Planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils record in the upper Campanian-Maastrichtian pelagic deposits of the Malatya Basin in the Hekimhan area (NW Malatya,eastern Anatolia)

The uppermost Cretaceous (upper Campanian-Maastrichtian) pelagic successions from the Malatya Basin (NW Malatya, eastern Anatolia) were studied by 688 samples, which were collected from five stratigraphic sections in the Hekimhan area. The pelagic deposits conformably overlie rudist bearing shallow-water limestones and are overlain conformably by Maastrichtian dolomites and unconformably by Paleocene-Eocene deposits, respectively.The pelagic successions in the Hekimhan area comprise the Kösehasan Formation at the base and the Zorbehan Formation at the top and reach up to 1100 m in thickness. The Kösehasan Formation rests over the neritic rudist-bearing limestones of the Güzelyurt Formation along a sharp contact and consists mainly of flysch-type sandstone-mudstone alternation with complete and partial Bouma sequences. The carbonate content of abundant planktonic foraminifera and nannoplankton-bearing 980-m-thick succession increases upwards and the formation passes gradually to the clayey limestones and marlstones of the Zorbehan Formation to the top. Occurrences of nannoplankton Lithraphidites quadratus Bramlette and Martini and Micula praemurus (Bukry) in the first beds of the Kösehasan Formation indicate that the age of the Kösehasan Formation and overlying Zorbehan Formation is of late Maasthrichtian. Another late Maastrichtian taxa Cribrosphaerella daniae Perch-Nielsen and Arkhangelskiella maastrichtiana Burnett are observed from the lowermost part of the succession. Maastrichtian planktonic foraminifera such as Contusotruncana walfischensis (Todd) and Globotruncanita pettersi (Gandolfi) were recorded through the successions. Although planktonic foraminifera are diverse and abundant particularly in the Kösehesan Formation, index late Maasthrichtian species were not encountered. Campanian and Santonian-Campanian planktonic foraminifera, e.g. Radotruncana calcarata (Cushman) and Globotruncanita elevata (Brotzen), obtained particularly from the lower part of the succession and calcareous nannofossils such as Broinsonia parca parca Bukry, Reinhardtites anthophorus (Deflanre) and Eiffellithus eximius (Stover) are interpreted as reworked from older strata. Trace fossils are common throughout the succession.Rareness of planktonic foraminifera and nannoplankton in the uppermost part of the succession (Zorbehan Formation) indicates maximum shallowing of the latest Maastrichtian sea in this part of the basin. Rare echinoids, bivalves and ammonites are observed in that part of the sequence.The obtained data indicate that sediment accumulation rate of the pelagic deposits is rather high and about 27.5 cm/ky for this part of the basin. Changes in thickness of the formations along short distances in the five stratigraphic sections analysed in this study should be related to the diachroneity of the depositional and erosional events.     

Stratigraphy and tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Upper Cretaceous–Tertiary sequence in the southern part of the Malatya Basin, East Anatolia, Turkey

The Malatya Basin is situated on the southern Taurus-Anatolian Platform. The southern part of the basin contains a sedimentary sequence which can be divided into four main units, each separated by an unconformity. From base to top, these are: (1) Permo-Carboniferous; (2) Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleocene, (3) Middle-Upper Eocene and (4) Upper Miocene. The Upper Cretaceous–Tertiary sedimentary sequence resting on basement rocks is up to 700 m thick.The Permo-Carboniferous basement consist of dolomites and recrystallized limestones. The Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleocene transgressive–regressive sequence shows a transition from terrestrial environments, via lagoonal to shallow-marine limestones to deep marine turbiditic sediments, followed upwards by shallow marine cherty limestones. The marine sediments contain planktic and benthic foraminifers indicating an upper Campanian, Maastrichtian and Danian age. The Middle-Upper Eocene is a transgressive–regressive sequence represented by terrestrial and lagoonal clastics, shallow-marine limestones and deep marine turbidites. The planktic and benthic foraminifers in the marine sediments indicate a Middle-Upper Eocene age. The upper Miocene sequence consists of a reddish-brown conglomerate–sandstone–mudstone alternation of alluvial and fluvial facies.During Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene times, the Gündüzbey Group was deposited in the southern part of a fore-arc basin, simultaneously with volcanics belonging to the Yüksekova Group. During Middle-Late Eocene times, the Yeşilyurt Group was deposited in the northern part of the Maden Basin and the Helete volcanic arc. The Middle-Upper Eocene Malatya Basin was formed due to block faulting at the beginning of the Middle Eocene time. During the Late Paleocene–Early Eocene, and at the end of the Eocene, the study areas became continental due to the southward advance of nappe structures.The rock sequences in the southern part of the Malatya Basin may be divided into four tectonic units, from base to top: the lower allochthon, the upper allochthon, the parautochthon and autochthonous rock units.     

