Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > Magnetostratigraphic correlation of the Oxfordi...

Associated organisational unit

View graph of relations

Magnetostratigraphic correlation of the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • Pietr A Przybylski
  • Jim Ogg
  • A Wierzbowski
  • Angela A Coe
  • Mark Hounslow
  • J.K. Wright
  • F Atrops
  • E Settles
Close
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>15/01/2009
<mark>Journal</mark>Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Issue number1-2
Volume289
Pages (from-to)256-272
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

A magnetic polarity pattern for Boreal and Sub-Boreal ammonite zones of the Upper Oxfordian to Lower Kimmeridgian was established and confirmed in four British sections, including the proposed Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) on the Isle of Skye (Scotland) to define the base of the international Kimmeridgian Stage. A coeval pattern for Sub-Mediterranean ammonite zones was compiled from seven sections in Poland, one German section and multi-section composites from France and Spain. The mean paleopole for the European Craton (excluding Spain) at the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary is 74.2°N, 181.3°E (Α95 = 3.8°). The common magnetic polarity scale enables inter-correlation of ammonite subzones among these three faunal provinces and to the marine magnetic-anomaly M-Sequence. The proposed GSSP at the base of the Pictonia baylei Zone is near the base of an extended interval dominated by reversed polarity, which is interpreted to be Chron M26r. This GSSP level projects to the lower to middle part of the Epipeltoceras bimammatum Subzone, which is the middle subzone of this E. bimammatum Zone in the Sub-Mediterranean standard zonation. In contrast, the traditional placement of the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary in that Sub-Mediterranean standard zonation (base of Sutneria platynota Zone) is at the base of Chron M25r, or nearly 1 million years younger.