a storm-dominated, lower to upper shoreface shallow-marine environment of deposition.

Keywords:

Trace fossils Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary Cambrian Kunzam La (Parahio) Formation storm-dominated lower to upper shoreface Pin valley Spiti India 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

REFERENCES

  1. 1.
    Allen, J.R.L., Mixing at turbidity current heads, and its geological implications, J. Sediment. Petrol., 1971, vol. 41, pp. 97–113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. 2.
    Bann, K.L., Fielding, C.R., MacEachern, J.A., and Tye, S.C., Differentiation of estuarine and offshore marine deposits using integrated ichnology and sedimentology: Permian Pebbley Beach Formation, Sydney Basin, Australia, in The Application of Ichnology to Palaeoenvironmental and Stratigraphic Analysis, McIlroy, D., Ed., Spec. Publ.—Geol. Soc. London, 2004, no. 228, pp. 179–211.Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Bhargava, O.N., An updated introduction to the Spiti geology, J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2008, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 113–129.Google Scholar
  4. 4.
    Bhargava, O.N., Early Palaeozoic palaeogeography, basin configuration, palaeoclimate and tectonics in the Indian Plate, Mem. Geol. Soc. India, 2011, no. 78, pp. 69–99.Google Scholar
  5. 5.
    Bhargava, O.N. and Bassi, U.K., Geology of Spiti-Kinnaur Himachal Himalaya, Mem. Geol. Surv. India, 1998, no. 124, pp. 1–210.Google Scholar
  6. 6.
    Bhargava, O.N. and Srikantia, S.V., Trilobite and other trace fossils from the Kunzam La Formation, eastern Lahaul Valley, Himachal Himalaya, J. Geol. Soc. India, 1985, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 880–886.Google Scholar
  7. 7.
    Bhargava, O.N., Kumar, G., and Gupta, S.S., Cambrian trace fossils from the Spiti valley, Himachal Himalaya, J. Geol. Soc. India, 1982, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 183–191.Google Scholar
  8. 8.
    Bhargava, O.N., Bhandari, A.K., and Sharma, R.K., Lower Cambrian trace fossils from the Kilung Valley, Lahaul and Spiti District, Himachal Himalaya, Bull. Ind. Geol. Assoc., 1986, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 66–68.Google Scholar
  9. 9.
    Bottjer, D.J. and Droser, M.L., A semiquantitative field classification of ichnofabric, J. Sediment. Petrol., 1986, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 558–559.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    Buatois, L. and Mángano, M. G., Animal-substrate interactions in freshwater environments: applications of ichnology in facies and sequence stratigraphic analysis of fluvio-lacustrine successions, in The Application of Ichnology to Palaeoenvironmental and Stratigraphic Analysis, McIlroy, D., Ed., Spec. Publ.—Geol. Soc. London, 2004, no. 228, pp. 157–178.Google Scholar
  11. 11.
    Buatois, L. and Mángano, M.G., Ichnology: Organism–Substrate Interactions in Space and Time, Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2011, pp. 1–324.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. 12.
    Coates, L. and MacEachern, J.A., The ichnological signature of wave- and river-dominated deltas: Dunvegan and Basal Belly River formations, West-Central Alberta, in Digging Deeper, Finding a Better Bottom Line, Wrathall, B., Johnston, G., Arts, A., Rozsw, L., Zonneveld, J.-P., Arcuri, D., and McLellan, S., Eds., Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol. Petrol. Soc. Core Conf., Calgary, Alberta, 1999, pp. 99–114.Google Scholar
  13. 13.
    Coates, L. and MacEachern, J.A., Integrating ichnology and sedimentology to differentiate between river-dominated deltas, wave-dominated deltas, and shoreface, examples from the Cretaceous of western Canada, Proc. 96th Annu. Meet. Geol. Soc. America, Cordilleran Sect., Vancouver, British Columbia, 2000, vol. 32: A7.Google Scholar
  14. 14.
    Dott, R.H. and Bourgeois, J., Hummocky cross stratigraphy—importance of variable bedding sequence analogous to the Bouma sequence, Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. Progr., 1979, vol. 11.Google Scholar
  15. 15.
