The benthonic foraminifera across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Zin Valley, Negev, Israel

Chepstow-Lusty, Alexander John

Abstract

Closely spaced samples from two sections of the marly Taqiye Formation in the Zin Valley (southern Israel), Ein Mor (EM) and Hor HaHar (HH) containing the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary, have been analysed for benthonic foraminifera within the framework of nannofossil and planktonic foraminiferal zones.

In Israel there exists section below the defined K/T boundary, containing the 'Danian' planktonic foraminifer 'Globigerina'. eugubina, not known from other sections, and a Midway-type fauna was found to be present above and below the boundary.

After the boundary, a Velasco-type element occurs, which may indicate a slight increase in depth towards the outer shelf range.
Some Maastrichtian benthonic forms were found to survive into the Danian, which is a special feature of this region. The Midwayan fauna has many similarities with assemblages from Egypt, sharing some species only known from Egypt.

HH was thought to be the locus of continuous or nearly continuous deposition, while the EM section may have had a slight hiatus. The environment was probably partially isolated from the open Tethys by a series of mild submarine elevations.

Citation

Chepstow-Lusty, A. J. The benthonic foraminifera across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Zin Valley, Negev, Israel. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4214839

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 9, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Geology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4214839
• Additional Information: Department of Geology, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Sep 1, 1986