![Open Access](https://i-scholar.in/lib/pkp/templates/images/icons/fulltextgreen.png)
![Restricted Access](https://i-scholar.in/lib/pkp/templates/images/icons/fulltextred.png)
![Open Access](https://i-scholar.in/lib/pkp/templates/images/icons/fulltextgreen.png)
![Open Access](https://i-scholar.in/lib/pkp/templates/images/icons/fulltext_open_medium.gif)
![Restricted Access](https://i-scholar.in/lib/pkp/templates/images/icons/fulltextred.png)
![Restricted Access](https://i-scholar.in/lib/pkp/templates/images/icons/fulltext_restricted_medium.gif)
Integrated Ichnological and Sedimentological Studies of the Parahio Formation (Cambrian) of the Zanskar Region (Zanskar-Spiti Basin), Northwest Himalaya
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Lower-Middle Cambrian (Lungwangmiaoan-Hsuchuangian stage) Parahio Formation (Kunzam La Formation) exposed at Purni Village, Niri-Tsarap Chu Valley of Zanskar region of Tethyan Himalaya has yielded a high diversity and abundant ichnofossils with myriapod trackways. It includes Cruziana isp., Phycodes palmatum, Diplocraterion isp., Diplichnites isp., Dimorphichnus isp., Tapherhelminthopsis cf. circularis, Teichichnus isp., Monomorphicnus isp., Lockeia isp., Skolithos isp., Planolites isp., Palaeophycus isp., Isopodichnus isp., and arthropod appendage marks. Integration of ichnological and sedimentological studies for measured part of the Parahio Formation (Cambrian) reveals that alternating energy conditions due to recurring storm events were superimposed on low energy fair-weather sediments. The post-depositional Arenicolites ichnofacies, preserved within the high-energy storm beds of shoreface deposits, commonly overlies the fair-weather assemblage of pre-depositional Cruziana ichnofacies of relatively more offshore deposits, which contains more diverse and varied behavioral signatures of various deposit feeders. The traces of the Cruziana ichnofacies are abruptly replaced by traces of Arenicolites ichnofacies and show reiteration throughout the measured part of the Parahio Formation. The ichnofabric indices in these deposits range from ii3-ii5. No discrete sets of tiers are observed; perhaps there were two coeval communities. Ichnologically, an idealized wave-dominated progradational cycle in the Parahio Formation is characterized, from base to top, by a Cruziana ichnofacies (lower-upper offshore to offshore transition) and storm related Arenicolites ichnofacies (shoreface). Each progradational cycle reflects a progressive increase in sand content, degree of oxygenation, hydrodynamic energy and dearth of food. These environmental factors controlled the vertical distribution of trace fossils in Parahio Formation. The occurrence of Cruziana ichnoassociation much below the Middle Cambrian trilobite horizon in the Parahio Formation restricts the age of this part of the formation to the pre-Middle Cambrian, probably series 2 of Cambrian system.
Keywords
Parahio Formation, Arenicolites, Cruziana Ichnofacies, Offshore, Shoreface, Middle Cambrian, Zanskar, Himalaya.
Subscription
Login to verify subscription
User
Font Size
Information
- ALPERT, S.P. (1974) Systematic review of the genus Skolithos. Jour. Paleonto., v.48(4), pp.661-669.
- BANK, N.L. (1970) Trace fossils from the late Precambrian and Lower Cambrian of Finnmark, Norway. In: T.P. Crimes, and J.C. Harper (Eds.), Trace fossils. Geol. Jour. Spec. Issue, No.3, pp.19-24. Seel House Press, Liverpool.
- BHARGAVA, O.N. (1995) Correlation. In: O. N. Bhargava, (Ed.), The Bhutan Himalaya: a geological account, Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ., v.39, pp.1-245.
- BHARGAVA, O.N., KUMAR, G. and GUPTA, S.S. (1982) Cambrian trace fossils from the Spiti Valley, Himachal Himalaya. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.23, pp.183-191.
- BHARGAVA, O.N. and SRIKANTIA, S.V. (1982) Tapherhelminthopsis circularis from? Cambrian sediments of southeast Kashmir Valley. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.23, pp.406-407.
