Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Cretaceous Research
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/CretRes

An astronomically calibrated stratigraphy of the Cenomanian,

Turonian and earliest Coniacian from the Cretaceous Western Interior
Seaway, USA: Implications for global chronostratigraphy
James S. Eldrett a, *, Chao Ma a, b, Steven C. Bergman a, Brendan Lutz a, 1, F. John Gregory c,
Paul Dodsworth d, Mark Phipps c, Petros Hardas c, Daniel Minisini a, Aysen Ozkan a, 1,
Jahander Ramezani e, Samuel A. Bowring e, Sandra L. Kamo f, Kurt Ferguson g,
Calum Macaulay a, Amy E. Kelly a
a
Shell International Exploration and Production Inc, 3333 Highway 6 South, Houston, TX 77082, USA
b
Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA
c
Petrostrat Ltd., Tan-y-Graig, Parc Caer Seion, Conwy, North Wales, LL32 8FA, UK
d
StrataSolve Ltd, 42 Gaskell Street, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2UN, UK
e
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
f
Jack Satterly Geochronology Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Toronto, 22 Russell St, Toronto, ON M5S 3B1, Canada
g
Hufngton School of Earth Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This study describes integrated, astronomically tuned age models for a relatively expanded section of the
Received 13 August 2014 Eagle Ford Group (Texas, USA) from the Shell Iona-1 research core, which encompass >8 Myr ranging
Accepted in revised form 20 April 2015 from the earliest Cenomanian to the earliest Coniacian. Biostratigraphy combined with UePb dates from
Available online 18 June 2015
individual zircons representing ten bentonites provide geochronologic constraints for the astronomical
analyses. The astronomically tuned age models were used to calibrate a full suite of regional and globally
Keywords:
recognized age diagnostic biostratigraphic (integrated micropaleontological, nannopaleontological and
Biostratigraphy
palynological analyses), geochemical, as well as isotopic events. Newly developed integrated astro-
Astrochronology
Geochronology
nomical age models provide two estimates for the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary age of 94.10 0.13
Isotope stratigraphy Ma and 94.07 0.16 Ma similar to that previously proposed from the Cretaceous Western Interior
Cenomanian-Turonian Seaway. The duration of Oceanic Anoxic Event-2 (OAE-2) was calcuated as 0.71 0.17 Myr, consistent
Eagle Ford Group with other records from the KWIS, and several globally correlatetable, precursor events prior to the main
Buda limestone CIE have been identied. Elsewhere in North America, the middle-upper Turonian strata are generally
Boquillas Formation missing due to a hiatus, whereas the new data indicate it is relatively intact in the Iona-1 core, and thus
Austin Chalk provides a critical record to ll this gap in our understanding. As such, the Iona-1 core is one of the most
complete and best-preserved records of the Cenomanian, Turonian and early Coniacian stages, and
therefore provides insights into Late Cretaceous paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during this critical
period in Earth history.
2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The Late Cretaceous was characterized by sustained global
warming, emplacement of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs), global
extinctions, epicontinental seaways, and major global perturbations
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: james.eldrett@shell.com (J.S. Eldrett).
1
Shell Exploration and Production Inc., 150 North Dairy Ashford Street, Houston,
TX 77079, USA.
in the carbon cycle termed Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAE's), the most
prominent occurring at the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) transition
(OAE-2; sensu Schlanger and Jenkyns, 1976). This interval in
particular was characterized by the widespread deposition of
organic-rich, ne-grained sediment marked by a globally recog-
nized positive carbon isotope excursion (CIE) reecting the wide-
spread removal of 12C-enriched organic matter in marine sediments
under global anoxic conditions (see Jenkyns, 2010 and references
therein). However, the exact timing of this inferred global OAE-2

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2015.04.010
0195-6671/ 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
event is still debated with recent studies showing diachroneity
between the deposition of the organic-rich sediment and the CIE
(e.g., Sageman et al., 1997; Tsikos et al., 2004; Meyers et al., 2005;
Meyers, 2007; Trabucho Alexandre et al., 2010; Eldrett et al.,
2014), whereas interpretations vary on the precise timing and
origin of the trigger (Mitchell et al., 2008; Turgeon and Creaser,
2008; Du Vivier et al., 2014; Eldrett et al., 2014; Laurin et al., 2015).
To understand the underlying causal mechanisms of OAE-2 and
to accurately calculate the rate of biogeochemical processes, robust
and globally consistent high-resolution chronostratigraphic
frameworks are required. Astrochronology is a proven tool for
construction of high-resolution geological time scales using a va-
riety of stratigraphic characteristics and well-established Milan-
kovitch orbital cycles of eccentricity, obliquity, and precession (e.g.,
Hinnov and Hilgen, 2012), and consequently cyclostratigraphic
analyses of various OAE 2 sections have been conducted using a
variety of proxies (e.g., Kuhnt et al., 1997, 2004; Caron et al., 1999;
Meyers et al., 2001, 2012a,b; Prokoph et al., 2001; Kuypers et al.,
2004; Sageman et al., 2006; Mitchell et al., 2008; Voigt et al.,
2008; Lanci et al., 2010; Ma et al., 2014). However, these astro-
chronologies are generally stratigraphically limited due to un-
conformities or partial sections with no single continuous,
integrated coverage of the entire Cenomanian and Turonian stages
(Hinnov and Hilgen, 2012). Therefore, most of the analyses have
focused on the OAE-2 interval (<1 Myr duration) and are incom-
plete because of missing stratigraphic records or poor signal to
noise ratio. Here, integrated astronomically tuned age models are
presented for the Eagle Ford Group (Gr., Texas, USA) which en-
compasses >8 Myr of the earliest Cenomanian to the earliest
Coniacian stages and provides an exceptionally well-preserved
record. The astronomically tuned age models are also used to
calibrate a full suite of regional and globally recognized age diag-
nostic biostratigraphic (integrated micropaleontological, nanno-
paleontological and palynological analyses), geochemical, and
isotopic events.
2. Material and methods
2.1. Shell research core Iona-1
In January 2012, Shell International Exploration and Production
Inc. drilled the research core Iona-1 (29
13.510 N, 100
44.490 W),
located in the southern gateway of the Cretaceous Western Interior
Seaway (KWIS; near the margin of the Gulf of Mexico carbonate
shelf in a distal, clastic-sediment-starved, intrashelf-sub-basin
setting along the retroarc foreland basin of western North America
(Fig. 1)). From the surface down, the core recovered the lower part
of the Austin Chalk (which crops out at this locality), a complete
record of the Eagle Ford Group and the upper part of the underlying
Buda Limestone (Fig. 2). In total, 180 m of core spanning the earliest
Cenomanian to earliest Coniacian was recovered. In the subsurface,
the Eagle Ford Group, characterized by organic-rich marlstones,
limestones, and numerous (>300) bentonites, can be divided into
two informal units, lower and upper, based on the transition from
nely laminated organic-rich, marl-limestone couplets in the
lower to more bioturbated succession with more prominent
limestone beds in the upper Eagle Ford (Fig. 2; see Supplemental
Information Figs. S15eS16). Where the Eagle Ford Group crops
out at the surface near this locality, it is termed the Boquillas For-
mation, and has been informally divided into two members; the
Langtry and Rock Pens Members (Pessagno, 1969). The underlying
Buda Limestone and overlying Austin Chalk comprise massive
limestones and chalks interbedded with thin marlstones and rare
bentonites.
317
Fig. 1. Late Cenomanian palaeogeographic map of the Cretaceous Western Interior
Seaway (KWIS) and the margin of the Gulf of Mexico Carbonate Shelf, showing the
location of Iona-1, Mustang-1 and USGS Portland-1 cores. SB: Sabinas Basin; MB:
Maverick Basin; ETB: East Texas Basin. Adapted from Ron Blakey and the Colorado
Plateau Geosystems Inc.
2.2. Mustang Ranch-1
To supplement data from the Iona-1 core, comparable sedi-
mentary rocks were also analyzed for organic and inorganic carbon
isotopes and biostratigraphy (micropaleontology, nannopaleontol-
ogy, palynology) from the Mustang Ranch-1 core (28
46.550 N, 99

57.510 W) located in the Maverick Basin (Texas, USA; Fig. 1).
2.3. USGS Portland-1
Sedimentary rocks were also analyzed for d13Corg and biostra-
tigraphy (micropaleontology, palynology) from the USGS Portland-
1 core (38
22.360 N, 105
01.180 W) located in the central KWIS, near
the GSSP section (Kennedy et al., 2000, 2005) at Pueblo (Colorado,
USA). The new data cover the Cenomanian and Turonian equiva-
lents to the interval spanning the Dakota Sandstone, Graneros
Shale, Lincoln Limestone, Harland Shale and lowermost part of the
Bridge Creek Limestone. The d13Corg isotope data collected was in-
tegrated with existing d13Corg data from this core (Sageman et al.,
2006; Du Vivier et al., 2014; Joo and Sageman, 2014).
2.4. Biostratigraphic methods
2.4.1. Micropalaeontologic methods
In total, 317 samples from Iona-1, Mustang-1 and USGS
Portland-1 were analyzed for quantitative micropaleontology. A
xed amount of sedimentary rock was gently crushed or dis-
aggregated (30 g dry weight), washed thoroughly through a 53 mm
sieve and then oven-dried; normally a 63 mm is used, but a smaller
sieve mesh was used to capture any calcispheres that might have
otherwise been washed away. Depending on the quantity and
richness of the washed and dried residue a micro-splitter was used
to subdivide the sample down to a size that contained at least 250
microfossils. The split factor was recorded for each sample along
with a dried weight to permit calculation of quantitative micro-
fossil abundance per gram. The split residue was then passed
through a set of sieves to provide four fractions: >500 mm,
500e250 mm, 250e125 mm and <125 mm. The residue from each
sieved fraction was spread on a picking tray and all microfossils
were hand-picked and deposited onto a slide for analysis. All
specimens picked were quantitatively logged. The unpicked residue
was then scanned for any further marker species; these were
recorded in the database as occurring outside the count.
 A

318
B D C E F

Depth (m)

marlstone
subsurface

limestone
Lithostrat.
Lithostrat.

bentonite
18Ocarb 13Ccarb 13Corg

Bentonite
outcrop
Grayscale

Isotope Event
beds
MTD
0 100 200 -10 -5 0 0 1 2 3 4 -28 -26 -24 -22
0

10
Austin Chalk
Austin Chalk

20

30

40

J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Langtry Mb.

