Brachiopod zonation and age of the Permian Kapp Starostin Formation (central Spitsbergen)

Abstract

This study has defined five brachiopod assemblage zones within the Permian Kapp Starostin Formation of Festningen, central West Spitsbergen. They are designated as the Horridonia timanica zone, the Waagenoconcha sp. A (Gobbett 1964) zone, the Megousia weyprechti zone, the Plerospirifer alatus zone and the Haydenella wilczeki zone in ascending order. Only the lower three zones are recognized in the same formation of Sveltihel. The first zone, which is exactly equivalent to the 'Spirifer Limestone’as well as the Vøringcn Member of the Kapp Starostin Formation, is probably Kungurian in age. The last zone, situated near the uppermost portion of the Hovtinden Member, may possibly have a brachiopod assemblage matching that of the Cyclolobus-bearing beds of the Foldvik Creek Formation in central East Greenland. Consequently, the uppermost beds of the Kapp Starostin Formation are chronologically dated as late Permian, most probably as Dzhulfian of the Tethys Province.