Sequence stratigraphy of a Mesozoic carbonate platform-to-basin system in western Sicily

Sequence stratigraphic studies of the Triassic through Paleogene carbonate successions of platform, slope and basin in western Sicily (Palermo and Termini Imerese Mountains) have identified a sedimentary cyclicity mostly caused by relative oscillations of sea level. The stratigraphic successions of the Imerese and Panormide palaeogeographic domains of the southern Tethyan continental margin were studied with physical-stratigraphy and facies analysis to reconstruct the sedimentary evolution of this platform-to-basin system. The Imerese Basin is characterized by a carbonate and siliceous-calcareous succession, 1200–1400m thick, Late Triassic to Eocene in age. The strata display a typical example of a carbonate platform margin, characterized by resedimented facies with progradational stacking patterns. The Panormide Carbonate Platform is characterized by a carbonate succession, 1000–1200 m thick, Late Triassic to Late Eocene, mostly consisting of shallow-water facies with periodic subaerial exposure. The cyclic arrangement has been obtained by the study of the stratigraphic signatures (unconformities, facies sequences, erosional surfaces and stratal geometries) found in the slope successions. The recognized pattern has been compared with coeval facies of the shelf. This correlation provided evidence of sedimentary evolution, influenced by progradation and backstepping of the shelf deposits. The stratigraphic architecture of the platform-to-basin system is characterized by four major transgressive/regressive cycles during the late Triassic to late Eocene. These cycles, framed in a chronostratigraphic chart, allows the correlation of the investigated shelf-to-basin system with the geological evolution of the African continental margin during the Mesozoic, showing tectono-eustatic cycles. The first cycle, encompassing the late Triassic to early Jurassic, appears to be related to the late syn-rift stage of the continental margin evolution. The following three cycles, spanning from the Jurassic to Eocene, can be related to the post-rift evolution and to thermal subsidence changes.     

西藏仲巴地区白垩纪末期—始新世早期海相地层

西藏仲巴县北部地区出露有晚白垩世至古近纪的海相地层 ,本次工作新测制了卓勒剖面 ,并对原错江顶剖面上部地层做了再次研究。地层中化石丰富 ,据有孔虫化石研究结果重新厘定曲下组时代为古新世早期、加拉孜组上段属始新世早期 ,认为该区白垩 /古近纪界线位于曲贝亚组与曲下组之间。在这一界面上 ,古新世磨拉石直接覆于晚白垩世的陆棚碳酸盐台地沉积之上 ,其间存在沉积间断 ,为弧前盆地演化后期的重大沉积转变。古新世早期曲下组为近海相磨拉石沉积 ,古新世晚期至始新世早期加拉孜组为残留海盆沉积。加拉孜组顶部为该区最高海相地层 ,其上为冈底斯群的磨拉石不整合覆盖。冈底斯群的时代应晚于始新世中期。     

湖北兴山早奥陶世沉积环境

兴山下奥陶统由西陵峡组、南津关组、分乡组、红花园组、大湾组和牯牛潭组组成。岩石类型包括泥晶灰岩、生物碎屑灰岩、鲕粒灰岩、内碎屑灰岩、白云岩等,为一套典型的台地或沉没台地型陆表海碳酸盐沉积。颗粒灰岩在剖面中占绝大多数,其中,鲕粒灰岩、内碎屑灰岩和多数生物碎屑灰岩均为亮晶方解石胶结。鲕粒和砂屑的粒度参数和曲线分布特征说明,砂屑和鲕粒在形成过程中均经历了较强的水动力搬运或搅动。早奥陶世从西陵峡组沉积开始到牯牛潭组沉积结束,沉积环境经历了从局限台地潮坪环境到开阔台地再到浅海陆棚的演化。其中,潮坪环境包括云坪、灰坪、灰云坪等,而开阔台地环境为各种颗粒滩和生物礁。环境的演化反映了从早到晚海水逐渐加深的过程。     

湘东南桂阳莲塘上泥盆系风暴岩特征及其古地理、古气候意义

摘　要湖南省桂阳县莲塘镇石龙村上泥盆统锡矿山组以台地相灰岩、白云质灰岩、灰质白云岩为主。该组下部发育典型的风暴岩沉积。风暴沉积标志包括:渠铸型、竹叶状砾屑放射状组构、丘状或洼状交错层理、平行层理、递变层理、块状层理。风暴岩包括４种岩相类型:Ａ－具块状层理的“竹叶状”砾屑灰岩（底部为冲刷侵蚀面或冲刷渠）,Ｂ－具递变层理的砾屑灰岩,Ｃ－具丘状、洼状交错层理的砂屑灰岩,Ｄ－具均质或水平层理的泥状灰岩。它们组成４种典型的风暴沉积序列:Ａ—Ｄ序列、Ａ—Ｃ—Ｄ序列、Ｂ—Ｃ—Ｄ序列、Ｂ—Ｄ序列。湘东南上泥盆统风暴岩的首次发现表明晚泥盆世该区位于低纬度的风暴作用带,它对认识泥盆纪的古气候具有重要意义.     

