Lithostratigraphy of the Pondaung Formation (Eocene) between Tabyin and Kyauktakha to the west of Pauk, central Myanmar

Abstract

Columnar sections of the Pondaung Formation along the Tabyin-Kyauktakha route are measured and described in detail. The Pondaung Formation of the section is composed of sandstone, siltstone and claystone with minor amounts of coal, acidic tuff and gritty-pebbly sandstone. The total thickness of the Pondaung Formation along the Tabyin-Kyauktakha route amounts to ca. 1, 170 m. While the Lower Member of the Pondaung Formation contains a large amount of claystone and siltstone sequences, the Upper Member of the formation consists merely of sandstone that exhibits trough-type cross bedding frequently. In contrast to the fossil-bearing Upper Member of the Pondaung Formation in the areas of Pale and Myaing townships, the sandstone sequences of the Upper Member of the Tabyin-Kyauktakha section were deposited under the high energy sedimentary environment that eliminated the preservation of fossil vertebrates.