The Suvlu-Kaya section (Crimea) is historically considered as a reference section for the European mid-latitude Thanetian and Ypresian. The Ypresian (calcareous nannofossil Zones NP10 to NP13) comprises mid-neritic clays and marls, overlain by inner neritic limestones. This integrated multidisciplinary study, including dinoflagellate cysts (first record and full illustration), calcareous nannofossils, foraminifera, depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy, reinforces its status as a reference section. The calcareous nannofossil subdivision of NP11 and NP12 and the planktonic foraminiferal Subbotina influx, originally defined in the North Sea Basin, are recognized at Suvlu-Kaya. The biostratigraphic synthesis presented here enables detailed correlations with the Aktulagay section in Western Kazakhstan and the North Sea Basin. The strong biostratigraphic correspondence between these areas confirms previous suggestions of a direct marine connection between the Peri-Tethys and the North Sea Basin, at least during the early and middle Ypresian (interval from mid Biochron NP10 to late Biochron NP12). If this direct connection was maintained during the late Ypresian is difficult to evaluate on the basis of the currently available data. |
