Delineation and geological implications of the Carboniferous strata in Burang,Xizang

The Lower Carboniferous strata within the Northern Himalayan stratigraphic subprovince in Burang,Xizang are delineated in the light of the ages of the overlying and underlying strata and regional stratigraphic correlation referenced to the palaeobiologic times in the surrounding areas.Controlled by sedimentary environments,the lithologic associations vary slightly from those in the surrounding areas.The metamorphic micritic limestone intercalated with metamorphic muddy siltstone in the lower part is assigned to the Yali Formation,while the metamorphic fine-grained sandstone intercalated with metamorphic micritic limestone in the upper part to the Naxing Formation.The delineation has important geological implications for the reconstruction of tectonic-palaeogeographic framework in the Northern Himalayan Tethys folded belts during the Carboniferous.