Lutetian magnetostratigraphic calibration of larger foraminifera zonation (SBZ) in the Southern Pyrenees: The Isuela section

In this paper, we present a chronostratigraphic calibration of the shallow benthic zones (SBZs) of larger foraminifera during Lutetian times based on new magnetostratigraphic data (Isuela section) and two new densely sampled biostratigraphic sections (Isuela and Gabardiella). These sections are located in the External Sierras (Southern Pyrenees) and represent an ideal location to avoid previous chronostratigraphic problems. 1) They belong to a shallow carbonate shelf environment with abundant larger foraminifera, which ensure the reliability of SBZ data. 2) The time span covers almost the entire Lutetian interval. 3) The profiles are sufficiently long to establish trustworthy local scales, both the SBZs (520 m and 760 m in Isuela and Gabardiella respectively) and the paleomagnetic local polarity sequence (LPS) (520 m). 4) The excellent outcropping conditions also permit a detailed paleomagnetic and biostratigraphic sampling to be performed.The LPS at the Isuela section was built after sampling every 2.6 m. In total, more than 359 samples were thermal (244) and alternating field (115) demagnetized. Characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) usually dropped at 560 °C. Only 43% the samples (359 demagnetizations) gave reliable directions (high quality) for the LPS. A further short section (Gas line) was also cored (38 samples in 90 m) to obtain more detailed data for the upper part of the section. At the Isuela section, the results allow three pairs of trustable magnetozones to be assembled within the Lutetian. A further 255 samples were taken for biostratigraphic purposes, 55 sites at the Isuela and 52 at the Gabardiella sections being determinant. This density enabled a thorough study of changes in fossil associations to be performed. Assuming a constant accumulation rate within the chron boundaries, absolute ages have been estimated for the biostratigraphic boundaries. Combining all these data allows the previous calibration of SBZ during Lutetian times in the geological time scale to be refined. In particular, with this new data, we identify the SBZ 13/SBZ 14 boundary at 44.46 Ma reaching C20r; a boundary interval spanning from SBZ 14 to SBZ 15 (41.36 and 42.45 Ma) is found within C20n and C19n; and, finally, the top of SBZ 15 can be accurately located at 41.12 Ma (C19r).

► New chronostratigraphic calibration of the SBZ for Lutetian at the Southern Pyrenees.
► Highly dense sampling of a continuous profile in shallow carbonate shelf environment.
► SBZ 13/14 boundary is now located at 44.46 Ma, reaching the chron C20r.
► The limit SBZ 14/15 has a boundary time span between 41.36 and 42.45 Ma.
► The new boundary SBZ 15/16 can be accurately located at 41.12 Ma (C19r).