Publication details
An endemic ichnoassemblage from a late Miocene paleolake in SE Iceland
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031018217302110 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.07.033 |
| Field | Geology and mineralogy |
| Keywords | Turbidite; Mermia ichnofacies; Thorichnus-Vatnaspor ichnoassemblage |
| Description | In Thórisdalur valley, a small relict of a sedimentary body was identified in southeastern Iceland. It probably represents a remnant of the deep, tectonically arranged paleolake (Late Miocene, 8–9 Ma), and filled by volcaniclastic material from nearby, active volcanic centers. In the profile of tuffitic sandstone, siltstone and claystone, the ripple-bedding layers, molds and flute casts indicate periodic mass flow episodes. In the sedimentary profile, the characteristic arrangement of sediments is evident, showing features of the Bouma sequences. In the claystone layers, deposited during episodes of lowest kinetic energy, a specific ichnoassemblage was found, represented by Thorichnus ramosus igen. et isp. nov., T. corniculatus igen. et isp. nov., Mammillichnis jakubi isp. nov., Helminthoidichnites multilaqueatus comb. nov., Vatnaspor jachymi igen. et isp. nov. and five preliminarily identified trace fossils. The assemblage belongs to Mermia ichnofacies, the nonmarine representative of an ichnofacies, developed in a turbiditic environment; most of identified trace fossils are so far endemic. |