Absence of regional stratigraphic hiatus in the late Carboniferous (Asturian - Stephanian) in the northern Variscan foreland: a review of the bio- and lithostratigraphical evidence in central england

Abstract

An extensive regional stratigraphic hiatus has been proposed in the Asturian to Stephanian foreland basin successions lying to the north of the main Variscan deformation belt, stretching from north west Europe to eastern North America. The hiatus is inferred on megafloral grounds and involves the absence of most if not all of Stephanian Substages B and C. If present it would have great significance for the understanding of regional basin dynamics in the later stages of the Variscan orogeny. However, its existence has been strongly contested. One of the keys to this hypothesis is the correct identification and interpretation of plant fossils from the Warwickshire Coalfield (Central England). The published identifications are here shown to be incorrect, and revised determinations taken in conjunction with other stratigraphic data from Central England suggest that a regional hiatus is not present in the early-mid Stephanian, and that any stratigraphic hiatuses at other horizons in the succession are of purely local extent. A review of known occurrences of the Asturian and Stephanian successions in basins stretching from eastern Canada to Germany suggests that, while facies developments may be similar, there is little uniformity in stratigraphic style and little evidence for a major Stephanian hiatus.