Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Late Cambrian (Steptoean) Sedimentation And Responses To Sea-Level Change Along The Northeastern Laurentian Margin: Insights From Carbon Isotope Stratigraphy, Bosiljka Glumac, Laurel E. Mutti

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

Carbon isotopes are applied as tools for stratigraphic correlation of poorly fossiliferous Upper Cambrian carbonate strata in the northern U.S. Appalachians. Upper Cambrian (Steptoean) marine carbonate rocks record a significant global positive carbon isotope excursion (δ 13C = +4‰-5‰ Vienna Peedee belemnite [VPDB]), the timing of which is well documented in fossiliferous sections elsewhere. The Steptoean excursion peaks at a sea-level lowstand that produced the Sauk II-Sauk III sequence boundary on the North American craton. In this study, this excursion is documented for the first time in the northern U.S. Appalachians in poorly exposed limestone debris flow and olistolith deposits …