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Cyclostratigraphy of an orbitally-driven
Tithonian–Valanginian carbonate ramp
succession, Southern Mendoza, Argentina:
Implications for the Jurassic–Cretaceous
boundary in the Neuq...

ARTICLE in SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY · JANUARY 2015

Impact Factor: 2.67 · DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2014.10.002

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 Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46

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Sedimentary Geology
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/sedgeo

Cyclostratigraphy of an orbitally-driven Tithonian–Valanginian

carbonate ramp succession, Southern Mendoza, Argentina: Implications
for the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary in the Neuquén Basin
Diego A. Kietzmann a,c,d,⁎, Ricardo M. Palma a,c,d, Maria Paula Iglesia Llanos b,c,d
a
Instituto de Estudios Andinos “Don Pablo Groeber” (IDEAN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
b
Instituto de Geociencias Básicas y Aplicadas (IGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
c
Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
d
Consejo Nacional de Invertigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Detailed sedimentological, sequence stratigraphical and cyclostratigraphical analyses have been made from four
Received 29 July 2014 lower Tithonian–lower Valanginian sections of the Vaca Muerta Formation, exposed in the southern Mendoza
Received in revised form 5 October 2014 area of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina. The Vaca Muerta Formation is characterized by decimetre-scale rhythmic
Accepted 8 October 2014
alternations of marls, shales and limestones, and consists of five facies associations, which reflect different
Available online xxxx
paleoenvironmental conditions: basin to restricted outer ramp, outer ramp, and middle ramp. Vertical organiza-
Editor: B. Jones tion within the Vaca Muerta Formation shows a well-ordered hierarchy of cycles, where elementary cycles, bun-
dles and superbundles with frequencies within the Milankovitch band have been recognized. According to
Keywords: biostratigraphic data, elementary cycles have a periodicity of ~ 20 ky, which correlates with the precession
Orbital cycles cycle of Earth's axis. Spectral analysis based on series of cycle thickness allows us to identify frequencies of
Milankovitch about 400 ky and 90–120 ky, which we interpret as the modulation of the precessional cycle by the Earth's orbital
Biostratigraphy eccentricity. Cycles are probably driven by variations in carbonate exportation, as fluctuations in shallow-water
Magnetostratigraphy carbonate production involve modifications in carbonate basinward exportation. Cyclostratigraphic data allowed
Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary
us to build a floating orbital scale for the Tithonian–lower Valanginian interval in the Neuquén Basin. Correlation
between studied sections allowed us to recognize a discontinuity between the Substeueroceras koeneni and
Argentiniceras noduliferum ammonite zones in the Malargüe Anticline area. Orbital calibration of these sections
is consistent with Riccardi's biostratigraphic scheme, wich place the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary within the
Substeueroceras koeneni ammonite Zone. On the other hand, the base of the Vaca Muerta Formation
(Virgatosphinctes mendozanus ammonite Zone) would be probably placed in the base of the middle Tithonian
rather than the lower Tithonian, which is also consistent with our preliminary palaeomagnetic data.
© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Marl-limestone rythmic successions have been cited as key
examples of climate-forced sedimentation resulting from numerous
paleoenvironmental factors (Fischer, 1964; Hardie et al., 1986; Einsele
et al., 1991; D'Argenio et al., 2004). Basic building units have been called
elementary cycles by Schwarzacher (1947), and they represent the
smallest units recognizable in the field whose vertical lithofacies organi-
zation defines a cyclic environmental change (Grötzinger, 1986; Hardie
⁎ Corresponding author at: Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias
Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Pabellón
II, Ciudad Universitaria, (C1428EHA) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
E-mail addresses: diegokietzmann@gl.fcen.uba.ar (D.A. Kietzmann), palma@
gl.fcen.uba.ar (R.M. Palma), mpiglesia@gl.fcen.uba.ar (M.P. Iglesia Llanos).
et al., 1986; Strasser and Hillgärtner, 1998; Raspini, 2001; Strasser et al.,
2004). Usually, the combination of elementary cycles into bundles
(groups of 4–5 elementary cycles), and these into superbundles (groups
of 3–4 bundles), may be interpreted as the superposition of repetitive
high-frequency environmental fluctuations linked to perturbations in
Earth's orbital parameters or Milankovitch cycles (e.g., Goldhammer
and Harris, 1989; Goldhammer et al., 1990; Strasser, 1994; Elrick,
1995; Balog et al., 1997; D'Argenio et al., 1999, 2004; Anderson, 2004).
Thick carbonate platform successions are commonly characterized
by a hierarchy of stratigraphic cyclicities with well-defined durations,
which has become a powerful tool to evaluate the absolute time span
they represent, reaching accuracy of the order of thousands of years
(Kauffman et al., 1991; House and Gale, 1995; Schwarzacher, 2000;
Hilgen et al., 2006). These cyclostratigraphic data can be used as a tool
for relative dating (floating orbital scales) or as a base for the high-

