Abstract

LOPEZ MARTINEZ, Rafael; BARRAGAN, Ricardo; BUITRON SANCHEZ, Blanca E.  and  ROJAS, Reinaldo. Sea level changes through the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary in western Cuba indicated by taphonomic analysis. Bol. Soc. Geol. Mex [online]. 2014, vol.66, n.3, pp.431-440. ISSN 1405-3322.

The taphonomical and microfacies analyses of the Guasasa Formation in the San Vicente section of western Cuba, allowed the recognition of regional sea level fluctuations through the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition. Four discrete taphofacies associated with different depositional conditions were characterized through the section. The paleoecological conditions reconstruction indicates that the site of deposition changed from a shallow water carbonate bank recognizable at the base of the section (late Tithonian facies of the San Vicente Member) into a deep-water basinal environment at its top through the Berriasian, as facies of the overlying El Americano member. This continuous deepening of the basin was interrupted only by a short-term sea level drop close to the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary.

Keywords : Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary; taphonomy; sea level changes; paleoecology.

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