    Dott, R.H. and Bourgeois, J., Hummocky cross stratification, in Yearbook of Science and Technology, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1980, pp. 349–351.Google Scholar
  16. 16.
    Dott, R.H. and Bourgeois, J., Hummocky stratification: significance of its variable bedding sequences, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 1982, vol. 93, no. 8, pp. 663–680.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Fuchs, G., The geology of the Pin Valley in Spiti, H. P., India, Jahr. Geol. Bund., 1982, vol. 124, no. 2, pp. 325–359.Google Scholar
  18. 18.
    Gingras, M.K., MacEachern, J.A., and Pemberton, S.G., Comparative analysis of the ichnology of wave- and river-dominated members of the Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation, Bull. Can. Petrol. Geol., 1998, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 51–73.Google Scholar
  19. 19.
    Gingras, M.K., Pemberton, S.G., Saunders, T., and Clifton, H.E., The ichnology of modern and Pleistocene brackish-water deposits at Willapa Bay, Washington: variability in estuarine settings, Palaios, 1999, vol. 14, pp. 352–374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Goldring, R., Shallow water sedimentation, Mem.—Geol. Soc. London, 1971, vol. 5, pp. 1–88.Google Scholar
  21. 21.
    Griesbach, C.L., Geology of the Central Himalayas, Mem.—Geol. Surv. India, 1891, vol. 23, pp. 1–232.Google Scholar
  22. 22.
    Hayden, H.H., The geology of Spiti with parts of Bashahr and Rupshu, Mem.—Geol. Surv. India, 1904, no. 36, pp. 1–121.Google Scholar
  23. 23.
    Howard, J.D. and Frey, R.W., Characteristic trace fossils in nearshore to offshore sequences, Upper Cretaceous of east-central Utah, Can. J. Earth Sci., 1984, vol. 21, pp. 200–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. 24.
    Howard, J.D., and Lohrengel, II, C.F., Large non-tectonic deformational structure from Upper Cretaceous rocks of Utah, J. Sediment. Petrol., 1969, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 1032–1039.Google Scholar
  25. 25.
    Howard, J.D. and Reineck, H.E., Depositional facies of high-energy beach-to-offshore sequence: comparison with low-energy sequence, Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 1981, vol. 65, pp. 807–830.Google Scholar
  26. 26.
    Hughes, N.C., Late Middle Cambrian trace fossils from the Lejopyge armata horizon, Zanskar Valley, India and the use of Precambrian/Cambrian ichnostratigraphy in the Indian Subcontinent, Spec. Pap. Paleontol., 2002, no. 67, pp. 135–151.Google Scholar
  27. 27.
    Hughes, N.C., Sell, B.K., English, L.T., et al., Cambrian traces fossils from the Parahio Formation (Tethyan Himalaya) in its type section and elsewhere, J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2013, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 175–193.Google Scholar
  28. 28.
    Jell, P.A. and Hughes, N.C., Himalayan Cambrian trilobites, Spec. Pap. Palaeontol., 1997, no. 58, pp. 1–113.Google Scholar
  29. 29.
    Kaye, C.A. and Power, W.R., A flow cast of very recent date from northeastern Washington, Am. J. Sci., 1954, vol. 252, pp. 309–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. 30.
    Kumar, G. and Raina, B.K., Bhargava, O.N., et al., The Precambrian–Cambrian boundary problem and its prospects, northwest Himalaya, India, Geol. Mag., 1984, vol. 121, pp. 211–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. 31.
    MacEachern, J.A. and Løseth, T.M., Sedimentology and ichnology of transgressively back stepped wave dominated deltaic reservoir, Middle Jurassic Tarbert and Heather Formations North Sea, Norway, AAPG Annu. Convention Salt Lake City Utah, 2003, Abstr. Vol., p. A110.Google Scholar
  32. 32.
    MacEachern, J.A. and Pemberton, S.G., Ichnology and event stratigraphy—the use of trace fossils in recognizing tempestites, in Applications of Ichnology to Petroleum Exploration, Pemberton, S.G., Ed., Soc. Ecol. Palaeontol. Mineral. Core Workshop, 1992, no. 17, pp. 85–117.Google Scholar
  33. 33.
