Sedimentology and depositional sequences of a Kimmeridgian carbonate ramp system, Lower Saxony Basin, Northern Germany

authored by

Fanfan Zuo, Ulrich Heimhofer, Stefan Huck, Friedrich Wilhelm Luppold, Oliver Wings, Jochen Erbacher

Abstract

Shallow-marine Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) deposits in the Lower Saxony Basin (LSB) composed of alternating limestone, marl and claystone attract great palaeontological interest due to their rich invertebrate and vertebrate assemblages. Unfortunately, the absence of open-marine marker fossils and numerous sedimentary gaps in combination with lateral facies changes hamper the precise stratigraphic correlation of these strata on both a local and global scale. Here, an integrated approach combining carbonate microfacies analysis, ostracod biostratigraphy and high-resolution sequence stratigraphy is applied to two Kimmeridgian sections (Langenberg and Bisperode, 60 km apart) in the southeastern LSB. High-resolution carbonate microfacies analysis enables the definition of 19 microfacies types and seven microfacies associations, which can be arranged into facies belts along a carbonate ramp. Vertical microfacies, bed thickness and diagnostic surfaces define stacking patterns that are interpreted as small-, medium- and large-scale sequences. The ostracod biostratigraphic framework established in this study provides the required stratigraphic control. Correlation of the two studied sections reveals a more proximal setting for Bisperode than Langenberg and an overall shallowing-up trend from mid-ramp to proximal inner ramp developed in both sections. Furthermore, the majority of the medium-scale sequence boundaries defined in this study can be found in similar biostratigraphic positions in other European basins. Synsedimentary tectonics combined with high sediment accumulation rates can be identified as important controlling factors for the distribution and composition of the Kimmeridgian deposits in the LSB based on detailed correlation on both a regional and super-regional scale.

Organisation(s)

Leibniz Research Centre FZ:GEO
Institute of Geology
Geology Section
Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palynology

External Organisation(s)

State Museum of Lower Saxony Hannover
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)

Type

Article

Journal

FACIES

Volume

64

ISSN

0172-9179

Publication date

01.01.2018

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geology, Stratigraphy, Palaeontology

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 14 - Life Below Water

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-017-0513-0 (Access: Closed)