50
Upper Eagle Ford

60

70

80
Boquillas Fm

D
Eagle Ford Gr

90 C IE-C

100 B IE-B
Rock Pens Mb.

A IE-A
110
Lower Eagle Ford

120

130 X

140
KWIS Bentonites

150
Limestone

160
Limestone

Buda
Buda

170

180

-10 -5 0 0 1 2 3 4 -28 -26 -24 -22

Fig. 2. Core data from Shell Iona-1. A. Lithostratigraphy: informal subsurface nomenclature in the Maverick Basin; outcrop lithostratigraphy (after Pessagno, 1969); lithologic log with bentonites, marlstone, limestone and mass
transport deposits (MTDs); stratigraphic distribution of bentonite beds with interpreted regional KWIS bentonites AeD, X after Elder, 1985, B. Grayscale values; C. Carbon isotope data from bulk carbonate (d13Ccarb); D. Oxygen isotope
data from bulk carbonate (d18Ocarb); E. Organic carbon isotope data (d13Corg) with isotopic events after (adapted from Pratt and Threlkeld, 1984); F. Identied global isotopic events (see text; Table 3); dark-gray horizontal
shading major isotopic events; light-gray horizontal shading earlier initiation of OAE-2 CIE based on inclusion of precursor events.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
Petrographic thin sections (10e30 mm thick) were counted via
traverses across the samples until at least 300 conrmed specimens
were identied, and they were then scanned for any further marker
species.
2.4.2. Nannopaleontologic methods
Nannofossil analyses were conducted on thickly concentrated
smear slides and involved counting all specimens within a standard
traverse (60 elds of view at 1000 magnication) plus the subse-
quent scanning of the remainder of the slide for rare species. In
richly nannofossiliferous samples, abundant species counts were
estimated, with their counts from the rst traverses being multi-
plied to equate with a full 60 eld of view traverse.
2.4.3. Palynological methods
Sample splits were sequentially dissolved in hydrochloric (30%
HCl) and hydrouoric (60% HF) acids. Post-HF oxidative treatment
was necessary to liberate palynomorphs from prominent trans-
lucent, uffy amorphous organic matter (AOM). Subsequent treat-
ment with an alkali solution was necessary to remove post-
oxidation waste products. Previous work on C-torganic-rich
shales has indicated that excessive post-HF treatment led to se-
lective destruction of gonyaulacacean and areoligeracean dinocysts
(Dodsworth, 1995, 1996, 2004). Experiments with Eagle Ford post-
HF residues indicated that optimum oxidation was achieved with
extended maceration in cold nitric acid (HNO3). Samples containing
prominent AOM were subjected to further maceration in warm
HNO3 (heated to 50
C) and treated with Schulze's Solution (70%
nitric acid supersaturated with potassium chlorate and/or fuming
nitric acid), followed by a single rinse in a detergent that contained
a trace of ammonia. This produces fairly uniform fossil assemblages
with greatly reduced AOM concentrations, although scanning over
many remaining AOM fragments was necessary to achieve suf-
cient specimen counts. Single Lycopodium tablets were added to
samples after laboratory oxidation for absolute quantication of
palynomorphs (counts per gram; Mertens et al., 2009). Previous
experiments have shown that the oxidation required to liberate
palynomorphs from AOM destroys a large proportion of Lycopo-
dium spores if they are added prior to oxidation. Lund University,
Batch No. 1031 (2011) tablets were used. Each tablet contains
20,848 Lycopodium spores (3457). As not all processed rock ma-
terial was dissolved in HCl and HF, estimates of palynomorph
concentration are underestimates. However, values obtained are of
the same order as the only previously published KWIS study of the
C-T palynomorph concentration (Dodsworth, 2000), i.e., they
generally range between 100 and 8000 specimens per gram.
Separate kerogen and post-oxidation biostratigraphy slides
were prepared. All preparations were sieved at 15 mm. The paly-
nological counting technique used in this study involved making an
initial count of 100 palynomorphs to estimate percentages of per-
idinioid, areoligeracean, ceratioid, Dinogymnium and gonyaulaca-
cean dinocysts, Prasinophyte algae, acanthomorph acritarchs,
foraminiferal test linings and terrigenous palynomorphs. Counting
of dinocysts was continued until a total of approximately 100
specimens were reached. Remaining slide material was thoroughly
scanned for additional rare palynomorph taxa which were recorded
as outside the count in supplemental data tables.
2.5. UePb geochronologic methods
From the Iona-1 core, zircons from 11 bentonite beds (Fig. 2)
were analyzed using the UePb ID-TIMS method at the Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) and the University of
Toronto (Toronto, Canada) geochronology laboratories. Zircon and
other U-bearing silicates were separated from bulk rock samples
319
using standard crushing, heavy liquid, and magnetic separation
techniques, and were subsequently handpicked under the binoc-
ular microscope based on clarity and crystal morphology. When
grains were too small for standard crushing techniques they were
separated by using a shatterbox and clay separator (Hoke et al.,
2014). To overcome the effects of radioactive-decay-induced crys-
tal defects and the associated lead-loss resulting in discordant an-
alyses, zircon grains were pre-treated using a procedure modied
after the thermal annealing and chemical abrasion isotope dilution
thermal ionization mass spectrometry method (CATIMs: of
Mattinson, 2005). This method involved heating of zircon inside a
furnace at 900
C for 60 h. The annealed grains were subsequently
loaded into FEP Teon microcapsules and leached in concentrated
HF at 210
C within high-pressure vessels for 12e18 h. The partially
dissolved sample was transferred into Savillex FEP beakers for
rinsing. The leached material was decanted with several milliliters
of ultra-pure water and by uxing successively with 4N HNO3 and
6N HCl on a hot plate and/or in an ultrasonic bath. After nal rinsing
with ultra-pure water, zircon grains were loaded back into their
microcapsules, spiked with a mixed 205Pbe233Ue235U tracer solu-
tion (used in both laboratories to minimize inter-laboratory bias,
made available to the community through the EARTHTIME project)
and dissolved completely in concentrated HF at 210
C for 48 h. U
and Pb were isolated from the zircon/tracer solutions using 50 mL
anion exchange columns (Krogh, 1973), the mixed, puried U and
Pb solutions were loaded onto rhenium laments and analyzed
with the mass spectrometer. The chemical abrasion method results
in preferential dissolution of the high-U portions of the zircon
crystals that are more likely to have lost Pb leaving a residue with
relatively low U contents. This method has been found to be the
best possible way to obtain the most concordant and highest pre-
cision analyses. Weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages from bentonites
were used to anchor and constrain the astronomical age model and
rock accumulation rate calculations (post compaction).
Sample ages are calculated based primarily on the weighted
mean 206Pb/238U age of a statistically coherent cluster of analyses
consisting of three or more data points using both ET_Redux
(previously UePb_Redux; see Bowring et al., 2011) and Isoplot 3
software (Ludwig, 2003), and is interpreted as the age of pyroclastic
eruption and a maximum estimate of the depositional age of the
bentonite. In a few bentonite samples where the zircon grain
population was dominated by xenocysts and a coherent cluster of
analyses was not possible, the youngest zircon grain age is pre-
sented (see results and discussion sections). Uncertainties are re-
ported at 95% condence level and follow the notation X/Y/Z Ma,
where X is the internal (analytical) uncertainty in the absence of all
external errors, Y incorporates the UePb tracer calibration error,
and Z includes the latter as well as the decay constant errors of
Jaffey et al. (1971). Complete uncertainties (Z) are necessary for
comparison between age data from different isotopic chronometers
(e.g., UePb versus 40Ar/39Ar). In this study, both UePb labs used the
same EARTHTIME tracer and thus can be compared using internal
errors. All common Pb was assigned to laboratory blank.
2.6. Stable isotopic and geochemical methods
A total of 449 samples from Iona-1, Mustang-1 and USGS Portland
core were analyzed for bulk 13C/12C isotope ratios on the organic and
selected inorganic carbonate fractions (d13Corg and d13Ccarb); 18O/16O
isotope analyses were also performed on selected carbonate frac-
tions. For the organic fraction, an aliquot of each powdered sample
(0.1e2 g) was reacted with ~50 ml of 10% HCl overnight to remove
any carbonate present, the acid was decanted, and then the sample
was rinsed three to four times with 250 ml of de-ionized water.
Carbonate fractions were analyzed using decanted acid aliquots. The
320 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
samples were dried in a 60
C oven and analyzed using a MAT253
mass spectrometer at the Dept. of Earth Sciences Isotope Labs,
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Isotopic values are re-
ported relative to PDB; analytical uncertainties based on replicate
and standard analyses are <0.1. Carbonate and organic C con-
centrations were determined during the stable isotope analysis
workow. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyses were also performed
on selected samples using a Leco C230 analyzer. Analytical un-
certainties for both methods are <0.1wt%.
2.7. Grayscale data
High-resolution (230 mm pixel) grayscale data were extracted
from core-slab photographs of the Iona-1 research core (Fig. 2). The
grayscale extraction was averaged over a 5 mm wide longitudinal
transect and extracted using the software ImageJ. All core cracks
and associated edge-effect reective features were removed from
the dataset using MATLAB scripts and then manually validated.
Prior to analysis, data points associated with ~300 bentonites were
also removed from the time-series dataset. These deposits repre-
sent geologically instantaneous depositional events and generate
both frequency and amplitude noise; the rapid addition of sedi-
ment from volcanic activity distorts the frequency, and the light
color distorts the amplitude (Meyers et al., 2001). The resulting data
were then depth adjusted for a continuous and uniformly sampled
record and subjected to time-series analysis. Thus, all the depths
presented in astrochronologic methods and results sections are the
adjusted depths, unless otherwise noted. This high-resolution
grayscale data with Nyquist frequency of 4332 cycles/m enables
the development of numerical astrochronologic age models. The
high-resolution grayscale was extracted from the Austin Chalk and
the Eagle Ford Group intervals; the Buda Limestone was excluded
from the analysis, due to pervasive irregular crack inllings and
mottled textures, as was the lowermost 6 m of the Eagle Ford
Group, which is characterized by mass-transport deposits that
were interpreted to represent geologically instantaneous deposi-
tional events.
2.8. Astrochronologic methods
Orbitally-forced signals preserved in the geological record are
complicated by the interference of random climate processes,
sediment accumulation rate changes, and a range of other
competing factors (Meyers et al., 2001, 2008; Weedon, 2003; Ma
et al., 2014). Consequently, more quantitative and statistical
methodologies are required to constrain these noise sources and
explicitly test orbital hypotheses. In the present study, astronomical
signals were identied in the Iona-1 core by applying a combina-
tion of the multi-taper method (MTM, Thomson, 1982), evolutive
harmonic analysis (EHA), evolutive power spectral analysis (EPSA)
and average spectral mist (ASM, an inverse method; Meyers and
Hinnov, 2010; Meyers et al., 2012a; Ma et al., 2014) using the
software astrochron: An R Package for Astrochronology (Meyers,
2014).
The multi-taper method (MTM, Thomson, 1982) was used for
identifying the signicant frequency associated with statistical
signicance (F-test). Using the MTM method with a moving win-
dow, EHA and EPSA were conducted to determine the change of the
spatial frequencies throughout the stratigraphic record. The ASM
was then quantitatively applied to t the spatial cycles with the
orbital targets to determine the optimal sediment accumulation
rates as a function of time. Through the ASM method, Monte Carlo
simulation was applied to reject the null hypothesis. Detailed de-
scriptions of these methods can be found in Thomson (1982),
Meyers and Sageman (2007) and Ma et al. (2014).
All spectral analyses in this study for signal MTM used ve 3p
discrete prolate spheroidal sequences (DPSS) tapers and those for
EHA and EPSA used three 2p DPSS tapers (Thomson, 1982). EHA and
EPSA were implemented using a 6-m moving window (0.01 m step),
which was experimentally determined by using a range of possible
moving windows to be an optimal size to assess the change of the
spatial frequencies especially for tracing the strong obliquity signal.
However, due to the relatively constant frequency of the peaks
observed in the EHA spectrum from the lower Eagle Ford, indicative
of a stable rock accumulation rate, a larger 12-m MTM moving
window was applied to the grayscale data to obtain an EHA spectrum
with higher condence. Based on sensitivity analyses, the power
spectra for windows with high signal to noise ratios centered at
106 m (100e112 m), 115 m (109e121 m), 120 m (114e126 m), and
125 m (119e131 m) were analyzed using ASM for determining the
orbital signals. For the upper Eagle Ford interval, the analyses were
separated into several parts (39.32e50 m, 50e60 m, 60e75 m,
75e85 m and 85e97.7 m) due to variable rock accumulation rates
determined from biostratigraphic and geochronologic constraints.
MTM was then applied to these windows to determine the candidate
peaks for ASM analyses. To obtain the signicant peaks, a sensitivity
analysis was conducted to determine the threshold of F-test signif-
icance level ranging from >75% to >90%. Those signicant harmonic
components of the 12-m EHA window for the lower Eagle Ford and
for different parts of the upper Eagle Ford served as the input for ASM
analysis. The theoretical orbital target periods (henceforth the ETP
model) for ASM analysis were derived from the astronomical model
of Laskar et al. (2004, 2011). Based on biostratigraphic and
geochronologic constraints, an orbital target for the upper Eagle Ford
was derived from Laskar solution in the interval 91e94.5 Ma span-
ning the Cenomanian and Turonian, whereas the 94e98 Ma Laskar
solution was used for the lower Eagle Ford spanning the Cen-
omanian. Following the approaches of Malinverno et al. (2010) and
Meyers et al. (2012a), mean values and 2s uncertainties of Laskar
solutions for seven Cretaceous astronomical periods were separately
obtained for the lower and upper Eagle Ford (see Supplementary
Data). The two dominant precession frequencies and two domi-
nant obliquity frequencies were evaluated via multitaper method
(MTM harmonic analysis of eight 0.5 Ma segments of the Laskar et al.,
(2004) solution for lower Eagle Ford: 94e94.5, 94.5e95, 95e95.5,
95.5e96, 96e96.5, 96.5e97, 97e97.5, and 97.5e98 Ma and for the
seven segments for upper Eagle Ford: 91e91.5, 91.5e92, 92e92.5,
92.5e93, 93e93.5, 93.5e94, and 94e94.5 Ma. Using four eccen-
tricity solutions from Laskar et al. (2011), each eccentricity solution
was evaluated in 2 Myr segments (94e96 and 96e98 Ma) for the
lower Eagle Ford and in segments of 91e92.5 and 92e94.5 Ma for the
upper Eagle Ford yielding eight estimates of the two dominant short
eccentricity terms. For the lower Eagle Ford and the upper Eagle
Ford, 4 Myr (94e98 Ma) and 3.5 Myr (91e94.5 Ma) segments
respectively, were used to provide four estimates of the long
eccentricity frequency (see Supplementary Data).
ASM hypothesis testing was conducted with 100,000 Monte
Carlo simulated spectra, using the same number of frequencies as
observed in each measured spectrum (see Meyers et al., 2012a).
One-hundred individual sediment accumulation rates were evalu-
ated, on a logarithmic grid, yielding a critical null hypothesis (H0)
signicance level of 1%.
After determining the orbital signal, frequency bandpass was
applied to extract the preserved orbital signals from the grayscale
record. Consequently, three astronomical age models were devel-
oped using the following approaches: i) tracing the obliquity cycles;
ii) the bandpass for long eccentricity associated with its stable
period (Locklair and Sageman, 2008) and iii) ASM and were used to
calibrate the main biostratigraphic and isotopic events identied in
Iona-1 (Table 3).
Table 1
UePb analyses of zircons, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
 206
Pbc 208
Pbd
Sample fractionsa Pb(c) (pg)b Pb b
Pbc
Th
U 204 Pb 206 Pb Ratios Date (Ma) Corr. coef.
206 207 207 206 207 207
Pbe Pbe Pbe Pb Pb Pb
238 U Error (2s%) 235 U Error (2s%) 206 Pb Error (2s%) 238 U Error (2s) 235 U Error (2s) 206 Pb Error (2s)