    MacEachern, J.A., Stelck, C.R., and Pemberton, S.G., Marine and marginal marine mudstone deposition: paleoenvironmental interpretations based on the integration of ichnology palynology and foraminiferal paleoecology, in Isolated Shallow Marine Sand Bodies: Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis and Sedimentologic Interpretation, Bergman, K.M. and Snedden, J.W., Eds., Soc. Econom. Palaeontol. Mineral. Spec. Publ., 1999, vol. 64, pp. 205–225.Google Scholar
  34. 34.
    MacEachern, J.A., Bann, K.L., Bhattacharya, J.P., and Howell, C.D., Ichnology of deltas: organism responses to the dynamic interplay of rivers, waves, storms, and tides, in River Deltas: Concepts, Models and Examples, Bhattacharya, J.P. and Giosan, L., Eds., Soc. Econom. Palaeontol. Mineral. Spec. Publ., 2005, vol. 83, pp. 49–85.Google Scholar
  35. 35.
    Mángano, M.G. and Buatois, L.A., Integración de estratigrafíasecuencial, sedimentología e icnología para unanálisiscronoestratigráfico del Paleozoico inferior del noroesteargentine, Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent., 2004, vol. 59, pp. 273–280.Google Scholar
  36. 36.
    Monaco, P., Relationships between trace-fossil communities and substrate characteristics in some Jurassic pelagic deposits in the Umbria–Marche basin, Central Italy, Geobios, 1995, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 299–311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. 37.
    Myrow, P.M., Thompson, K.R., Hughes, N.C., Paulsen, T.S., et al., Cambrian stratigraphy and depositional history of the northern Indian Himalaya, Spiti Valley, North-Central India, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 2006a, vol. 118, nos. 3–4, pp. 491–510.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. 38.
    Myrow, P.M., Snell, K.E., Hughes, N.C., et al., Cambrian depositional history of the Zanskar Valley region of the Indian Himalaya: tectonic implications, J. Sediment. Res., 2006b, vol. 76, pp. 364–381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  39. 39.
    Parcha, S.K., Cambrian biostratigraphy in the Tethyan zone of the Spiti Himalaya and its boundary problems, Newsl. Stratigr., 1996, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 3–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. 40.
    Parcha, S.K., Trace fossils from the Cambrian Zanskar (Ladakh Himalaya) and their stratigraphic significance, J. Geol. Soc. India, 1998, vol. 51, pp. 635–645.Google Scholar
  41. 41.
    Parcha, S.K. and Pandey, S., Ichnofossils and their significance in the Cambrian successions of the Parahio Valley in the Spiti Basin, Tethys Himalaya, India, J. Asian Earth Sci., 2011, vol. 42, pp. 1097–1116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  42. 42.
    Parcha, S.K. and Pandey, S., Trace fossils and microbially induced sedimentary structures from the early Cambrian successions of the Chandra Tal area, Spiti basin, Tethys Himalaya, J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2016, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 9–18.Google Scholar
  43. 43.
    Parcha, S.K., Singh, B.P., and Birendra, P., Paleoecological significance of ichnofauna from the Early Cambrian succession of the Spiti valley, Tethys Himalaya, India, Curr. Sci., 2005, vol. 88, pp. 158–162.Google Scholar
  44. 44.
    Pascoe, E.H., A manual of the geology of India and Burma, Calcutta, Geol. Soc. India, 1959, vol. 2, pp. 1–1343.Google Scholar
  45. 45.
    Pemberton, S.G., and Wightman, D.M., Trace fossils facies models: environmental and allostratigraphic significance, in Facies Models and Sea Level Changes, Walker, R.G. and James, N.P., Eds., Geol. Assoc. Canada, 1992, pp. 47–72.Google Scholar
  46. 46.
    Pemberton, S.G., van Wagoner, J.C., and Wach, G.D., Ichnofacies of a wave-dominated shoreline, in Application of Ichnology to Petroleum Exploration, Pemberton, S.G., Ed., Soc. Econ. Palaeontol. Mineral., Core Workshop, 1992, vol. 17, pp. 339–382.Google Scholar
  47. 47.
