Palynological characterization of the Sarmatian deposits of the Eastern Paratethys (Section Zelenskii Mountain-Cape Panagiya,Taman Peninsula)

Palynological analysis of Sarmatian deposits found in the reference section Zelenskii Mountain-Cape Panagiya has produced new data on dinocysts and contributed to the palynological characteristics of the Sarmatian deposits of the Taman Peninsula. Six palynological assemblages have been found, reflecting the gradual replacement of forest associations with forest-steppe ones, and thus confirming the trend, revealed earlier, of climate aridization in the areas of the Eastern and Central Paratethys in the Late Sarmatian time. The distinctive cysts of the dinoflagellates Geonettia cf. clinea de Verteuil et Norris and Polykrikos schwarzii Bütschli are identified in Sarmatian deposits of the Taman Peninsula for the first time.     

Lower Meotian facies of the Taman trough

The facies structure and sedimentation settings of lower Meotian sequences in the Taman trough are considered with detailed characteristics of their seven shallow-water facies. It is established that sedimentation in the basin during the initial early Meotian was strongly influenced by the influx of sea waters, indicating connection of the Eastern Paratethys with the World Ocean. This period was marked by the wide distribution of diatomaceous sediments. In the terminal early Meotian, sedimentation during the continuing transgression was largely determined by regional tectonic and orogenic regimes, shallowing of the basin segment adjacent to the Kerch Peninsula, and synchronous reworking of sediments by bottom discharge currents.     

Age of the Vallesian lower boundary (Continental Miocene of Europe)

The Vallesian lower boundary and “Hipparion-datum” are estimated as ranging in age from 11.2 to 10.7 Ma in Central to Western Europe and Western Asia. Judging from complete sections of Sarmatian marine sediments in the Tamanskii Peninsula and Transcaucasia with known paleomagnetic characteristics, the above dates correspond to the lower upper Sarmatian (Khersonian) of the Eastern Paratethys, although in Moldova and Ukraine the earliest hipparion remains are associated with the middle Sarmatian (Bessarabian) sediments. The normally magnetized middle Sarmatian deposits in hipparion localities of Moldova are correlative with an upper part of Chron C5An (upper boundary 11.9 Ma old) or, less likely, with Subchron C5r2n (base 11.5 Ma old). Consequently, the first occurrence of hipparions in southeastern Europe is recorded in the Middle Miocene, i.e., 0.7 m.y. (or 0.3 m.y.) earlier than the date of 11.2 Ma formerly accepted for the Vallesian lower boundary in Europe. Possible reasons for disagreements in age determination of the Vallesian base are discussed.     

Late Sarmatian mammal localities of the Eastern Paratethys: Stratigraphic position,magnetochronology, and correlation with the European continental scale

Analysis of geological sections, paleogeography, and paleomagnetic data is used to reveal succession of the middle to late Sarmatian mammal localities of the Eastern Paratethys and their correlation with the continental stratigraphic scale of Western Europe. Until recently, the late Sarmatian localities were correlated with MN10 and even MN11 zones. As is proved, all the known late Sarmatian localities should be correlated with the upper half of Zone MN9. The terminal late Sarmatian faunas only, which are correlative with the lowermost Chron C4Ar3r and older than 9.6 Ma, can be referred to Zone MN10. According to essential changes in taxonomic composition of faunas from continental localities around the Eastern Paratethys, which are recorded in the mid-late Sarmatian, Zone MN9 can be divided in two subzones MN9a and MN9b separated by boundary at ～10.5 Ma. The refined correlation can be used to establish difference between faunas of the Southeastern, Central, and West European paleozoogeographic provinces and to assess diachronism in dispersal of mammals. In the Southeastern province, many forms characteristic of the Turolian in Central and Western Europe first appeared as early as in the mid-Vallesian. The results obtained indicate that faunal criteria used to define boundaries of MN zones in Western Europe are of a regional importance being inapplicable to the entire North Eurasia and even to Europe as a whole that is unfortunately ignored by many paleontologists. Criteria of distinction should be worked out for each paleozoogeographic province. As geochronological levels of faunal changes are identical throughout the northern Palearctic, they suggest impact of global factors despite variable manifestation in different regions.     

