The Late Maastrichtian Rørdal Member (Denmark): a remarkable window of climatic, environmental and biotic changes at orbital timescales

Nicolas Thibault, Bodil W. Lauridsen, Niels H. Schovsbo, Kresten Anderskouv, Christian J. Bjerrum, Christoph Korte, Mathieu Martinez, Caterina Morigi, Lars Stemmerik, Clemens V. Ullmann

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter in bookResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The Late Maastrichtian Rørdal Member of the Møns Klint Formation is a remarkable lithological unit of the Danish Basin, characterized by chalk–marl cyclicity, standing out from pure Maastrichtian white chalk within the Chalk Group. A cyclostratigraphic analysis across this unit suggests a control by orbital precession and a strong amplitude modulation of the precession by the 405 kyr eccentricity cycle. Oxygen isotope data from bulk carbonate, benthic foraminifera and brachiopods indicate a prominent cooling commencing at the base of the unit, with maximum cooling aligned with a 405 kyr amplitude modulation maximum. This unit thus represents a rare example of a climatic cooling associated with a 405 kyr insolation maximum. However, geochemical and calcareous nannofossil data support lower productivity levels across the unit, in contradiction to an expected ocean fertilization accompanying enhanced continental weathering as the source of the clay material. An alternative model of deposition for this lithological unit is thus proposed via dense water cascading favoured by a sea-level low, subsequent restriction of the Chalk Sea and associated gravity currents responsible for the resuspension of fine clastic deposits from the margins of the Baltic Shield.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCretaceous Project 200
Subtitle of host publicationVolume 2: Regional Studies
EditorsM.B. Hart, S.J. Batenburg, B.T. Huber, G.D. Price, N. Thibault, M. Wagreich, I. Walaszczyk
PublisherGeological Society of London
Pages399-429
Number of pages31
Volume2
ISBN (Print)978-178620-610-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2025

Publication series

SeriesGeological Society, London, Special Publication
Volume545
ISSN0305-8719

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 3: Energy Resources
  • Programme Area 5: Nature and Climate

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