Facies Characteristics of the Cenomanian–Maastrichtian Sequence of the Beydaglari Carbonate Platform,Korkuteli Area,Western Taurides,Turkey

In the Korkuteli area of the western Taurides, Upper Cretaceous sequences consist of the neritic and hemipelagic Beydaglari Formation and the pelagic Akdag Formation. These formations show important facies variations and stratigraphic gaps. The Beydaglari Formation, ranging in age from Cenomanian to Santonian, is approximately 600 m thick, and is composed mainly of platform-type neritic carbonates. Five microfacies indicating tidal-flat, subtidal (lagoonal), reef, and forereef subenvironments are distinguished in the neritic carbonates of the formation. Benthic foraminifera and rudists are the main biological components that provide information about the environment and age of the unit. In addition, cryptalgal lamination also is recognized as an important tool in determining environment. The uppermost part of the Beydaglari Formation is composed of hemipelagic carbonates (a sixth microfacies), which were deposited under basinal conditions. The Akdag Formation consists of planktonic foraminifera-bearing pelagic carbonates, suggesting a Campanian-Maastrichtian age and deposition as a basinal facies. The formation disconformably overlies the Beydaglari Formation along an erosional surface.

Eocene transgressive pelagic clayey carbonates of the Ulucak Formation unconformably overlie the Upper Cretaceous carbonate sequences. Detailed investigations have shown that, at least in the studied part of the autochthonous unit, the platform began to drown during the Santonian and that a true basinal environment persisted from the Campanian to the Maastrichtian. Two erosional phases are recorded; one occurred after the Santonian and is characterized by a prominent erosional surface, and the other is responsible for the post-Cretaceous regression.     

上扬子区中寒武统的层序地层格架及其形成的古地理背景

上扬子区特别是贵州及邻区的中寒武统发育完整,是一套从少量灰岩到大套白云岩所组成的地层序列。在西北部的台地内部,中寒武统由较薄的产三叶虫化石的陡坡寺组砂泥质白云岩与化石贫乏的巨厚的娄山关群白云岩下部的地层一起所组成,几乎见小到灰岩的踪迹;在过渡区则由凯里组和甲劳组泥页岩系夹灰岩地层所组成;在东南部深水背景之中,相变为一套黑色页岩系到泥灰岩的地层,包括都柳江组和杨家湾组下部。,有序的沉积物时间变化序列与沉积相的空间展布形式形成了1个独特的层序地层格架,从而在研究区的中寒武统之巾大致可以划分为3个三级层序。该层序地层格架不但展示出地层记录中的两种相变面和两种穿时性,而且表现出中寒武世时期浅水背景下强烈白云石化作用的特点,并且意味着一个受三级海平面变化旋回控制的有序的加深与变浅过程。系列岩相古地理图和系列层序地层格架栅状图较为系统地表现出各个三级层序的沉积物的时间演变序列与沉积相的空间展布形式,以及三级层序形成时期大致的古地理背景。更为有趣的是,在早中寒武世之交的海退事件之后的更大幅度的海侵作用过程的初期,似乎在生态空间拓展的同时,在较深水背景之中发育了早寒武世末期的“台江生物群”和中寒武世早期的“凯里生物群”,这两个生物群所代表的生物多样性事件可能反映了寒武纪早期的“小壳化石动物群”、“澄江动物群”所代表的生物大爆发之后的又一次生物大爆发。因此,海侵作用与生物多样性事件、海退作用与生物灭绝事件之间的复杂关系将成为今后进一步研究的基本问题之一。[     

上扬子区震旦系层序地层格架及其形成的古地理背景

上扬子区的震旦系包括陡山沱组和灯影组,前者包含较多的黑色页岩,而后者则以发育大套白云岩为特征。从岩相序列到米级旋回,从沉积相序列到三级层序,可将浅水台地背景的震旦系划分为5个三级层序。这些三级层序可以进一步归为一个二级层序。以各个主要剖面的层序划分为基础,依据地层记录中的两种相变面和两种穿时性,可以建立研究区震旦系的层序地层格架。其中包含较多的深水黑色页岩系的陡山沱组,反映了大冰期之后的海侵作用的特点;与寒武系的变化特征不同,自北西而南东沉积环境由浅变深,该沉积背景中沉积了原生沉积组构保存较为完好的灯影组白云岩,这种变化可能反映了前寒武纪末期特殊的白云石化作用特征,同时也代表了许多有待于进一步研究的沉积学问题。从陡山沱组黑色页岩系到灯影组白云岩,不但构成了一个更大级别的总体向上变浅的沉积相序列,还反映了一个与三级和二级海平面变化过程相响应的缓坡型碳酸盐台地的生长发育过程,该过程较为清楚地显示在系列层序地层格架栅状图和岩相古地理图之中。     

