Integrated stratigraphy and chronostratigraphy across the Ypresian-Lutetian transition in the Fortuna Section (Betic Cordillera Spain)

This integrated study across the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary in the Fortuna Section (Spain) allowed us to recognize a bundle of events in the transitional interval between the Ypresian and Lutetian stages. Planktic foraminifera show an apparently continuous succession spanning the planktic foraminiferal zones P9, P10 and P11. Calcareous nannofossils allowed the recognition of the nannofossil subzones NP14b, NP15a, NP15b and of zone NP16. Small benthic foraminiferal assemblages may indicate a hyperthermal event as evidenced by a bloom of Aragonia aragonensis, which is coeval with a major change in clay mineralogy. This event coincides with the first occurrence of Hantkenina specimens at the base of planktonic foraminiferal zone P10 in the uppermost part of nannofossil subzone NP14b, which could be used to define the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary.