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CENOZOIC
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PALAEOGEOGRAPHY
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The paleogeographic reconstruction
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The paleogeographic reconstruction of the Swiss Molasse Basin and of the Upper Rhine Graben was intensively studied by numerous authors (Becker, 2003 ; Becker & Berger 2004 ; Berger 1996 ; Berger et al. 2005a ; Bolliger 1992 and 1998 ; Grimm 1998 and 2002 ; Homewood 1986 ; Hottenrott 1988 ; Kälin 1993 ; Keller 1989 ; Kuhlemann & Kempf 2002 ; Picot 2002 ; Reichenbacher 1999 and 2000 ; Sissingh 1998 and 2003 ; Trümpy 1980). With the new Transjurane outcrops we focus on the Early Oligocene time zone, according to the stratigraphic chart of Berger et al. (2005b) (Fig.1).
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<<--Fig.1 – PDF 130 KB |
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The paleogeographic evolution
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The paleogeographic evolution of this area during the Early Oligocene can be subdivided into two stratigraphic intervals, mainly based on litho- and biostratigraphical data from Becker (2003), Berger (1985, 1992a, b and 1996), Berger et al. (2005 a and b), Bolliger (1992, 1997 and 1998), Bolliger et al. (1993 and 1996), Deutsche Stratigraphische Kommision (2002), Engesser & Mödden (1997), Grimm (1998 and 2002), Hottenrott (1988), Kälin (1993, 1997a and b), Kälin & Kempf (2002), Kälin et al. (2001), Kempf & Matter (1999), Kempf et al. (1997 and 1999), Reichenbacher (1999 and 2000) and Sittler (1992). Consequently, two paleogeographic maps are presented, covering 14 different geographic areas from the Subalpine Molasse to the Mainz Basin, subdivided as following (Fig.2) :
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<<--Fig.2 – PDF 120 KB |
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Helvetic domain and Subalpine Molasse |
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Proximal Plateau Molasse |
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Distal Plateau Molasse |
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South-Western Jura Molasse (Valserine, Joux, Auberson, Val de Travers, Val de Ruz) |
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North-Western Jura Molasse (Verrières, Ponts-de-Martel, Le Locle–La Chaux-de-Fonds) |
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Central-Southern Jura Molasse (Saint–Imier, Châtillon, Orvin, Pery–Reuchenette, Tramelan–Tavannes–Court, Welschenrohr-Balsthal, Sornetan-Bellelay, Moutier) |
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Central-Northern Jura Molasse (Soulce, Delémont, Laufen, Courgenay–Charmoille, Bressaucourt–Porrentruy, Liesberg, Löwenburg, Mettembert) |
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Eastern Jura Molasse (Mümliswil, Waldenburg, Hölstein, Häfelfingen, Anwil-Wölfinswil, Aargau) |
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Southern Upper Rhine Graben (Dannemarie Basin, Mulhouse Horst, Mulhouse Potash Basin, Sierentz–Wollschwiller Basin, Rauracian Depression, Lörrach to Freiburg im Breisgau) |
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Southern-Middle Upper Rhine Graben (Colmar, Sélestat, Ertsein, Zorn or Strasbourg Basin), Fault area of Saverne, Ribeauvillé & Guebwiller |
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Northern-Middle Upper Rhine Graben (Haguenau, Pechelbronn, Rastatt, Karlsruhe, Ludwigsburg), Fault area of Bruchsal-Wiesloch |
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Northern Upper Rhine Graben (Heidelberg Basin, Darmstadt-, Wetterau-, Horloff Graben) |
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Mainz Basin |
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Hanau Basin |
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Each map corresponds to a determined stratigraphic interval and shows the main paleoenvironments (deltaic, fluviatile, lacustrine, brackish, marine) interpreted from lithostratigraphic data (Fig.3, 4).
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