The first discovery of amber resin in Lichi Mélange, Eastern Taiwan

Amber is fossilized tree resin produced by the metabolism of vascular plants that has experienced various geological processes, including burial, compression, and heating. Therefore, most previously reported amber pieces were unearthed from sedimentary rocks. The record in tectonic active regions, e.g., Taiwan, extremely poor not been scientifically certified, leading to a understanding history prehistoric flora this region. This study reports 1-cm yellow-brown amorphous interspersed sandstone blocks Lichi Mélange at southernmost tip Coastal Range eastern representing first official mélange unit as well Taiwan. results, addition affirmation amber, show composed sesquiterpenes triterpenoids, indicating possible origin dipterocarp trees are absent paleobotanic modern Furthermore, infrared spectra analysis shows its compositional similarity Sumatra, Indonesia, which boasts forests. Petrographic surrounding suggests was deposited into continental margin allocated Taiwan through arc-continental collision ∼6–7 Ma. In summary, represents report It durable reliable information carrier accordance with biogeographic evidence.