ON THE ORIGIN OF PAGODA STONES IN THE SHIQIAN REGION, GUIZHOU PROVINCE

On the concavo-convex bedding plane of the pagoda stones within the Baota Group of Middle Ordovocian systems in the Shiqian Region of Guizhou Province, the network-filled fissures consist of two sets of intersected sutures which form a pagoda-shaped structure. Their lithology can be attributed to limestones with bioclasts and clay. It is believed that the pagoda stones deposit under the subtidal environment of limited sea area on the basis of geochemical characters. The pagoda structure is irrelevant to the mapcracking of evaporation. However,it is suggested that the pagoda structure is a product of diagenesis. Since the differential compactions which exist between lime-mud and clay laminaes, in addition to deep-pressure solution, it would bring about the, development of two sets of suture lines.