The grain size analysis of Upper Ganchaigou group in Qaidam Basin

The rocks of Upper Ganchaigou Formation of Qaidam Basin, China, predominantly include sandstones of medium to fine grain-size, with subordinate shale and hummocky cross-bedding. Textural parameter like mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis are calculated using standard methods to understand the transportation and the depositional environment of the sediments in a part of Ganchaigou Formation. Granulometric analyses through Grapher software indicate the presence of fluvial environment interrupted with beach and tidal environments prevailed during the time of deposition of the sediments in this part of Qaidam Basin during the neogene period time. ? 2014 Taylor & Francis Group.