Recent Progress in Chinese Cyclostratigraphy and Its Earth System Science Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62051/ijnres.v8n8.02Keywords:
Cyclostratigraphy; Milankovitch cycles; Astronomical tuning; Earth system science; Unconventional oil and gasAbstract
Cyclostratigraphy has made significant progress in China in interpreting deep-time sedimentary records, astronomical chronology modeling, and energy exploration applications, providing critical support for Earth system science research. Through lithological assemblage and spectral analysis, Milankovitch cycle signals from multiple geological periods have been successfully identified, revealing the coupling relationship between climate change and sedimentary processes and providing high-resolution temporal frameworks for paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. In astronomical chronology modeling, high-precision astronomical time scales have been established using continuous sedimentary records such as the Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin, achieving temporal correlation between different sedimentary facies and promoting the accuracy of geological time frameworks. In energy exploration applications, cyclostratigraphy provides high-precision stratigraphic division and correlation methods for unconventional oil and gas resources such as shale oil, clarifying the spatiotemporal evolution of shale oil reservoir quality and significantly improving exploration efficiency. However, technological bottlenecks remain, including insufficient data quality and resolution, lack of deep interdisciplinary integration, and unclear response mechanisms in complex sedimentary environments. Future development directions include technological innovation and interdisciplinary integration, big data and artificial intelligence applications, and international cooperation and exchange, to further promote the development and application of cyclostratigraphy and provide stronger support for Earth system science.
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