Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Coralline red algal limestones of the late Eocene alpine Foreland Basin in Upper Austria: Component analysis, facies and palecology

  • Published:
Facies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Late Eocene sediments of the Upper Austrian Alpine Foreland Basin discordantly overlie Mesozoic and crystalline rocks, which are deeply eroded and form a distinct pre-Eocene relief. Late Eocene deposits contain red algal limestones with a remarkable lateral extent and a high diversity of sedimentary facies. Towards the south the algal limestones change into more clastic sediments, which are characterized by larger foraminifera and bryozoans. Main components are coralline algal branches and detritus, coralline crusts, rhodoliths, peyssonneliacean aggregates and crusts, nummulitid and orthophragminid foraminifera, corals, bryozoans, as well as terrigenous components.

Rank correlation and factor analysis were calculated in order to obtain informations about relations between components. Hierarchical cluster analysis allowed the designation of 17 facies, most of them are dominated by coralline algae. Actualistic comparisons and correlations obtained from statistical analyses allowed the reconstruction of the depositional environments.

Main features of the northern area are huge accumulations of unattached coralline algae (branches, rhodoliths, detritus), which are comparable to the present-day “Maerl”-facies. They formed loose frameworks cut by sand channels. The frequency of coralline detritus decreases upsection. Peyssonneliacean algae in higher parts of the profiles show growth-forms that are comparable to peyssonneliaceans of the Mediterranean circalittoral soft bottoms. This succession can be interpreted by an increasing relative sea level. Besides, crustose coralline algal frameworks were growing on morphological highs which are partially comparable to the present-day “Coralligéne de Plateau” of the Mediterranean Sea.

In contrast to the northern area, sedimentation rate of the southern area is too low to keep up with rising sea level. The typical succession from nummulitid- to orthophragminid-and bryozoan-dominated facies can be interpreted by an increasing water depth from shallowest subtidal to the deeper photic zone and finally to the aphotic zone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aberer, F. (1958): Die Molassezone im westlichen Oberösterreich und in Salzburg.—Mitt. Geol. Ges. Wien50/1957, 23–93, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. (1978): Algal ridges of the Caribbean sea and West Indies.—Phycologia17/4, 361–367, Lawrence

    Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. (1986): Coralline algae as indicators of sea-level.—In:Plasche, O. van de (ed.): Sea-level research: a manual for the collection and evaluation of data.—229–280. Norwich (Geo-Books)

    Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. &Burke, R. (1976): Holocene bioherms (algal ridges and bank-barrier reefs) of the eastern Caribbean.—Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull.87, 95–109, Boulder

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W.H. &Maciniyre, I.G. (1973): Crustose coralline algae: A re-evaluation in the geological sciences.—Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull.84, 883–904, Boulder

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baccelle, L. &Bosellini, A. (1965): Diagrammi per la stima visiva della composizione percentuale nelle rocce sedimentarie. —Ann. Univ. Ferrara, N.S., Sez. IX, Sci. Geol. Paleont.1/3, 59–62, Ferrara

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, D. (1997): Vegetative anatomy and paleoecology ofPolystrata alba (Pfender) Denizot, 1968 (cryptonemiales, Peyssonneliaceae) from the Upper Eocene of northern Italy.— Rev. Paléobiol.16/2, 309–320, Genève

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, D. (1998): Coralline algal facies and their palaeoenvironments in the Late Eocene of Northern Italy (Calcare di Nago, Trento).— Facies39, 179–202, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basso, D. (1990): The calcarcous algaPeyssonnelia rosa-marina Boudouresque & Denizot, 1973 (Rhodophyceae, Peyssonneliaceae) in circalitoral soft bottoms of Tyrrhenian Sea.— Quad. Civ. Staz. Idrobiol.17, 89–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Blind, W. (1965): Der Lithothamnienkalk der ostbayerischen Molasse und seine Eigenschaften als Trägergestein.—Erdoel-Erdgas-Z.17, 341–345, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonye, Y. &James, N.P. (1993): Bryozoans as carbonate sediment producers on the cool-water Lacepede Shelf, southern Australia. —Sedim. Geol.86, 93–98, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosellini, A. &Ginsburg, R.N. (1971): Form and internal structure of recent algal nodules (Rhodolites) from Bermuda.—Journ. Geol.79, 669–682, Chicago

