Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary Stratigraphy at Lord Howe Rise

Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 21 recovered sediment cores from Site 208 on the Lord Howe Rise in the Southwest Pacific. The dataset provides biostratigraphic, magnetostratigraphic, and geochemical data to constrain stratigraphy around the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary, with analyses from depths of 540-590 meters below seafloor.

Use Cases

• Correlate the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary using biostratigraphic data on calcareous nannofossils from sediment cores.
• Analyze the global δ13C pattern by examining carbonate carbon isotopic composition (δ13Ccarb) shifts across the boundary interval.
• Identify the bolide impact signal using osmium concentration and Os isotopic composition (187Os/188Os) data.
• Assess sediment continuity from the Maastrichtian to the Danian and Selandian using depth-specific stratigraphic data.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple data types: biostratigraphic, magnetostratigraphic, and geochemical.
• Provides depth-specific analysis for the critical boundary interval between 576.0-576.8 meters below seafloor.
• Data is linked to a peer-reviewed publication in GSA Bulletin (2021).

Limitations

• Sample data and specific row/column counts are unavailable for review.
• The study suggests the sedimentary record across the boundary may not be completely continuous.
• Osmium concentration in a key sample is noted as low (<80 pg g-1), potentially limiting signal clarity.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Data from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Leg 21, Site 208 cores, with new analyses conducted for the study.

Time Range

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) to Paleocene (Danian and Selandian).

Freshness

null

Geography

Lord Howe Rise, Southwest Pacific.