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GSSP for Ludfordian Stage

Definition:

The base of the Ludfordian Stage is located at Sunnyhill Quarry, near Ludlow, Shropshire, UK.

Location:

The GSSP is located at Sunnyhill Quarry (SO 4950 7255) about 2.5km south-west of Ludlow town, Shropshire, UK. From Ludlow it is reached by the A49 and B4361 roads. 		GSSP for Ludfordian Stage


Sedimentology:

The Upper Bringewood Formation (Gorstian) consists of nodular silty limestone. The succeeding Lower Leintwardine Formation (Ludfordian) is lithological similar, but faunally distinct. The GSSP for the Ludfordian is represented as a thin shale seam, coincident with the base of the Leintwardine Formation.


Primary Markers:

Graptolites:
The most important incoming species above the GSSP is Saetograptus leintwardinensis leintwardinensis.

Secondary Markers:

Acritarchs:
Dorning's (1981) acritarch Biozone boundary L2/L3 is positioned slightly below the Gorstian-Ludfordian boundary. The incoming species of the L3 biozone are: Cymbosphaeridium pilaris, Leoniella carminae, Multiplicisphaeridium paraquaferum, Veryhachium leintwardinensis, and Leiofusa estrecha.

At or near the base of the Ludfordian Stage the following fossils either disappear or become very rare:
Brachiopods: Kirkidium knightii, Strophonella euglypha
Solitary corals: D. myops, P. globosa

Correlation Events:

Imprecise. May be near base of Saetograptus leintwardinensis Graptolite zone.

Other Locations around the World:

See:
Holland, C. H. and Bassett, M. G, 1989 (eds.). A global standard for the Silurian System. National Museum of Wales, Geological Series 9, Cardiff.

References:

Lethaia 14


Holland, C. H., 1982. The state of Silurian Stratigraphy. Episodes 5/3, p. 21-23, 1982.


Dorning, K. J., 1981. Silurian acritarchs from the type Wenlock and Ludlow of Shropshire, England. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 34, p. 175 - 203.


Lawson, J. D. and White, D. E., 1989. The Ludlow Series in the Ludlow Area. In: Holland, C. H. and Bassett, M. G. (eds.). A global standard for the Silurian System. National Museum of Wales, Geological Series 9, p. 73 - 90, Cardiff.

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