Late Cenozoic Foraminifera from diamictites of Cape Lamb, Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula

CARAMÉS, ANDREA ; CONCHEYRO, ANDREA

AMEGHINIANA

ASOCIACION PALEONTOLOGICA ARGENTINA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2013 p. 114 - 135

0002-7014

Abstract. Foraminiferal assemblages recovered from Cape Lamb sediments on Vega Island are examined and illustrated herein. The foraminiferawere discovered in Cenozoic debris and palagonitic breccia lithofacies that crop out at the southwestern tip of Cape Lamb. Amongall the Cenozoic diamictite deposits recognized in this island, the studied sediments are the youngest and the most fossiliferous. Pectinids,brachiopods, and microfaunas are exceptionally well preserved and indicate little or no transport. The foraminiferal assemblage is dominatedby infaunal species, with the most abundant including Globocassidulina biora, Cribroelphidium sp. aff. E. excavatum, and Cassidulinoidesparkerianus, and the epifaunal Cibicides refulgens. These foraminifera suggest a normal inner shelf marine environment. Microfossils andmacrofauna, stratigraphical evidence observed in the field and published isotopic ages from the nearby Cape Lamb suggest a Pleistocene agefor this deposit.