B1B; depth: 48.35e48.45 m

z1 0.22 79.7 0.53 4777 0.168 0.014201 (.06) 0.0936 (.30) 0.04783 (.29) 90.900 0.050 90.86 0.26 89.7 6.8 0.3
z4 0.18 51.1 0.52 3076.9 0.165 0.014189 (.06) 0.09341 (.43) 0.04777 (.40) 90.824 0.058 90.67 0.37 86.7 9.6 0.41
z5 0.18 27.5 0.61 1622 0.195 0.014172 (.08) 0.09349 (.93) 0.04787 (.90) 90.716 0.072 90.75 0.81 92 21 0.34
z6 0.26 23.1 0.60 1373.7 0.190 0.014179 (.09) 0.09319 (.93) 0.04769 (.90) 90.760 0.080 90.47 0.81 83 21 0.41
z7 0.21 15.1 0.71 877.3 0.226 0.014226 (.12) 0.09401 (1.28) 0.04795 (1.24) 91.06 0.11 91.2 1.1 96 29 0.36
z8 0.23 49.3 0.56 2935 0.178 0.014207 (.06) 0.0938 (.41) 0.04791 (.39) 90.942 0.053 91.04 0.36 94 9 0.38
Date (Ma) X Y Z
3 youngest analyses 90.776 0.039 0.060 0.11 MSWD 2.8
single youngest analysis 90.760 0.080 0.093 0.13

B2; depth: 81.5e81.6 m

z2 0.2 25.5 0.54 1537.3 0.172 0.014686 (.08) 0.09673 (.88) 0.04779 (.86) 93.985 0.073 93.75 0.79 88 20 0.37
z3 0.16 67 0.66 3880.6 0.209 0.018667 (.06) 0.12454 (.34) 0.04841 (.31) 119.228 0.070 119.18 0.38 118.2 7.4 0.46
z4 0.17 17.5 0.48 1074.5 0.154 0.014636 (.10) 0.09717 (1.12) 0.04817 (1.08) 93.669 0.094 94.2 1.0 107 25 0.44
z5 0.26 37.8 0.46 2314.1 0.146 0.014763 (.08) 0.09736 (.62) 0.04785 (.57) 94.470 0.078 94.34 0.56 91 14 0.59

J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

z6 0.2 15 0.39 943.6 0.124 0.017225 (.14) 0.1184 (1.28) 0.04988 (1.23) 110.09 0.16 113.6 1.4 188 29 0.41
z8 0.2 57.9 0.14 3853.8 0.044 0.021243 (.06) 0.15512 (.31) 0.05298 (.29) 135.507 0.08 146.42 0.43 327.1 6.6 0.48
Date (Ma) X Y Z
single youngest analysis 93.669 0.094 0.11 0.15

B3; depth: 86.47 m

z4 0.2 90.3 0.56 5361.4 0.178 0.021476 (.06) 0.14437 (.29) 0.04878 (.27) 136.975 0.080 136.93 0.38 136.2 6.3 0.48
z3 0.3 22.3 0.73 1277.5 0.234 0.014706 (.09) 0.09693 (1.06) 0.04782 (1.04) 94.111 0.086 93.94 0.95 90 25 0.26
z2 0.3 34.8 0.69 2006.4 0.221 0.014642 (.06) 0.09686 (.56) 0.048 (.55) 93.705 0.057 93.88 0.5 98 13 0.18
z6 0.2 10.7 0.78 618.2 0.25 0.014636 (.16) 0.09604 (1.91) 0.04762 (1.84) 93.66 0.15 93.1 1.7 79 44 0.44
z1 0.2 22.4 0.68 1303.5 0.216 0.014634 (.09) 0.09663 (.96) 0.04791 (.92) 93.653 0.085 93.66 0.86 94 22 0.42
z5 0.2 38.6 0.8 2168 0.254 0.014629 (.07) 0.0968 (.52) 0.04801 (.50) 93.624 0.064 93.82 0.47 99 12 0.40
Date (Ma) X Y Z
4 youngest analyses 93.666 0.037 0.060 0.12 MSWD 1.2
single youngest analysis 93.624 0.064 0.079 0.13

B8; depth: 159.435 m

z1 0.19 9.8 0.84 560.0 0.267 0.015271 (.18) 0.10123 (2.12) 0.04810 (2.05) 97.70 0.18 97.9 2.0 103 48 0.40
z2 0.18 2.8 0.67 176.7 0.214 0.015252 (.55) 0.10003 (7.45) 0.04759 (7.25) 97.58 0.53 96.8 6.9 78 172 0.39
z4 0.17 29.8 0.75 1695.5 0.241 0.015255 (.08) 0.10060 (.94) 0.04785 (.92) 97.600 0.079 97.33 0.87 91 22 0.31
z5 0.14 32.8 1.10 1717.5 0.350 0.015292 (.11) 0.10136 (.84) 0.04810 (.80) 97.84 0.10 98.04 0.78 103 19 0.43
z6 0.19 22.4 0.74 1284.0 0.235 0.015251 (.12) 0.10097 (1.13) 0.04804 (1.07) 97.57 0.12 97.7 1.0 100 25 0.48
Date (Ma) X Y Z
3 youngest analyses 97.603 0.062 0.086 0.14 MSWD 0.73
single youngest analysis 97.57 0.12 0.13 0.17

B9; depth: 169.265 m

z1 0.4 12.6 0.56 767.1 0.177 0.015293 (.35) 0.10102 (1.37) 0.04793 (1.33) 97.84 0.12 97.7 1.3 95 32 0.33
z2 0.5 8.4 0.76 489.0 0.241 0.015301 (.17) 0.10144 (2.14) 0.04811 (2.09) 97.89 0.17 98.1 2.0 103 49 0.33
z3 0.4 18.6 0.80 1054.6 0.257 0.015296 (.54) 0.10118 (1.01) 0.04800 (.99) 97.855 0.088 97.86 0.94 98 23 0.30
z4 0.5 19.6 0.74 1123.6 0.237 0.015303 (.15) 0.10132 (.95) 0.04804 (.92) 97.901 0.095 97.99 0.89 100 22 0.35
z5 0.4 21.9 0.94 1194.9 0.300 0.015278 (.25) 0.10096 (.87) 0.04795 (.84) 97.745 0.091 97.66 0.81 96 20 0.36
Date (Ma) X Y Z
All 5 analyses 97.838 0.046 0.067 0.12 MSWD 1.6
single youngest analysis 97.745 0.091 0.10 0.15

321
 322 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

3. Results
Xdinternal (analytical) uncertainty in the absence of all external or systematic errors; Ydincorporates the UePb tracer calibration error; Zdincludes X and Y, as well as the uranium decay constant errors. MSWDdmean square

Corrected for fractionation, spike, blank and initial Th/U disequilibrium in magma using Th/Umagma 2.8. All common Pb assumed to be blank. Mass fractionation correction of 0.25%/amu 0.04%/amu (atomic mass unit) was
3.1. Stable isotope results

Signicant carbon and oxygen isotopic differences are observed

both between and within marl and limestone lithofacies in all three
units (Austin Chalk, Eagle Ford and Buda Limestone), although the
All analyses are single zircon grains and pre-treated by the thermal annealing and acid leaching (CA-TIMS) technique. Data used in age calculations, as well as preferred calculated ages are in bold.

variability is most pronounced in the Eagle Ford. Some of this vari-

applied to single-collector Daly analyses. Total procedural blank less than 0.1 pg for U. Blank isotopic composition: 206Pb/204Pb 18.31 0.53, 207Pb/204Pb 15.38 0.35, 208Pb/204Pb 37.45 1.1.

ability can be attributed to early and late diagenetic processes

involving the formation of authigenic carbonate (e.g., Schrag et al.,
2013), and some can be attributed to variability in the isotopic
composition of carbon and oxygen in the water column from which
the biogenic carbonate that constitutes the matrix of these rocks was
derived. In ne-grained carbonate sediments, diagenetic alteration is
ubiquitous. Limestone-marl alternations, which often are interpreted
to reect cyclic changes in paleoenvironment, can also result from
differential diagenesis and differential compaction even where
paleoenvironmental cyclicity has been ruled out (Ricken, 1986;
Westphal et al., 2010). Aragonite and high-Mg calcite are particu-
larly susceptible to early dissolution with carbonate reprecipitated as
calcite cement. In the marine realm, calcite cementation can begin
on the seaoor in environments where, as was the case during Eagle
Ford deposition, active bacterial sulfate reduction produces elevated
porewater CO2 concentrations (Melim et al., 2002). In our dataset,
some limestones are characterized by relatively high d18Ocarb and
relatively low d13Ccarb values (Fig. 3) indicative of cements resulting
from CO2 production through shallow bacterial sulfate reduction
(Irwin et al., 1977) during early diagenesis (Fig. 3). However, we also
note that the range in values we report here are similar to those
recorded from pristine foraminifers from the KWIS (Fisher and
Arthur, 2002) and Tanzania (MacLeod et al., 2013) and thus re-
precipitated calcite may reect primary sea-water geochemistry.
Notes: Corr. coef. correlation coefcient. Age calculations are based on the decay constants of Jaffey et al. (1971).

Diagenetic complexities aside, bulk d13Ccarb data still represent ap-

proximations of the primary sea-water geochemistry as documented
by the global reproducibility and correlation of some of these d13Ccarb
trends that show minimal modication by diagenetic processes
(Immenhauser et al., 2008; Wendler, 2013). In particular, the Buda
Limestone recovered in Iona-1 is characterized by relatively uniform
d13Corg and d13Ccarb values (26 and 2 PDB, respectively), which
then decline in the basal Eagle Ford Group where they maintain
background levels of ~27.2 and 1e2, respectively. From these
background levels, ve notable excursions of varying magnitudes
were observed (Fig. 2; Table 3) including: i) a middle Cenomanian
Pbc is total common Pb in analysis. Pb* is radiogenic Pb concentration.

event (MCE; 143.73e139.27 m); ii) the C-T event encompassing OAE-
2 (105.96e91.56 m); iii) an early to middle Turonian event (EMTE;
78.05e68.87 m); iv) a middle Turonian event (MTE; 61.14e59.17 m);
and v) a late Turonian-Coniacian Event (LTCE; 49.44e5.85 m). In
Measured ratio corrected for spike and fractionation only.

particular, the C-T CIE is clearly expressed in our d13Corg record with a
positive CIE of up to 4 occurring between 105.96 and 92.73 m
(Fig. 2). However, our d13Corg isotopic record shows several precursor
isotope excursions of approximately ~1.5 between 111.36 and
107.17 m, which immediately precede and ultimately build up to the
C-T CIE. The shape and amplitude of the C-T CIE, as expressed in Iona-
1 is similar to other records in the KWIS (e.g. Bowman and Bralower,
2005; Sageman et al., 2006; Joo and Sageman, 2014) with the intra
CIE peaks as identied by Pratt and Threlkeld (1984) being clearly
resolved (Fig. 2). The d13Ccarb data exhibit similar trends, although
they are of lower amplitudes (1e2).
Radiogenic Pb ratio.
of weighted deviates.