Astronomically-tuned cyclicity in Upper Maeotian deposits of the eastern paratethys (Zheleznyi Rog section,Taman)

Astronomically-tuned cyclicity in Upper Maeotian deposits of the Zheleznyi Rog section (Taman, Eastern Paratethys) was revealed first time using the methods of cyclostratigraphy. According to the spectral analysis of the data on the magnetic susceptibility of rocks and basing on the peaks of Lomb-Scargle and REDFIT periodograms, cyclicity with a length of 7.1–8.9 m was established in studied deposits. These cycles are comparable with the period of oscillations of the Earth’s axis angle to the plane of its orbit, which corresponds to 41000 years. The data we obtained confirm the idea of the correlation of Upper Maeotian deposits to the greater part of the Chron C3An and duration of the late Maeotian no longer than 700000–750000 years.     

The shutdown of an anoxic giant: Magnetostratigraphic dating of the end of the Maikop Sea

Paratethys, the lost sea of central Eurasia, was an anoxic giant during Oligocene – early Miocene (Maikop Series) times. With a size matching the modern-day Mediterranean Sea and a history of anoxic conditions that lasted for over 20 Myrs, the eastern part of this realm (Black Sea-Caspian Sea domain) holds key records for understanding the build-up, maintenance and collapse of anoxia in marginal seas. Here, we show that the collapse of anoxic Maikop conditions was caused by middle Miocene paleogeographic changes in the Paratethys gateway configuration, when a mid-Langhian (Badenian-Tarkhanian) transgression flooded and oxygenated the Eastern Paratethys. We present an integrated magneto-biostratigraphic framework for the early Middle Miocene (Tarkhanian-Chokrakian-Karaganian regional stages) of the Eastern Paratethys and date the lithological transition from anoxic black shales of the Maikop Series to fossiliferous marine marls and limestones of the regional Tarkhanian stage. For this purpose, we selected two long and time-equivalent sedimentary successions, exposed along the Belaya and the Pshekha rivers, in the Maikop type area in Ciscaucasia (southern Russia). We show that a significant but short marine incursion took place during the Tarkhanian, ending the long-lasting Maikop anoxia of the basin. Our magnetostratigraphic results reveal coherent polarity patterns, which allow a straightforward correlation with the time interval 15–12 Ma of the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale. The Tarkhanian flooding occurred during a relatively short normal polarity interval that correlates with C5Bn, resulting in an age of 14.85 Ma. The regional Tarkhanian/Chokrakian stage boundary is located within C5ADn at an age of 14.75 Ma and the Chokrakian/Karaganian boundary is tentatively correlated with C5ACn and an age of 13.9–13.8 Ma. Our new Tarkhanian flooding age reveals a paleogeographic scenario that is different from many previous reconstructions. Instead of envisaging marine connections to the Indian Ocean, we show that major changes in connectivity between the Eastern and Central Paratethys seas have caused the influx of marine waters during the Tarkhanian. An increase in marine connectivity with the Mediterranean during a short episode of rapid sea-level rise triggered mixing and ended the widespread anoxia in the Eastern Paratethys. The mixing episode was short-lived (~100 kyr) as the sea-level rise slowed down and connectivity degraded because of tectonic uplift in the gateway area.     

Towards a Plio-Pleistocene chronostratigraphy in Eastern Betic Basins (SE Spain)

Abstract

The evolution of Neogene and Quaternary littoral basins in the Eastern Betic Cordillera is largely related to tectonic activity along the Eastern Betic sinistral shear zone.

Detailed mapping of sedimentary units in these basins, together with sedimentological and paleomagnetic analysis lead to the proposal of a new chronostratigraphie framework for Pliocene and Quaternary deposits.

This chronostratigraphie setting rejects the synchronous character of the “Pliocene Unite” previously referred to as: “P.I” (grey-blue marls), “P.H” (yellow calcarenites), and “Р.Ш” (variegated silts and clays). Instead, tectonics would have controlled the paleogeographic evolution of the Eastern Betic realms, causing the lithofacies to occur repeated in space and time. The Plio-Pleistocene boundary in these basins is not accompanied by changes in geodynamic behaviour or climatic conditions. According to the paleomagnetic data, these changes occurred at different times during the Pleistocene in the different studied basins.     

