Grain size of Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediments from Chicxulub to the open ocean: Implications for interpretation of the mass extinction event

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2010 Grain size of Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediments from Chicxulub to the open ocean: Implications for interpretation of the mass extinction event Timothy Bralower; Timothy Bralower 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Laurie Eccles; Laurie Eccles 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Justin Kutz; Justin Kutz 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thomas Yancey; Thomas Yancey 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jon Schueth; Jon Schueth 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael Arthur; Michael Arthur 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David Bice David Bice 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Timothy Bralower 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Laurie Eccles 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Justin Kutz 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Thomas Yancey 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Jon Schueth 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Michael Arthur 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA David Bice 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 08 Jul 2009 Revision Received: 24 Sep 2009 Accepted: 26 Sep 2009 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2010 Geological Society of America Geology (2010) 38 (3): 199–202. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30513.1 Article history Received: 08 Jul 2009 Revision Received: 24 Sep 2009 Accepted: 26 Sep 2009 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Timothy Bralower, Laurie Eccles, Justin Kutz, Thomas Yancey, Jon Schueth, Michael Arthur, David Bice; Grain size of Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediments from Chicxulub to the open ocean: Implications for interpretation of the mass extinction event. Geology 2010;; 38 (3): 199–202. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30513.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The relationship between the Chicxulub impact event and the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary mass extinction has been repeatedly questioned. Specifically, Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera occurring in high-energy sediments in the Gulf of Mexico related to the impact have been used to argue that the impact preceded the mass extinction. Here we address this dispute by comparing grain size data from two Gulf of Mexico sections and a distal, pelagic sequence. Significantly larger grain sizes, combined with evidence for size sorting in the proximal sections, suggest that fossils in boundary deposits are redeposited and cannot be used to assign ages. Thus the grain size data support other evidence that indicates that high-energy deposits from around the Gulf of Mexico correlate stratigraphically with the Chicxulub impact and the K-Pg mass extinction. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.