An integrated multi-proxy study of cyclic pelagic deposits from the north-western Tethys: the Campanian of the Postalm section (Gosau Group, Austria)

Author(s)
E. Wolfgring, M. Wagreich, J. Hohenegger, K. Böhm, J. Dinarès Turell, S. Gier, B. Sames, C. Spötl, S.D. Jin
Abstract

The Upper Cretaceous Postalm section in the Northern Calcareous Alps (Austria) exposes pelagic deposits of the northwestern Tethys whose cyclostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments were examined in this study.

The section displays rhythmic deposits of Santonian to late Campanian age (Gosau Group). The Santonian/Campanian transition is characterised by condensed greyish carbonates, while the younger deposits are composed of reddish foraminiferal packstones displaying distinct limestone-marl alternations. A biostratigraphic framework based on planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils is supported by carbon and strontium isotope stratigraphy as well as magnetostratigraphy. The carbon isotope data allow to correlate the Postalm section to other Tethyan reference sites and to identify δ13C events, such as the Late Campanian Event. Spectral analyses of three independently assessed proxies (δ13C, Fe content and the thickness of limestone/marl couplets) in the upper, continuously exposed section part identified 17 to 18 405 ka cycles spanning the mid to upper Campanian (Contusotruncana plummerae to Gansserina gansseri Zones or CC21/UC15c to CC23a/UC16 nannofossil zones).

Organisation(s)
Department of Geology, Department of Palaeontology
External organisation(s)
Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Chengdu University of Technology, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Roma
Journal
Cretaceous Research
Volume
120
No. of pages
26
ISSN
0195-6671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104704
Publication date
04-2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105101 General geology, 105123 Stratigraphy, 105108 Geostatistics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Palaeontology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/3a3c19ef-76ad-4a5a-af8c-545afe560779