Ichnofossils and ichnofabrics in the Lower Permian Taiyuan Formation of North China Basin

Figures & data

Figure 1. Location map of study area and sections (▲: location of the study sections).

Figure 2. Stratigraphic column of study sections and vertical distribution characteristics of ichnofossils from the Taiyuan Formation in North China Basin.

Figure 3. Ichnofossils on the bedding plane from the Taiyuan Formation in Jiaozuo and Fucheng areas. (a) Chondrites isp. and Nereites isp. from the limestone (L₄) of Jiaozuo; (b) Helminthopsis isp. from the limestone (L₂) of Fucheng; (c) Dichotomy traces from the limestone (L₉) of Jiaozuo; (d) Gordia marina from the limestone (L₉) of Jiaozuo.

Figure 4. Ichnofossils in the Taiyuan Formation from Fucheng and Jiaozuo areas. (a) Ophiomorpha isp. from the limestone (L₃) of Fucheng; (b) Palaeophycus cf. heberti from the limestone (L₂) of Fucheng; (c) Planolites isp. from the limestone (L₂) of Fucheng; (d) Rhizocorallium isp. from the limestone (L₅) of Jiaozuo; (e) Rhizocorallium isp. from the limestone (L₃) of Jiaozuo.

Figure 5. Ichnofossils from the Taiyuan Formation in Yuzhou, Jiaozuo and Fucheng areas. (a, b) Skolithos isp. from the limestone (L₂) of Yuzhou; (c) Taenidium satanassi from the limestone (L₅) of Jiaozuo; (d) Teichichnus rectus from the limestone (L₃) of Fucheng; (e) Thalassinoides suevicus from the limestone (L₄) of Jiaozuo.

Figure 6. Zoophycos on the bedding plane from the Taiyuan Formation of Fucheng and Jiaozuo areas. (a) Zoophycos brianteus from the limestone (L₂) of Fucheng; (b) Zoophycos brianteus with black filling from the limestone (L₂) of Fucheng; (c) Zoophycos villae from the limestone (L₂) of Fucheng; (d) Zoophycos aff. cauda-galli from the limestone (L₆) of Fucheng; (e) Zoophycos isp. 1 from the limestone (L₇) of Jiaozuo; (f) Zoophycos isp. 2 from the limestone (L₇) of Fucheng.

Figure 7. The composition and occurrence characteristics of ichnofossils in the epigenic tiering ichnofabric.

Figure 8. Gordia (a) and together with dichotomy traces (b) in the Taiyuan Formation L₉ limestone of Jiaozuo area.

Figure 9. The composition and occurrence characteristics of ichnofossils in the shallow tiering ichnofabric.

Figure 10. Zoophycos with red filling in the Taiyuan Formation L₆ limestone of Jiaozuo area.

Figure 11. Zoophycos with grey-white filling in the Taiyuan Formation L₄ limestone of Jiaozuo area.

Figure 12. The composition and occurrence characteristics of ichnofossils in the medium tiering ichnofabric.

Figure 13. Bioturbation (spotted) structure in the Taiyuan Formation L₅ limestone of Jiaozuo area.

Figure 14. Zoophycos with grey or dark-grey filling in the Taiyuan Formation L₅ limestone of Jiaozuo area.

Figure 15. The composition and occurrence characteristics of ichnofossils in the deep tiering ichnofabric.

Figure 16. The small type of Zoophycos with dark-grey filling in the Taiyuan Formation L₃ limestone from Taiyuan Xishan area.

Figure 17. Zoophycos with black filling in the Taiyuan Formation L₄ limestone of Jiaozuo area.

Figure 18. Sedimentary environment model of the ichnofabrics in the Taiyuan Formation of North China Basin.

Ch, Chondrites; D, Dichotomy traces; G, Gordia; H, Helminthopsis; N, Nereites; Pa, Palaeophycus; Pl, Planolites; Rh, Rhizocorallium; Sk, Skolithos; Ta, Taenidium; Te, Teichichnus; Th, Thalassinoides; Z1, Zoophycos with red filling; Z2, Zoophycos with grey-white filling; Z3, Zoophycos with grey filling; Z4, Zoophycos with dark grey filling; Z5, Zoophycos with grey-black filling; Z6, Zoophycos with black filling.