The myth of the brackish Sarmatian Sea

The biota of the 1.5 Ma period of the Middle Miocene Sarmatian of the Central Paratethys lack stenohaline components. This was the reason to interpret the Sarmatian stage as transitional between the marine Badenian and the lacustrine Pannonian stages. However, our new data indicate that brackish water conditions could not have prevailed. Sarmatian foraminifera, molluscs, serpulids, bryozoans, dasycladacean and corallinacean algae as well as diatoms clearly indicate normal marine conditions for the entire Sarmatian. During the Lower Sarmatian, however, a sea-level lowstand forced the development of many marginal marine environments. During the Late Sarmatian a highly productive carbonate factory of oolite shoals, mass-occurrences of thick-shelled molluscs and larger foraminifera, as well as marine cements clearly point to normal marine to hypersaline conditions. This trend is not restricted to the western margin of the Pannonian Basin System but can be observed in the entire Central and even Eastern Paratethys.     

Paleogene and Neogene reference sections of Eastern Kamchatka

The available lithological and paleontological data are used to characterize key Cenozoic marine sections in two lithological–facies zones (Kamchatskii Mys Peninsula and southern Valaginskii Range) of the poorly investigated Eastern Kamchatka lithotectonic zone with their correlation and reconstruction of depositional environments at the ocean–continent transition during the Paleogene and Neogene.     

From Tethys to Eastern Paratethys: Oligocene depositional environments, paleoecology and paleobiogeography of the Thrace Basin (NW Turkey)

The Oligocene depositional history of the Thrace Basin documents a unique paleogeographic position at a junction between the Western Tethys and the Eastern Paratethys. As part of the Tethys, shallow marine carbonate platforms prevailed during the Eocene. Subsequently, a three-staged process of isolation started with the Oligocene. During the Early Rupelian, the Thrace Basin was still part of the Western Tethys, indicated by typical Western Tethyan marine assemblages. The isolation from the Tethys during the Early Oligocene is reflected by oolite formation and endemic Eastern Paratethyan faunas of the Solenovian stage. The third phase reflects an increasing continentalisation of the Thrace Basin with widespread coastal swamps during the Late Solenovian. The mollusc assemblages are predominated by mangrove dwelling taxa and the mangrove plant Avicennia is recorded in the pollen spectra. The final continentalisation is indicated by the replacement of the coastal swamps by pure freshwater swamps and fluvial plains during the Late Oligocene (mammal zone MP 26). This paleogeographic affiliation of the Thrace Basin with the Eastern Paratethys after ~32 Ma contrasts all currently used reconstructions which treat the basin as embayment of the Eastern Mediterranean basin.     

New sedimentological, bio-, and magnetostratigraphic data on the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval of Eastern Crimea (Feodosiya)

The first compiled composite section comprises continuous succession of upper Tithonian-lower Berriasian strata (Jacobi Zone) from different isolated outcrops of the Feodosiya area. Based on new magnetostratigraphic and sedimentological data, the paleomagnetic section is correlated with succession of M20r, M19n, M19r, M18b chrons and M18n.1r Subchron (“Brodno”). The thorough complex bio- and magnetostratigraphic correlation of the upper Tithonian-lower Berriasian interval (Jacobi Zone) carried out through the Western Tethys and Eastern Paratethys provided grounds for first defining age analogs of the Durangites Zone in the Crimean Mountains and specifying location of the boundary between the Jurassic and Cretaceous systems, as well as for determining late Tithonian age of strata in the Dvuyakornaya Bay section barren of fossils.     

Cyclostratigraphy of Pontian deposits of the Eastern Paratethys (Zheleznyi Rog section,Taman Region)

The first data on the cyclostratigraphy of Pontian deposits of the Eastern Paratethys were obtained by studying the magnetic susceptibility of Upper Miocene rocks of the Zheleznyi Rog section in the Taman Region. Based on statistical methods, using the Lomb-Scargle and REDFIT periodograms, cycles related to long-period insolation oscillations (precession of the Earth’s orbit and variations in Earth’s axial tilt) were revealed. It is proposed that a hiatus occurred (about 150000–200000 years) at the Novorossian/Portaferian boundary (Lower Pontian/Upper Pontian) due to the onset of the maximum Messinian Salinity Crisis.     

