Paleogene continental Palynomorphs of the formations Chorrillo Chico and Agua Fresca, Punta Prat, Magallanes, Chile

Abstract

The Paleogene section of Punta Prat, Chile is located at 53°10’S-71°20’W in southern Magallanes-Austral Basin, includes Chorrillo Chico and Agua Fresca Formations. Both units contain a palynological assemblage composed of marine and continental palynomorphs indicative of a marine depositional environment with

terrigenous input. The continental taxa found in the studied formations reflect a forest developed under a humid warm to temperate climate, dominated by Podocarpaceae, Proteaceae and Nothofagaceae accompanied by abundant ferns belonging to the Schizaeaceae, Polypodiaceae and Dicksoniaceae families. The relationship of marine/continental palynomorphs indicates a marine transgression from the Paleocene to the Middle Eocene. This transgression caused the decline of wetlands towards the top of the column, as shown by the low rate of swamp inhabiting palynomorphs in the upper levels of the Agua Fresca Formation.