Magnetostratigraphy of the Maastrichtian continental record in the Upper Aude Valley (northern Pyrenees, France): Placing age constraints on the succession of dinosaur-bearing sites. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fondevilla, Víctor; Dinarès-Turell, Jaume; Vila, Bernat; Le Loeuff, Jean; Estrada, Rita; Oms, Oriol; Galobart, Àngel
• Is Part Of: Cretaceous research. Volume 57(2016)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 472
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Dinosaurs -- Magnetostratigraphy -- Maastrichtian -- Bellevue -- Pyrenees -- France; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Cretaceous -- Periodicals; 551.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2015.08.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6671

Abstract

Abstract: The first detailed stratigraphic succession of the Upper Cretaceous continental record from the Upper Aude Valley (southern France) is presented together with a magnetostratigraphic study. The combined stratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy of the Marnes rouges inférieures Fm (Lower Red Marls), constrained by biochronological markers such as charophyte occurrence and revised dinosaur eggshells, results in a succession of fluvial red beds dated from chron C32n to the top of chron C31r. It implies an earliest Maastrichtian age close to the C32n.1n-C31r reversal for the majority of the dinosaur sites including Bellevue. In contrast, the upper Maastrichtian is likely represented by a short interval within the lacustrine-palustrine Calcaires et argiles de Vignevieille Fm (Vignevieille Limestones), or it might even not be recorded. The proposed age indicates that the marine to continental transition, as a result of the Late Cretaceous transgression, took place earlier in the north Pyrenean basin than in the southern area. Highlights: A magnetostratigraphic study is performed in the Aude area (southern France). The continental upper Maastrichtian is very reduced or absent in the Aude area. A marine regression took place earlier in the northern Pyrenees than in the south. A characteristic dinosaur fauna is found in the lower Maastrichtian of SW Europe.