Lower Triassic Smithian-Spathian Boundary at West Pingdingshan Section in Chaohu, Anhui Province

The West Pingdingshan Section in Chaohu, Anhui Province, has been extensively studied in recent years and become one of the classic Lower Triassic sequences well-clarified in multiple stratigraphies. Also it is an important section that defines the Smithian-Spathian (S-S) boundary within the Olenekian Stage. The S-S boundary strata at the section are restudied in high-resolution conodont biostratigraphy and carbon isotopes. The refined S-S boundary defined by the FAD of conodont Neospathodus pingdingshanensis is at 30 cm above the base of Bed 52, corresponding to a rapid diversification of conodonts. A sharp positive shift of delta C-13(carb) curve co-occurs at the S-S boundary and it can be used as a key reference to define the boundary. The defined S-S boundary position and carbon isotopes curve can be well correlated globally.