Previous studies suggested that glacial deposits of the Nantuo Formation, correlated with the Marinoan glaciation, directly unconformably overlie the Tonian Liantuo Formation or Huangling Granite in the East Yangtze Gorges. However, in recent years, some scholars have raised doubts about the exclusive presence of the Nantuo Formation in the Qinglinkou section of the southwestern limb of the Huangling Anticline in the East Yangtze Gorges. They argue that the Qinglinkou section of the Nantuo Formation comprises both upper and lower sets of glacial diamictites, as well as interbedded shale and laminated manganese- bearing limestones. They point out that the stratigraphic architecture, lithological signatures, geochemical characteristics, and Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values of this section resemble those of the Cryogenian succession in Gucheng, Changyang, western Hubei Province. In their opinion, a lateral correlation can be made between the two sections, suggesting a disintegration of the Nantuo Formation in the Qinglinkou section from bottom to top into the Gucheng, Datangpo, and Nantuo formations. These formations would correspond to the Sturtian glaciation, interglacial period, and Marinoan glaciation deposits, respectively. Based on the aforementioned observations, the authors recently conducted a detailed field geological survey of the Nantuo Formation in the Qinglinkou section. During this survey, many ice- rafted dropstones of varying sizes were found within the gray- green shale beds. These beds were previously considered comparable to the Datangpo Formation, which is interpreted as interglacial deposits. The presence of dropstones indicates that these gray- green shale beds containing glacial dropstones are actually glacial diamictites (moraine- bearing shale) rather than interglacial deposits. Additionally, the gray- green moraine- bearing shale exhibits significant differences in lithological characteristics, CIA values, and MnO content compared to the Datangpo Formation observed in sections such as Gucheng in western Hubei Province and Datangpo in Songtao, Guizhou Province. These differences suggest that lateral correlation between the two should not be pursued. Therefore, it is not advisable to disintegrate the Nantuo Formation into the Gucheng, Datangpo, and Nantuo formations in the East Yangtze Gorges.