Correlation of cretaceous lithostratigraphic, lithological, palynological, and foraminiferal units in the Great Australian Basin by V. Scheibnerova and Byrnes

Abstract

Two fault-bounded blocks of Willyama Complex have been recognized in the far northern part of the Broken Hill Block. In both blocks the Willyama Complex rocks are, in part, overlain unconformably by Adelaidean sediments and recent alluvial deposits. The Campbells Creek block contains low-grade, fine-grained micaceous and siliceous metasediments which have undergone one generation of folding over most of the block but two in the southern part of the block. Two damellite stocks intrude these metasediments. The Cartwrights Creek block contains coarse-grained mica- and andalusite bearing schists which have undergone two periods of deformation.

Correlation of lithostratigraphic, lithological, and palynological units with the foraminiferal biostratigraphy shows that the vertical time extent of the marine Cretaceous from various parts of the Great Australian Basin was largely the same. Foraminiferal datum horizons are clearly independent of lithological changes and are time indicative. In contrast, palynological zones are diachronous, especially the paradoxa and pannosus Zones,