Biostratigraphy and facies analysis of the Upper Cretaceous–Danian? platform carbonate succession in the Kuyucak area,western Central Taurides,S Turkey

The Upper Cretaceous succession outcropping in the Anamas–Akseki Autochton, consists of approximately 500 m thick purely platform carbonate sediments. It begins with Cenomanian limestones intercalated with limestone breccias (Unit-1) containing mainly Pseudorhapydionina dubia, Pseudonummoloculina heimi, Spiroloculina cretacea (Assemblage I) and unconformably overlies the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian) limestones with Vercorsella laurentii, Praechrysalidina infracretacea and Salpingoporella hasi. The Cenomanian limestones include foraminiferal packstone–wackestone, peloidal packstone–wackestone and mudstone microfacies deposited in restricted platform conditions. The Cenomanian succession is truncated by an unconformity characterised by locale bauxite deposits. Immediately above the unconformable surface, dolomitic limestones and rudistid limestones (Unit-2) are assigned to the upper Campanian based on the benthic foraminiferal assemblage (Assemblage II) comprising mainly Murciella gr. cuvillieri, Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea, Accordiella conica, Scandonea samnitica and Fleuryana adriatica (smaller-sized populations). The upper Campanian limestones composed of dominantly foraminiferal-microbial packstone–wackestone microfacies deposited in shallow water environment with low energy, restricted circulation. The following limestones of the Unit-2 is characterised by sporadic intercalation of “open shelf” Orbitoides, Omphalocyclus, Siderolites assemblage (Assemblage III), assigned to the Maastrichtian, in addition to pre-existing “restricted platform” species. In the upper part of this biozone, the Rhapydionina liburnica/Fleuryana adriatica concurrent range subzone (Assemblage IIIb) is distinguished by the presence of Valvulina aff. triangularis, Loftusia minor as well as the nominal species. The Maastrichtian limestones with sporadically open marine influence consist of bioclastic (rudist-bearing) packstone–floatstone, foraminiferal packstone–wackestone with rudist fragments and peloidal/intraclastic packstone–wackestone microfacies deposited in shallow subtidal–subtidal (lagoonal) environments. The Upper Cretaceous succession passes upwardly into 70 m thick limestones and clayey limestones (Unit-3) which do not contain rudists and pre-existing foraminiferal assemblage with one exception Valvulina aff. triangularis. Variable amounts of ostracoda, discorbids, miliolids, dasycladacean algae and Stomatorbina sp. (Assemblage IV) occur into mud-rich microfacies suggesting restricted conditions with low water energy. A probable Danian age is proposed for the Unit-3 based on the occurrence of Valvulina aff. triangularis and Stomatorbina sp. which were previously recorded from Danian of peri-Tethyan platforms.     

Yaxcopoil-1 and the Chicxulub impact

CSDP core Yaxcopoil-1 was drilled to a depth of 1,511 m within the Chicxulub crater. An organic-rich marly limestone near the base of the hole (1,495 to 1,452 m) was deposited in an open marine shelf environment during the latest Cenomanian (uppermost Rotalipora cushmani zone). The overlying sequence of limestones, dolomites and anhydrites (1,495 to 894 m) indicates deposition in various carbonate platform environments (e.g., sabkhas, lagoons). A 100-m-thick suevite breccia (894–794 m) identifies the Chicxulub impact event. Above the suevite breccia is a dolomitic limestone with planktic foraminiferal assemblages indicative of Plummerita hantkeninoides zone CF1, which spans the last 300 ky of the Maastrichtian. An erosional surface 50 cm above the breccia/dolomite contact marks the K/T boundary and a hiatus. Limestones above this contact contain the first Tertiary planktic foraminifera indicative of an upper P. eugubina zone P1a(2) age. Another hiatus 7 cm upsection separates zone P1a(2) and hemipelagic limestones of planktic foraminiferal Zone P1c. Planktic foraminiferal assemblages of Zone Plc to P3b age are present from a depth of 794.04 up to 775 m. The Cretaceous carbonate sequence appears to be autochthonous, with a stratigraphic sequence comparable to late Cretaceous sediments known from outside the Chicxulub crater in northern and southern Yucatan, including the late Cenomanian organic-rich marly limestone. There is no evidence that these sediments represent crater infill due to megablocks sliding into the crater, such as major disruption of sediments, chaotic changes in lithology, overturned or deep dipping megablocks, major mechanical fragmentation, shock or thermal alteration, or ductile deformation. Breccia units that are intercalated in the carbonate platform sequence are intraformational in origin (e.g., dissolution of evaporites) and dykes are rare. Major disturbances of strata by the impact therefore appear to have been confined to within less than 60 km from the proposed impact center. Yaxcopoil-1 may be located outside the collapsed transient crater cavity, either on the upper end of an elevated and tilted horst of the terrace zone, or even outside the annular crater cavity. The Chicxulub site thus records a large impact that predates the K/T boundary impact and mass extinction.     

