The discovery of the Upper Triassic strata in Bangong Co-Nujiang junction zone of Gerze area in Tibet and its significance

There exist only very few outcrops of Triassic strata on both sides of the Bangong Co-Nujiang junction zone. Early Triassic period was the beginning of the initial evolution of the Nujiang Ocean basin. The large-scale continuous marine regression and crustal uplift caused the denudation of the strata; hence the whole Bangong Co-Nujiang junction zone lacks a complete Triassic stratigraphic system, and there exists no complete material record for the study of the evolution of the Nujiang Ocean. The discovery of the Triassic strata based on fossils provides an ideal basis for the study of the evolution of the Nujiang Ocean basin, and also supplies basic data to regional stratigraphic correlation, establishment of stratigraphic framework and paleoenvironment analysis.