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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.
Document Type
Article
Source
Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences; January 2023, Vol. 116 Issue: 1 p117-134, 18p
Subject
Language
ISSN
02517493; 20727151
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 circularisand Orbulina suturalisfor the Gaindorf Formation. The Laa Formation is indicated by the absence of Praeorbulina, Orbulinaand Globigerina falconensis, low numbers of Globorotalia bykovae, and a prominent peak in Helicosphaera ampliapertaabundance at the end of the Karpatian. Cibicidoides lopjanicusand Cassigerinellaspp. 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.