    Pemberton, S.G., MacEachern, J.A., Dashtgard, S.E., et al., Shorefaces, in Trace Fossils as Indicators of Sedimentary Environments, Knaust, D. and Bromley, R.G., Eds., Developments in Sedimentology, 2012, vol. 64, pp. 563–604.Google Scholar
  48. 48.
    Pepper, J.F., Witt, D., and Desmarest, D.F., Geology of the Bedford shale and Berea sandstone in the Appalachian Basin, US Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap., 1954, no. 25, pp. 1–106.Google Scholar
  49. 49.
    Plink-Björklund, P. and Steel, R., Deltas on falling-stage and lowstand shelf margins, Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen: Importance of sediment supply, in River Deltas–Concepts, Models and Examples, Bhattacharya, J. and Giosan, L., Eds., Spec. Publ.—Soc. Econ. Paleontol. Mineral., 2005, no. 83, pp. 179–206.Google Scholar
  50. 50.
    Potter, P.E., Late Paleozoic sandstones of the Illinois Basin, Ill. State Geol. Surv. Rep. Inv., 1963, vol. 217, pp. 1–92.Google Scholar
  51. 51.
    Potter, P.E. and Pettijohn, F.J., Paleocurrent and Basin Analysis, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1963, pp. 1–296.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  52. 52.
    Radwański, A. and Roniewicz, P., Upper Cambrian trilobite ichnocoenosis from Wielka Wiśniowka (Holy Cross Mountain Poland), Acta Palaeontol. Pol., 1962, vol. 2, pp. 259–280.Google Scholar
  53. 53.
    Reed, F.R.C., The Cambrian fossils of Spiti, Palaeontol. Indica, 1910, no. 7, pp. 1–70.Google Scholar
  54. 54.
    Savrda, C.A. and Bottjer, D.J., Trace-fossil model for reconstructing oxygenation histories of ancient marine bottom waters: application to Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation, Colorado, Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., 1989, vol. 74, pp. 49–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  55. 55.
    Seilacher, A., Bathymetry of trace fossils, Marine Geol., 1967, vol. 5, pp. 413–428.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  56. 56.
    Sims, J.D., Earthquake-induced structures in sediments of Van Norman Lake San Fernando, California, Science, 1973, vol. 182, pp. 162–163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  57. 57.
    Sims, J.D., Earthquake-induced load casts, pseudonodules, ball-and-pillow structures, and convolute lamination: Additional deformation structures for paleoseismic studies, in Recent Advances in North American Paleoseismology and Neotectonics East of the Rockies, Cox, R.T., Tuttle, M.P., Boyd, O.S., and Locat, J., Eds., Geol. Soc. Am., 2013, vol. 493, doi https://doi.org/10.1130/SPE493Google Scholar
  58. 58.
    Singh, B.P., Integrated ichnological and sedimentological studies of the Parahio Formation (Cambrian) of the Zanskar Region (Zanskar–Spiti Basin), Northwest Himalaya, J. Geol. Soc. India, 2009, vol. 74, no. 12, pp. 723–737.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  59. 59.
    Singh, B.P., Virmani, N., Bhargava, et al., Yuehsienszella (Cambrian Series 2) trilobite from the Parahio Valley, Spiti region (Zanskar-Spiti Sub-basin), India and its biostratigraphic significance, J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2014, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 81–88.Google Scholar
  60. 60.
    Singh, B.P., Virmani, N., Bhargava, O.N., et al., Trilobite fauna of Cambrian Series 2 (Stage 4)–Series 3 (Stage 5) boundary from the Parahio Valley (Spiti), Northwest Himalaya, India, Himalaya Karakorum Workshop, 2015a, vol. 30, pp. 42–43.Google Scholar
  61. 61.
    Singh, B.P., Bhargava, O.N., Juyal, K.P., et al., Skeletal microfauna from the Cambrian Series 2 (Stage 4) Kunzam La Formation, Parahio valley, Spiti region (Tethyan Himalaya), India, Curr. Sci., 2015b, vol. 109, pp. 2191–2195.Google Scholar
  62. 62.