3.2. Biostratigraphical results

Recovery of microfossils from all three disciplines (micropa-

leontology, nannopaleontology, palynology) throughout the
Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk intervals was excellent with the
a

e
b
c
d

identication of numerous age diagnostic bioevents (Fig. 4;

 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 323

Table 2
UePb analyses of zircons; University of Toronto.
 206
Pbc 208
Pbd
Sample Pb(c) Pb c Th Ratios Date (Ma) Corr.
Pbc U 204 Pb 206 Pb

fractionsa (pg)b 206

Pbe 207
Pbe 207
Pbe 206
Pb 207
Pb 207
Pb coef.
238 U Error 235 U Error 206 Pb Error 238 U Error 235 U Error 206 Pb Error
(2s%) (2s%) (2s%) (2s) (2s) (2s)

B1A; depth: 48.06 m

z1 1.9 21 1.91 511 0.6062 0.017303 (.30) 0.1206 (.35) 0.0505 (.14) 110.59 0.3 115.6 3.1 220 63 0.683
z2 1.2 26 1.25 1133 0.3973 0.016303 (.13) 0.1107 (.13) 0.0493 (5.35) 104.25 0.13 106.6 1.2 160 25 0.662
z3 0.9 17 0.9 1106 0.2853 0.015232 (.16) 0.1136 (.12) 0.0541 (5.43) 97.45 0.16 109.2 1.1 374 23 0.573
z4 1.3 16 1.34 615 0.4262 0.014971 (.22) 0.0990 (.22) 0.0480 (9.93) 95.79 0.22 95.9 2 98 49 0.623
z5 0.9 16 0.94 1026 0.2971 0.014701 (.12) 0.0953 (.13) 0.0470 (5.97) 94.08 0.12 92.4 1.2 50 30 0.683
z6 1 21 0.69 1286 0.2193 0.014516 (.14) 0.0954 (.17) 0.0477 (8.09) 92.90 0.14 92.6 1.6 84 40 0.728
Date (Ma) X Y Z
single youngest analysis 92.90 0.14 0.15 0.18

B4; depth: 100.66 m

Z1 0.3 2.4 0.76 462 0.2399 0.014826 (.51) 0.0999 (.91) 0.0488 (.42) 94.87 0.51 96.6 8.4 141 197 0.967
z2 0.3 3.7 0.59 760 0.1859 0.014784 (.21) 0.0984 (.27) 0.0483 (.12) 94.61 0.21 95.3 2.5 112 61 0.753
z3 0.3 6.3 0.64 1203 0.2031 0.014741 (.15) 0.0970 (.19) 0.0477 (.09) 94.33 0.15 94 1.7 86 43 0.743
Date (Ma) X Y Z
All analyses 94.45 0.49 0.51 0.53 MSWD 3.8
single youngest analysis 94.33 0.15 0.17 0.20

B5; depth: 114.04 m

z1 2.3 7 0.4 209 0.1254 0.019744 (.59) 0.1362 (.93) 0.0500 (.32) 126.04 0.59 129.7 8.4 197 153 0.867
z2 2.6 11.7 1.2 253 0.3812 0.016962 (.45) 0.1159 (.63) 0.0496 (.25) 108.43 0.45 111.4 5.8 175 122 0.79
z3 3.7 11.8 0.89 199 0.2814 0.016428 (.44) 0.1118 (.80) 0.0494 (.33) 105.04 0.44 107.6 7.3 165 161 0.981
z4 2 8.3 1.96 204 0.6234 0.016406 (.49) 0.1094 (.80) 0.0483 (.33) 104.9 0.49 105.4 7.3 116 166 0.894
z5 1.8 7.7 2.19 203 0.6972 0.016247 (.44) 0.1080 (.77) 0.0482 (.33) 103.89 0.44 104.1 7.1 109 163 0.955
z6 1.4 9.1 0.53 417 0.1670 0.015387 (.22) 0.1024 (.35) 0.0483 (.15) 98.44 0.22 99 3.2 113 76 0.881
Date (Ma) X Y Z
single youngest analysis 98.44 0.22 0.23 0.25

B6; depth: 124.78 m

z1 0.4 6.6 0.44 944 0.1408 0.015042 (.19) 0.1022 (.20) 0.0493 (.09) 96.25 0.19 98.8 1.9 160 44 0.663
z2 0.4 6.1 0.62 973 0.1956 0.014985 (.17) 0.0982 (.16) 0.0475 (.07) 95.88 0.17 95.1 1.4 76 35 0.596
z3 1.6 8.3 0.43 337 0.014959 (.26) 0.0988 (.42) 0.0479 (.19) 95.72 0.26 95.7 3.9 95 97 0.907
z4 0.4 9.4 0.48 1417 0.1535 0.014934 (.18) 0.0995 (.13) 0.0483 (.06) 95.56 0.18 96.3 1.2 115 28 0.525
z5 0.5 10 0.45 1265 0.1434 0.014921 (.12) 0.0992 (.12) 0.0482 (.05) 95.48 0.12 96 1.1 110 26 0.64
z6 0.4 6.2 0.37 898 0.1179 0.014894 (.17) 0.0989 (.19) 0.0482 (.09) 95.30 0.17 95.8 1.8 108 43 0.695
Date (Ma) X Y Z
4 youngest analyses 95.47 0.22 0.23 0.24 MSWD 2.9
single youngest analysis 95.30 0.17 0.18 0.20

B7; depth: 127.12 m

z1 0.4 10 0.12 1911 0.1782 0.015207 (.13) 0.1038 (.08) 0.0495 (.03) 97.29 0.13 100.3 0.7 172 16 0.539
z2 0.6 11.8 0.51 1238 0.1612 0.014983 (.16) 0.0996 (.12) 0.0482 (.05) 95.87 0.16 96.4 1.1 110 26 0.54
z3 0.7 13 0.56 1217 0.1782 0.014968 (.13) 0.0981 (.12) 0.0475 (.06) 95.78 0.13 95 1.1 75 28 0.626
z4 1.3 13.8 0.5 649 0.1598 0.01496 (.28) 0.098 (.27) 0.0475 (.12) 95.73 0.28 94.9 2.5 75 61 0.593
z5 0.5 7.1 0.53 870 0.1679 0.014952 (.46) 0.0987 (.16) 0.0479 (.07) 95.68 0.46 95.6 1.5 94 35 0.464
z6 0.8 15.2 0.46 1238 0.1450 0.014793 (.26) 0.0981 (.11) 0.0481 (.05) 94.66 0.26 95 1.1 104 25 0.47
Date (Ma) X Y Z
4 youngest analyses (excl. z6) 95.80 0.092 0.11 0.14 MSWD 0.48
single youngest analysis (Pb 94.66 0.26 0.29 0.31
loss?)

Notes: Corr. coef. correlation coefcient of XeY error on the Concordia plot. Age calculations are based on the decay constants of Jaffey et al. (1971).
Xdinternal (analytical) uncertainty in the absence of all external or systematic errors; Ydincorporates the UePb tracer calibration error; Zdincludes X and Y, as well as the
uranium decay constant errors. MSWDdmean square of weighted deviates.
a
All analyses are single zircon grains and pre-treated by the thermal annealing and acid leaching (CA-TIMS) technique. Data used in age calculations, as well as preferred
calculated ages, are in bold.
b
Pbc is total amount of common Pb in analysis. Pb* is radiogenic Pb concentration. Th/U calculated from radiogenic 208Pb/206Pb ratio and 207Pb/206Pb date assuming
concordance.
c
Measured ratio corrected for common Pb in spike and fractionation.
d
Radiogenic Pb ratio.
e
Corrected for fractionation, spike, blank and initial Th/U disequilibrium in magma using Th/Umagma 4.2. All common Pb assumed to be blank.

Table 3; see Supplementary Data). However, recovery of mi-
crofossils from the Buda Limestone was moderate due to the
more indurated limestones limiting the extraction of forami-
nifera, although several age diagnostic events were identied.
The raw data and detailed biostratigraphic discussion of the
bioevents for nannofossils, foraminifera and dinoagellate cysts
are presented in the supplementary information sections, and it
is the authors intention to publish detailed taxonomic infor-
mation elsewhere.
3.3. Bentonite UePb geochronologic results
The range in zircon dates reects complex populations indi-
cating a variety of processes, including the incorporation of
324 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Table 3
List of calibrated bio-isotopic events for the Cenomanian-Turonian of the KWIS. The following nomenclature was used for the denition of bio-events: LO last occurrence;
LCO last common occurrence; FO rst occurrence, FCO rst common occurrence; cons. consistent occurrence (see supplemental data for more details). Code letter
follows microfossil discipline and number is stratigraphically oldest to youngest. Selected taxa are presented in the Plates 1e4.

Event Code Depth (m) O1 tracing (Ma) (2s) E1 bandpass (Ma) (2s) ASM and UePb interpolation (Ma) (2s)

Planktonic Foraminifera
LO Favusella washitensis F1 171.51 e e e e 97.90 0.12
LO Rotalipora brotzeni F2 145.75 96.67 0.13 96.73 0.17 e e
LO Thalmanninella appenninica F3 143.37 96.56 0.13 96.62 0.17 e e
FO Whiteinella aprica F4 140.39 96.42 0.12 96.50 0.16 e e
FO Helvetoglobotruncana praehelvetica F5 136.88 96.23 0.12 96.35 0.16 e e
FO Rotalipora cushmani F6 133.68 96.06 0.13 96.20 0.17 e e
FO Whiteinella archaeocretacea F7 130.74 95.92 0.15 96.07 0.18 e e
FO cons. Rotalipora cushmani F8 116.76 95.23 0.12 95.30 0.17 e e
FO cons. Whiteinella archaeocretacea F9 116.76 95.23 0.12 95.30 0.17 e e
LO Rotalipora deeckei F10 106.94 94.73 0.12 94.75 0.16 e e
LO Thalmanninella greenhornensis F11 105.96 94.67 0.12 94.69 0.16 e e
LO Rotalipora cushmani F12 105.40 94.65 0.12 94.68 0.16 e e
FO Dicarinella hagni F13 104.83 94.62 0.12 94.66 0.16 e e
FO Guembelitria cenomana F14 104.83 94.62 0.12 94.66 0.16 e e
FAO Heterohelix reussi-moremani (Heterohelix shift) F15 100.90 94.43 0.13 94.54 0.17 e e
FO Marginotruncana renzi F16a 87.88 93.76 0.13 93.94 0.21 e e
FO Marginotruncana schneegansi F16b 87.88 93.76 0.13 93.94 0.21 e e
FO Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica F17 79.51 93.21 0.13 93.13 0.17 e e
FO Marginotruncana coronata F18 64.50 92.24 0.13 91.90 0.17 e e
LO Praeglobotruncana gibba F19 56.61 91.49 0.15 91.28 0.17 e e

Calcareous Nannoplankton

FO Corollithion kennedyi N1 136.88 96.23 0.12 96.35 0.16 e e

ACME Corollithion kennedyi N2 112.77 95.02 0.13 95.07 0.17 e e
FO Gartnerago obliquum N3 112.77 95.02 0.13 95.07 0.17 e e
LO Axopodorhabdus albianus N4 107.17 94.74 0.12 94.76 0.16 e e
LO Corollithion kennedyi N5 104.18 94.59 0.12 94.64 0.16 e e
LO Cretarhabdus striatus N6 104.18 94.59 0.12 94.64 0.16 e e
LO Helenea chiastia (Iona-1) N7a 101.83 94.43 0.12 94.54 0.16 e e
LO Helenea chiastia (extrapolated) N7b ~94.50 94.10 0.12 94.31 0.16 e e
FO Quadrum gartneri N8 90.57 93.90 0.12 94.15 0.16 e e
FO Eprolithus octopetalus N9 89.60 93.85 0.17 94.11 0.18 e e
FO ?Eprolithus eptapetalus N10 87.88 93.76 0.13 93.94 0.21 e e
LO Eprolithus octopetalus N11 81.40 93.33 0.14 93.26 0.18 e e
FO Eiffellithus eximius N12 77.60 93.11 0.12 92.99 0.17 e e
FCO Eiffellithus eximius N13 65.80 92.32 0.13 92.00 0.17 e e
LO Radiolithus orbiculatus N14 58.44 91.68 0.17 91.42 0.19 e e
FO Lithastrinus septenarius N15 56.61 91.49 0.13 91.28 0.17 e e
FO Lucianorhabdus maleformis N16 40.35 e e e e 90.23 e
FO Marthasterites furcatus N17 18.67 e e e e 89.72 e
LO Stoverius achylosus N18 12.84 e e e e 89.52 e

Radiolarians

FAO Radiolarians R1 103.82 94.57 0.12 94.63 0.16 e e

Dinoagellate Cysts

FCO Litosphaeridium siphoniphorum P1 144.21 96.60 0.12 96.66 0.16 e e

LSAO Bosedinia spp. cf. sp.1 & sp.3 of Prauss (2012b) P2 120.40 95.41 0.13 95.51 0.17 e e
LCO Cyclonephelium longispinatum P3 119.49 95.36 0.13 95.46 0.17 e e
FO Cyclonephelium membraniphorum P4 105.96 94.68 0.12 94.69 0.17 e e
LO Adnatosphaeridium tutulosum P5 104.18 94.59 0.13 94.64 0.16 e e
LO cons. Litosphaeridium siphoniphorum P6 103.44 94.56 0.98 94.62 0.98 e e
LO Adnatosphaeridium? chonetum P7 88.77 93.81 0.13 94.08 0.21 e e
FO Eurydinium glomeratum P8 87.88 93.76 0.13 93.94 0.21 e e
FO Chatangiella spectabilis P9 74.50 92.95 0.13 92.77 0.17 e e
LCO Cyclonephelium membraniphorum P10 72.77 92.87 0.12 92.66 0.16 e e
FO Heterosphaeridium difcile P11 65.12 92.28 0.13 91.95 0.17 e e
FO cons. Senoniasphaera turonica P12 60.93 91.94 0.12 91.61 0.16 e e
FCO Senoniasphaer rotundata sensu stricto P13 37.89 e e e e 90.17 e
LO Isabelidinium magnum P14 7.91 e e e e 89.45 e

d13Corg Carbon Isotope Events

Middle Cenomanian Event (MCE) start MCEs 143.73 96.57 0.12 96.64 0.16 e e
Middle Cenomanian Event (MCE) end MCEe 139.27 96.36 0.13 96.45 0.17 e e
C-T Precursor Event 1 111.36 94.94 0.13 94.99 0.17 e e
C-T Precursor Event 2 108.77 94.81 0.12 94.85 0.16 e e
C-T Precursor Event 3 107.17 94.74 0.12 94.76 0.16 e e
C-T CIE Event A (Pratt & Threlkeld, 1984) IE A 105.40 94.65 0.12 94.68 0.16 e e
C-T CIE Event B (Pratt & Threlkeld, 1984) IE B 100.90 94.43 0.12 94.54 0.16 e e
C-T CIE Event C (Pratt & Threlkeld, 1984) IE C 92.73 94.02 0.12 94.24 0.16 e e
Early-Middle Turonian Event start EMTEs 78.05 93.13 0.12 93.02 0.16 e e
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 325

