The Lower - Middle Miocene transition (Karpatian – Badenian) in the Krems Embayment (Central Paratethys, Lower Austria): a multistrati-graphic approach and the role of the Diendorf-Boskovice Fault System.

Abstract The Krems Embayment contains the westernmost fully marine depositional environments of the Karpatian and Bade-nian transgressions in the Central Paratethys. Four drill cores were investigated to analyse the bio- and lithostratigraphic, and tectonic relations. The investigated core sections cover the Karpatian Laa Formation (bio-zones M4, NN4) and the Badenian Gaindorf Formation (M5b-M6, NN4-NN5). Important biostratigraphic indicators identified are Praeorbulina glomerosa glomerosa, Praeorbulina glomerosa circularis and Orbulina suturalis for the Gaindorf Formation. The Laa Formation is indicated by the absence of Praeorbulina, Orbulina and Globigerina falconensis, low numbers of Globorotalia bykovae, and a prominent peak in Helicosphaera ampliaperta abundance at the end of the Karpatian. Cibicidoides lopjanicus and Cassigerinella spp. occur with high percentages in Badenian samples and show much longer stratigraphic ranges than known from literature data. The depositional gap at the Karpatian-Badenian boundary has a minimum duration of 0.41 My in the Krems Embayment. The combination of bio- and lithostratigraphic data allows the correlation across major faults. The Diendorf-Boskovice Fault System played an important role during basin formation and was identified as very active during the early to middle Badenian Stage. The results of this study show the complex interaction of sedimentation, tectonic activity and paleobiological developments in this peripheral part of a marginal sea.