Abstract

Cutting samples from two exploration wells, Cleo-1 and Kim-1, in the Central Trough area in the northwestern part of the Danish North Sea, have been investigated for foraminiferal content in the section above the prominent mid-Miocene event. Benthonic foraminifera have been used to produce a stratigraphic subdivision by reference to the standard NSB zonation of King. The NSB 12 to NSB 17 zones (Middle Miocene to Middle Pleistocene) have been identified above the event. These zones can be related to the paleo water depth zonation. Paleoenvironrnental reconstruction shows that sediments from the subject interval from Cleo-1 were deposited in a shallower situation than equivalent deposits in Kim-1. A conspicuous hiatus is identified in Cleo-1 at the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary.

Highlights

  • The following is an extended abstract of an ongoing research project on the foraminiferal faunas of the interval above the mid-Miocene event in the Danish sector, North Sea

  • The Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary is placed in accordance with Thompson et al (1992), which is equivalent to the base of NSB 15b subzone (King, 1989, fig. 9.7)

  • The sediments are of Miocene, Pliocene and Early to Middle Pleistocene age

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Summary

Introduction

The following is an extended abstract of an ongoing research project on the foraminiferal faunas of the interval above the mid-Miocene event in the Danish sector, North Sea. The faunas are dominated by Elphidium excavatum and Monspeliensina pseudotepida, and other species include Cassidulina laevigata, Nonion affine (Reuss) and Buccella spp. The interval is characterized by the occurrence of Bolboforma clodiusi von Daniels and Spiegler and abundant planktonic specimens This faunal assemblage indicates an open marine, outer shelf environment. A NSB 16b subzone fauna is recognized in the samples from 1440' to 2280' It is indicated by the first occurrence of Elphidiella hannai and is dominated by Elphidium excavatum. Other species include Elphidium excavatum, Monspeliensina pseudotepida, Cassidulina teretis, C. laevigata, C. carinata, Bulimina aculeata, Nonion affine, Globocassidulina subglobosa, Trifarina fluens and planktonic species. The planktonic foraminifera are common and the diversity is generally high This fauna indicates an open marine, middle to outer shelf environment. At both sites the faunas indicate a cold environment, but in Cleo-1 they are impoverished showing a more extreme environment perhaps due to proximity to the coast

Conclusion
Findings
PLIOCENE

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