Abstract
Paleocene radiolarian assemblages from siliceous metasedimentary xenoliths hosted in some historic lava flows ofLanzarote (Canary Islands) are analyzed. A thermal metamorphism transformed the radiolarians and they are now composed of cristobalite, calcite, quartz, or wollastonite 2M. In spite of the poor preservation, both Spumellaria and Nassellaria specimens have been identified. The radiolarian assemblages found can be correlated with the B. campechensis Zone of the late Paleocene. These radiolarian bearing rocks cover an important hiatus in the sedimentological record of the Northwest African Margin. The abundance of radiolarians during this time can be explained by upwelling. The location of Lanzarote on the oceanic slope of the Tarfaya-Aiun basin, and the topography created by submarine volcanism are two conditions that can lead to the existence of upwelling.
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