Litho- and biostratigraphy of the Siwalik succession in Surai Khola area, Nepal

Abstract

The Surai Khola succession of Siwalik sediments comprises an uninterrupted body of molasse sediments of a thickness of 5,500 m, which have been divided into six lithological units. The sequence has yielded abundant Vertebrate and in Vertebrate fossils, particularly of mammals. These indicate that the Lower part of the Surai Khola succession belongs to the Chinji zone of the Lower Siwalik, while the rich fauna of the upper beds belong to the Tatrot and Pinjor faunal zones of the Upper Siwalik. Apart from the mammalian fauna, a wealth of plant fossils has come to light, particularly from the lower and middle part of the sequence. The finer clastic throughout the sequence yielded palynofossils.