Table 3 (continued )

Event Code Depth (m) O1 tracing (Ma) (2s) E1 bandpass (Ma) (2s) ASM and UePb interpolation (Ma) (2s)

EarlyeMiddle Turonian Event end EMTEe 66.49 92.56 0.13 92.22 0.17 e e
Middle Turonian Event start MTEs 61.14 91.95 0.12 91.63 0.16 e e
Middle Turonian Event end MTEe 59.17 91.76 0.13 91.47 0.17 e e
Late Turonian-Coniacian Event start LTCEs 49.44 90.83 0.13 90.75 0.17 e e
Late Turonian-Coniacian Event end LTCEe 43.78 90.42 e e e 90.05 e

A 6 B 0
4

organic matter oxidation

Inoceramus

meteroic
water
marine
-2
13Ccarb ()

vug cements
2

18Ocarb ()
pelagic
ooze
0 -4
recent
-2 sediments

-4 -6
Inoceramus

-6 meteroic water -8
vug
-8 concretions
-10 -10
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 0 20 40 60 80 100
18Ocarb () Calcite (wt. %)

C 4 D 15
Inoceramus

2 12
TOC (wt. %)
13Ccarb ()

vug

0 9
organic matter
oxidation

-2 6

-4 3

-6 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100
Calcite (wt. %) Calcite (wt. %)
E 320 F 320
280 280
2
240 240 r = 0.51
Grayscale
Grayscale

200 200
160 160
120 120
80 2 80
r = 0.59
40 40
0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 3 6 9 12 15
Calcite (wt. %) TOC (wt. %)
Fig. 3. Cross plots showing: A. relationship between d13C and d18O to elucidate the primary vs diagenetic signal; oval elds from Moore (1989); dashed box range of pristine
Cenomanian-Turonian Foraminifera recovered from Tanzania (MacLeod et al., 2013); solid box pristine Cenomanian-Turonian foraminifera from the KWIS (Fisher and Arthur,
2002). B. d18Ocarb and calcite (wt %); C. d13Ccarb and calcite (wt. %); D. TOC (wt. %) and calcite (wt. %); E and F. correlation between grayscale with calcite (wt %) and TOC (wt
%), respectively.
326 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

A B C D E F

Bentonite Beds

Isotope Event
Radiolarian
13Corg
Depth (m)
subsurface

Geochron.
marlstone
limestone

bentonites
bentonite

Dinocysts
Lithostrat.

Lithostrat.

Regional

U/Pb
outcrop

Nannofossils Foraminifera

MTD
-28 -26 -24 -22

P14
Austin Chalk

Austin Chalk

10
N18
N17
20
UC9

M. schnegansi
30

P13
40 N16

B1A
LTCE
Langtry Mb.

50 B1B
N15 F19
N14 P12 MTE
60
Upper Eagle Ford

UC8 N13 F18 P11

H. helvetica

70 P10 EMTE
P9
N12 F17
80 B2 N11
UC7
D B3 N10 F16 P8
Boquillas Fm

90 N9 P7
C N8 IE-C
W. arch.

UC6
Rock Pens Mb.

N7b OAE-2
100 B B4 UC5
N7a
F14 F15 P6
IE-B
A F13 P5 R1
N5 N6 F12 P4
IE-A
N4 F11 precursor events
110 F10
B5 N2
N3 F8
Lower Eagle Ford

UC1 - UC4

R. cushmani

120 F9 P3
P2
B6
X B7
130 F7
F6
N1 F5
140 F4 MCE
F3
F2
150
not assigned
Limestone

Limestone

B8 P1
160
Buda

Buda

170 B9
F1

180

-28 -26 -24 -22

Fig. 4. Summary of biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic events in the Iona-1 core. A. Lithostratigraphy and lithology (see Fig. 2 for legend); stratigraphic distribution of
bentonite beds; B. Regional KWIS bentonites AeD, and X of Elder (1985); C. Selected bentonites used for UePb geochronology; D. Selected biostratigraphic marker events (Table 3;
Supplemental Information) and biozones (UC zonation after Burnett, 1998; foraminiferal zonation after ); E. Organic carbon isotope data (d13Corg) with isotopic events after (adapted
from Pratt and Threlkeld, 1984); F. Identied global isotopic events (see text; Table 3).
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 327

inherited components in the zircon population, recycling of some
zircon grains that formed during protracted magmatic evolution of
a magmatic complex and interaction of the source magmas with
their country rocks, and/or post-eruption mixing of zircons in the
sedimentary environment (Fig. 5). In addition, the selection of
which zircon dates provides the best estimate of the eruptive/
depositional age requires an assessment of whether chemical
abrasion eliminated the effects of Pb loss and which zircons are
older than the eruption age. In general, we selected the best-
formed, inclusion-free, and clear grains prior to analysis. Once
analyzed, we eliminated obvious outliers due to inheritance or
Pb-loss and then evaluated the remaining grains. The approach of
calculating a weighted mean from multiple analyses of the
remaining grains assumes that they represent a single-aged pop-
ulation and that scatter or dispersion in the data is the result of
analytical uncertainty. A mean standard weighted distribution
(MSWD) of approximately 1 is consistent with this assumption and
the weighted mean is taken to be the best estimate of the crystal-
lization age of the zircon and in this case the eruption/depositional
age as well (Tables 1 and 2). Due to the high closure temperature for
UePb in zircon (>900
C for moderate-sized grains; Cherniak and
Watson, 2003) and rapid cooling rates, individual zircon grains
that are xenocrystic with respect to the magmatic systems may
reect processes that predate the eruption and/or inclusion of
basement or country-rock material incorporated in the ash cloud
during the explosive Plinian eruptions. Younger UePb ages could be
the result of residual post-crystallization Pb loss; since the devel-
opment of the CA-ID-TIMs method (Mattinson, 2005), the occur-
rence of UePb dates that record Pb loss have been greatly reduced.
Within our dataset (Fig. 5, Tables 1 and 2), only the youngest grain
from bentonite B7 (z6; 127.12 m) may have experienced minor Pb
loss and was excluded from the age calculation. Furthermore, the
youngest zircon grain in bentonites B1A (48.06 m) and B5
(114.04 m) are still much older than those derived from other
stratigraphically proximal bentonites as well as the astronomical
age model and are interpreted as xenocrysts; therefore, they do not
reect the eruptive/depositional age of the bentonites (Fig. 5).
3.4. Astronomical results
Extracted grayscale values provide a reasonable proxy for the
geochemistry of the two main lithofacies alternating in the
analyzed stratigraphic sections (dark marlstones and light lime-
stones). Changes in grayscale values positively and negatively
correlate with the quantity of carbonate and TOC (wt %), respec-
tively, as shown in Fig. 3E and F. Some variation is expected as the
geochemical measurements represent the average composition of
many laminae as they are derived from bulk 2.5 cm diameter core
plug samples from the 2/3 core portion, whereas the grayscale,
although averaged over a 3-cm interval, represents the surface
color value of the slabbed core at slightly different lateral locations
in the 1/3 core slab portion, but at similar depths.
The cyclostratigraphic study focuses on spatial cycles that fall
within the orbital bands, as determined by the nominal zircon
UePb age constraints (Tables 1 and 2) and supported by the age
model. Considering the sediment accumulation rate constraint,
frequencies of 6 cycles/m and 10 cycles/m are used as the largest
spatial frequencies tested in ASM analyses for the lower and upper
Eagle Ford, respectively (Ma et al., 2014). The sediment accumula-
tion rates tested in ASM are 1e3 cm/kyr and 0.4e6 cm/kyr for the
lower and upper Eagle Ford, respectively, based on the zircon UePb
age constraints (Tables 1 and 2). The Average Spectral Mist (ASM)
results are presented in Table 4 and also in the supplemental
information.

Age B9M B8M B7T B6T B5T B4T B3M B2M B1BM B1AT
(Ma) (169.265m) (159.435m) (127.12m) (124.78m) (114.04m) (100.66m) (86.47m) (81.5m) (48.35m) (48.06m)
90.0
z8 z5 z1
z4 z6 z7
91.0