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1983a): Description and classification of Rhodoliths.—In:Peryt, T. M. (ed.). Coated Grains.—217–224, Berlin-Heidelberg (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1983b): The occurrence and ecology of recent rhodoliths.—In:Peryt, T.M. (ed.) Coated grains.—225–242, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1983c): Coralline algae from the Miocene of Malta.—Palaeontology26/1, 147–173, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1983d): Coralline algal reef frameworks.—J. geol. Soc. London140, 365–376, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1984): Construction and preservation of two modern coralline algal reefs. St. Croix, Caribbean.— Palaeontology27/3, 549–574, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1985a): The “Coralligène” of the Mediterranean —a recent analog for Tertiary coralline algal limestones.—In:Toomey, D.F. &Nitecki, M.H. (ed.): Paleoalgology.—216–225, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1985b): Preservation of coralline-algal reef frameworks.—Proc. 56th Int. Coral Reef Congr., Tahiti6, 623–628, Tahiti

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. (1991): Coralline algae: mineralization, taxonomy and palacoecology.—In:Riding, R. (ed.): Calcareous algae and stromatolites.—98–113 Heidelberg (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosence, D.W.J. &Pedley, H.M. (1982): Sedimentology and palaeoecology of a Miocene coralline algal biostrome from the Maltese Islands.—Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol.38, 9–43, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braga, J.C. &Martin, J.M. (1988): Neogene coralline algal growth-forms and their palaeoenvironments in the Almanzora river valley (Almeria, S. E. Spain).—Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol.67, 285–303, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brix, F. &Schultz, O. (1993, eds.): Erdöl und Erdgas in Österreich. —688 p., Wien (Naturhistorisches Museum)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchbinder, B. &Halley, R.B. (1985): Occurence and Preservation of Eocene Squamariacean and Coralline Rhodoliths: Eua, Tonga.—In:Toomey, D.F. &Nitecki, M.H. (ed.): Paleoalgology. —248–256, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchholz, P. (1984): Sedimentation und Diagenese des Lithothamnienkalkes der ostbayerischen Molasse.—Unpubl. Ms. Thesis, 146 p., Braunschweig (Technical University)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchholz, P. (1989): Der Lithothamnienkalk Südostbayerns. Sedimentologie und Diagenese eines Erdgasträgers.—Geol. Bav.93, 5–97, München

    Google Scholar 

  • Bühl, A. & Zöfel, P. (1996): SPSS für Windows Version 6.1— Praxisorientierte Einführung in die moderne Datenanalyse.— 671 p., Bonn

  • Burkhard, M. & Sommaruga, A. (1998): Evolution of the western Swiss Molasse basin: Structural relations with the Alps and the Jura belt.—In:Mascle, A., Puigdefabregas, C., Luterbacher, H.P., & Fernandez, M. (eds.): Cenozoic foreland basins of Western Europe.—Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.134, 279–298, London

  • Cosovic, V. & Drobne, K. (1998): Lutetian Orthophragminae from the Istrian peninsula (Croatia and Slovenia).—In:Hottinger, L. & Drobne, K. (eds.): Paleogene shallow benthos of the Tethys, 2.—Acad. Sci. Art. Slov., Cl. IV: Hist. Nat.34/2, 173–182, Ljubljana

  • Darga, R. (1992): Geologie, Paläontologie und Palökologie der südostbayerischen unterpriabonen (Ober-Eozän) Riffkalk-vorkommen des Eisenrichtersteins bei Hallthurm (Nördliche Kalkalpen) und des Kirchbergs bei Neuberern (Helvetikum).— Münchn. Geowiss. Abh. (A)23, 1–166, München