Stratigraphy,sedimentology and tectonic evolution of the Upper Cretaceous/Paleogene succession in north Eastern Desert,Egypt

The stratigraphy, sedimentology and syn-depositional tectonic events (SdTEs) of the Upper Cretaceous/Paleogene (K–P) succession at four localities in north Eastern Desert (NED) of Egypt have been studied. These localities are distributed from south-southwest to north-northeast at Gebel Millaha, at North Wadi Qena, at Wadi El Dakhal, and at Saint Paul Monastery. Lithostratigraphically, four rock units have been recorded: Sudr Formation (Campanian–Maastrichtian); Dakhla Formation (Danian–Selandian); Tarawan Formation (Selandian–Thanetian) and Esna Formation (Thanetian–Ypresian). These rock units are not completely represented all over the study area because some of them are absent at certain sites and others have variable thicknesses. Biostratigrapgically, 18 planktonic foraminiferal zones have been recorded. These are in stratigraphic order: Globotruncana ventricosa Zone (Campanian); Gansserina gansseri, Contusotruncana contusa, Recimguembelina fructicosa, Pseudohastigerina hariaensis, Pseudohastigerina palpebra and Plummerita hantkenenoides zones (Maastrichtian); Praemurica incostans, Praemurica uncinata, Morozovella angulata and Praemurica carinata/Igorina albeari zones (Danian); Igorina albeari, Globanomanlina pseudomenradii/Parasubbotina variospira, Acarinina subsphaerica, Acarinina soldadoensis/Globanomanlina pseudomenardii and Morozovella velascoensis zones (Selandian/Thantian); and Acarinina sibaiyaensis, Pseudohastigerina wilcoxensis/Morozovella velascoensis zones (earliest Ypresian). Sedimentologically, four sedimentary facies belts forming southwest gently-dipping slope to basin transect have been detected. They include tidal flats, outer shelf, slumped continental slope and open marine hemipelagic facies. This transect can be subdivided into a stable basin plain plus outer shelf in the extreme southwestern parts; and an unstable slope shelf platform in the northeastern parts. The unstable slope shelf platform is characterized by open marine hemipelagic, fine-grained limestones and fine siliciclastic shales (Sudr, Dakhla, Tarawan and Esna formations). The northeastern parts are marked by little contents of planktonic foraminifera and dolomitized, slumped carbonates, intercalated with basinal facies. Tectonically, four remarkable syn-depositional tectonic events (SdTEs) controlled the evolution of the studied succession. These events took place strongly within the Campanian–Ypresian time interval and were still active till Late Eocene. These events took place at: the Santonian/Campanian (S/C) boundary; the Campanian/Maastrichtian (C/M) boundary; the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/P) boundary; and the Middle Paleocene–Early Eocene interval. These tectonic events are four pronounced phases in the tectonic history of the Syrian Arc System (SAS), the collision of the Afro-Arabian and Eurasian plates as well as the closure of the Tethys Sea.     

新疆库车坳陷中、新生界碳酸盐岩及其成因意义?

新疆库车坳陷古近系库姆格列木群为与广海连通不畅的半封闭局限海湾-蒸发潟湖环境沉积，它应是新特提斯洋向北的延伸部分，其中的碳酸盐岩主要为海相蒸发潮坪环境的潮上带膏云坪，潮间带生屑滩、砂屑滩、鲕滩和潮下带泥晶灰岩、泥岩、泥晶云岩等。白垩系巴什基奇克组底部的灰黑色泥灰岩为深湖环境的沉积，分布较局限，仅见于克拉201井；白垩系巴什基奇克组中部的浅灰色透镜状泥灰岩结核是典型干旱陆上暴露环境的产物，仅在库车河剖面见零星分布。侏罗系湖相碳酸盐岩主要分布在恰克马克组，其次是阳霞组和克孜勒努尔组，在卡普沙良河剖面的恰克马克组上部，可见到大量的叠层石灰岩，它们主要形成于能量较强的浅湖环境；深灰色泥晶灰岩常与灰黑色泥岩伴生，是深湖-半深湖环境产物。以上这些不同时期不同沉积环境的碳酸盐岩具有不同规律的微量元素和碳、氧同位素特征，它们对于研究库车坳陷的沉积环境变迁和盆地演化具有重要意义。个别样品地球化学数据的偏差不能代表对整体沉积环境的判别，所以碳酸盐岩沉积环境的判别需要结合共生岩石沉积构造、沉积组合序列、古生物和沉积地球化学等资料进行综合分析。     

Cenomanian–Turonian facies succession in the Guerrero–Morelos Basin, Southern Mexico

The Cenomanian–Turonian succession of southern Mexico is characterized by an abrupt change from shallow marine to pelagic facies. The drowning of the platform coincides with the widely documented Cenomanian–Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (CTOAE). A proper understanding of the drowning event and the effects of the OAE requires, as an essential first step, the construction of a detailed stratigraphic framework. This has been achieved and utilizes sedimentological data as well as a combination of benthic and planktonic biostratigraphic schemes.

