New constraints on the End-Triassic (Upper Norian-Rhaetian) magnetostratigraphy

The end-Triassic was marked by one of the five important Phanerozoic global mass extinctions. The construction of a detailed magnetic polarity time scale for this period, that would integrate data from marine and terrestrial realms, is thus of particular interest. We report new magneto stratigraphic data from the Oyuklu section located in southwestern Turkey, which allow one to propose a complete late Upper Norian (Sevatian 2) to Rhaetian magnetic polarity sequence. Two correlations are discussed between the new Tethyan marine sequence and the (continental) magnetic polarity record previously determined from the Newark basin in eastern North America. Both options suggest that the Rhaetian is at least partly missing in the Newark basin, which would reconcile most Late Triassic magnetostratigraphic results and biotic features obtained from marine and continental environments. Following our preferred correlation, the Rhaetian would have a duration as short as similar to 2 Myr, and similar to 4.5 Myr if the Sevatian 2 zone is included as part of the Rhaetian. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.