Proposed magnetostratigraphy susceptibility magnetostratotype for the Eifelian-Givetian GSSP (Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Abstract

The magnetosusceptibility event and cyclostratigraphy (MSEC) record for the Eifelian-Givetian Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) located in the western Sahara of southeastern Morocco is used to establish a sequence of magnetostratigraphic susceptibility units organized into magnetostratigraphic susceptibility zones (MSZ) and magnetostratigraphic susceptibility subzones (MSSZ). Magnetic susceptibility data are summarized into two complete MSZs (Atrous and Mech Irdane) and two partial MSZs (Gheris and Rissani). The Atrous (Upper Eifelian) is comprised of 3 MSSZs and the Mech Irdane (uppermost Eifelian and lowermost Givetian) of 11 MSSZs. The Eifelian-Givetian boundary falls within Mech Irdane MSSZ 2 making the magnetosubzone an important boundary marker unit. Large-scale transgressive and regressive patterns in the MSEC data establish that the Eifelian-Givetian boundary in the GSSP sequence occurs immediately after the first regressive pulse following the transgressive conditions established during the Atrous MSZ. The Lower Kačák/otomari Event occurs in Atrous MSSZ 3 and Kačák/otomari Event occurs in Mech Irdane MSSZ 1. The magnetic properties of the MSZs and MSSZs are tested by comparison with a coeval magnetostratigraphic susceptibility sequence in the Montagne Noire region of southern France.