    Google Scholar 

  • Darga, R. (1993): Bemerkenswerte Wuchsformen der ForaminifereGypsina lnearis (Hanzawa, 1945) aus der Karbonatrampe des Eisenrichtersteins bei Hallthurm (Ober-Eozän, Bayern, Nördliche Kalkalpen).—Zitteliana20, 253–361, München

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J.C. (1973): Statistical and Data Analysis in Geology.—550 p., New York (Wiley)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dean, W.E. &Eggleston, J.R. (1975): Comparative anatomy of marine and freshwater algal reefs, Bermuda and Central New York.—Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull.86, 665–676, Boulder

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunham, R.J. (1962): Classification of carbonate rocks according to depositional texture.—Mem. Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol.1, 108–121, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Embry, A.F. &Klovan, J.E. (1972): Absolute water depth limits of Late Devonian paleoecological zones.—Geol. Rdschau61, 672–686, Stuttgart

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flügel, E. (1982): Microfacies analysis of limestones.—633 p., Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Freiwald, A. (1994): Sedimentological and biological aspects in the formation of branched rhodoliths in northern Norway.— Beitr. Paläont. Österr.20, 7–19, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Freiwald, A., Henrich, R., Schäfer, P. &Wilkomm, H. (1991): The significance of high-boreal to subarctic maerl deposits in Northern Norway to reconstruct Holocene climatic changes and sea level oscillations.—Facies25, 315–340, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Füchtbauer, H. (1964): Sedimentpetrographische Untersuchungen in der älteren Molasse nördlich der Alpen.—Eclogae geol. Helv.57, 157–298, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, R.N. &Schroeder, J.H. (1973): Growth and submarine fossilization of algal cup reefs, Bermuda.—Sedimentology20, 575–614, AmsterdamHohenegger, J. (1994): Distribution of living Larger Foraminifera NW of Sesoko-Jima, Okinawa, Japan.—Mar. Ecol.15/3/4, 291–334, Berlin

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hohenegger, J. (1995): Depth estimation by proportions of living larger foraminifera.—Mar. Micropal.26, 31–47, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hohenegger, J., Yordanova, E., Nakano, Y. &Tatzretter, F. (1999): Habitats of larger foraminifera on the upper reef slope of Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan.—Mar. Micropal.36, 109–168, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz, A.S. &Potter, P.E. (1971): Introductory Petrography of Fossils.—302 p., Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hottinger, L. (1983): Processes determing the distribution of larger foraminifera in space and time.—Utrecht Micropal. Bull.30, 239–254, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Janoschek, R. (1964): Das Tertiär in Österreich.—Mitt. Geol. Ges.56/2, 320–360, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Janoscheck, R. &Gotzinger, K.G. (1969): Exploration for oil and gas in Austria.-Proc.: The exploration for petroleum in Europe and North Africa, 161–180, London (Institute of Petroleum)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koba, M. (1978): Distribution and environment of recenCycloclypes.—Sci. Rep. Tohoku Univ., 7th Ser. (Geogr.)28/2, 283–311, Tohoku

    Google Scholar 

  • Kollmann, K. (1966): Die Mächtigkeitsverteilung der Ablagerungen des Obereozäns und tiefen Rupelsals Grundlage für eine Rekonstruktion der frühen Baugeschichte des Ölfeldes Ried (Molassezone Oberösterreich).—Erdöl-Erdgas-Zeitschrift82/5, 175–185, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Kollmann, K. (1977): Die Öl- und Gasexploration der Molassezone Oberösterreichs und Salzburg aus regional-geologischer Sicht.—Erdoel-Erdgas-Z.93, 36–49, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Kröll, A., Schimunek, K. &Wessely, G. (1981): Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen bei der Exploration in der Kalkalpenzone in Österreich.—Erdoel-Erdgas-Z.97, 134–148, Wien-Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Less, G. (1987): Paleontology and stratigraphy of the European Orthophragminae.—Geologica Hungarica51, 1–373, Budapest