Deposition of the Cenomanian–Turonian sedimentary rocks of the Guerrero–Morelos basin was controlled by tectonic and oceanographic factors resulting in depositional environments ranging from a semi-restricted shelf, ramp, pelagic and prodelta deposits. Facies analysis indicates that shallow marine limestones of the Morelos Formation (lower-upper Cenomanian) were deposited in intertidal–shallow supratidal and subtidal environments in a semi-restricted shelf. Peloidal-bioclastic packstone–wackestones with minor grainstones are the predominant texture of these rocks. Abundant large benthic foraminifers, calcareous algae (dasycladacean) and mollusks (gastropods and rudists) characterize the fossil assemblage.

The Cuautla Formation (uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian) represents sedimentation on a low-energy, wave-dominated, carbonate ramp. The inner ramp accumulated bioclastic banks and shoals composed of peloidal-benthic foraminifer-grainstone, calcareous red and green algae, rudists and minor solitary corals. The middle ramp is represented by nodular packstones with a diverse assemblage of echinoderms, green and red algae, bryozoan, rudists, solitary corals, roveacrinids, calcisphaerulids, and non-keeled planktonic foraminifers. The outer ramp is dominated by argillaceous wackestone–packstone characterized by calcisphaerulids, roveacrinids, and non-keeled planktonic foraminifers. An increase in terrigenous-clastic material towards the eastern part of the area indicates progradation of a deltaic system while the Mexcala Formation (uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian) was deposited in a pelagic setting.

The drowning of the platform is at the contact between the Morelos and Cuautla or Mexcala formations and is dated as latest Cenomanian. The drowning is a hiatus in most sections and it began before the end of the Cenomanian by a minimum of 150 ky if the top of the Morelos is not eroded.     

Nouvelles Données sur le Crétacé Supérieur de la Sardaigne Orientale

The stratigraphic distribution of the principal Upper Cretaceous facies in Sardinia ispresented, with special reference to the eastern part of the Island. Included are remarks on the mid-Cretaceous tectonic activity, which marks the base of the Upper Cretaceous depositional cycle. The presence of Upper Santonian and Lower Maastrichtian (the latter represented by marls with sparse turbidite interbeds) in the Lanaitto syncline (Oliena) is documented. Both contain outer-shelf assemblages rich in planktic Foraminifera. Recognition of rare detrital glaucophane in the Maastrichtian sandstones suggests a source area affected by high-pressure metamorphism, possibly corresponding to the southward extension of alpine Corsica.The Tertiary conglomerates exposed near Oliena include pebbles of facies (Campanienand Upper Maastrichtian rudistid limestones with larger Foraminifera) unknown in outcrop. A preliminary study of the rudists suggests a faunal exchange between different palaeobio-geographical provinces belonging, respectively, to the West European and Adriatic Plates.A palaeontological appendix contains remarks on some representatives of the family Heterohelicidae and on one species of Gunnarites found in the Lower Maastrichtian.     

Environmental isotopes in determining groundwater flow systems, northern part of Epirus, Greece

On the basis of the isotopic composition of water in the northern part of Epirus, Greece, from springs at different altitudes with well-defined recharge areas, the altitude effect on the δ¹⁸O value of groundwater is –0.142±0.003ö (100?m)^–1 and is uniform over the entire study area. Using the δ¹⁸O composition of surface water and groundwaters, the contribution of Ioannina Lake and the channel draining the lake water to the Kalamas River to the recharge of springs and boreholes was confirmed and quantitatively defined. In contrast, the Voidomatis and Vikos Rivers are not sources for recharge of the big springs along their banks. However, water from the Aoos River does replenish the aquifer in the unconsolidated deposits underlying the plain of Konitsa. In addition, limestones of Senonian–Late Eocene ages, dolomites, and limestones of the "Vigles" facies are hydraulically interconnected, and the limestones of the "Pantokrator" facies are hydraulically isolated from the other carbonate formations.     

