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Calner at Rödvig

Mikael Calner

Professor

Calner at Rödvig

The Silurian Mulde Event and a scenario for secundo-secundo events

Author

  • Lennart Jeppsson
  • Mikael Calner

Summary, in English

Graphic correlation using graptolites and conodonts provides a high-resolution timescale for correlating from coastal to deep oceanic sections and, thereby, also a detailed record of the sequence of changes during the Mulde Secundo-Secundo Event. That interval includes sedimentary facies otherwise unknown in older Wenlock to early Ludlow strata on Gotland. The identified sequence of changes includes a detailed record of, in order: two extinctions (Datum points 1 and 1-5); widespread deposition of carbon-rich sediments extensive enough to cause a delta(13)C increase of c. 4.8parts per thousand, the onset, maximum and end of a sea-level fall and rise of at least 16m during 30 kyr; a third extinction (Datum 2); a disaster fauna; and a slow faunal recovery. Thus, a secondary result of the event was a weakened greenhouse effect triggering a glaciation: the Gannarve Glaciation (new term). The order of changes proves that regression did not cause the extinctions. Faunal and sea-level changes, as well as the sedimentary succession, fit well with predictions based on an oceanic model. Extinctions were primarily caused by a severe drop in primary planktonic productivity, causing starvation among planktonic larvae in non-coastal settings. The Grotlingbo Bentonite (new term), the thickest in the Wenlock of Gotland, was deposited across the basin shortly after Datum 2. Temporal resolution is high enough to permit some comparison with Quaternary glaciations.

Department/s

  • Lithosphere and Biosphere Science

Publishing year

2003

Language

English

Pages

135-154

Publication/Series

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Earth Sciences

Volume

93

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Topic

  • Geology

Keywords

  • Conodonta
  • glaciation
  • graptolites
  • stratigraphy
  • high-resolution
  • extinctions

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0263-5933