Redefinition of the Osagean-Meramecian boundary in the Mississippian stratotype region

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Palaois; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3514835· OSTI ID:5504633

Kammer, T W ^[1]; Brenckle, P L ^[2]; Carter, J L ^[3]; Ausich, W I ^[4]

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1. West Virginia Univ., Morgantown (USA)
2. Amoco Production Co., Tulsa, OK (USA)
3. Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
4. Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA)

Analysis of fossil occurrences in late Osagean-early Meramecian stratotype beds of the upper Mississippi River Valley shows that major faunal changes occur within the Warsaw Formation, not at the underlying Keokuk-Warsaw formational contact where the Osagean-Meramecian serial boundary is presently placed. Relying on this evidence, the authors propose raising this boundary to the base of the informal upper Warsaw member described herein. The boundary is recognized by the first occurrence of the brachiopods Warsawia lateralis, Planalvus densa, Crossacanthia perlamellosa, Setigerites altonensis, and Tetracamera subcuneata, the blastoid Pentremites conoideus, and the calcareous foraminifer Globoendothyra baileyi. Use of these fossil appearances provides a more rigorous definition of the serial boundary and permits correlation beyond the Mississippi River Valley. Foraminifers suggest that the boundary falls within the middle Visean of western Europe. The stratotype section for the proposed boundary is located near the type locality of the Meramecian Series at Meramec Highlands, St. Louis County, Missouri. The lithostratigraphy of the late Osagean and early Meramecian is reviewed in key areas within the Mississippi River Valley and a new member, the Peerless Park, is proposed for a shoaling unit within the middle of the Keokuk Limestone.

• OSTI ID: 5504633
• Journal Information: Palaois; (United States), Journal Name: Palaois; (United States) Vol. 5:5; ISSN PALAE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
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DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FEDERAL REGION VII
FORAMINIFERA
FOSSILS
GEOLOGIC AGES
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