- BHARGAVA, O.N., BHANDARI, A.K. and SHARMA, R.K. (1986) Lower Cambrian trace fossils from the Keylong Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Himalaya. Bull. Indian Geol. Assoc., v.19, pp.65-68.
- BHARGAVA, O.N. and BASSI, U.K. (1988) Trace fossils from the Paleozoic-Mesozoic of Spiti-Kinnaur (Himachal Himalaya) with comments on paleoenvironmental control on their frequency. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.32, pp.227-238.
- BROMELY, R.G. and ASGAARD, U. (1991) Ichnofacies: a mixture of taphofacies and biofacies. Lethaia, v.24, pp.153-163.
- BUATOIS, L.A., MANGANO, M.G., GENISE, J. and TAYLOR, T. (1998) The ichnologic record of the continental invertebrate invasion: evolutionary trends in environmental expansion, ecospace utilization, and behavioral complexity. Palaios, v.13, pp.217-240.
- CRIMES, T. P. (1970) Trilobite tracks and other fossils from the Upper Cambrian of North Wales. Geol. Jour., v.7, pp.47-68.
- CRIMES, T. P., LEGG, I., MARCOS, A. and ARBOLEYA, M. (1977) ? Late Precambrian- low Lower Cambrian trace fossils from Spain. In: T.P. Crimes, and J.C. Harper (Eds.), Trace fossils. Geol. Jour. Spec. Issue 3, pp.91-138.
- CRIMES, T.P. (1987) Trace fossils and correlation of Late Precambrian and Early Cambrian strata. Geol. Mag., v.124, pp.97-119.
- DAILY, B. (1972) The base of the Cambrian and the first Cambrian faunas. Center for Precam. Rese. Univ. Adelaide, South Australia , Spec. Paper 1, pp.13-37.
- DROSER, M.L. and BOTTJER, D.J. (1986) A semiquantitative field classification of ichnofabric. Jour. Sedimen. Petrol., v.56, pp.558-559.
- DZULYNSKI, S. and ZAK, C. (1960) Sedimentary environments of the Cambrian quartzites in the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland, and their relationship to the flysch facies. Annls Soc. Geol. Pol.. v.30, pp.213.
- FREY, R.W. (1990) Trace fossils and hummocky cross-stratification, Upper Cretaceous of Utah. Palaios, v.5, pp.203-218.
- GAETANI, M., CASNEDI, R., FOIS, E., GARZANTI, E., JADOUL, F., NICORA, A. and TINTORI, A. (1986) Stratigraphy of the Tethys Himalaya in Zanskar, Ladakh: Rivis. Itali. di Paleonto. e Stratigr., v.91, pp.443-478.
- GARZANTI, E., CASNEDI, E. and JADOUL, F. (1986) Sedimentary evidences of Cambro-Ordovician orogenic events in the northwestern Himalaya. Sedimen. Geol., v.48, pp.237-265.
- HALL, J. (1852) Palaeontology of New York. Volume II. Containing descriptions of the organic remains of the Lower Middle Division of the New York System, (equivalent in part to the Middle Silurian rocks of Europe). C. van Benthuysen, Albany, 362.
- HUGHES, N.C. (2002) Late Middle Cambrian trace fossils from the Lejopyge armata horizon, Zanskar Valley, India and the use of Precambrian/Cambrian lithostratigraphy in the Indian subcontinent. In: P.N. Wyse Jackson, M.A. Parkes, R. Wood and D.J. Batten, (Eds.), Studies in Palaeozoic Palaeontology and Biostratigraphy in Honor of Charles Hopworth Holland: Special Papers in Palaeontology, v.67, pp.135-151.
- HUGHES, N.C. and DROSER, M.L. (1992) Trace fossils from the Phe Formation (Lower Cambrian), Zanskar valley, Northwestern India. Memo. of the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, v.32(1), pp.139-144.
- KUMAR, ASHOK. (1998) Record of well preserved trilobites from the Zanskar Valley. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.51, pp.671-678.
- KUMAR, G., RAINA, B. K., BHARGAVA, O. N., MAITHY, P. K. and BABU, R. (1984) The Precambrian-Cambrian boundary problem and its prospects, northwest Himalaya, India. Geol. Mag., v.121, pp.211-219.