92.0

z6
93.0
z2 z6 z1 z5 z4
z3 z2 z5
94.0 z3
z6 z1 z2 z5

95.0 z6
z5 z3 z4 z5
z4
z4
z2 z3 z2
96.0 z1

z2
97.0 z1 z3
z1 z4 z6
z5 z5
z4 z2 z3 z1
98.0 z6

99.0 z1 z2 z3 z4 z5 z8 z3 z6 z1 z2
bar heights are 2
100.0

Fig. 5. Age distribution plots of UePb ID-TIMS analyses. Bentonites with superscript T analyzed at the University of Toronto; those with M at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Bar heights show 2-sigma internal uncertainties of individual zircon analyses; dark-gray bars those used in age calculation; light-gray bars those excluded from age
calculation (see text for discussion). Older analyses plotting outside the diagrams are marked with arrows. Shaded horizontal line is the proposed age of the C-T boundary. See
Tables 1 and 2 for the complete analytical data, calculated dates, and their uncertainties.
328 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
Table 4
Average rock accumulation rates obtained from ASM results for Eagle Ford Gr.
Interval (m) Rock accumulation rate (cm/ka)
39.32e50 1.01
50e60 0.99
60e75 1.80
75e85 1.41
85e97.7 1.78
97.7e110.5 1.54
110.5e117.5 1.95
117.5e122.5 1.70
122.5e133.652 1.67
3.4.1. Astronomical age model results
Three alternative age models were developed based on: i)
orbital tracing of the O1 signal; ii) ASM; as well as iii) E1 eccen-
tricity bandpass (see Methods), and they were used to calibrate the
main biostratigraphic and isotopic events identied in Iona-1 as
detailed in supplemental information. The E1 long eccentricity
term has been predicted to be the most stable and phase-coherent
astronomical term, providing a superior tuning target (Laskar et al.,
2004, 2011); however, the preserved sedimentary record of long
eccentricity is particularly sensitive to stochastic noise which can
distort the reconstructed bandpass-lter output (see Meyers, 2012;
Ma et al., 2014). Alternatively, the O1 astronomical term is less
stable and difcult to predict (Laskar et al., 2004, 2011), but the
preserved O1 signal in Iona-1 is persistent and shows a relatively
strong high amplitude bedding signal throughout the studied sec-
tion providing a higher resolution age model. Both the E1 eccen-
tricity bandpass and O1 tracing astronomical models are presented
for the Eagle Ford section and used to calculate the age of the C-T
boundary (see discussion), whereas the ASM model was only used
for the overlying Austin Chalk section. The E1 bandpass age model
provides higher tuning condence, but provides lower resolution
than the O1 tracing age model.
3.4.1.1. Astronomical age model 1 (orbital O1 tracing). Based on the
sediment accumulation rates from the above ASM analyses, the
orbital targets were recognized and labeled on the EHA and EPSA
results in Fig. 6. Here the strong signals of obliquity (O1), with a
period of 50.23 ka for the lower Eagle Ford and 49.82 ka for the
upper Eagle Ford were traced and the corresponding spatial fre-
quencies were used for constructing the astronomical age model 1
(Fig. 7).
3.4.1.2. Astronomical age model 2 (Eccentricity). For each preserved
orbital target, the bandpass signal was extracted from the grayscale
data (Fig. 8). For the lower Eagle Ford, long eccentricity (E1), short
eccentricity (E2, E3), obliquity (O1, O2), and precession (P1, P2)
were bandpassed at the frequencies of 0.08e0.16, 0.4e0.63, 0.9e1.7,
and 2.1e3.3 cycles/m respectively. As the rock accumulation rates
were similar for the intervals 39.32e50 and 60e50 m (Fig. 6); the
bandpasses were conducted together. Long eccentricity (E1), short
eccentricity (E2, E3), obliquity (O1, O2) and precession (P1, P2) were
bandpassed at frequency intervals of 0.15e0.23, 0.7e1.2, 1.9e2.8,
and 4.0e5.8 cycles/m, respectively. For the interval of 60e75 m
(adjusted depth), long eccentricity (E1), short eccentricity (E2, E3),
obliquity (O1, O2), and precession (P1, P2) were bandpassed at
frequency intervals of 0.15e0.23, 0.4e0.65, 0.9e1.5, and 2.3e3.1
cycles/m, respectively. For the interval of 75e85 m (adjusted
depth), long eccentricity (E1), short eccentricity (E2, E3), obliquity
(O1, O2), and precession (P1, P2) were bandpassed at frequency
intervals of 0.2e0.3, 0.55e0.75, 1.3e2.2, and 3.0e3.9 cycles/m,
respectively. For the interval of 85e97.7 m (adjusted depth), long
eccentricity (E1), short eccentricity (E2, E3), obliquity (O1, O2), and
precession (P1, P2) were bandpassed at frequency intervals of
0.05e0.15, 0.3e0.5, 0.75e1.25, and 1.85e2.4 cycles/m, respectively.
Based on the bandpass of long eccentricity with the relatively stable
period of 405.16 (lower Eagle Ford) and 402.41 ka (upper Eagle
Ford), astronomical age model 2 was established by using the long
eccentricity bandpass. The continuity of the long eccentricity
bandpass signal was checked by performing the analyses from both
bottom-up and top-down and provided similar results.
3.4.1.3. Astronomical age model 3 (ASM). Astronomical age model 3
was constructed using the optimal rock accumulation rates ob-
tained from ASM results (Fig. 7). This age model was only used for
the Austin Chalk interval, where the rock accumulation rates were
steady (~3.87 cm/ka) and O1 tracing was not conducted.
4. Astronomical age calibration
The development of three astronomical age models for Iona-1
has enabled the direct age calibration of the main age-diagnostic
micropaleontological datums and global stable isotope curve for
the Cenomanian and Turonian stages in the KWIS. This calibration
has the potential to be applied to other global localities to provide
absolute age constraints. The main biostratigraphic and isotopic
events calibrated against the astronomical age models are pre-
sented in Table 3 and are discussed in the supplemental informa-
tion. Time-series analyses were not performed for the Buda
Limestone, so the assigned ages are based on a linear regression
between dated bentonite layers. In addition, the assigned age for
the lowermost 6 m of the Eagle Ford Group, which contain mass-
transport deposits, was calculated by linear extrapolation of the
overlying trend. To constrain the stratigraphic occurrence of some
biostratigraphic and isotopic events, we compared the Iona-1 core
data with those from a nearby core, Mustang-1, and with the
astrochronologically tuned USGS Porltand-1 core, near the C-T
GSSP, Pueblo (Meyers et al., 2001, 2012a; Sageman et al., 2006;
Fig. 9). The age-calibration approach follows that of Sageman et al.
(2014) and includes total propagated uncertainties at 2s based on:
i) analytical and total uncertainty of the geochronological mea-
surements at 95% condence level, ii) depth uncertainty of the bio-
and isotopic events due to the sampling resolution, and iii) uncer-
tainty in the astrochronologic methods. Furthermore, for the cali-
bration of the C-T stage boundary, geological uncertainty related to
the stratigraphic correlation between the GSSP, Pueblo and the
Iona-1 core is also included (see supplemental information for
details). In addition, following the methods of Sageman et al.
(2014), the C-T stage boundary age estimate was also calculated
using multiple isotopically dated bentonite layers to anchor both
the O1 tracing and E1 bandpass astronomical age models (see
Discussion).
5. Discussion
206
5.1. Comparison of Pb/238U with 40
Ar/39Ar dating
Signicant advances in both the 206Pb/238U and 40Ar/39Ar iso-
topic methodology including improved standardization and inter-
laboratory calibration (e.g., Mattinson, 2005, 2010; Condon et al.,
2007; Kuiper et al., 2008; Renne et al., 2010; Schmitz and
Bowring, 2001) now enable higher precision dating of both apa-
tites and zirons for geochronologic applications. Each method has
advantages and disadvantages which is beyond the scope of this
paper. We refer the interested reader to the detailed discussions in
Renne (2014) and Sageman et al. (2014).
 A Grayscale B C D E Rock accumulation
0 100 200
EHA - Normalized and Filtered Amplitude Rate (cm/ka)
EHA results (Amplitude) EPSA results (Log Power)
40 40
(Black <80% Harmonic CL)

O2 1.0 O2 O2
E2+3 E2+3 E2+3
50 P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2 4 50
E1 O1 E1 O1 25 E1 O1

60 60
0.8
E1 E1 E1

J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

O2 P1 P2 O2 P1 P2 20 O2 P1 P2
E2+3 E2+3 E2+3 2
70 70
Adjusted Depth (m)

O1 O1 O1

Adjusted Depth (m)

E1 0.6 E1 E1
80 80
O2 P1 P2 O2 P1 P2 15 O2 P1 P2

0
90 90

P1 P2 0.4 P1 P2 P1 P2
E1 E1 10 E1
100 100

O1 P1 P2 O1 P1 P2 O1 P1 P2
E1 E1 E1 2
110 E2+3 E2+3 E2+3
O2 O2 O2 110
0.2 5

E1 E1 E1
120 120

4
P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2
130 130
133.32 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3

Frequency (cycles/m) Frequency (cycles/m) Frequency (cycles/m)

Fig. 6. Time-frequency and sediment accumulation rate history results for grayscale data from the Eagle Ford Group. All analyses employ three 2p tapers and a 6-m moving window and are plotted against the adjusted depth
(bentonites and core cracks removed). A. grayscale data; B. ltered and normalized EHA results (the maximum amplitude in each 6-m window is scaled to unity, and the results are then ltered at the 80% Harmonic Condence Level;
Meyers and Hinnov, 2010). Black indicates insignicant results; C. Evolutive harmonic analysis amplitude results; D. Evolutive Power Spectral analysis results (Log10 power); E. rock accumulation rate history calculated based on tracing
the long obliquity (O1, red line). For comparison rock accumulation rate derived from bandpassed long eccentricity (black line) and ASM results (blue line) are also plotted. The ASM-derived orbital calibration is identied on gures
BeD: long eccentricity (E1), short eccentricity (E2, E3), obliquity (O1, O2) and precession (P1, P2) terms.

329
 330
J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
Fig. 7. Age-depth prole of the Iona-1 core. Iona-1 core data including lithostratigraphy, lithology and Organic carbon isotope data (d13Corg); regional bentonites AeD (Elder, 1985) and X-bentonite marked. Three astronomical models
plotted along with UePb dated bentonites from the core; supplemented by regional bentonites BeD (Elder, 1985) using UePb and 40Ar/39Ar dates from Meyers et al. (2012a), acknowledging that some may represent an amalgamation of
multiple eruptions.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 331

Fig. 8. Detrended grayscale and bandpassed lter results for the ASM-derived orbital components from the grayscale of the Eagle Ford Group in Iona-1 core (plotted against the
original depth with bentonites/core crack intervals included, producing the subtle kinks and offsets in the curves): A. Detrended grayscale (light-gray curve) and 500-point moving
average (solid black); B. Precession (P1, P2); C. Obliquity (O1, O2); D. Short eccentricity (E2, E3); E. Long eccentricity (E1). Light-gray curve in b-e is the detrended 500-point moving
average curve.

The interpretation of 206Pb/238U zircon ages of bentonites within
the Iona-1 core and the interpolated age model are generally
consistent within uncertainty with most of the existing 206Pb/238U
zircon and 40Ar/39Ar ages of approximately coeval bentonites from
the KWIS (Barker et al., 2011; Meyers et al., 2012a). Even when
applying an alternative interpretation of using only the youngest
206
Pb/238U zircon ages versus the weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of
a statistically coherent cluster of analyses in the Iona-1 core, the
ages remain within uncertainty. However, this alternative approach
should be treated with caution as it requires that the youngest
dated zircon grain represents the eruption age and can be impacted
by minor post-crystallization Pb loss (e.g., zircon 6 from bentonite
B7; see Fig. 5, Table 2). This situation has been recognized in a small
number of analyses despite being greatly reduced since the
development of the CA-ID-TIMs method (e.g. Davydov et al., 2010;
Schoene et al., 2006; Meyers et al., 2012a).
 332
J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
Fig. 9. Integrated regional correlation between Iona-1 and Mustang-1 cores with the USGS Portland-1 core and GSSP section, Pueblo, CO, USA. See Fig. 2 for the lithology legend; all depths are in meters, and the variable scale to reect
different sediment accumulation rates. Biostratigraphic events and isotopic events from Mustang-1 and Iona-1 (this study; Table 3 for legends) correlated with USGS Portland-1 core. Correlation also based on the short eccentricity
bandpass lter periodicity for Iona-1 (this study) and USGS Portland-1 (Meyers et al., 2001); CTB C-T Boundary. Letters A-D mark regional bentonite marker beds (after Elder, 1985). d13Corg data sources: Iona-1 and Mustang-1 (this
study), Portland-1 core (after Sageman et al., 2006; Du Vivier et al., 2014; and this study) and GSSP, Pueblo (Bowman and Bralower, 2005).
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 333

Two exceptions are observed between the 206Pb/238U zircon
ages from Iona-1 and those from approximately coeval bentonites
from the KWIS (Barker et al., 2011; Meyers et al., 2012a), namely the
i) Watinoceras devonense zone bentonite (sample AZLP-08-04 from
Lohali Point, Arizona; see Meyers et al., 2012a) and ii) Pseudaspi-
doceras exuosum zone (sample AZLP-08-05 from Lohali Point,
Arizona; see Meyers et al., 2012a). These bentonites were correlated
into the GSSP section by Kirkland (1991) corresponding to
Bentonite C and D of Elder (1985), respectively. The 206Pb/238U
zircon age from both bentonites when correlated into the Iona-1
section as bentonite C and D of Elder (1985; see Supplemental
Information) are older beyond uncertainty than the age estimated
from interpolated astronomical age model and the 206Pb/238U
zircon age of the coeval bentonite in Iona-1 (bentonite D; sample
B3, depth 86.47 m, this study). This, therefore, supports the inter-
pretation of Meyers et al. (2012a) that all zircons from W. devonense
and P. exuosum zone bentonites reect complex mixtures of
phenocrysts, xenocrysts, and detrital zircon grains and do not
represent the youngest eruption age.
For the most part, the 40Ar/39Ar ages from approximately
coeval bentonites from the KWIS (Meyers et al., 2012a) are slightly
younger, but within within uncertainty of the 206Pb/238U zircon
age and the interpolated age model from Iona-1. Paired 40Ar/39Ar
e 206Pb/238U analyses of younger Niobrara Fm bentonites from the
KWIS (Sageman et al., 2014) demonstrate concordancy in the two
systems. Feldspar 40Ar/39Ar analyses on the Iona-1 bentonites

A 93
Age (Ma)

94

95
B3 B4 B6 B7 B1B B1B*
Meyers et al.

Barker et al.

(86.47m) (100.66m) (124.78m) (127.12m) (48.40m) (48.40m)

(2012a)

(2011)

B 93
Age (Ma)

94

95
B3 B4 B6 B7 B1B B1B*
Meyers et al.

Barker et al.

