Constraints on the nature of the Marinoan glaciation: Cyclic sedimentary records from the Nantuo Formation, South China

•Both massive diamictite and sandstone/mudstone deposits are observed in the Nantuo Formation.•Two ice advance-retreat sedimentary cycles were identified in the Nantuo Formation.•During the Nantuo glaciation, climate, sea level and sedimentary environment evolution may be closely related.•The Marinoan glaciation may be characterized by episodic evolution rather than monotonous ice-covered evolution.