Abstract This publication combines the interpretations of two major sets of data. One is the geophysical data that is used to interpret the position of the tectonic plates through geologic time. The other is based on a long time search of the geological literature to find, record and evaluate the lithologic descriptions of countless reports around the globe; paying careful attention to those lithologies that have climatic implications. The introduction to this volume includes a detailed discussion of the lithologies, mineralogies and biogeographies that are considered to be the most reliable in identifying the climatic conditions existing during their formation and how they are used or not used in this compilation. These include coal, cyclothems, laterite, bauxite, lateritic manganese, oolitic ironstone, kaolin, glendonite, tilites, dropstones, calcretes, evaporites, clay minerals, palms, mangroves, and crocodilians. Additionally, several others are discussed but not used for specified reasons. These include eolian sandstone, silcrete and some specific paleobotanical methodologies. Global paleoclimatic zones based on the climatically interpreted data points are identified during twenty-eight time periods from Cambrian to Miocene using paleotectonic reconstructed maps. The paleoclimate of each time period is summarized and includes a discussion of the specific referenced data points that have been interpreted to be the most reliable available for that time period and location.

Abstract This publication combines the interpretations of two major sets of data. One is the geophysical data that is used to interpret the position of the tectonic plates through geologic time. The other is based on a long time search of the geological literature to find, record and evaluate the lithologic descriptions of countless reports around the globe; paying careful attention to those lithologies that have climatic implications. The introduction to this volume includes a detailed discussion of the lithologies, mineralogies and biogeographies that are considered to be the most reliable in identifying the climatic conditions existing during their formation and how they are used or not used in this compilation. These include coal, cyclothems, laterite, bauxite, lateritic manganese, oolitic ironstone, kaolin, glendonite, tilites, dropstones, calcretes, evaporites, clay minerals, palms, mangroves, and crocodilians. Additionally, several others are discussed but not used for specified reasons. These include eolian sandstone, silcrete and some specific paleobotanical methodologies. Global paleoclimatic zones based on the climatically interpreted data points are identified during twenty-eight time periods from Cambrian to Miocene using paleotectonic reconstructed maps. The paleoclimate of each time period is summarized and includes a discussion of the specific referenced data points that have been interpreted to be the most reliable available for that time period and location.

The tectonics and paleogeography of Ordovician rocks in China record the four major paleoplates—the South China, North China, Tarim, and Xizang (Tibet) Blocks. New paleogeographic maps of South China for the Tremadocian, Darriwilian, Sandbian–early Katian, and late Katian–Hirnatian time intervals display lithofacies and biofacies belts that depict continuous changes from the Yangtze Platform through the Chiangnan (Jiangnan) Slope to the Zhujiang Basin. North China was dominantly a carbonate platform during the Ordovician. Facies belts, particularly the trilobite biofacies belts, change westward from the platform edge to the slope along the west margin of the platform. In Tarim, Ordovician rocks provide the main source and reservoir rocks for oil and gas. The vast expanse of the block was a northward-deepening, shallow-water platform that was fringed by peripheral, deeper water facies belts developed along the northern side of the South Tianshan. Facies analysis indicates that the paleogeographic setting varied in response to eustatic sea level changes. North of the Tibet Block lies a long mobile belt that crosses more than half of China from west to east. The Tibet Block is mainly composed of two units, the north Qiantang region, which remained as a separate, small paleoplate through the late Paleozoic, and the south Gandise-Himalaya region, which persisted as a distinct paleoplate through the late Paleozoic and well into the Mesozoic. Ordovician rocks consisting mainly of carbonates with shelly faunas have been recorded from regions of the Tibet Block.