(86.47m) (100.66m) (124.78m) (127.12m) (48.40m) (48.40m)

(2012a)

(2011)

Fig. 10. Interpolated age estimates for the Cenomanian-Turonian stage boundary using each of ve isotopically dated horizons in Iona-1 core as anchors: A) O1 tracing astronomical
age model; B) E1 bandpass age model. Crossed squares previous age estimates for the C-T boundary after Meyers et al. (2012a) and Barker et al. (2011); solid
squares interpolated age estimates anchored to bentonite beds in Iona-1 that are stratigraphically closest to the boundary; hollow squares interpolated age estimates from other
bentonite beds in Iona-1. Bentonites are B3; B4; B5; B6; B7 and B1B. Interpolated age estimate B1B* includes a 0.18 Ma hiatal interval at 69.6 m (see text). Error bars total
propagated uncertainties for each interpolation. Horizontal dashed line represents the interpolated age of the C-T boundary using the anchored bentonite B3 (86.47 m); dark-gray
shading analytical uncertainty of the UePb age; and light-gray total propagated uncertainty.
334 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

have yet to be performed, and should be completed to permit 5.2. Age of the Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary
paired 40Ar/39Ar e 206Pb/238U analyses. We believe the new UePb
zircon ages are sufciently precise to support the proposed age Several age estimates for the C-T stage boundary were calculated
model. through interpolation of the O1 tracing and E1 bandpass

Fig. 11. Global organic carbon isotope (d13Corg) correlation between Iona-1 (this study), KWIS reference section (Joo and Sageman, 2014), terrestrial organic matter isotope (d13CTOM)
record from Obira, Japan (Uramoto et al., 2013) and the carbonate carbon isotope (d13Ccarb) record from the English Chalk reference section (Jarvis et al., 2006). Isotope event
nomenclature follows this study, Jarvis et al. (2006), and Uramoto et al. (2013); dark-gray horizontal shading major isotopic events; light-gray horizontal shading earlier
initiation of OAE-2 CIE based on inclusion of precursor events. Isotope curves have been calibrated to the Iona-1 astronomical age model using key isotopic events. Note: two
unconformities are identied at ~92.7 Ma in Iona-1 and ~94.7 Ma in Portland-1; additional unconformities may be present in all these sections.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 335

astronomical age models using multiple UePb dated benonites
from the Iona-1 core as possible anchors (Fig. 10). The age estimates
include total propagated 2s uncertainties, including total isotopic
uncertainty at 95% condence level (Tables 1 and 2), uncertainty in
the astronomical O1 and E1 terms in quadrature (0.02 Myr and
0.1 Myr respectively) following methodology of Sageman et al.
(2014) and correlation uncertainty in the stratigraphic placement
of the stage boundary compared to the GSSP (2s; 0.05 Ma, see
supplemental information). As all the UePb ages used for the
anchoring of the age model originate from the Iona-1 core, no
addition uncertainty in correlation or projection of ages is required.
The most condent age determination for the C-T stage boundary is
based on interpolation from dated bentonite beds that are strati-
graphically closest to the boundary and thus have the lowest degree
of additive distortion in the astronomical model and least potential
for temporal gaps due to hiatuses (see Sageman et al., 2014). The C-
T boundary age estimates based on the O1 tracing astronomical age
model anchored using the weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages from
bentonites stratigraphically closest to the boundary (B3 at 86.47 m
and B4 at 100.66 m) are 94.10 0.13 Ma and 94.12 0.53 Ma,
respectively (Fig. 10A). Age estimates of the C-T boundary based on
the E1 bandpass astronomical model using the same approach
provide comparable estimates: 94.07 0.16 Ma and 94.21 0.54
Ma, respectively (Fig. 10B). Even when interpolating weighted
mean 206Pb/238U ages from bentonites stratigraphically furthest
from the stage boundary (B1B: 48.4 m and B7: 127.12 m), the age
estimates for the C-T boundary are remarkably consistent:
93.95 0.12 Ma and 94.16 0.15 Ma (O1 tracing, Fig. 10A) and
94.01 0.16 Ma and 94.20 0.18 Ma (E1 bandpass, Fig. 10B).
A small hiatus has been identied at the base of the Langtry
Member in Iona-1 (69.6 m depth; see Section 5.4) as an erosional
surface underlying a thin gravity-ow deposit and can be correlated
regionally based on stable isotopes and biostratigraphy (Lowery
et al., 2014; Supplemental Information), and thus anchoring on the

A B

Fig. 12. BudaeEagle Ford contact interval of the Iona-1 core (152.85e153.41 m); A. white-light core photograph showing the Buda Limestone overlain by a debris ow, followed by
deposition of darker organic-rich marlstones of the Eagle Ford Group. White clasts are reworked Buda Limestone fragments delineating an unconformable; B. Ultra-violet (UV) core
photograph of same section; C. vug development within the uppermost Buda, image enlarged 3 relative to A and B.
 336
A B C D E F G
Depth (m) Rock Acc. Mass Acc. TOC TOCcf Carbonate Non-Carbonate

marlstone
subsurface

limestone
Lithostrat.
Lithostrat.

bentonite
Rate Bulk Density Rate MAR MAR MAR Non-TOC MAR

Bentonite
outcrop
(g/cm3) (g/cm2/kyr) (g/cm2/kyr) (g/cm2/kyr) (g/cm2/kyr) (g/cm2/kyr)

beds
(cm/kyr)

MTD
0 1 2 3 4 5 2 2.5 3 0 5 10 15 0 0.5 1 0 50 100 0 5 10 0 5 10
0

10
Austin Chalk
Austin Chalk

20

30

40

J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Langtry Mb.

50
Upper Eagle Ford

60

70

80
Boquillas Fm

D
Eagle Ford Gr

90 C
100 B
A
Rock Pens Mb.

110
Lower Eagle Ford

120

130 X
KWIS Bentonites

140

150
Limestone
Limestone

160
Buda
Buda

170

180

Fig. 13. Mass accumulation rate (MAR) plots for the Iona-1 core. limestones open circles; marlstones black-lled circles; A. Lithostratigraphy/Lithology; B. Rock accumulation rates based on the O1 astronomical age model and bulk
density; density values based on wireline log and average density measurements from core plugs of representative lithologies; C. Mass accumulation rate (MAR rock accumulation rate  bulk density); D. TOC MAR; E. Carbonate-free
TOC MAR (TOCcf MAR); calculated by TOCcf MAR TOC MAR/(1-Calcite/100); F. Carbonate MAR; G. Non carbonate-non TOC MAR (MAR e TOC MAR e Carbonate MAR). Note that bentonites have been removed from calculations and
are shown in column A for reference.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344 337

Plate 1. White light and SEM illustrations of selected planktic foraminifera from the Iona-1 core. All scale bars 100 mm, all images at 60x magnication. 1e2: Hedbergella
planispira, 143.37 m; 3e4: Hedbergella delrioensis, 143.37 m; 5e10: Globigerinelloides eaglefordensis, 106.94 m; 11e12: Helvetoglobotruncana praehelvetica, 79.57 m; 13: Helveto-
globotruncana praehelvetica-helvetica transition, 79.57 m; 14: Helvetoglobotruncana praehelvetica, 74.25 m; 15e16: Whiteinella archaeocretacea, 130.74 m; 17e18: Rotalipora mon-
tsalvensis, 109.22 m.
338 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Plate 2. White light and SEM illustrations of selected planktic foraminifera from the Iona-1 core. All scale bars 100 mm, all images at 60x magnication. 1: Favusella washitensis,
171.56 m; 2e3: Heterohelix globulosa, 98.08 m; 4e5: Heterohelix moremani, 98.08 m; 6e7: Anaticinella multiloculata, 109.22 m; 8: Rotalipora cf. deekei, 132.76 m; 9e10: Thalmaninella
appenninica, 143.37 m; 11e14: Rotalipora cushmani, 107.82 m; 15e16: Dicarinella hagni, 104.00 m; 17e18: Thalmaninella greenhornensis, 107.82 m.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
shallowest bentonite B1B at 48.4 m depth, probably results in an
underestimate, with the age of the C-T boundary being older due to a
temporal gap in the astronomical model. Following the approach of
Sageman et al. (2014) the weighted mean 206Pb/238U bentonite ages
below the unconformity and the astronomical age model were used
to interpolate the 48.4 m bentonite age. This approach results in an
offset of approximately 0.15e0.21 Myr between the UePb age and
the interpolated age, which may represent the duration of the hiatus
at 69.6 m depth. When the estimated duration of the unconformity
is added to the age estimate for the C-T boundary using the
bentonite anchor at 48.4 m, the resulting age using the O1 tracing
and E1 bandpass astronomical models are 94.10 0.33 Ma and
94.19 0.35 Ma, respectively (including propagation of total errors)
and are both consistent with the ages interpolated using other an-
chors (Fig. 10).
Our age estimates for the C-T boundary are, therefore, consistent
with that of 94.12 0.13 previously proposed by Barker et al. (2011)
and within uncertainty of the 93.9 0.15 Ma proposed by Meyers
et al. (2012a; Fig. 10).
5.3. Age and duration Cenomanian and Turonian Isotopic Events
Previous astronomical age calibrations of the Middle Cen-
omanian Event (MCE) are limited to those of Lanci et al. (2010) and
Mitchell et al. (2008) who conducted analyses on the Scaglia
Bianca Fm, at Furlo, Italy. In the KWIS, Ma et al. (2014) provided an
astronomical age model down to the Lincoln Limestone Member
of the Greenhorn Fm., but did not extend their analysis down to
the Graneros Shale where the MCE has been identied (Joo and
Sageman, 2014). Therefore, the astronomical age model pre-
sented from Iona-1 provides an important calibration point for the
MCE and is expressed in the d13Corg record occurring within the
highest TOC interval near the base of the Eagle Ford Gr
(146e148 m). Based on the O1 astronomical age model, the MCE
interval in Iona-1 spans 96.57 0.12 Ma to 96.36 0.12 Ma (see
Table 3 for details).
Estimates of the duration of the C-T CIE which denes OAE-2
depend on the denition of its onset, termination, and complete-
ness of the sedimentary record. The termination is particularly
difcult to constrain as the return of isotope values to background
levels is gradual. This is further complicated as carbon isotope re-
cords are impacted by factors such as: i) the relative abundance of
mixed components with different d13C isotopic values; ii) isotope
fractionation due to physiological change and depositional envi-
ronments; and iii) d13C isotopic values of the carbon source, leading
to offsets from the global exogenic signatures (Sluijs and Dickens,
2012; Wendler, 2013). However, even though these factors affect
the shape and magnitude of the d13C isotopic curve, they should not
impact the timing or duration of these globally recognized events
(see Wendler, 2013). Using the O1 orbital tracing astronomical age
model, the duration of the OAE-2 interval in Iona-1 is calculated
based on the base prominent excursion (106.94 m) to the end of the
plateau in d13Corg values (92.73 m) as 0.71 0.17 Myr. A comparison
of the bandpass-ltered short eccentricity cycle from Iona-1 and
the USGS Portland core (Meyers et al., 2012a; Sageman et al., 2006;
Meyers et al., 2001); shows remarkable similarity between the two
records (Fig. 9). The duration of OAE-2 is consistent with previous
estimates from the KWIS, particularly the USGS Portland core
(0.56e0.67 Myr; Sageman et al., 2006) and Aristocrat Angus core
(0.52e0.62 Myr; Ma et al., 2014) despite the presence of an un-
conformity at the base of the Bridge Creek Limestone Member in
the USGS Portland core. However, if onset of OAE-2 was taken at the
rst possible rise of the stable carbon isotope curve (112.45 m)
including the precursor events and occurring below the LO of
T. greenhornensis as also reported in Europe (Jarvis et al., 2011), then
339
the duration of the OAE-2 interval would be substantially longer
(0.92 0.17 Myrs) than other KWIS records and that previously
reported from European sections (~0.45 Myrs; Voigt et al., 2008)
and suggest an earlier initiation of the OAE-2 than previously
recognized. It is more likely that the LO of T. greenhornensis is
stratigraphically diachronous between Europe and the KWIS, as is
the case with other marker species, such as the ammonite Wati-
noceras devonense (see discussion in Voigt et al., 2008). Therefore,
our preferred interpretation is that the three precursor isotope
events identied in Iona-1, USGS Portland-1 and the GSSP, Pueblo
(Fig. 9) occur below the onset of the OAE-2 interval as previously
recognized and are forerunners to the main CIE. The occurrence of
these precursor events in numerous locations within the KWIS
(e.g., Iona-1; USGS Portland-1; GSSP, Pueblo) also correspond with
other global records where they occur below the rst rise in the
stable carbon isotope values, but where their signicance has not
been highlighted; e.g., the New Jersey Shelf (van Helmond et al.,
2014), Equatorial Atlantic (Forster et al., 2007), South Atlantic
(Forster et al., 2008), and European sections such as the Vocantian
Basin, France (Jarvis et al., 2011) and Wunstorf, Germany (Du Vivier
et al., 2014). It is possible that these precusor events are part of the
OE-2 CIE interval and requires further studies on complete strati-
graphic sections.
Three Turonian isotope events are also expressed in our d13Corg
record (Fig. 2, Table 3) that closely resemble positive carbon isotope
events from terrestrial organic matter (d13CTOM) within the Turo-
nian Yezo Group, Japan (YT1-YT3; Uramoto et al., 2013). These
organic carbon events can be correlated with reference carbon
isotope trends based on bulk carbonate (d13Ccarb) from Europe
(Jarvis et al., 2006; Wendler, 2013; see Uramoto et al., 2013) and the
Western Interior Seaway (Sageman et al., 2006; Joo and Sageman,
2014). In particular, the early to middle Turonian CIE in Iona-1
corresponds with the YT1 Yezo Group and Lulworth-Round Down
excursions in the English Chalk reference section (Jarvis et al.,
2006), which also encompass the higher frequency Tu7eTu10
isotope events (Voigt et al., 2007; Wendler, 2013; Fig. 11). Based on
the tracing of the orbital O1 signal age model, the early-middle
Turonian CIE is 93.13 0.12 to 92.49 0.12 Ma, with a duration
of ~0.64 0.17 Ma.
The middle Turonian event identied in Iona-1 corresponds to
the d13CTOM YT-2 event in Japan (Uramoto et al., 2013) as well as
with the Pewsey d13Ccarb Event in the English Chalk (Jarvis et al.,
2006) and Western Interior Seaway (Joo and Sageman, 2014). It is
calibrated in the Iona-1 core to initiate at 91.95 0.12 Ma (O1
tracing), with a duration of ~0.16 Myr. The shift towards negative
d13Corg values in the upper Eagle Ford and lowermost Austin
Chalk in Iona-1 is correlated to the d13CTOM YT-3 event in Japan
(Uramoto et al., 2013) and, based on our astronomically tuned
age model, corresponds with the latest Turonian to earliest
Coniacian with the initial increase in d13Corg values at
90.83 0.12 Ma. The late Turonian-Coniacian d13Corg event
identied in Iona-1 shows good correspondence with the
d13CTOM YT-3 event in Japan (Uramoto et al., 2013) and the En-
glish Chalk reference section (Jarvis et al., 2006; Voigt et al.,
2007; Wendler, 2013). Specically, the positive excursion may
correspond with the Hitchwood event, whereas negative ex-
cursions may correspond with the Bridgewick and Navigation
events. In conclusion, the correlation between available marine
d13Corg record in the KWIS of North America, with d13CTOM re-
cords in Japan (Uramoto et al., 2013) and the European d13Ccarb
reference prole (Jarvis et al., 2006; Wendler, 2013; Voigt et al.,
2007) supports a linkage between terrestrial and marine car-
bon reservoirs within Late Cretaceous global ocean-atmosphere-
biosphere systems, as suggested by Barclay et al. (2010), Uramoto
et al. (2013) and Joo and Sageman (2014).
340 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Plate 3. Selected nannofossil marker taxa from the Iona-1 core. All images to same scale bar (top left image). 1. Stoverius achylosus, 18.70e18.67 m, XPL; 2. Stoverius achylosus,
18.70e18.67 m, PPL; 3. Marthasterites furcatus, 18.70e18.67 m, XPL; 4. Marthasterites furcatus, 18.70e18.67 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 5. Marthasterites furcatus (fragment),
18.70e18.67 m, XPL; 6. Marthasterites furcatus, 18.70e18.67 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 7. Eiffellithus eximius, 18.70e18.67 m, XPL; 8. Eiffellithus eximius, 18.70e18.67 m, XPL, Same
specimen. 45
; 9. Eiffellithus turriseiffelii, 127.77 m, XPL; 10. Eiffellithus turriseiffelii, 127.77 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 11. Eprolithus oralis, 81.40 m, XPL; 12. Eprolithus eptapetalus,
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
5.4. Accumulation rates and lithology
The rock accumulation rate for the lower Cenomanian Buda
Limestone is calculated by linear extrapolation between two
available bentonite UePb zircon ages and is relatively high
(~4e6 cm/ka). The contact between the Buda Limestone and Eagle
Ford Group is erosional and unconformable. Based on the
biostratigraphic data, the hiatus between the two formations is
constrained to the early Cenomanian, and a linear extrapolation
between geochronological events and the astronomical age model
indicate a duration of ~0.41 Myr with resumption of deposition
marking the base of the Eagle Ford Group occurring at
97.05 0.12 Ma. This event might correspond with a eustatic sea-
level fall (Ce2- Ce3 sequence boundary of Haq et al., 1987) as
expressed by paleokarst in the middle East and North Africa (e.g.,
Wilmsen et al., 2013). In Iona-1, the uppermost few meters of the
Buda Limestone contains vugs with calcite spar that also may
represent exposure-related karst during the early Cenomanian
implying subaerial exposure before the deposition of the marine
sediment of Eagle Ford Group. However, they may alternatively
result from more recent meteoric water interactions, once both
formations were exhumed (Fig. 12). Tilted blocks of well-bedded
Eagle Ford Group collapsed within the karstic openings of the
Buda Limestone are also observed ~90 km northwest of the Iona-1
core location where the Eagle Ford Group crops out at the surface
along US Highway 90 (pers. obs., 2012) thus favoring the hypothesis
that the top of the Buda Limestone is the result of meteoric karst
rather than exposure-related karst, although further work is
required to constrain the timing of meteoric karstication.
Rock accumulation rates obtained from O1 astronomical age
model for the section above the gravity-ow deposits in the
lowermost 2e6 m of the Eagle Ford Group indicate fairly constant
deposition throughout the 7 Myr represented by the studied in-
terval (Table 4). The lower Eagle Ford has rock accumulation rates
between 1.5 and 1.9 cm/ka, which slightly increase at the lower-
upper Eagle Ford transition (2.4 cm/ka), then decrease in the up-
per Eagle Ford (1.0e2.0 cm/ka) with the lowest rates in the Langtry
Member near the top of the Upper Eagle Ford. Rock accumulation
rates increase dramatically in the overlying Austin Chalk (3.8 cm/
ka). Individual bentonite layers would have been deposited at
accumulation rates >100e1000 cm/ka and were, therefore,
excluded from Fig. 13.
Middle to upper Turonian strata in the KWIS are generally
missing due to an inferred sequence boundary representing a
regional regressive event (see Roberts and Kirschbaum, 1995). This
stratigraphic interval analyzed in the Iona-1 core shows that within
the resolution of our astronomical age model, the record is strati-
graphically continuous, with the exception of one minor middle
Turonian interval at 92.71 0.12 Ma (69.6 m) that shows a short
hiatus with a duration of ~0.18 0.03 Myr as expressed in the core
as an erosional surface underlying a thin gravity-ow deposit. This
submarine hiatus preserved in Iona-1 may represent the distal
product of the shallower-water slumping events observed in the
Trans-Pecos region (pers. obs., 2012).
The astronomically tuned age model proposed for the Cen-
omanian, Turonian and earliest Coniacian stages enables the
reconstruction of mass accumulation rates for the main sedimen-
tary components (Fig. 13), which have important implications for
81.40 m, XPL; 13. Eprolithus eptapetalus, 81.40 m, XPL; 14. Radiolithus orbiculatus, 81.40 m, XPL; 15. Radiolithus planus, 81.40 m, XPL; 16. Quadrum gartneri, 41.89 m, XPL; 17. Quadrum
gartneri, 41.89 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 18. Quadrum intermedium, 41.89 m, XPL; 19. Quadrum intermedium, 41.89 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 20. Quadrum eneabrachium,
25.93 m, XPL; 21. Rhagodiscus asper, 81.40 m, XPL; 22. Rhagodiscus asper, 81.40 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 23. Axopodorhabdus albianus, 119.49 m, XPL; 24. Axopodorhabdus
albianus, 119.49 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 25. Helenea chiastia, 119.49 m, XPL; 26. Helenea chiastia, 119.49 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 27. Cretarhabdus striatus, 121.09 m, XPL;
28. Cretarhabdus striatus, 121.09 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
; 29. Corollithion kennedyi, 112.77 m, XPL; 30. Corollithion kennedyi, 112.77 m, XPL, Same specimen. 45
.
341
inorganic and organic matter burial rates and our understanding of
local, regional, and global perturbations to the carbon cycle and
KWIS depositional systems during the Late Cretaceous. In partic-
ular, our record from the Maverick Sub-basin from a starved, distal
part of the KWIS demonstrates that the maximum organic carbon
accumulation and preservation occurred during the early to middle
Cenomanian (95e97 Ma), which does not correspond with the
global peak in organic-matter sequestration at the C-T boundary
indicated by the positive global CIE. Similarly, the recorded
decrease in carbon preservation during the OAE-2 interval in Iona-1
(Eldrett et al., 2014) is also observed further to the north in the
KWIS (e.g. Sageman and Lyons, 2003). This indicates that massive
carbon sequestration occurred in some other region than the KWIS

