The Lower - Middle Miocene transition (Karpatian – Badenian) in the Krems Embayment (Central Paratethys, Lower Austria): a multistrati- graphic approach and the role of the Diendorf-Boskovice Fault System

Author(s)
Holger Gebhardt, Bettina Schenk, Annekatrin Enge, Stjepan Coric, Eva-Maria Ranftl, Petra Heinz
Abstract

The Krems Embayment contains the westernmost fully marine depositional environments of the Karpatian and Bade-nian transgressions in the Central Paratethys. Four drill cores were investigated to analyse the bio- and lithostratigraphic, and tectonic relations. The investigated core sections cover the Karpatian Laa Formation (bio-zones M4, NN4) and the Badenian Gaindorf Formation (M5b-M6, NN4-NN5). Important biostratigraphic indicators identified are Praeorbulina glomerosa glomerosa, Praeorbulina glomerosa circularis and Orbulina suturalis for the Gaindorf Formation. The Laa Formation is indicated by the absence of Praeorbulina, Orbulina and Globigerina falconensis, low numbers of Globorotalia bykovae, and a prominent peak in Helicosphaera ampliaperta abundance at the end of the Karpatian. Cibicidoides lopjanicus and Cassigerinella spp. occur with high percentages in Badenian samples and show much longer stratigraphic ranges than known from literature data. The depositional gap at the Karpatian-Badenian boundary has a minimum duration of 0.41 My in the Krems Embayment. The combination of bio- and lithostratigraphic data allows the correlation across major faults. The Diendorf-Boskovice Fault System played an important role during basin formation and was identified as very active during the early to middle Badenian Stage. The results of this study show the complex interaction of sedimentation, tectonic activity and paleobiological developments in this peripheral part of a marginal sea.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology, Dean's office of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, Department of Geology
External organisation(s)
GeoSphere Austria
Journal
Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences
Volume
116
Pages
117-134
No. of pages
18
ISSN
0251-7493
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17738/ajes.2023.0006
Publication date
2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Geology, Palaeontology, Stratigraphy
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/7893076c-dbde-4f33-b644-aafdb2daf52a