Late Permian (Zechstein) magnetostratigraphy in Western and Central Europe

Abstract

Abstract Owing to the lack of fossils, the subdivision and correlation of the dominantly continental Permian (Rotliegend and Zechstein groups) and the overlying epicontinental Germanic Triassic (Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper groups) from Western and Central Europe, traditionally, relies on lithological criteria. From the combination of magnetic polarity records from The Netherlands, Germany and Poland, a well-documented magnetostratigraphical composite for the Zechstein–lowermost Buntsandstein has been constructed. This interval is dominantly of normal polarity with few reversed magnetozones, allowing a reliable correlation throughout the intracontinental Central European Basin. Moreover, together with available biostratigraphical data, this integrated stratigraphical approach facilitates detailed links to the marine realm. The basal Zechstein is most probably equivalent to the uppermost lower–upper Wuchiapingian. The overlying upper Zechstein and the lowermost Buntsandstein are equivalent to the entire Changhsingian. Present bio- and magnetostratigraphical data indicate a possible duration of the Zechstein of only 2.8–3.5 Myr. A distinct climatic change accompanied by a major shift in sediment sources and a palynofloral turnover constitute important proxies for the terrestrial extinction event within the Central European Basin. A transition from a short reversed to a longer normal magnetozone within the uppermost Zechstein, which predates both the end-Permian ecological crisis and the conodont-calibrated biostratigraphical Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB), represents a prime time-marker for global correlation. Above this reverse to normal (R/N) reversal, the continental PTB is located within the lowermost Buntsandstein. The integration of magnetostratigraphy with other stratigraphical data is a prerequisite to establishing causal links between Late Permian climatic events in the sea and on land.