Sea-level fluctuations on the northern shelf of the Eastern Paratethys in the Oligocene-Neogene

Sea-level fluctuations in the terminal Eocene, Oligocene, and Neogene of the Eastern Paratethys are quantitatively assessed on the basis of facies and old coastlines traced on the northern platform shelf, levels of river valley incisions, and the study of seismic profiles. The first data massif allows the characterization and correlation of transgression stages in the history of the Eastern Paratethys. The greatest transgressions fall within the first half of the Late Eocene, mid-Early Oligocene, initial Late Oligocene, initial Early Miocene, the initial Tchokrakian, Karaganian and Sarmatian in the Middle Miocene, the middle and late Sarmatian and early Pontian in the Late Miocene, and the Akchagylian in the Caspian basin of the Pliocene. In contrast, the greatest incisions of northern rivers running from the platform allow us to establish the time and extent of the main declines in the base levels of the erosion. Maximal incisions date back to the terminal Eocene-initial Oligocene, terminal Solenovian time in the terminal Rupelian, the terminal Maikop in the Early Miocene, the terminal Sarmatian and middle Pontian in the Late Miocene, and the Early Pliocene in the Caspian basin. Large regressions also formed unconformity surfaces, traced on seismic profiles as erosion boundaries of several orders. The surfaces are confined to the Eocene/Oligocene boundary, middle and late Maikop, Sarmatian/Meotian boundary, middle Pontian, and terminal Miocene-initial Pliocene, as well as being traced even in the most deep-water basins. The synthesis of these data suggests a preliminary version for the curve of transgression-regression cyclicity. Its correlation with the eustatic curve shows their similarity only in the lower part-prior to the initial Middle Miocene, when Paratethys became a semi-closed basin.     

深海碎屑岩层序地层学50年(1970—2020)重要进展

层序地层学是当前地球科学研究颇为关注的领域,被广泛应用于沉积盆地分析和油气勘探.碎屑岩层序地层学理论方法源于海相盆地,是在被动大陆边缘油气勘探实践的基础上凝练而来的,至今已经历了约50年的发展历程.本文梳理了深海碎屑岩层序过去50年发展历程中的重要进展(包括1970—2000年的经典海相碎屑岩层序地层学、2000—20...     

Messinian sea level fall in the Dacic Basin (Eastern Paratethys): palaeogeographical implications from seismic sequence stratigraphy

The signature of the Mediterranean Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) in the Paratethys has received wide attention because of the inferred changes in connectivity and base level. In this article, we present sequence stratigraphic interpretations on a seismic transect across the western part of the semi-isolated Late Miocene–Pliocene Dacic Basin (Eastern Paratethys, Romania), chronologically constrained by biostratigraphic field observations and well data. They reveal significant sea level changes during the middle Pontian that are coeval with the MSC. These changes were most likely transmitted to the western Dacic Basin from the downstream Black Sea and controlled by the sill height of the interconnecting gateway. During the middle Pontian lowstand of the western Dacian Basin, sedimentation continued in a remnant ∼300 m deep lake with a positive water balance. Our observations show that the evolution of semi-isolated sedimentary basins is strongly dependent on the communication with other depositional realms through its control on base level and sediment supply.     

Lower miocene sediments of the Maikop group in the Central Eastern Paratethys

The composite section of upper Maikop sediments compiled for the central part of the Eastern Paratethys is presented. The section (more than 1000 m) comprises the Karadzhalgan, Sakaraulian, and Kotsakhurian regional stages. The lower boundary of the Miocene drawn at the base of the Karadzhalgan regional stage is unambiguous only in the southern part of the central Ciscaucasia. In most areas of the Ciscaucasia, this boundary is drawn arbitrarily because of uniform lithology in the Oligocene-Miocene boundary interval and poor paleontological substantiation. Generally, the Maikop sequence is insufficiently studied and incomplete in many areas because of a discordant upper boundary of the Maikop Group. Nevertheless, materials presented in the paper characterize for the first time the composition and structure of the Lower Miocene sequence over a vast area of the Eastern Paratethys. The horizonwise reconstruction of Early Miocene basins has made it possible to reveal the major features of final stages in the formation of the Maikop clayey sequence.     

