Foraminifera in the glacial erratic rock Sternberger Gestein from northern Germany

Abstract

This study is part of a project that aims to provide the first comprehensive analysis of foraminifera in glacial erratics. Such studies may be used to clarify the origin of glacial erratics and serve as indicators of the direction of glacial movements. The glacial erratics, which were deposited during the Pleistocene Ice Ages, cover vast areas in northern Germany and beyond. The origin of erratics with fossil content can be clarified by correlating them with undisturbed strata. The foraminiferal assemblages of 21 pieces of the glacial erratic Sternberger Gestein (SG) are documented and illustrated. A total of 82 foraminiferal taxa were found, of which 69 taxa were illustrated, representing 97% of the counted specimens. Cluster analysis and analysis of similarities were used to determine the affinities between pieces. Based on previous borehole studies, the fauna in the SG pieces can be correlated regionally with the Palmula oblonga horizon and globally with the Chattian (Oligocene). Indicative are the frequent presence of taxa such as Elphidium subnodosum, Nodosaria intermittens, and Palmula oblonga. Additionally, the absence of marker species commonly found in horizons above and below supports this assignment. The SG assemblages represent an inner sublittoral biofacies that indicates a water depth of less than 50 m.