Fossil Assemblages From Vening Meinesz Seamounts Spanning Cretaceous To Holocene

Eight dredge hauls from seamounts south of Christmas Island contain calcareous nannofossils, foraminiferids, and macrofossils ranging from Late Cretaceous to Holocene age. The Australian Ocean Data Network hosts this collection of geological samples, which includes mixtures suggestive of debris flows and lithologies of various ages. Data was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct paleobathymetry and depositional environments using age-specific fossil assemblages like Late Cretaceous rudists and Inoceramus.
• Analyze volcanic history by correlating fresh volcanic content in samples with geological periods such as the Albian or Eocene.
• Model seamount subsidence by tracking shifts in fossil assemblages from shallow-water (Late Cretaceous) to bathyal depths (Neogene).
• Study paleoclimate and latitudinal shift through Eocene subtropical/tropical indicators like large neritic benthic foraminiferids.
• Investigate sediment transport processes by examining sample mixtures and debris flows containing reworked Paleocene nannofloras.

Strengths

• Samples span eight distinct dredge hauls from multiple seamounts.
• Fossil assemblages cover a wide temporal range from Late Cretaceous to Holocene.
• Includes multiple fossil groups: calcareous nannofossils, foraminiferids, and macrofossils.

Limitations

• Sample size is limited to eight dredge hauls.
• Specific row counts, column details, and quantitative measurements are unavailable.
• Primary data formats are PDF and HTML, not structured data tables.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Samples collected from eight dredge hauls during BMR cruise 107.

Time Range

Late Cretaceous to Holocene.

Freshness

Updated in April 2026.

Geography

Vening Meinesz seamounts chain, south of Christmas Island, northeastern Indian Ocean.