- LESZCZYNSKI, S, UCHMAN, A. and BROMLEY, R.G. (1996) Trace fossils indicating bottom aeration changes: Folusz Limestone, Oligocene, Outer Carpathians, Poland. Palaeogeo., Palaeoclimat., Palaeoeco., v.12, pp.79-87.
- LUCAS, S.G., JLEMER, A., MILNER, A.C. and LOCKLEY, M. (2006) Lower Jurassic invertebrate ichnofossils from clastic lake margin, Johnson Farm, Southwestern Utah. New Mexi. Muse. Nat. Hist. and Scie. Bull., v.37, pp.128-135.
- MANGANO, M.G., BUATOIS, L.A., WEST, R.R. and MAPLES, C.G. (2002) Ichnology of an equatorial tidal flat: The Stull Shale Member at Waverly, eastern Kansas. Bull. Kansas Geol. Surv., v.245, pp.1-130.
- MARTINSSON, A. (1965) Aspects of a Middle Cambrian thanatotope on Oland. Geol. Foren. Stockh. Forhandl, v.87, pp.181-230.
- MYROW, P.M., SNELL, K. E., HUGHES, N.C., PAULSON, T.S., HEIM, N.A. and PARCHA, S.K. (2006a) Cambrian depositional history of the Zanskar Valley region of the Indian Himalaya: Tectonic implication. Jour. Sedim. Res., v.76, pp.364-381.
- MYROW, P.M., SNELL, K.E., HUGHES, N.C., PAULSON, T.S., HEIM, N.A. and PARCHA, S.K. (2006b) Cambrian stratigraphy and depositional history of the northern Indian Himalaya, Spiti Valley, north-central India. Geol. Soc. Amer., v.118, pp.491-510.
- NANDA, M.M. and SINGH, M.P. (1977) Stratigraphy and sedimentation of the Zanskar area, Ladakh and adjoining parts of the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh. Himalayan Geol., v.6, pp.365-388.
- OPIK, A.A. (1929) Studien uber das estnische Unterkambrium (Estonium). I-IV. Univ. Tartu., Acta Comment., ser. A, v.15, pp.56.
- OSGOOD, R. G. Jr. (1970) Trace fossils of the Cincinnati area. Palaeontogra. America, v.6(41), pp.281-444.
- PARCHA, S.K. (1998) Trace fossils from the Cambrian of Zanskar (Ladakh Himalaya) and their stratigraphic significance. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.51, pp.635-645.
- PARCHA, S.K. and SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. (2002) Paleoenvironmental and Paleoecological significance of the Ichnofossils from the Pin valley of the Himachal Himalaya, India. First Inter. Paleont. Cong. (IPC), Sydney, Abstract, v.34, pp.175-176.
- PARCHA, S.K., SINGH, B.P. and SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. (2005) Paleoecological significance of Ichnofossils from the early Cambrian succession of the Spiti Valley, Tethys Himalaya, India. Curr. Sci., v.88(1), pp.158-161.
- PARCHA, S.K. and SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. (2005) Ichnofossils from the Early and Middle Cambrian strata of the Zanskar region of Tethys Himalaya: Temporal and Environmental implications. XX Indian Coll. Micro. & Strati., Andhra, Univ., Abstract volume, pp.73-74.
- PARCHA, S.K. SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. and SINGH, B.P. (2005) Ichnostratigraphy and Paleoenvironmental settings of the Cambrian successions of Zanskar region, Ladakh Himalaya, India. XXII Con. Indian Assoc. Sedimen., Abstract volume, pp.3-4.
- PICKERILL, R.K. (1994) Nomenclature and taxonomy of invertebrate trace fossils. In: S.K. Donovan (Ed.), The Palaeobiology of Trace Fossils. John Wiley and Sons Publ., pp. 3-42.
- POLLARD, J.E. (1985) Isopodichnus, related trace fossils and notostraceans from Triassic fluvial sediments: Trans. of Royal Soc. Edinb. Earth Sciences, v. 76, pp. 273-285.
- RAINA, B.K., KUMAR, G., BHARGAVA, O.N. and SHARMA, V.P. (1983) ? Precambrian-low lower Cambrian ichnofossils, from the Lolab Valley, Kashmir Himalaya, India. Jour. Palaeont. Soc. India, v.28, pp.91-94.
