Upper Mesozoic stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin (Russian Far East) and northeastern China: Non-marine and marine correlations. Part 2: Barremian–Albian

The present paper is the second article in a series of publications dedicated to the upper Mesozoic stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin (Russian Far East) and northeastern China. The Barremian–Albian stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China is reviewed and a correlation scheme between these regions is proposed. Barremian–Albian rocks in Sikhote-Alin are mainly represented by marine deposits. Non-marine deposits occur in the south of Sikhote-Alin in the Partizansk and Razdolny basins. In northeastern China, in contrast, the Barremian–Albian rocks are mainly non-marine often intercalated with volcanic rocks. Non-marine deposits alternating with marine ones occur in northeastern Heilongjiang near the border with Russia. They fill a system of sedimentary basins restricted to the Dunhua-Mishan Fault Zone and linked in the east with the Alchan Basin of Sikhote-Alin. The deposits of these basins, represented by the Jixi, Longzhaogou, Dajiashan and Huashan groups, and the Assikaevka and Alchan formations, are of high importance for non-marine and marine correlation because they contain non-marine fauna and flora assemblages together with marine molluscs. The range of the Jixi and Longzhaogou groups is clarified based on the correlation with the Assikaevka Formation containing marine index fossils and is considered here as Barremian (possibly extending to Hauterivian)–middle Albian. The Jixi Group yielding elements of the Jehol Biota corresponds to the Jehol Group, and, therefore, the range of the Jehol Group is also considered as Barremian–middle Albian. •Reviewed Barremian–Albian stratigraphy of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China.•Correlation scheme for the Barremian–Albian of Sikhote-Alin and northeastern China.•The time of Early Cretaceous transgressions in northeastern China is clarified.