Xenoconformities and the stratigraphic record of paleoenvironmental change

Research Article| July 01, 2017 Xenoconformities and the stratigraphic record of paleoenvironmental change Alan R. Carroll Alan R. Carroll 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Alan R. Carroll 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 11 Jan 2017 Revision Received: 17 Mar 2017 Accepted: 17 Mar 2017 First Online: 28 Jun 2017 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2017 Geological Society of America Geology (2017) 45 (7): 639–642. https://doi.org/10.1130/G38952.1 Article history Received: 11 Jan 2017 Revision Received: 17 Mar 2017 Accepted: 17 Mar 2017 First Online: 28 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Alan R. Carroll; Xenoconformities and the stratigraphic record of paleoenvironmental change. Geology 2017;; 45 (7): 639–642. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G38952.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Most interpretations of the stratigraphic record are founded on the premise that the depositional environments that produced it either have not changed appreciably through time, or else have changed very slowly. Paradoxically, some of the most important transitions in the sedimentary archive are those interpreted to reflect relatively rapid, comprehensive paleoenvironmental change. Recognition of the anomalous nature of such transitions is vital to accurately understanding their significance but is not systematically incorporated in current stratigraphic models. The new term "xenoconformity" is therefore proposed, and defined as a stratigraphic surface or gradational interval that records a fundamental, abrupt, and persistent change in sedimentary facies across basinal to global scales. Xenoconformities may mark major paleoenvironmental tipping points and signal transformations in how paleoenvironmental signals were transferred into the stratigraphic record. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.