A potential global stratotype for the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian boundary (Lower Jurassic), Robin Hood's Bay, UK: ammonite faunas and isotope stratigraphy

Hesselbo, S; Meister, C; Grocke, DR

Journal article

A potential global stratotype for the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian boundary (Lower Jurassic), Robin Hood's Bay, UK: ammonite faunas and isotope stratigraphy

Abstract:: A coastal exposure at Wine Haven. Robin Hood's Bay (North Yorkshire, UK) fulfils the criteria for definition as the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Pliensbachian Stage (Lower Jurassic). This marine sequence was deposited during a long-term transgression and is relatively expanded stratigraphically. A rich fauna of ammonites above and below the boundary interval allows recognition of the Leptechioceras gr. meigeini, Paltechioceras aureolum and Paltechioceras tardecrescens horizons of latest Sinemurian age, and the Bifericeras donovani, and Apoderoceras gr. aculeatum horizons of earliest Pliensbachian age. A suitable level for the boundary is characterized by the faunal association of Bifericeras donovani Dommergues and Meister and Apoderoceras sp. Strontium-isotope stratigraphy, based on analysis of belemnites, yields a calcite 87Sr/86Sr ratio for the suggested boundary level of 0.707425 ± 0.000021 (combined uncertainties based on line fit to stratigraphic dataset (±0.000004) and measurement of the standard (=0.000017). Alternative uncertainties of ∼±0.000008 are associated with the most extreme interpretation of sedimentation-rate history allowed by the strontium-isotope data (that is, abrupt changes in sedimentation rate at precisely the boundary level): however, sedimentological considerations and measured strontium-isotope values at the boundary, support condensation rather than hiatus. Belemnite oxygen-isotope data suggest a significant temperature drop (∼5°C) across the boundary at this locality.

Publication status:: Published

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Hesselbo, S., Meister, C., & Grocke, D. R. (2000). A potential global stratotype for the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian boundary (Lower Jurassic), Robin Hood's Bay, UK: ammonite faunas and isotope stratigraphy. GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, 137(6), 601–607.

MLA Style

Hesselbo, S., et al. “A Potential Global Stratotype for the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian Boundary (Lower Jurassic), Robin Hood's Bay, UK: Ammonite Faunas and Isotope Stratigraphy.” GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, vol. 137, no. 6, 2000, pp. 601–07.

Chicago Style

Hesselbo, S, C Meister, and DR Grocke. 2000. “A Potential Global Stratotype for the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian Boundary (Lower Jurassic), Robin Hood's Bay, UK: Ammonite Faunas and Isotope Stratigraphy.” GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE 137 (6): 601–7.
Share
Print