| Abstract: | A fundamental problem in sequence stratigraphy is whether the sequences are global in extent and whether the sea level changes are eustatic in nature. Study on the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous depositional sequences in different facies belts on the southern margin of the Upper Yangtze platform shows that different orders of sequences possess distinctive distribution and correlation in space, although the sea level changes in various orders of sequences may be primarily global in nature. The present paper regards the distribution in space, especially in different facies belts, as a criterion for defining and recognizing the various orders of sequences. The orthosequence (third order sequence) is probably global in nature, which may be discerned in various depositional facies belts on the continental margin and can be correlated over long distances, sometimes maybe worldwide. Commonly, correlation of the subsequences (fourth order sequences with time interval of 0.5 Ma to 1.5 Ma) is difficult in different facies belts, although some of them are probably also worldwide in distribution. A subsequence should be distinguishable and correlatable within at least one facies belt. The higher order sequences, including parasequences (fifth order sequences) and microsequences (sixth order sequences), are regional or local in distribution. They may have reflected the longer and shorter Milankovitch cycles respectively. Orthosequences and subsequences are usually recognizable in different facies belts, while parasequences and microsequences may be distinguished only in shallow marine deposits, but not in slope and basin facies deposits. |
