The upper Coniacian to upper Santonian drowned Arabian carbonate platform, the Mardin-Mazidag area, SE Turkey: Sedimentological, stratigraphic, and ichthyofaunal records

• Published in: Cretaceous Research
• Main Authors: Yılmaz, İsmail Ömer, Cook, Todd D., Hosgor, Izzet, Wagreich, Michael, Rebman, Katherine, Murray, Alison M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Elasmobranch teeth; SE Turkey; Drowned Arabian carbonate platform; Late Coniacian - Late Santonian; Planktonic foraminifera
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11511/42077; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2017.09.012

A measured stratigraphic section including the upper Coniacian - upper Santonian interval in the Mardin-Mazidag area in Southeastern Turkey lies on the Arabian Platform and documents the drowning of the Arabian platform. The studied succession transgressively overlies the exposed carbonate platform and exhibits a relatively condensed sequence characterized by presence of fish remains, phosphate nodules, oncoids, phosphatic fragments, glauconites and planktonic foraminifera. Calcareous nanno-fossils attest a late Coniacian to late Santonian age (zones UC11 - UC12). Numerous elasmobranch teeth are also present in this pelagic fades, representing mackerel sharks (Squalicorax, Pseudocorax and Scapanorhynchus) and a ray (Ctenopristis). The presence of pelagic facies and phosphate deposits on the drowned platform may indicate a sudden rise of sea level and increase of nutrient due to upwelling currents. The collapse parts of the Arabian carbonate platform occurred earlier than previously reported, starting from late Coniacian-Santonian onwards.