A high-resolution North Sea Eocene dinocyst zonation

Abstract

Abundant dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) from Eocene strata of the North Sea exhibit a consistent succession of events, based on the analysis of 120 wells from Quadrant 3 in the north to Quadrants 21 and 22 in the south. These events have a constant relationship with stratigraphic sequences and subsequences throughout the area. Eight Eocene dinocyst zones and 23 subzones, and the uppermost Palaeocene Apectodinium augustum Biozone are defined by last occurrence or abundance events. The North Sea dinocyst succession is similar to that in Denmark, northwest Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and southern England, permitting correlation with calcareous nannoplankton zones for sections in these areas, and hence allowing correlation of North Sea stratigraphy with northwest European and worldwide events.