Tethyan-to-boreal correlation in the Kimmeridgian using high-resolution sequence stratigraphy (Vocontian Basin, Swiss Jura, Boulonnais, Dorset)

Abstract

Ammonite biostratigraphy plays a central role in the definition of Jurassic stratigraphy. Nevertheless, the strong provincialism of European ammonite species during the Kimmeridgian is a longstanding problem in correlation attempts between the boreal and Tethyan faunal realms. Moreover, the sequence-stratigraphic interpretations for northern and southern Europe given in the Jurassic chronostratigraphic chart of Hardenbol et al. in SEPM Publ. 60 (chart) (1998) are different. The present study aims to resolve this correlation problem in order to better understand the connections between the boreal and the Tethyan realms during the Kimmeridgian. A sedimentological and high-resolution sequence-stratigraphic interpretation is presented for two unpublished sections (Cras d'Hermont and Roche de Mars) in the northern Swiss Jura, where recently discovered ammonites display both boreal and Tethyan influences. Then, these sections are correlated with the same time interval in the central Swiss Jura and Vocontian Basin, which belong to the Tethyan realm. Lastly, a longdistance transect is constructed between the Vocontian Basin, Swiss Jura, northern France, and southern England, the last two areas being part of the sub-boreal realm. The main results of this work are that: (1) thirdorder depositional sequences, and also higher-frequency sequences, can be correlated from the Tethyan to the boreal realm; (2) the sequence-stratigraphic interpretation given by Hardenbol et al. in SEPM Publ 60 (chart) (1998) for northern Europe seems to be accurate and agrees with the sequence-stratigraphic framework established in the Swiss Jura; (3) the Late Kimmeridgian of the Swiss Jura displays boreal influences; (4) integrated high-resolution sequence-stratigraphic and cyclostratigraphic studies are a valuable approach for bridging the correlation gap between northern and southern Europe.

Astronomical time scale for the Middle Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian in the Swiss and French Jura Mountains

“…14). This may be at least partly due to problems with correlating ammonite zones between the Tethyan and the boreal realms (Colombié & Rameil 2007).…”

“…Except for the Quaternary where other dating methods give yearly, decadal, or centennial time resolutions, astronomical time scales offer the highest resolution available for the deep geologic past. If the sedimentary systems were sensitive enough to record orbitally induced climate changes, and if the general time frame is constrained by graphic and cyclostratigraphic studies have been undertaken in the last decade (e.g., Pittet 1996;Pittet & Strasser 1998a, b;Mouchet 1998;Dupraz 1999;Strasser et al 2000;Colombié 2002;Hug 2003;Jank 2004;Rameil 2005;Colombié & Strasser 2005;Jank et al 2006;Colombié & Rameil 2007). The present work is a synthesis based on 23 sections ( Fig.…”

The lost paleosols: Masked evidence for emergence and soil formation on the Kimmeridgian Jura platform (NW Switzerland)

“…A dinosaur track-bearing biolaminite interval underlying the lower nerineoid limestone has been correlated with the boreal Kim 4 sequence boundary of Hardenbol et al (1998) (Fig. 2; see Jank et al, 2006a,b;Colombié and Rameil, 2007).…”

“…The pronounced differences in facies development in the study area are explained by differential subsidence (Allenbach, 2001;Wetzel et al, 2003;Allenbach and Wetzel, 2006) ( Colombié and Strasser, 2003;Colombié and Rameil, 2007). The resultant variations in accommodation space explain the lateral variability of the NeNaS.…”

“…Orbitallycontrolled high-frequency and low-amplitude sea-level changes, a few metres in range, were superimposed on the general second-order transgressive trend of the Late Jurassic (e.g., Hardenbol et al, 1998;Hallam, 2001;Colombié, 2002;Colombié and Rameil, 2007). …”