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2014.10.002
0037-0738/© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
30 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
resolution numerical dating (Berger, 1978; Berger et al., 1992; Fischer
et al., 2004). In fact, the high accuracy of the orbital datings have
led to the construction of a timescale for the Neogene (Lourens et al.,
2004), which has been used in the definition of numerous
Global Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSPs) (Gradstein and Ogg,
2012), such as Zanclean GSSP and Miocene-Pliocene boundary (Van
Couvering et al., 2000), Messinian GSSP (Hilgen et al., 2000) and
Tortonian GSSP (Hilgen et al., 2003; Hüsing et al., 2007).
There are few cyclostratigraphic studies involving the Tithonian–
Valanginian interval. Among them, it is important to mention the
contributions of Molinie and Ogg (1992) for the Callovian–Valanginian
of North Pacific, Strasser (1994) and Strasser et al. (2004) for the
Tithonian–Berriasian of the Jura Mountains, Park and Fürsich (2001)
for the Tithonian of Solnhofen (Germany), Anderson (2004) for the
Berriasian of Spain, and Husinec and Read (2007) for the Tithonian of
the Adriatic platform.
While cyclostratigraphic studies have been frequently used in the
Northern Hemisphere, they are rarely applied to the Southern Hemi-
sphere geologic record. The studies of Ozawa (2006), for the middle
Miocene of Indonesia, as well as that of Husson et al. (2011), which
use data from both hemispheres to calibrate astronomically the
Maastrichtian stage, are some of the few examples which may be cited.
Previous studies in the Neuquén Basin include those of Sagasti
(2000, 2005) for the upper Agrio Formation (late Valanginian–early
Barremian), and Scasso et al. (2002, 2005) for a limestone-marl interval
restricted to the middle Tithonian of the Vaca Muerta Formation.
Kietzmann et al. (2011b) recognized the presence of precessional and
eccentricity orbital cycles in the Tithonian of the Arroyo Loncoche sec-
tion, indicating a great potential of the Vaca Muerta Formation for
cyclostratigraphic studies.
Many correlations along the peri-Pacific domain are based on ages
assigned to Andean ammonite zones, so their calibration has implica-
tions for global correlations. The aims of this paper are to carry out a
Fig. 1. Location map of the Neuquén Basin showing main geological features and studied localities (see numbers).
high-precision correlation between four Tithonian–Valanginian carbon-
ate ramp cyclic successions of the Vaca Muerta Formation, using
biostratigraphic data, cyclostratigraphic approach and preliminary
magnetostratigraphic data, and the orbital calibration of the stratigraph-
ic succession to contribute to discussions about the Jurassic–Cretaceous
boundary in the Neuquén Basin, but also to the calibration of Andean
ammonite zones.
2. Geological Setting
2.1. The Neuquén Basin
The Neuquén Basin was a retro-arc basin developed in Mesozoic
times in the Pacific margin of South America (Legarreta and Uliana,
1991, 1996) (Fig. 1). Its stratigraphy was defined by Groeber (1946,
1953) and Stipanicic (1969), who recognized three sedimentary cycles,
i.e. Jurásico, Ándico and Riográndico. This scheme was updated by
Legarreta and Gulisano (1989), who emphasized the importance of
eustatic changes in the development of depositional sequences.
Different tectonic regimes exerted a first-order control in basin de-
velopment and sedimentary evolution (Legarreta and Uliana, 1991,
1996). An extensional regime was established during Late Triassic–
Early Jurassic, which generated a series of narrow, isolated depocentres
controlled by large transcurrent fault systems filled mainly with conti-
nental deposits of the Precuyo Group (Fig. 2A, Manceda and Figueroa,
1993; Vergani et al., 1995; Giambiagi et al., 2008). Thermal subsidence
with localized tectonic events characterized the Early Jurassic to Late
Cretaceous interval (Vergani et al., 1995). Depocentres were filled by
continental and marine siliciclastic, carbonate and evaporitic sediments
(Cuyo, Lotena, and Mendoza Groups). Marine sequences developed
throughout the basin during Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, are includ-
ed in the Mendoza Group (Stipanicic, 1969) or Mendoza Mesosequence
(Legarreta and Gulisano, 1989) (Fig. 2A). Legarreta and Gulisano (1989)