    Google Scholar 

  • Littler, M.M., Littler, D.S. &Hanisak, M.D. (1991): Deep-water rhodolith distribution, productivity, and growth history at sites of formation and subsequent degradation.—Journ. Mar. Biol. Ecol.150, 163–182, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macgregor, A.R. (1983): The Waitakere Limestone, a temperate algal carbonate in the lower Tertiary of New Zealand.—J. geol. Soc.140, 387–399, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Miall, A.D. (1973): Markov chain analysis applied to an ancient alluvial plain succession.—Sedimentology20, 347–364, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, J.W. (1987): Benthic foraminiferal assemblages-criteria for the distinction of temperate and subtropical carbonate environments.—In:Hart, M. (ed.): Micropaleontology of carbonate environments.—9–19, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachtmann, W. &Wagner, L. (1987): Mesozoic and Early Tertiary evolution of the Alpine foreland in Upper Austria and Salzburg, Austria.—Tectonophysics,137/1–4, 61–76, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oberhauser, R. (1995): Zur Kenntinis der Tektonik und der Paläogeographie des Ostalpenraumes zur Kreide-, Paleozän- und Eozänzeit.—Jahrb. Geol. Bund. Anst.138/2, 369–432, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Papp, A. (1958): Vorkommen und Verbreitung des Obereozäns in Österreich.—Mitt. Geol. Ges.50, 251–270, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Purnachandra Rao, V., Lamboy, M. &Dupeuble, P.A. (1993): Verdine and other associated authigenic (glaucony, phosphate) facies from the surficial sediments of the southwestern continental margin of India.—Mar. Geol.111, 133–158, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasser, M. (1994): Facies and palaeoecology of rhodoliths and acervulinid macroids in the Eocene of the Krappfeld (Austria).—Beitr. Paläont.19, 191–217, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasser, M.W. (1999): Fazies und Paläoökologie der obereozänen Rotalgenkalke der oberösterreichischen Molassezone.—Unpubl. Ph. Thesis, 204 p., Vienna (University of Vienna)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasser, M.W. &Piller, W.E. (1999): Application of neontological taxonomic concepts to Late Eocene coralline algae (Rhodophyta) of the Austrian Molasse Zone.—Journ. of Micropal.18(1): 67–80, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Reading, H.G. (1986): Sedimentary environment and facies.—615 p., Oxford (Blackwell)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R.P. &Macintyre, I.G. (1988): Foraminiferal-algal nodules from the Eastern Caribbean: Growth history and implications on the value of nodules as paleoenvironmental indicators.—Palaios3, 424–435, Lawrence

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoffin, T.P. (1988): The environments of production and deposition of calcareous sediments on the shelf west of Scotland.—Sedim. Geol.60, 107–134, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scoffin, T.P., Stoddart, D.R., Tudhope, A.W. &Woodroffe, C. (1985): Rhodoliths and coralliths of Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.—Coral Reefs4, 71–80, Berlin

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, H.D., Sayer, Z.R. &Tucker, M.E. (1998): Carbonate sedimentation during early foreland basin subsidence: the Eocene succession of the French Alps.—In:Wright, V.P. &Burchette, T.P. (eds.): Carbonate Ramps.—Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.149, 205–228, London (Geological Society)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A.M. (1994): Palaeoenvironmental interpretation using bryozoans: a review.—In:Bosence, D.W.J. (ed.): Marine Palaeoenvironmental Analysis from Fossils.—Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.,83, 231–243, London (Geological Society)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steininger, F.F., Wessely, G., Rögl, F. &Wagner, L. (1986): Tertiary sedimentary history and tectonic evolution of the Eastern Alpine Foredeep.—Giorn. Geol., ser. 348/1–2, 285–297, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  • Steneck, R.S. (1985): Adaptions of Crustose Coralline Algae to Herbivory: Patterns in Space and Time.—In:Toomey, D.F. &Nitecki, M.H. (eds.): Paleoalgology.—352–366, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steneck, R.S., Macintyre, I.G. &Reid, R.P. (1997): A unique algal ridge system in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas.—Coral Reefs16, 29–37, Berlin

