Precambrian-Cambrian transition: Death Valley, United States

Research Article| April 01, 2000 Precambrian-Cambrian transition: Death Valley, United States Frank A. Corsetti; Frank A. Corsetti 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar James W. Hagadorn James W. Hagadorn 2Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Frank A. Corsetti 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA James W. Hagadorn 2Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 14 Sep 1999 Revision Received: 17 Dec 1999 Accepted: 29 Dec 1999 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2000) 28 (4): 299–302. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<299:PTDVUS>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 14 Sep 1999 Revision Received: 17 Dec 1999 Accepted: 29 Dec 1999 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Frank A. Corsetti, James W. Hagadorn; Precambrian-Cambrian transition: Death Valley, United States. Geology 2000;; 28 (4): 299–302. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<299:PTDVUS>2.0.CO;2 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 The Death Valley region contains one of the best exposed and often visited Precambrian-Cambrian successions in the world, but the chronostratigraphic framework necessary for understanding the critical biologic and geologic events recorded in these sections has been inadequate. The recent discovery of Treptichnus (Phycodes) pedum within the uppermost parasequence of the lower member of the Wood Canyon Formation allows correlation of the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary to this region and provides a necessary global tie point for the Death Valley section. New carbon isotope chemostratigraphic profiles bracket this biostratigraphic datum and record the classic negative carbon isotope excursion at the boundary. For the first time, biostratigraphic, chemostratigraphic, and lithostratigraphic information from pretrilobite strata in this region can be directly compared with similar data from other key sections that record the precursors of the Cambrian explosion. Few Precambrian-Cambrian boundary sections contain both the facies-restricted boundary fossil T. pedum and carbon isotope data, as found in Death Valley. Thus, the Death Valley succession provides a critical link toward our understanding of the correlation between siliciclastic-dominated and carbonate-dominated Precambrian-Cambrian transition sections. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.