Maeotian mammalian localities of Eastern Paratethys: Magnetochronology and position in European continental scales

The Maeotian of Eastern Paratethys corresponds to the interval of the magnetochronological scale from the base of the subchron C4Ar2n to upper parts of the Chron C4n (9.6–7.5 Ma). Fission-track dates of Maeotian deposits are in general agreement with paleomagnetic chronology. In the continental stratigraphic scale of Western Europe this interval corresponds to zones MN10 (save the lowermost parts), MN11, and MN12 (upper part). Taking into account age estimates of MN zones boundaries established in Western Europe, the East European mammalian localities of Ukraine and Moldova can be stratified as follows: MN10, Raspopeni, Grebeniki, Novaya Emetovka 1, ?lower bed of Ciobruci; MN11, Novaya Emetovka 2; MN12, Cimislia, Ciobruci upper bed, Cherevichnoe, Tudorovo, Dzedzvtakhevi, and sites in the lower Pontian deposits. The faunal criteria used to distinguish MN zones in Western Europe cannot be completely applied to sites of the Eastern Paratethys because of paleozoogeographic distinctions between West and East European provinces. Specific criteria of zone boundaries definitions should be developed for the East European province.     

层序地层学研究在国内的进展

层序地层学被引入我国10年来，地质工作者结合我国的具体地质情况，运用层序地层学的理论对古生代海相沉积盆地碳酸盐岩地层进行了研究，探讨了沉积体系域的控矿作用。在一些大比例尺沉积岩区区调工作中，开展了露头层序地质学的研究。在陆相盆地工作中，发现影响陆相地层层序的因素很多，随机性更强。针对这种情况，提出了利用露头、地震和钻井资料综合进行层序地层学的研究，指导油气勘探。此外，利用层序地层学理论，在岩相古地理研究方面也取得了可喜的成果。     

Paleomagnetic Constraints on the Permian-Triassic Boundary in Terrestrial Strata of the Karoo Supergroup, South Africa: Implications for Causes of the End-Permian Extinction Event

The closure of the Palaeozoic witnessed the greatest biotic crisis in earth history. Surprisingly little is known about the effects and timing of the terrestrial counterpart of the well-described End-Permian mass extinction from known marine successions worldwide. In the present study, reliable paleomagnetic results were obtained from a PT boundary section in the terrestrial Karoo Basin of South Africa. Permo-Triassic aged mudstones from a locality in the Eastern Cape Province yielded two magnetic chrons, reverse followed by normal (with the boundary possibly close to the reversal). This extends to results from a previous study: thereby jointly identifying a R/N/R polarity pattern for this boundary interval. The PTB interval is constrained below the red mudstones of the Beaufort Group at the present locality and within reverse-magnetised green mudstone, implying a diachronic relation between the marine and terrestrial End-Permian mass extinction events.     

Stratigraphy and geological history of Eastern Venezuela

Eastern Venezuela is divided into three geologic-geographic provinces: The Guayana shield in the south; the Eastern Venezuelan basin in the central part; and the mountains of the Serranía del Interior and Cordillera de la Costa (Caribbean Cordillera) in the northern part. The stratigraphy and geological history are discussed, as reflected by rocks of presumably pre-Cambrian, ? Triassic-Jurassic, Cretaceous, Tertiary and Quaternary ages. From the Cretaceous onward, Eastern Venezuela north of the Guayana shield and east of the El BaÚl swell, forms part of a geosyncline, the axis of which shifted southward during its history. The position of this axis governed deposition and character of the sediments, which become more marine from south to north and from west to east. Orogenic and epeirogenic movements, particularly during Miocene and Pliocene time, transformed the Eastern Venezuelan sedimentary basin into two structural basins, namely the Maturín basin on the east and the Guárico basin on the west.