From Cycles to Sequences:Sequence Stratigraphy and Relative Sea Level Change for the Late Cambrian of the North China Platform

In the Late Cambrian, the North China Platform was a typical carbonate ramp platform. The Upper Cambrian of the northern part of the North China Platform is famous for the development of bioherm limestones and storm calcirudites and can be divided from bottom to top into the Gushan, Changshan and Fengshan formations. In this set of strata, the deep-ramp mudstone and marls and the shallow-ramp packstones and grainstones constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of subtidal type. More tidal-flat dolomites axe developed in the Upper Cambrian of the southern margin of the North China platform, in which limestone and dolomite beds also constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of the peritidal type. These cycles are marked by a variety of litho-facies successions. There are regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles in long-term third-order sequences, which is the key to discerning such sequences. Third-order sequence is marked by a particular sedimentary-facies succession that is the result of the environment-changing process of deepening and shoaling, which is genetically related to third-order sea level changes. Furthermore, four third-order sequences can be grouped in the Upper Cambrian of the North China Platform. The main features of these four third-order sequences in the northern part of the platform can be summarized as follows: firstly, sequence-boundaries are characterized by drowning unconformities; secondly, the sedimentary-facies succession is generally constituted by one from deep-ramp facies to shallow-ramp facies; thirdly, a succession of “CS (?) HST” (i.e., “condensed section and highstand system”) forms these four third-order sequences. The chief features for the third-order sequences in the southern part of the North China Platform comprises: more dolomites are developed in the HSTs of third-order sequences and also developed more carbonate meter-scale cycles of peritidal types; the sedimentary-facies succession of the third-order sequences is marked by “shallow ramp-tidal flat”; the sequence boundaries are characterized by exposure punctuated surfaces. According to the changes for the third-order sequences from the north to the south, a regular sequence-stratigraphic framework can be established. From cycles to sequences, the study of sequence stratigraphy from litho-facies successions to sedimentary-facies successions exposes that as follows: meter-scale cycles that are used as the basic working unit actually are litho-facies successions formed by the mechanism of a punctuated aggradational cycle, and third-order sequences that are constituted by regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles are marked by sedimentary-facies successions. On the basis of the changing curve of water depth at each section, the curve of the relative third-order sea level changes in the late Cambrian of the North China Platform can be integrated qualitatively from changing curve of water depth. The correlation of Late Cambrian long-term sea level changes between North China and North America demonstrates that there are not only similarities but also differences, reflecting control of long-term sea level changes both by global eustacy and by regional factors.     

Acervulinid macroid and rhodolith facies in the Eocene Nummulitic Limestone of the Dauphinois Domain (Maritime Alps,Liguria, Italy)

The Eocene Nummulitic Limestone of the Dauphinois domain in the Argentina Valley (Maritime Alps, Liguria, Italy) is characterized by the local presence of carbonate ramp facies rich in acervulinid macroids, rhodoliths and larger foraminifera. The development of these particular facies is mainly controlled by palaeomorphology of the substratum, tectonics, type and amount of terrigenous supply and global sea level changes.

The Upper Cretaceous to Eocene succession outcropping in the Argentina Valley shows differences in facies and age if compared to the typical succession of the Maritime Alps:

• the Cretaceous substratum is younger (early Maastrichtian) and is followed by an unconformity that is interpreted as a submarine discontinuity surface;
• the first Eocene carbonate deposits are older (late Lutetian);
• the Nummulitic Limestone is characterized by the development of carbonate facies deposited in a deep infralittoral-circalittoral setting of a carbonate ramp, sheltered from terrigenous input; in these facies encrusting foraminifera (Solenomeris) replace calcareous red algae in nodules similar to rhodoliths (acervulinid macroids);
• the Nummulitic Limestone is thicker than usual, reaching 110–160 m of thickness.

The Eocene tectonostratigraphic evolution can be summarized as follow: (1) synsedimentary tectonic activity that causes the development of a carbonate ramp with an adjacent structural trough where ramp-derived bioclastic material is deposited (late Lutetian); (2) interruption of the tectonic activity and uniform deposition of deep circalittoral sediments, characterized by deepening upward trend (late Lutetian?); (3) regression indicated by an abrupt shallowing of the depositional setting (Bartonian); and (4) deepening of the depositional setting, ending with the drowning of the carbonate ramp (late Bartonian).The evolution of the Eocene Argentina Valley succession is strongly influenced by tectonics related to the Alpine foreland basin development, but locally, and during definite time intervals, the global sea level changes could be recorded by the sediments during periods of stasis in tectonic activity. The regressive events recognized in the studied succession could be related to the sea level fall reported in the global sea level curve during the Bartonian.     

Upper cretaceous biostratigraphy of the south-central Pyrenees (Lleida,Spain)

Abstract

Biostratigraphical data using larger foraminifera and planktonic foraminifera permitted us to establish the correlation between shallow platform sediments rich in larger foraminifera (Montsec and Serres Marginals thrust sheets) and deeper ones containing planktonic foraminifera (Boixols thrust sheet).