nez
(e.g., Kuypers et al., 2004; Trabucho Alexandre et al., 2010; Jime
Berrocoso et al., 2010; Eldrett et al., 2014). Carbonate mass accu-
mulation rates are highest in both marl and limestone lithologies in
the underlying Buda Limestone and overlying Austin Chalk sug-
gesting relatively reduced carbonate productivity during Eagle Ford
deposition. This reects the unique environmental and biological
conditions associated with the organic-rich Eagle Ford in contrast
to the organic-poor bounding units. A more detailed discussion of
the astronomical and climate relationships with lithofacies are
contained in a companion paper (Eldrett et al., 2015).
6. Conclusions
We have developed two relatively continuous astronomically
tuned age models for the Cenomanian, Turonian and earliest Con-
iacian from a research core located in the distal and clastic sedi-
ment starved part of the southern gateway of the Cretaceous
Western Interior Seaway. These analyses provide a reliable tem-
poral framework for interpreting the dynamics of environmental
change throughout a period of major perturbations to the global
carbon cycle. This core is one of the most complete and best-
preserved global records of the Cenomanian, Turonian and early
Coniacian stages, and provides insights into the nature of the
associated Greenhouse conditions in a mid-latitude, shelf-platform
setting.
By capitalizing on the abundance of the most important marine
microfossil groups e calcareous nannofossils; planktic and benthic
foraminifers, radiolaria and dinoagellate cysts e we have identi-
ed numerous age diagnostic events which have been calibrated to
an astronomical age model, incorporating UePb ID-TIMS zircon
ages from bentonites, together providing high-precision indepen-
dent age control for regional and global correlations. We have also
identied ve major marine isotopic events occurring in the middle
Cenomanian (MCE); C-T boundary interval (OAE-2); early-middle
Turonian (EMTE); middle Turonian (MTE) and late Turonian-
Coniacian (LTCE); these events have been calibrated to the astro-
nomical age models and correlate with similar isotopic events in
the terrestrial record. We have further constrained the duration of
OAE-2 to ~0.71 Myrs, consistent with other records from the KWIS,
and have identied several precursor events leading up to the main
CIE which globally correlate. Furthermore, our integrated astro-
nomical age models indicate a C-T boundary age of 94.10 0.13 Ma
or 94.07 0.16 Ma consistent with that proposed by Barker et al.
(2011) for the Western Canada Foreland Basin and within uncer-
tainty of that proposed for the GSSP by Meyers et al. (2012a).
342 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344

Plate 4. Selected dinocyst taxa from Iona-1; All gures are to the same scale (see 50 mm scale bar). 1. Cyclonephelium membraniphorum, Iona-1, 86.65 m, V30/2; 2. Senoniasphaera
rotundata, Iona-1, 7.91 m, T27/4; 3. Senoniasphaera turonica, Iona-1, 7.91 m, J28/0; 4. Heterosphaeridium difcile, Iona-1, 45.72 m, X18/2; 5. Isabelidinium magnum, Iona-1, 7.91 m,
W36/4; 6. Senoniasphaera turonica, Iona-1, 52.57 m, U21/1; 7. Eurydinium glomeratum, Iona-1, 83.22 m, X25/2; 8. Litosphaeridium siphoniphorum, Iona-1, 119.77 m, F32/0; 9.
Cyclonephelium longispinatum, Iona-1, 119.77 m, P23/1; 10. Bosedinia spp. cf. B. sp. 1 & sp. 3 of Prauss (2012b), Iona-1, 127.31 m, V25/2; 11. Bosedinia spp. cf. B. sp.1 & sp.3 of Prauss
(2012b), Iona-1 T/S, 260.81 m, V23/0; 12. Adnatosphaeridium tutulosum, Iona-1, 104.18 m, N17/0; 13. Adnatosphaeridium? chonetum, Iona-1, 88.77 m, V20/2.
 J.S. Eldrett et al. / Cretaceous Research 56 (2015) 316e344
Acknowledgments
This research used samples from USGS Portland-1 core provided
by the Core Research Center, Denver. We acknowledge analytical
contributions by Bob Gregory (the Stable Isotope Laboratory at
Southern Methodist University, USA) and colleagues at Shell, in
particular other members of the mudrock team and ASAP team
including Andy Bishop, Katrin Ruckwied, Sarah-Jane Jackett, Rob
Campbell, Rui da Gama, and Iain Prince for internal review. We also
thank Aaron Shunk and Kyle Patterson for astrochronology dis-
cussions as well as David Lavallee and Nick Howes for writing
MatLab code enabling the isolation and removal of core cracks from
the grayscale data. We acknowledge Malcolm Jones and Palyno-
logical Laboratory Services (PLS) Ltd for excellent palynological
preparations. We thank Brad Sageman, Northwestern Univ., USA for
providing USGS Portland-1 core d13Corg data for the Bridge Creek
Limestone Member and Ian Jarvis, Kingston Univ., UK for stable
isotope data from the UK reference section. We would also like to
thank Stephen Meyers and Andrew Gale for external peer reviews
that greatly improved the manuscript. This research was conducted
and funded by Shell International Exporation and Production Inc.,
and we thank our Shell leadership for permission to publish.
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Appendix A. Supplementary data
Supplementary data related to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.
1016/j.cretres.2015.04.010.