Latest Visean-Early Namurian (Carboniferous) foraminifers from Britain: implications for biostratigraphic and glacioeustatic correlations

Foraminiferal studies on late Mississippian (Serpukhovian) limestones from northern England allow a well-constrained correlation between the western European regional substages for the early Namurian (Pendleian, Arnsbergian and Chokierian) with the Russian regional substages for the international Serpukhovian (Tarusian, Steshevian, Protvian and Zapaltyubian). The correlation presented here demonstrates closer correspondence between both regional scales, since the base of the traditional Serpukhovian in England is now likely located below the Three Yard Limestone Member and probably within the Five Yard Limestone Member, and the base of the late Serpukhovian is located at the base of the Crag Limestone. These newly recognized lower stratigraphic horizons differ quite significantly from the previously accepted levels of correlation for the base of the Pendleian (Great Limestone Member) and the base of the Arnsbergian (Lower Fell Top Limestone) in the Pennine region. These changes in the positioning of the boundaries helps resolve problems recognized in previous correlations. The new boundaries are now consistent with the conodont biostratigraphy which is currently being used to establish the GSSP boundary of the Serpukhovian. Previously, the FAD of Lochriea ziegleri in Britain was apparently much earlier than records elsewhere in the European basins. Some other mismatches arise now in recent publications owing to the erroneous correlation between these late Mississippian rocks in England and elsewhere in Europe and North America.