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Why is stromatactis so rare in Mesozoic carbonate mud mounds?
Author(s) -
Neuweiler Fritz,
Bourque PierreAndré,
Boulvain Frédéric
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3121.2001.00367.x
Subject(s) - paleozoic , geology , mesozoic , carbonate , sedimentary rock , diagenesis , paleontology , sponge , carbonate rock , sediment , structural basin , materials science , metallurgy
The sedimentary–diagenetic structure stromatactis is widespread in Palaeozoic spiculitic carbonate mud mounds, but occurs only sporadically in Mesozoic sponge carbonate mud mounds. Comparative analysis of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic stromatactis limestones suggests that this variation results from the degree of siliceous sponge skeletal rigidity and the amount of internal sediment accumulation in the original cavity network. Partial to entire filling by internal sediment resulted in a continuum, from a small amount of internal sediment and large amount of cement (stromatactis, common in the Palaeozoic), to only internal sediments (aborted stromatactis, common in the Mesozoic). These observations match independent lines of evidence concerning the siliceous sponge evolution and sediment recycling (e.g. bioerosion) across the Palaeozoic to Mesozoic biotic revolution.