Preface of the Chinese version of “The seismite problem”

“The seismite problem” by Prof. Shanmugam is the first paper that we have received from those geologists invited by us. It is an excellent paper that covers 153 years researches of geologists worldwide and has 268 references. It is beneficial to the researches of SSDS and seismites in China. The most important contribution of this paper is to challenge and negate the term “seismites” introduced by Seilacher (1969). Therefore, the term “seismites” should be obsoleted. Chinese geologist translated the term “seismites” into “震积岩” (Zhenjiyan) (the beds induced by earthquake and sedimentation). It is a mistranslated term and should not be used any more. Whether the term “seismites” should be obsoleted or not, and whether the term “震积岩” (Zhenjiyan) should not be used any more, these problems should be discussed and determined by numerous geologists in China and worldwide, and should be determined by geological practice. Another important contribution of “The seismite problem” is introduction of triggers and emphasis of liquefaction. 21 triggers and 2 types of soft-sediment constitute the theoretical foundation of the formation process of SSDS. If we utilize the method of “On contradiction” by Tse-Tung Mao (1937), study the formation process of SSDS in which there are many contradictions, and devote every effort to finding its principal contradiction, the SSDS can reveal something about the triggers, i.e., can reveal something about the origin of SSDS.