Color/facies changes and Global Events, a hoax? A case study from the Lochkovian (Lower Devonian) in the Spanish Central Pyrenees

• Published in: Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology Vol. 367-368; pp. 219 - 230
• Main Authors: Valenzuela-Ríos, José I., Liao, Jau-Chyn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2012
• Subjects: Age; Color; Color change; Conodonta; Conodonts; Fossils; Global Events; Lochkovian; Pyrene; Spanish Pyrenees; Color change; Spanish Pyrenees; Lochkovian; Conodonts; Global Events
• ISSN: 0031-0182; 1872-616X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.09.007

Five Pyrenean Lochkovian sections are studied aiming at the recognition of the influence of facies changes in Biotic Global Events. The wealthy conodont record permits precise age control of strata in the different sections, and high-precision correlations, both regional and intercontinental; it also permits identification of major Global Biotic Events for this group of fossils. The comparison of the bio- and chronostratigraphic framework with the different Facies identified in the Pyrenean rocks shows that contrasting color (and facies) changes are not synchronous in the studied sections and that the major Biotic Events are not directly related to relevant facies shifts. These results question the opinion of direct tie relations between strong color changes and Global Events in the Lower Devonian, and reinforce the value of palaeontological tools for Global studies and correlations. ► We study the influence of color/facies changes in Biotic Global Events. ► Conodont record permits high-precision correlations of major Global Biotic Events. ► Contrasting color (and facies) changes are not synchronous. ► Major Biotic Events are not directly related to relevant color/facies shifts.