GSSP of the Santonian Stage
Accessibility of the Santonian GSSP at Olazaguita (Navarra, N. Spain):
The stratotype section is located in the Cantera de Margas quarry that belongs to the Cementos Portland Valderribas and is accessible by scientists only upon request to the owner. Therefore, scientists that are willing to visit and sample the GSSP section have to plan their visit in advance and obtain the permission to access the stratotype section through submission of an application form to the Cementos Portland Valderribas.
The application form can be downloaded here and must be sent to Ana Hernández Artigas (ana.hernandez@gcpv.com), reference person of the Cementos Portland Valderribas.
Definition
The GSSP for the base of the Santonian Stage is defined at 94.4 m in the eastern border of the “Cantera de Margas” quarry, Olazagutia (Navarra, N. Spain: 42º 52′ 05.3″ N, 2º 11′ 40″ W) and marked by the first occurrence of the inoceramid bivalve Platyceramus undulatoplicatus.
Location
The Olazagutia section is located in a working quarry to the south of Olazagutia, Navarra, Spain. Its geographical location is 42º 52′ 05.3″ N, 2º 11′ 40″ W; Lambert Coordinates 919, 722, 1:25000 topographic sheet no. 113-4 Olazagutia.
Sedimentology
The section along the disused eastern side of the Cantera de Margas quarry exposes ca. 160 m of marls and marly limestones and extends from the middle Coniacian to the middle Santonian. The lower, more marly part is referred to the La Barranca Member of the El Zadorra Formation; the higher part to the Olazagutia Formation.
Primary Marker
First occurrence of the inoceramid bivalve Platyceramus undulatoplicatus.
Secondary Markers
First occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer Sigalia carpatica, which is 7 m below the primary marker.
Correlation Events
Six peaks in the carbon stable isotope curve can be recognized between the Kingsdown Event 17.2 m below and the Bedwell Event 12.35 m above the GSSP.