Moshayedi, M. and Mutzl, J. and Lenz, O. K. and Wilde, V. and Hinderer, Matthias (2019):
Terrestrial archives from the Eocene greenhouse of Central Europe: Palynological studies of lacustrine sediments on the Spendlinger Horst (Southwest Germany).
Geo Münster 2019, Münster, Germany, 22.09.-25.09.2019, [Conference or Workshop Item]
Abstract
Palynological composition of four small Eocene lakes at Messel, Prinz von Hessen (PvH), Offenthal and Groß Zimmern on the Spendlinger Horst in Southwest Germany were studied for understanding the vegetation in Central Europe during Paleogene greenhouse conditions with respect to regional tectonic and volcanic influence. Except for PvH, which is most probably a small pull-apart basin, the other basins are maar lakes and formed as a consequence of phreathomagmatic eruptions. Based on revised 40Ar/39Ar dates the eruptions at Offenthal (47.71/47.87 ± 0.3 Ma) and Messel (48.11/48.27 ± 0.22 Ma) are nearly of the same age around the Lower/Middle Eocene boundary. Palynostratigraphic analyses indicate a Lower Eocene age for the studied part of PvH and a Middle Eocene age for Groß Zimmern. Our quantitative palynological studies revealed different pollen and spore assemblages in each basin, but similar general trends in the evolution of the vegetation can be recognized in all of the basins. The succession in the maar lakes starts with the progressive recolonization of the area in the vicinity of the craters by pioneering elements such as ferns or Restionaceae and continues into a paratropical rainforest and, finally, a climax vegetation with a dominance of juglandaceous and fagaceous plants. Nevertheless, each basin has its unique story to tell. In Messel the following undisturbed record of about 600.000 years reveals the influence of orbital forcing on the climate and the composition as well as on the diversity of the climax vegetation during the early Middle Eocene. A climax vegetation comparable to Messel is not documented at Offenthal mainly due to a significant shorter time period reflected in the respective succession of lake sediments. At Lakes PvH and Groß Zimmern regional tectonic activity had a much higher influence on the paleoenvironment than orbitally controlled climate change.
Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item |
---|---|
Erschienen: | 2019 |
Creators: | Moshayedi, M. and Mutzl, J. and Lenz, O. K. and Wilde, V. and Hinderer, Matthias |
Title: | Terrestrial archives from the Eocene greenhouse of Central Europe: Palynological studies of lacustrine sediments on the Spendlinger Horst (Southwest Germany) |
Language: | English |
Abstract: | Palynological composition of four small Eocene lakes at Messel, Prinz von Hessen (PvH), Offenthal and Groß Zimmern on the Spendlinger Horst in Southwest Germany were studied for understanding the vegetation in Central Europe during Paleogene greenhouse conditions with respect to regional tectonic and volcanic influence. Except for PvH, which is most probably a small pull-apart basin, the other basins are maar lakes and formed as a consequence of phreathomagmatic eruptions. Based on revised 40Ar/39Ar dates the eruptions at Offenthal (47.71/47.87 ± 0.3 Ma) and Messel (48.11/48.27 ± 0.22 Ma) are nearly of the same age around the Lower/Middle Eocene boundary. Palynostratigraphic analyses indicate a Lower Eocene age for the studied part of PvH and a Middle Eocene age for Groß Zimmern. Our quantitative palynological studies revealed different pollen and spore assemblages in each basin, but similar general trends in the evolution of the vegetation can be recognized in all of the basins. The succession in the maar lakes starts with the progressive recolonization of the area in the vicinity of the craters by pioneering elements such as ferns or Restionaceae and continues into a paratropical rainforest and, finally, a climax vegetation with a dominance of juglandaceous and fagaceous plants. Nevertheless, each basin has its unique story to tell. In Messel the following undisturbed record of about 600.000 years reveals the influence of orbital forcing on the climate and the composition as well as on the diversity of the climax vegetation during the early Middle Eocene. A climax vegetation comparable to Messel is not documented at Offenthal mainly due to a significant shorter time period reflected in the respective succession of lake sediments. At Lakes PvH and Groß Zimmern regional tectonic activity had a much higher influence on the paleoenvironment than orbitally controlled climate change. |
Divisions: | 11 Department of Materials and Earth Sciences 11 Department of Materials and Earth Sciences > Earth Science 11 Department of Materials and Earth Sciences > Earth Science > Applied Sedimentary Geology |
Event Title: | Geo Münster 2019 |
Event Location: | Münster, Germany |
Event Dates: | 22.09.-25.09.2019 |
Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2019 05:25 |
Official URL: | http://www.geomuenster2019.de/ |
Corresponding Links: | |
Export: | |
Suche nach Titel in: | TUfind oder in Google |
![]() |
Send an inquiry |
Options (only for editors)
![]() |
Show editorial Details |