«Unterer Betliskalk»

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Representation and status

Color CMYK
(0%,0%,0%,100%)
Rank
lithostratigraphic unit
Validity
Unit is not in Use
Status
incorrect name (though informally used)

Nomenclature

Deutsch
«Unterer Betliskalk»
Français
«Unterer Betliskalk»
Italiano
«Unterer Betliskalk»
English
«Lower Betlis Limestone»
Historical Variants

Unterer Teil des Valangienkalkes = brauner Echinodermenkalk (Arn. Heim 1916), Lower Betliskalk = lower Betlis member (Föllmi et al. 2006), lower Betlis Limestone (Föllmi et al. 2007)

Description

Thickness
25-30 m (Heim 1916) ; max. 100 m (Föllmi et al. 2007).

Hierarchy and sequence

Superordinate unit
Subordinate units
Units at roof
Lower boundary

Föllmi et al. 2007: The switch-over from the deposition of the upper Oehrli Limestone to that of the overlying Betlis Formation near the Berriasian-Valanginian boundary represents a major turning point in the evolution of the Helvetic carbonate platform. The Berriasian photozoan mode of carbonate production is replaced by a heterozoan mode, which is repeatedly interrupted by episodes of incipient drowning (Fig. 2; Föllmi et al. 1994, 2006) and which lasted until the early Late Barremian.

The limit between these two carbonate units itself embodies a sequence boundary which on the platform is marked by karstified and iron-stained emersion horizons and perforated hardgrounds (Burger 1985, 1986; Mohr 1992a).

Age

Age at top
  • Early Valanginian
Note about top

Unterhalb der Büls-Bank (pertransiens-Zone; Föllmi et al. 2007)

Age at base
  • Early Valanginian
Note about base

pertransiens-Zone

Dating Method

Ammoniten in der hangende Büls-Bank (Kuhn 1996, Föllmi et al. 2007).

Geography

Geographical extent
Mürtschenstock, Säntis, Mattstock.

Palaenography and tectonic

Tectonic unit (resp. main category)
Kind of protolith
  • sedimentary

References

Definition
Föllmi Karl B., Bodin Stephane, Godet Alexis, Linder Pascal, van de Schootbrugge B. (2007) : Unlocking paleo- environmental information from Early Cretaceous shelf sediments in the Helvetic Alps: stratigraphy is the key! Swiss J. Geosci. 100, 349-369

p.353: On top of the thin unit of sandy marl [= Vitznau Formation] or directly on top of the upper Oehrli Member, a succession of platform carbonates is preserved (lower Betlis Limestone; Fig. 2; Strasser 1979, 1982; Burger & Strasser 1981; Kuhn 1996), which consists of maximally 100 m of a sandy grain- and packstone rich in echinoderms, bryozoans, bivalves, brachiopods, benthic foraminifera, and calcareous algae (Strasser 1979, 1982).

  • Spitzern-Member

    Name Origin

    Spitzern = Spitzeren (SZ), SE Rigi-Hochfluh

    Rank
    lithostratigraphic Member (Subformation)
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    Wechsellagerung von gelblich anwitternden Kalken und Mergeln, wobei im unteren Teil des Members eher Kalkbänke («Spitzernkalk») und im oberen Teil eher die Mergellagen («Spitzernmergel») dominieren.

    Age
    Early Valanginian
    • «Spitzern-Mergel»

      Name Origin

      Spitzern = Spitzeren (SZ), SE Rigi-Hochfluh

      Rank
      petrographic facies
      Status
      incorrect term (disused)
      Valid term
      Spitzern-Member
      In short

      Mergelige Fazies des Spitzern-Members (im oberen Teil dominant): bräunlich anwitternde Mergel mit lagenartig eingeschaltete Kalkknollen.

      Age
      Early Valanginian
    • «Spitzern-Kalk»

      Name Origin

      Spitzern = Spitzeren (SZ), SE Rigi-Hochfluh

      Rank
      petrographic facies
      Status
      incorrect term (disused)
      Valid term
      Spitzern-Member
      In short

      Kalkige Fazies des Spitzern-Members (im unteren Teil dominant): bräunlich anwitternde, etwas sandige, onkoidische Kalkbänke mit feinen Mergelzwischenlagen. Biopelmikrite mit viel feinem Quarzsand.

      Age
      Early Valanginian
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