Trace Fossils and Bathymetry of the Upper Cretaceous Point Loma Formation, San Diego, California

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1974 Trace Fossils and Bathymetry of the Upper Cretaceous Point Loma Formation, San Diego, California J. PHILIP KERN; J. PHILIP KERN 1Department of Geology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar JOHN E. WARME JOHN E. WARME 2Department of Geology, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. PHILIP KERN 1Department of Geology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92115 JOHN E. WARME 2Department of Geology, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1974) 85 (6): 893–900. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1974)85<893:TFABOT>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. PHILIP KERN, JOHN E. WARME; Trace Fossils and Bathymetry of the Upper Cretaceous Point Loma Formation, San Diego, California. GSA Bulletin 1974;; 85 (6): 893–900. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1974)85<893:TFABOT>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Distinctive biogenic sedimentary structures (trace fossils) in sedimentary rocks reflect the burrowing behavior of the animals that made them. Because the distribution of these animals is influenced by environmental factors such as water depth and substrate type, trace fossils have been used widely as paleoenvironmental guides.The massive, ungraded sandstones in the Point Loma Formation have sharp upper and lower contacts, thick lenses of mudstone clasts, and common load-deformation structures, suggesting deposition largely by grain-flow processes. Foraminifers and most of the trace fossils suggest deposition in a deep, probably bathyal environment. However, two abundant trace fossils, Qphiomorpha and Thalassinoides, are widely held to represent very shallow-water to intertidal paleoenvironments, and they usually occur in such facies. Two morphologic forms of a third trace fossil, Zoophycos, have been thought to reflect different environmental conditions, but they occur here in the same strata. These occurrences emphasize the point that paleoenvironmental interpretations should not be based on individual trace-fossil taxa, but that such traces should be considered only in conjunction with other available evidence. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.