International Geological Journal - Official Journal of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association

PROCESSES CONTROLLING EOCENE MID-LATITUDE LARGER FORAMINIFERA ACCUMULATIONS: MODELLING OF THE STRATIGRAPHIC ARCHITECTURE OF A FORE-ARC BASIN (PODHALE BASIN, POLAND)

Published: Dec 1999

Pages: 435 - 448

Authors: JAN BARTHOLDY, SPYRIDON M. BELLAS, VLASTA COSOVIC, VLASTA PREMEC FUCEK, HELMUT KEUPP

Abstract: A model for the stratigraphic architecture of the Eocene strata of the Podhale Basin has been developed (Poland, Western Carpathians). Generally, the sedimentation of the basin was controlled by eustatic sea-level changes, and fore-arc spreading in a convergent regime related to the infratatric subduction. During the studied stratigraphic interval the former factor dominated the tectonics. Sedimentation took place during three distinct intervals (composite sequences), which are correlated with the Upper Lutetian/Lower Bartonian, the Middle/Upper Bartonian and the Lower/Upper Priabonian stages. The first two were studied in detail, the third was evaluated on the basis of published data. In the first composite sequence a TST was developed, in the second composite sequence we could distinguish LST, TST, HST and SMST’s. Surprisingly, a mass-occurrence of heterosteginids occurred during temperate conditions and higher trophic levels in the SMST. In contrast, a lower trophic level and warmer conditions are indicated in the third composite sequence by Nummulites fabianii. Our sequence-stratigraphic data correlate well with the corresponding implications from a recently published composite oxygen isotope record for the Cenozoic.

Keywords: Eocene, Central Western Carpathians, Podhale Basin, fore-arc basin, sequence stratigraphy, glacioeustatic sea-level changes, mid-latitude carbonates, larger foraminifera

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