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The Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary at Gorgonilla Island, Colombia, South America
Author(s) -
Bermúdez Hermann D.,
García Jenny,
Stinnesbeck Wolfgang,
Keller Gerta,
Rodríguez José Vicente,
Hanel Michael,
Hopp Jens,
Schwarz Winfried H.,
Trieloff Mario,
Bolívar Liliana,
Vega Francisco J.
Publication year - 2016
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 - 10.1111/ter.12196
Subject(s) - geology , paleogene , cretaceous , bathyal zone , bioturbation , paleontology , settling , geochemistry , oceanography , sediment , environmental engineering , engineering , benthic zone
The discovery of a new Cretaceous/Palaeogene (K/Pg) bathyal marine sequence on Gorgonilla Island, SW Colombia, extends the presence of Chicxulub impact spherule deposits to the Pacific region of northern South America and to the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The Gorgonilla spherule layer is approximately 20 mm thick and consists of extraordinarily well‐preserved glass spherules up to 1.1 mm in diameter. About 70–90% of the spherules are vitrified, and their chemical composition is consistent with Haiti (Beloc) impact glass spherules. Normal size‐grading, delicate spherule textures, welded melt components and an absence of bioturbation or traction transport suggest that the Gorgonilla spherule layer represents an almost undisturbed settling deposit.