Jurassic micropaleontology of the Grand Banks

• Main Author: Gradstein, F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Jurassic; Micropaleontology; Foraminifera; Grand Banks; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/1484

Jurassic foraminifera in the marine deposits (up to 3km thick) of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland define eight biostratigraphic zones of Pliensbachian through Tithonian age. Jurassic marine deposition (~4cm/10k.y) kept pace with subsidence resulting in a relatively continuous, shallow marine sedimentation pattern. Central Grand Banks subsidence ceased in Late Jurassic time and the area became emergent with erosion taking place until Albian time. Grand Banks Jurassic foraminiferal assemblages are of a distinctly Old World affinity reflecting the contracted early Atlantic paleogeography. Compositional differences with Portuguese Middle-Late Jurassic microfauna are probably related to differences in depositional history of the Portuguese and Grand Banks Basin.