Integrated middle–upper Homerian (Silurian) stratigraphy of the Viduklė-61 well, Lithuania

Abstract

Integrated lithostratigraphical, cyclostratigraphical, graptolite and conodont biostratigraphical and chemostratigraphical (δ¹³C) data are presented from the upper Jaagarahu, Gėluva and Dubysa regional stages, including the lundgreni Event (middle Homerian) in the Viduklė-61 well, Lithuania. The Viduklė-61 well is located in the west of Lithuania in the deep-water facies zone. Because of its completeness, this section is the “keystone” for middle–upper Homerian stratigraphy that allows us to combine different kinds of data into a coherent picture of large-scale biotic and environmental turnover. Three formations are distinguished: the upper part of the Riga Formation, with the Ančia Member in the uppermost part, the Siesartis Formation and the lower part of Dubysa Formation. The Grötlingbo bentonite is in the upper part of Ančia Member. In the Gėluva regional stage, two 4th-order and six 5th-order cycles have been distinguished. In the studied interval of the Viduklė-61 core, the following graptolite biozones were recognized: lundgreni (upper part), parvus, nassa, praedeubeli, deubeli, ludensis and nilssoni (lower part). Conodonts enabled recognition of the bohemica longa Biozone. A single find of Ctenognathodus murchisoni Pander in the nassa graptolite interzone indicates an earlier than previously thought origin of this species.

Keywords::

• integrated stratigraphy
• Mulde Event
• Homerian
• Gėluva regional stage
• Viduklė-61 well
• Lithuania

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Science Council of Lithuania MIP-034/2012, and is a contribution to IGCP 591. The authors would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for considerably improving this text.