Carboniferous outcrops at La Herradura Creek, San Juan Province (Western Argentina), revisited: age of the transgressions

Abstract

At the outcrops of the Tupe Formation in the La Herradura Creek, San Juan Province, two transgressive events are recorded, which range from few meters to tens of meters in thickness. These strata correspond to the stratotype of the faunal Tivertonia jachalensis-Streptorhynchus inaequiornatus Biozone. An evaluation of the timing of the two marine transgressions is made on the basis of palynological assemblages and available radiometric ages. A short-lived transgression is recorded in the latest Bashkirian-early Moscovian, and then a substantial sea level fall took place forming an irregular incision surface. Later, a major high eustatic sea-level occurred during the middle Moscovian resulting in a more important marine ingression. The palynological assemblages associated to the older transgressive event indicate the presence of the Raistrickia densa- Convolutispora muriornata (DM) Biozone (Subzone B). Palynofloras referred to the Subzone C of the DM Biozone characterize the strata of the younger transgression that also bear marine fauna of the Tivertonia jachalensis-Streptorhynchus inaequiornatus Biozone. Correlations with other Pennsylvanian outcrops in the region give support to the stratigraphic scheme here proposed.