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Trace fossil assemblages reflecting stressed environments in the Middle Jurassic Carmel Seaway of central Utah

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

J. M. De Gibert  and
A. A. Ekdale
J. M. De Gibert
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Room 719, 135 South 1460 East. Salt Lake City, 84112-0111,
A. A. Ekdale
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Room 719, 135 South 1460 East. Salt Lake City, 84112-0111,
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Abstract

The shallow-marine Carmel Formation (Middle Jurassic) in central Utah hosts low-diversity trace fossil assemblages, including Arenicolites, Chondrites, Gyrochorte, Lockeia, Planolites, Protovirgularia, Rosselia, Scalarituba, Skolithos, Taenidium, and Teichichnus. Non specialized ichnotaxa with a remarkably small burrow size dominate the assemblages. The amount of bioturbation is lower than expected in comparison with modern shallow-marine carbonate environments. These ichnological features also are significantly different from those of other Jurassic shallow-marine carbonates. The trace fossils represent an environmentally stressed benthic community in a marginal marine, restricted setting, with salinities above normal marine and with depletion of oxygen in pore waters.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 73 , Issue 4 , July 1999 , pp. 711 - 720
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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