Shatang Fm

The type section is at the Damao phosphate deposit in Sanya, Hainan Island. The Shatang Fm is derived from the Shatang Gr proposed by Hainan Team of Guangdong Party of Regional Geological Survey in 1964, and was renamed the Shatang Fm and published by Central-South Compiling Group for Regional Stratigraphic Scale in 1974. Following the naming of the Shatang Fm, Yang Zhiquan et al. (1977) included the previously defined overlying Shanye Gr in it, and lowered its base at the base of the shale in the upper part of the previously defined Yahua Fm. Mu Enzhi et al. (1977) and Ge Meiyu et al. (1983) also included the Shanye Gr but the shale in the upper part of the previously defined Yahua Fm in the Shatang Fm, a suggestion followed by Zeng et al. (1992). At the same time, Zeng Qingluan et al. (1992) drew the base of the Shatang Fm at the base of the calcareous conglomerate (edgewise limestone), and divided the Shatang Fm into two members.

Synonym: (沙塘组）

The Shatang Fm is 228-477 m thick, and is divided into two members. Lower member is represented by light gray calcareous conglomerate or edgewise limestone and fine-crystalline limestone intercalated with minor banded calcareous sandstone in the lower part, and dark gray thick-bedded limestone or K-feldspar-tremolite hornfels in the upper part. Upper member is composed of dark gray carbonaceous shale in the lower part, gray shale in the middle and silty shale in the upper.

Broken conodonts and bryozoans have been found from the lower limestone in the lower member at Luhuitou; conodonts Baltoniodus cf. communis, Drepanoistodus sp. and Paltodus sp. were found at Baopoling; graptolites of Glossograptus hincksii assemblage have been found from the lower shale of the upper member in Damaodong.