The Detection and Importance of Subtle Biofacies within a Single Lithofacies: The Upper Ordovician Kope Formation of the Cincinnati, Ohio Region

Abstract

Other| June 01, 2001 The Detection and Importance of Subtle Biofacies within a Single Lithofacies: The Upper Ordovician Kope Formation of the Cincinnati, Ohio Region STEVEN M. HOLLAND; STEVEN M. HOLLAND 1Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2501 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar ARNOLD I. MILLER; ARNOLD I. MILLER 2Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar DAVID L. MEYER; DAVID L. MEYER 2Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar BENJAMIN F. DATTILO BENJAMIN F. DATTILO 3Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, UT 84408 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar PALAIOS (2001) 16 (3): 205–217. https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2001)016<0205:TDAIOS>2.0.CO;2 Article history accepted: 14 Dec 2000 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation STEVEN M. HOLLAND, ARNOLD I. MILLER, DAVID L. MEYER, BENJAMIN F. DATTILO; The Detection and Importance of Subtle Biofacies within a Single Lithofacies: The Upper Ordovician Kope Formation of the Cincinnati, Ohio Region. PALAIOS 2001;; 16 (3): 205–217. doi: https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2001)016<0205:TDAIOS>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 SocietyPALAIOS Search Advanced Search Abstract Environmental controls on the distribution of fossils most commonly are found by recognizing that certain distinctive fossil assemblages are associated with particular lithofacies. Lack of change in lithofacies commonly is used as indicating a lack of significant environmental effects on the stratigraphic distribution of fossils. The results presented here challenge that view. The Upper Ordovician Kope Formation of the Cincinnati, Ohio, area has long been considered a single unit, both lithostratigraphically and in terms of depositional environment. Gradient analysis of over 1000 fossil assemblages reveals subtle environmental control on the distribution of fossils, in the absence of obvious lithologic change. This gradient analysis is used to construct an ecological model of the Kope fauna, with values of preferred depth, depth tolerance, and peak abundance estimated for the most common fossils. This method, conducted within a single lithofacies, offers the potential for reconstructing sequence architecture because faunas can be more sensitive recorders of environment than lithofacies. In addition, the presence of subtle facies control as in the Kope raises the prospect that environmental controls on paleobiologic and biostratigraphic patterns may be more pervasive than generally acknowledged. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.