Paibi
The Paibi section occurs within the Huaqiao Formation, which consists of a thick succession of carbonate beds deposited in the outer part of the Jiangnan Slope Belt, and extends from the middle Cambrian through the Lower Ordovician. It satisfies all the geological and biostratigraphic requirements for a GSSP, is readily accessible, and includes chemostratigraphic, palaeogeographic, facies-relationship, and sequence-stratigraphic information. The section lies at an elevation of 774 metres.
The evolution of Glyptagnostus reticulatus (an agnostoid trilobite) from more basal species of the genus Glyptagnostus marks the boundary. Other markers which occur near the boundary include the first appearance of the conodont Westergaardodina proligula and the Steptoean positive carbon isotope excursion, a large positive shift in carbon-13 isotopes.
References
- "Proposed Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point for the Paibian Stage and Furongian Series (Upper Cambrian)". Retrieved 2006-06-30.
- "Another "Golden Spike" in China". International Union of Geological Sciences. 28 November 2003. Archived from the original on November 15, 2004. Retrieved 2006-06-30.