- RADWANSKI, A. and RONIEWICZ, P. (1963) Upper Cambrian trilobite ichnocenosis from Wielka Wisniowka (Holy Cross mountains, Poland). Acta. Palaeont. Pol., v.8, pp.259.
- RICHTER, R. (1850) Aus der thueringischen Grauwacke. Deutsche Geologische Gesellschaft, Zeitschrift, v.2, pp.198-206.
- SEILACHER, A. (1955) Spuren und Fazies im Unterkambrium. In: O.H. Schindewolf and A. Seilacher (Eds.), Beitrage zur Kenntnis des Kambriums in der Salt Range (Pakistan). Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur zu Mainz, mathematisch-naturwissen-schafliche Klasse, Abhandlungen, v.10, pp.373-399.
- SEILACHER, A. (1967) Bathymetry of trace fossils. Marine Geology, v.5, pp.413-428.
- SEILACHER, A. (1995). Fossile Kunst. Albumblatter der Erdgeschichte. Goldschneckverlag Korb, pp.1-48.
- SHAH, S.K. (1982) Cambrian stratigraphy of Kashmir and its boundary problems. Precambrian Res., v.17, pp.87-98.
- SHAH, S.K., KUMAR, A. and SUDAN, C.S. (1998) Trace fossils from the Cambrian sequence of Zanskar (Ladakh Himalaya). Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.51, pp.777-784.
- SHAH, S.K., SHARMA, T.R. and GUPTA, K.R. (1978) Trilobite trace fossils from Bafliaz Formation, Western Pir Panjal and their significance. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.19, pp.273-276.
- SHAH, S.K. and SUDAN, C.S. (1983) Trace fossils from the Cambrian of Kashmir and their stratigraphic significance. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.24, pp.194-202.
- SHAH, S.K., KUMAR, A. and SUDAN, C.S. (1996) Agnostid trilobites from the Cambrian sequence of Zanskar and their stratigraphic significance. Curr. Sci., v.71(12), pp.951-953.
- SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. (2006) Paleontology and biostratigraphy of the Cambrian successions in the Zanskar region of the Ladakh Himalaya. Unpublished D.Phil Thesis, H.N.B.Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, pp.1-125.
- SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. (2007) Early-Middle Cambrian biostratigraphy of the Cambrian succession of Zanskar region of Tethys Himalaya. XXI-ICMS-Lucknow, Abstract, pp.195-196.
- SINGH, BIRENDRA, P. (2008) The control of sedimentary facies in preservation and distribution of ichnofossil assemblages in Parahio Formation, Zanskar Basin, NW Himalaya: Integrated approach from sedimentology and ichnology. 52nd Annual Meeting of Paleontological Society, University of Glasgow, Abstract, pp.80-81.
- SRIKANTIA, S.V., GANESAN, T.M., RAO, P.N., SINHA, P.K. and TIRKEY, B. (1978) Geology of the Zanskar area, Ladakh Himalaya. Himalayan Geol., v.8, pp.1009-1033.
- SUDAN, C.S., SHARMA, U.K., SAHNI, A.K. and SHAH, S.K. (2000) Trace fossils from the Pin Section of Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh and their stratigraphic significance. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.55, pp.644-654.
- SUDAN, C.S. and SHARMA, U.K. (2001) Trace fossils from the Cambrian rocks of the Kunzam La section, Spiti, H.P., India. Jour. Paleontol. Soc. India, v.46, pp.161-171.
- TORELL, O. (1870) Petrificata Suecana Formationis Cambricae. Lunds. Univ. Arsskr, v.6, pp.1-14.
- WESTERGARD, A.H. (1931) Diplocrateiron, Monocraterion and Skolithos from the Lower Cambrian of Sweden. Sver. Geol. Undersok. Ser. C, v.372, p.25.
- YOUNG, F.G. (1972) Early Cambrian and older trace fossils from the southern Cordillera of Canada. Canadian Jour. Earth Sci., v.9, pp.1-17.
![](https://i-scholar.in/public/site/images/abstractview.png)
Abstract Views: 252
![](https://i-scholar.in/public/site/images/pdfview.png)
PDF Views: 0