Annual Report 2009 of the Paleocene Working Group

During 2009 in May several of the members of the PWG participated in a major film project, directed by Alberto J. Gorritiberea and Asier Hilario, about the Zumaia section, including coverage of the two GSSPs in the section. Early in 2009 we were reached by the decision that the ICS had approved and ratified the suggested GSSPs for the D-S and S-T boundaries. During the year work has focussed on finalizing the final document on the GSSPs for publication in Episodes. This is planned to be submitted in time prior to a formal inauguration procedure in Spring 2010.

Report by Birger Schmitz
Chairman of the Paleocene Working Group

Annual Report 2008 of the Paleocene Working Group

During 2008 the final report of the PWG on the selection of GSSP's for the Danian-Selandian and Selandian-Thanetian boundaries was written by the members of the WG. The report laid the basis for a vote on the suggested GSSP's by the Voting Members of the International Subcommission on Paleogene Stratigraphy. The suggested GSSP's were unanimously approved by the Voting Members, and the issue was forwarded to ICS for another vote and finaly was ratified by IUGS in September 23, 2008.

Report by Birger Schmitz
Chairman of the Paleocene Working Group

Annual Report 2007 of the Paleocene Working Group

The Paleocene Working Group was commissioned by the International Subcommission on Paleogene Stratigraphy in 1993 to define Global Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSP’s) for the bases of the Selandian and Thanetian stages. After 14 years of research the time was ripe to conclude the activities, and a meeting was held in Zumaia, Spain, from June 19 to 20, 2007, to discuss the stage GSSPs and to decide whether it is possible to reach a decision on the Paleocene stages. The meeting was attended by 23 scientists, including a majority of the scientists that participated in the founding meeting in 1993 in Göteborg, Sweden (Schmitz, 1994). In addition participated an important group of younger researchers having taken up this research path later. After constructive discussions during two days the attending scientists held a vote that gave the unanimous result that the GSSP’s for the Paleocene stages shall be placed in the Zumaia section in Spain. The Danian/Selandian boundary will be placed at the base of the Itzurun Formation in the Zumaia section at San Telmo Beach. The Selandian/Thanetian will be placed at the base of magnetochron 26n in the same section. A detailed voting document for the International Subcommission on Paleogene Stratigraphy is being prepared by Schmitz et al.

Report by Birger Schmitz
Chairman of the Paleocene Working Group

Annual Report 2006 of the Paleocene Working Group

During 2006 focus has been on trying to improve the correlations in the Danian-Selandian interval between the Qreiya section in Egypt and the Zumaia section in Spain. These two sections are main candidates for the Danian-Selandian and Selandian-Thanetian boundary GSSP's. A meeting of the Paleocene Working Group was held in Bilbao on June 15 in connection with the meeting Climate and Biota of the Early Paleogene 2006. The correlation between Zumaia and the North Sea region appears to be resolved, with the transition of the limestone to clay/marl facies in both regions occurring close to the NP4/NP5 boundary. However, discussions in Bilbao revealed that there are problems with the correlation between Zumaia and Qreiya. An interval in the Qreiya section characterized by laminated, organic-rich black clays, and traceable throughout Egypt and Israel, has been considered to correspond to the level with the limestone-marl shift in Zumaia. The correlation was initially established based on the FAD of Morozovella crosswixensis in the two sections. However, new data on the nannofossils of the Qreiya section by O.M. Rodriguez and M.P. Aubry show that the vertical distance between the FAD of M. crosswixensis and the NP4/NP5 boundary differs substantially between the sections, tentatively suggesting the existence of an unconformity in the Zumaia section. The discussions in Bilbao revealed that there is a problem in the correlation between Spain and Egypt. Later findings by I. Arenillas indicate that the FAD of M. crosswixensis may actually occur ca. 10 m below the limestone-marl shift in Zumaia and not at the shift as believed so far. This means that there presently are two options for the placement of the Danian-Selandian boundary, either at a level in the middle of NP4, corresponding to the organic-rich interval in Egypt, or at a level close to the NP4/NP5 boundary, where the major shift from limestone to marl facies occurs at Zumaia, and possibly also in the North Sea. During the fall of 2006 samples from the Qreiya and Zumaya sections will be distributed to several biostratigraphers and earlier correlations will be reassessed.

Report by Birger Schmitz
Chairman of the Paleocene Working Group


Annual Report 2005 of the Paleocene Working Group

During the last year detailed studies of the Qreiya section in Egypt have complemented the earlier studies of many sections in the North Sea, Spain, Israel, Italy, Egypt and Tunisia. The Qreiya section is one of the most interesting sections across the lower Paleocene and is studied for nannofossils, stable isotopes, and benthic and planktic foraminifera.
The work of the Paleocene WG has now reached its final phase and documents are being prepared for a decision to be taken at the international meeting in Bilbao in June 2006. Preparations are being made to propose the Zumaya section for the GSSP of the Danian/Selandian boundary and possibily also the Selandian/Thanetian boundary.

Report by Birger Schmitz, Chairman of the Paleocene Working Group

Annual Report 2002 of the Paleocene Working Group

After discussions among several of the members of the Paleocene Working Group a preliminary decsision has been taken to place the GSSPs of the Danian-Selandian and the Selandian-Thanetian boundaries in the Zumaya Section in northern Spain. This section is easily accessible and contains a very complete and expanded record of the Paleocene. The position of the section between the Tethys and the North Sea makes it an important link between these two regions.
The GSSP of the base of the Selandian will be placed at a level somewhere between approximately P2/P3a and the P/3a/P3b boundaries. Further studies and discussions are necessary before a decision can be taken on this. A document is presently prodduced laying out the theoretical base for such a decision.
The GSSP of the base of the Thanetian will be placed at the base of magnetochron C26n. Members of the Paleocene Working Group are outlining the theoretical foundation for this choice. Contact have/will be taken with researchers at the Zaragoza and Bilbao universities in order to coordinate further studies of the Zumaya Section.

Report by Birger Schmitz, Chairman of the Paleocene Working Group.