Overview of the Montalbano Jonico area and section: a proposal for a boundary stratotype for the lower-middle Pleistocene, Southern Italy Foredeep

The Montalbano Jonico section could be suitable for defining the Lower/Middle Pleistocene boundary stratotype: the potential GSSP could be located close to the “small” Gephyrocapsa/P. lacunosa zonal boundary, near a biohorizon rich in Delectopecten vitreus, a muddy dark-grey sapropelitic layer rich in Chondrites ichsp. and in oxygen isotopic stage 25. Another potential location of the GSSP of Middle Pleistocene could be near the volcaniclastic horizon V4, close to the isotopic stage 19 boundary.