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
Fig. 2. A) Stratigraphic chart for the Neuquén Basin showing Groeber's cycles and sequences of Legarreta and Gulisano (1989). B-C) Litostratigraphic subdivision of the Lower Mendoza
Mesosequence in the Central Neuquén sector (B) and in the Southern Mendoza sector (C).
divided the Mendoza Mesosequence into three main shallowing-
upward sedimentary cycles: Lower Mendoza Mesosequence (upper
Kimmerdgian–lower Valanginian), Middle Mendoza Mesosequence
(lower Valanginian), and Upper Mendoza Mesosequence (lower
Valanginian–lower Barremian).
A compressive deformation regime was established during the Late
Cretaceous, and continued throughout the Cenozoic, although alternat-
ing with extensional events (Ramos and Folguera, 2005; Ramos, 2010).
This Andean deformation resulted in the development of a series of N–
S-oriented fold and thrust belts (Aconcagua, Marlargüe and Agrio fold
and thrust belts) where excellent outcrops of the Mesozoic successions
are exposed.
2.2. The upper Kimmeridgian–lower Valanginian Lower
Mendoza Mesosequence
The Lower Mendoza Mesosequence is an upper Kimmeridgian–
lower Valanginian broad shallowing-upward sedimentary cycle
(Fig. 2), in which most distal facies are included into the Vaca Muerta
Formation. This interval was studied with some detail in the southern
sector of the basin (Neuquén Province), where it was divided into
nine depositional sequences (Mitchum and Uliana, 1985). In the central
part of the Neuquén Basin (Fig. 2B), also known as Neuquén embay-
ment, the Lower Mendoza Mesosequence shows a general sigmoidal ge-
ometry, and thickness reaching 2000 m (Gulisano et al., 1984; Legarreta
and Gulisano, 1989; Legarreta and Uliana, 1991). It starts with the con-
tinental deposits of the Tordillo Formation (late Kimmeridgian–early
Tithonian?), which are followed by basinal deposits of the Vaca Muerta
Formation (early? Tithonian–late Berriasian). Eastward these facies
change to shoreface deposits of the Quintuco Formation (late
Tithonian–early Valanginian), and to sabkha deposits of the Loma
Montosa Formation (lower Valanginian), forming a mixed carbonate-
siliciclastic depositional system (Gulisano et al., 1984; Mitchum and
Uliana, 1985; Carozzi et al., 1993) (Fig. 2B). Westward the Vaca Muerta
Formation includes slope facies (Huncal Member), and in the Chilean
territory pass into shallow marine/volcanic deposits (Charrier, 1985;
Leanza et al., 2011; Kietzmann and Vennari, 2013; Rossel et al., 2014).
31
By contrast, in the southern Mendoza area (Fig. 2C) the Lower
Mendoza Mesosequence consists of aggradational sequences, with
a maximum thickness of 500 m towards the center of the basin
(Legarreta and Gulisano, 1989). It includes continental deposits of the
Tordillo Formation (late Kimmeridgian–early Tithonian?), basinal to
middle carbonate ramp deposits of the Vaca Muerta Formation (early?
Tithonian–early Valanginian) and middle to inner ramp oyster-
deposits of the Chachao Formation (early Valanginian), which form a
homoclinal carbonate ramp system (e.g. Carozzi et al., 1981; Mitchum
and Uliana, 1985). Estward poorly dated tidal to continental mixed de-
posits receiving the name of Lindero de Piedra Formation (Legarreta
et al., 1981), have been recognized and correlated with the Vaca Muerta
and Chachao Formations (Fig. 2C).
2.3. Age and biostratigraphy of the Vaca Muerta Formation
Jurassic–Cretaceous Andean biostratigraphy is well defined based on
ammonites (Riccardi, 2008; Aguirre-Urreta et al., 2011; Riccardi et al.,
2011), and to a lesser extent on bivalves, brachiopods, and microfossils,
such as foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, radiolarians and dinofla-
gellates (Quattrocchio et al., 2003; Ballent et al., 2004, 2011; Bown
and Concheyro, 2004).
We consider here a modified version of the last Andean ammonite
biostratigraphic scheme proposed by Riccardi et al. (2011) (Fig. 3),
which was adopted also by other authors (e.g., Vennari et al., 2014). Am-
monite data point out that the Vaca Muerta Formation was deposited
from the early?/middle Tithonian (Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone)
to the early Valanginian (lower part of the Olcostephanus (O.) atherstoni
Zone) (Fig. 3).
First ocurrences of calcareous nannofossils Polycostella beckmanii,
Eiffellithus primus, and Umbria granulosa are located within the
