A New Understanding of the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Western Liaoning

Abstract

The Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning is the most important fossil production horizon of the Jehol Biota, which is widely distributed in the Mesozoic basins of western Liaoning. Due to the influence of historical data, previous scholars believed that there was no volcanic activity in the Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning. In a field investigation in western Liaoning, the authors discovered basalt and andesite in the Hujiayingzi bed. In addition, a conformable boundary was found between the Yixian and the Jiufotang formations. It indicates that both the Jiufotang Formation and the Yixian Formation are strata containing volcanic-sedimentary rocks, only differing in strength of volcanic activity.