    Singh, B.P., Virmani, N., Bhargava, O.N., et al., N., Trilobite fauna of basal Cambrian Series 3 (Stage 5) from the Parahio Valley (Spiti), Northwest Himalaya, India and its biostratigraphic significance, Ann. Paléontol., 2016a, vol. 102, pp. 59–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  63. 63.
    Singh, B.P., Virmani, N., Bhargava, O.N., and Gill, A., Revision of diagnostic features of the trilobite genus Bhargavia (Ellipsocephaliodea) from the Parahio valley (Spiti), Northwest Himalaya, India, J. Palaeontol. Soc. India, 2016b, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 9–14.Google Scholar
  64. 64.
    Singh, B.P., Chaubey, R.S., Bhargava, O.N., et al., The Cambrian trilobite fauna from the Shian (Saybang) section, Pin Valley (Spiti) and its biostratigraphic significance, Palaeoworld, 2017, vol. 26, pp. 25–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  65. 65.
    Smith, B., Ball and pillow structure in sandstones, Geol. Mag., 1916, vol. 3, pp. 146–156.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  66. 66.
    Soegaard, K. and MacEachern, J.A., Integrated sedimentological, ichnological and sequence stratigraphic model of a coarse clastic fan delta reservoir, Middle Jurassic Oseberg Formation North Sea Norway, AAPG Annu. Conv., Salt Lake. Abstr. Vol., 2003, p. A160.Google Scholar
  67. 67.
    Srikantia, S.V., Geology of Zanskar Area, Ladakh, Himalaya, Himal. Geology, 1981, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1009–1033.Google Scholar
  68. 68.
    Stoliczka, F., Geological sections across Himalayan Mountains from Wangtu Bridge on the River Satluj to Sangdo on the Indus, with an account of the formations in Spiti, accompanied by a revision of all known fossils from the district, Mem.—Geol. Surv. India, 1865, vol. 5, pp. 1–154.Google Scholar
  69. 69.
    Sudan, C.S. and Sharma, U.K., Trace fossils from the Cambrian rocks of the Kunzam La section, Spiti, H.P., India, J. Paleontol. Soc. India, 2001, vol. 46, pp. 161–171.Google Scholar
  70. 70.
    Sudan, C.S., Sharma, U.K., Sahni, A.K., and Shah, S.K., Trace fossil from the Pin Section of Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh and their stratigraphic significance, J. Geol. Soc. India, 2000, vol. 55, pp. 649–654.Google Scholar
  71. 71.
    Taylor, A.M., Goldring, R., and Gowland, S., Analysis and application of ichnofabrics, Earth Sci. Rev., 2003, vol. 60, pp. 227–259.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  72. 72.
    Trace Fossils as Indicators of Sedimentary Environments, Developments in Sedimentology, Knaust, D. and Bromley, G., Eds., 2012, vol. 64, pp. 1–901.Google Scholar
  73. 73.
    Virmani, N., Birendra, P. Singh, and Gill, A., Integrated litho-ichnofacies and ichnofabric analysis of the lowermost part of the Kunzum La Formation along the Khemangar khad and the Parahio Valley sections, Spiti region (Zanskar–Spiti–Kinnaur Basin), Northwest Himalaya, India, J. Geol. Soc. India, 2015, vol. 85, pp. 557–566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  74. 74.
    Wilson, J.P., Grotzinger, J.P., Fischer, W.W., et al., Deep-water incised valley deposits at the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary in southern Namibia contain abundant Treptichnus pedum, Palaios, 2012, vol. 27, pp. 252–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. S. Chaubey
    • 1
  • B. P. Singh
    • 1
  • R. Mikuláš
    • 2
    Email author
  • O. N. Bhargava
    • 3
  • N. K. Subhay
    • 1
  • S. K. Prasad
    • 1
  1. 1.Center of Advanced Study in Geology (CAS), Panjab UniversityChandigarhIndia
  2. 2.Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of GeologyPragueCzech Republic
  3. 3.INSA Honorary ScientistPanchkula (Haryana)India

Personalised recommendations

Cite article

Buy options