Consequently, the Santa Fe limestones containing Ovalveolina-Praealveolinaassemblage represent the Cenomanian. Early Turonian ( ‘IT~ archaeocretacea and P. helvetica zones) exist in both, Montsec and Boixols thrust sheets and it is constituted by Pithonella limestones. Late Turonian (M. schneegansi zone) is only present in Boixols thrust sheet (Reguard Fm.), the Montsec thrust sheet having an erosive hiatus.

Late Coniacian-Early Santonian (D. Concavata zone) is represented in the Montsec thrust sheet (Cova Limestones) and in the eastern part of the Boixols thrust sheet (St. Corneli Fm.) by two differents facies giving two different microfaunal assemblages; the firts one, characterized by Ophtalmidiidae s.l indicate a restricted lagoonal environment while the second one, characterized by diverses species of complex agglutinated, Fabulariidae, Meandropsinidae and Rotaliidae, represents an open shallow platform. In the Boixols thrust sheet (Anseroles Fm.) dominate the planktonic foraminifera and small benthic.

In the late Santonian (D. asyrnetrica zone) the sea reached as far as Serres Marginales thrust sheet where sediments (Tragó de Noguera unit) are terrigenous and deposited in a very shallow platform. In the Montsec thrust sheet (Montsec marls) the larger foraminifera indicate a platform deeper than that of the Serres Marginals thrust sheet. In the Boixols thrust sheet the sediments are deposited in an outer platform (Herbasavina Fm.) or turbiditic basin (Mascarell Mb.).

During Campanian times the transgresion reaches the maximum. In the Serres Marginals sediments are deposited in a restricted shallow environment rich in Meandropsinidae (Serres Limestones). In the Montsec thrust sheet they are deposited in a platform with patch reefs and shoals (Terradets limestones) and in the Boixols one in an outer platform, talus and/or basin.

During Early Maastrichtian times (C. falsostuarti zone) terrigenous materials arrived in the basin, the rate of sedimentation increased outstripping the subsidence rate and the retreat of the sea to the north. Late Maastrichtian (C. gansseri zone) is only present in the Boixols thrust sheet.     

Stratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous–Palaeogene sequences in the southern and eastern Menderes Massif (western Turkey)

The stratigraphy of the uppermost levels of the Menderes Massif is controversial and within its details lie vital constraints to the tectonic evolution of south-western Turkey. Our primary study was carried out in four reference areas along the southern and eastern Menderes Massif. These areas lie in the upper part of the Menderes metamorphic cover and have a clear stratigraphic relationship and contain datable fossils. The first one, in the Akbük-Milas area, is located south-east of Bafa Lake where the Milas, then KLzLla<aç and KazLklL formations are well exposed. There, the Milas formation grades upwards into the KLzLla<aç formation. The contact between the KLzLla<aç and the overlying KazLklL formation is not clearly seen but is interpreted as an unconformity. The Milas and KLzLla<aç formations are also found north of Mu<la, in the region of Yata<an and KavaklLdere. In these areas, the Milas formation consists of schists and conformably overlying platform-type, emery and rudist-bearing marbles. Rudists form the main palaeontological data from which a Santonian-Campanian age is indicated. The KLzLla<aç formation is characterized by reddish-greyish pelagic marbles with marly-pelitic interlayers and coarsening up debris flow deposits. Pelagic marbles within the formation contain planktonic foraminifera and nanoplankton of late Campanian to late Maastrichtian age. The KazLklL formation is of flysch type and includes carbonate blocks. Planktonic foraminifera of Middle Palaeocene age are present in carbonate lenses within the formation. In the Serinhisar-Tavas area, Mesozoic platform-type marbles (YLlanlL formation) belonging to the cover series of the Menderes Massif exhibit an imbricated internal structure. Two rudist levels can be distinguished in the uppermost part of the formation: the first indicates a middle-late Cenomanian age and the upper one is Santonian to Campanian in age. These marbles are unconformably covered by the Palaeocene-Early Eocene Zeybekölentepe formation with polygenetic breccias. In the Çal-Denizli area, the Menderes massif succession consists of cherty marbles and clastic rocks with metavolcanic lenses. The Lower-Middle Eocene zalvan formation lies unconformably on this sequence and is interpreted as equivalent to the marble horizons at Serinhisar but with pelagic facies. The zalvan formation consists of shale, mafic volcanic rock, lenses of limestone and blocks of recrystallized limestone. The zalvan formation is dated here for the first time by Early-Middle Eocene foraminifera and nanoplankton from the matrix of the formation. An angular unconformity exists between the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary sequences, suggesting that a phase of deformation affected the southern and eastern part of the Menderes Massif at this time. This deformation may be caused by initial obduction of the Lycian ophiolite onto the passive margin to the north of the Menderes carbonate platform during the latest Cretaceous. Drowning of the platform led to termination of carbonate deposition and deposition of deep water flysch-like clastic sediments.