Definition of a global boundary stratotype section and point for the Campanian/ Maastrichtian boundary

Journal article

The Maastrichtian Working Group of the Subcommission of Cretaceous Stratigraphy looked for a section which could contain the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point in the Campanian/ Maastrichtian transition. Over the last three years new data have been collected from a section situated in the Tethyan Realm, but connected with the Temperate Realm. During the meeting in Brussels, the working group considered the markers which could be used for the localisation of this boundary. Various sections in which this boundary is well exposed, were compared. The characteristics of these sections were discussed in respect of the requirements recommended by the Commission on Stratigraphy for the Boundary stratotype point. As a result, the Campanian/ Maastrichtian boundary will be proposed at a precise point in the disused quarry at Tercis (Landes, France) at the immediate proximity of the level where the oldest Pachydiscus neubergicus (von HAUER, 1858) has been found. At this site, that level has been directly related with the appearance or disappearance of taxa of different groups, including a very diverse and rich echinoid fauna, various inoceramids, ammonites of which the replacement allows a zonation. Furthermore, the sediments contain sufficient material which permits the fundamental characterisation by benthic and planktonic foraminifera, dinocysts and pollens and calcareous nannofossils. Other faunal groups are also present, such as the brachiopods, crinoids, asteroids, ophiuroids which can be used as biostratigraphical tools amongst others for the necessary connection between the historical stratotypes and the succession at Tercis. Also for the characterisation and correlation, lithostratigraphical, chemostratigraphical and magnetostratigraphical tools are also being studied in detail. The strata of the Tercis quarry are already well studied, but their richness means that one can envisage other important developments in the future.

Authors: Odin, G; Hancock, J; Antonescu, E; Bonnemaison, M; Caron, M

• Journal: Bulletin de l'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belqique, Sciences de la Terre
• Volume: 66
• Issue: SUPPL.
• Pages: 111-117
• Publication date: 1996-01-01
• ISSN: 0374-6291
• Language: English
• Keywords: Upper Cretaceous; GSSP proposal; Foraminifera; Biostratigraphy; Maastrichtian; Coccoliths; Belemnites; Ammonites; Stratotypes