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swan, A.R.H. & Sandiland, M. (1995): Introduction to Geological Data Analysis.—466 p., Oxford

  • Thornton, S., Pilkey, O. &Lynts, G. (1978): A lagoonal crustose coralline algal micro-ridge: Bahiret el Bibane, Tunisia.—Journ. Sedim. Petrol.48, 743–750.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ungaro, S. (1996): Adaptive morphological strategy ofGypsina (encrusting Foraminifer).—In:Cherchi, A. (ed.): Autecology of selected fossil organisms: Achievements and problems.—Boll. Soc. Paleont. Ital., Spec. Vol.3, 233–241, Modena

  • Wagner, L. (1980): Geologische Charakteristik der wichtigsten Erdöl- und Erdgasträger der oberösterreichischen Molasse, Teil I: Die Sandsteine des Obereozäns.—Erdöl Erdgas Z.96/9, 338–346, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, L. (1996): Stratigraphy and hydrocarbons in the Upper Austrian Molasse Foredeep (active margin).—In:Wessely, G. & Liebl, W. (eds.): Oil and gas in Alpidic thrustbelts and basins of Central and Eastern Europe.—Europ. Assoc. Geosci. Engin. Spec. Publ.5, 217–235, London

  • Wagner, L.R. (1998): Tectono-stratigraphy and hydrocarbons in the Molasse Foredeep of Salzburg, Upper and Lower Austria. —In:Mascle, A., Puigdefabregas, C., Luterbacher, H.P. & Ferndandez, M. (eds.): Cenozoic foreland basins of Western Europe.—Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.134, 339–370, London

  • Wagner, L., Kuckelkorn, K. &Hiltmann, W. (1986): Neue Ergebnisse zur alpinen Gebirgsbildung Oberösterreichs aus der Bohrung Oberhofen 1-Stratigraphie, Fazies, Maturität und Tektonik.—Erdöl-Erdgas Z.102/1, 12–19, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Wehrmann, A., Freiwals, A. &Zankl, H. (1995): Formation of cold-temperate water multispecies rhodoliths in intertidal gravel pools from Northern Brittany, France.—Senckenbergiana maritima26/1/2, 51–71, Frankfurt

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessely, G. (1987): Mesozoic and Tertiary evolution of the Alpine-Carpathian foreland in eastern Austria.—Tectonophysics137, 45–59, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zágorsek, K. (1996): Paleoecology of the Eocene bryozoan marl in the Alpine-Carpathian region.—In:Gordon, D.P., Smith, A.M. & Grant-Mackie, J.A. (eds.): Bryozoans in space and time.—Proc. 10th Int. Bryozoology Conf., 413–422, Wellington

  • Ziegler, P.A. (1987): Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic intra-plate compressional deformations in the Alpine foreland—a geodynamic model.—Tectonophysics137, 389–420, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zweigel, J., Aigner, T. & Luterbacher, H.P. (1998): Eustatic versus tectonic controls on Alpine foreland basin fill: Sequence stratigraphy and subsidence analysis in the SE German Molasse.—In:Mascle, A., Puigdefabregas, C., Luterbacher, H.P. & Fernandez, M. (eds.): Cenozoic foreland basins of Western Europe.—Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.134, 299–324, London

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Paleontology, University of Vienna, Geozentrum, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090, Vienna

    Michael W. Rasser

Authors
  1. Michael W. Rasser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael W. Rasser.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rasser, M.W. Coralline red algal limestones of the late Eocene alpine Foreland Basin in Upper Austria: Component analysis, facies and palecology. Facies 42, 59–92 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02562567

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02562567

Keywords

Search

Navigation