Pseudolissoceras zitelli ammonite Zone, indicating a middle Tithonian
age, while Polycostella senaria and Raghodiscus asper occur within the
Windhaunseniceras internispinousm ammonite Zone, indicating an
upper Tithonian age (Concheyro et al., 2006; Lescano and Kietzmann,
2010; Kietzmann et al., 2011b). The presence of Cruciellipsis cuvillieri
and Micrantholithus hozchulzi were recognized from the upper part of
32 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
Fig. 3. Biostratigraphic subdivision of the Tithonian–Valanginian interval in the Neuquén Basin, showing Andean Ammonite Zones (after Riccardi et al., 2011, and Aguirre-Urreta et al.,
2011), nannofossil events, calpionellid events and zones, and Saccocoma distribution (Kietzmann and Palma, 2009b; Lescano and Kietzmann, 2010; Kietzmann et al., 2011a,b).
the Substeueroceras koeneni Zone to the Spiticeras damesi Zone, suggest-
ing a Berriasian age. Finally, the first occurrence of Eiffellithus windii,
which indicates an early Valanginian age, coincides with the Neocomites
wichmanni ammonite Zone (Lescano and Kietzmann, 2010).
Calpionellids are generally poorly preserved due to recrystallization
of carbonate mud. Chitinoidellids occurs within the Virgatosphictes
mendozanus to Substeueroceras koeneni ammonite Zones. Particularly,
Chittinoidella boneti is reported for the Windhauseniceras internispinosum
Zone in Sierra de la Cara Cura (Fernández-Carmona and Riccardi, 1998;
Kietzmann et al., 2011a).
Tintinnopsella, Crassicollaria and Calpionella have been found within
the Corongoceras alternans and the lower part of the Substeueroceras
koeneni ammonite Zones (Fernández-Carmona et al., 1996), which is
consistet with a late Tithonian age for these levels (Fig. 3).
Remains of saccocomids were recognized from the Virgatosphinctes
mendozanus Zone to the Corongoceras alternans ammonite Zones, with
an acme in the Pseudolissoceras zittelli and Aulacosphinctes proximus am-
monite Zones (Kietzmann and Palma, 2009b), which occurs during
middle Tithonian (Hess, 2002).
3. Methodology
Detailed sedimentological sections were measured and described
bed-by-bed in 4 localities of the southern Mendoza sector of the
Neuquén Basin. They include the Arroyo Loncoche, and Cuesta del
Chihuido sections, within the Malargüe Anticline area, and the Bardas
Blancas and Arroyo Rahue sections, within the Sierra Azul Anticline
area (Fig. 1). Detailed facies analysis of these sections was published
by Kietzmann et al. (2014). Carbonate and siliciclastic facies were
analyzed taking into account bed geometry, lithology, sedimentary
structures, as well as fossil content and petrographic features. Division
of sedimentary environment within the carbonate ramp is based in
Burchette and Wright (1992).
Ammonite data from 220 ammonite levels in the entire studied sed-
imentary sections allow us to identified the eleven early?/middle
Tithonian–early Valanginian Andean biozones (Fig. 3).
Cyclostratigraphic analysis is based on the identification of dm-scale
carbonate/siliciclastic lithofacies couplets or elementary cycles, bundles
and superbundles differentiated in the field. Lower frequencies are
searched using spectral analysis with the software POWGRAF2
(Pardo-Igúzquiza and Rodríguez-Tovar, 2004) using Blackman-Tukey
method. Spectral analyses are based in the following primary premises:
1. The sections consist of a succession of elementary cycles showing
similar thickness within the range of several decimetres, and they
are considered of similar time duration.
2. The number of cycles is large enough to obtain statistically significant
results. According to Weedon (2003) the sampling density must be
at least 12 times the lowest frequency sought. In this case is at least
25 times longer than the low frequency eccentricity cycle.
3. Vertical changes in facies and bed thickness throughout the sections
could be related with periodic climate factors or with other non-
periodic factors as basin evolution.
4. Data set was corrected prior to spectral analysis, substracting the
mean value and trends generated by changes in sea level (composite
depositional sequences), allowing data centering and variance stabi-
lization (see Weedon, 2003).
5. Poorly-cyclic intervals are not incorporated into the spectral analysis.
However, these “non-cyclic” intervals need to be also considered for
interpreting the long term variations as well as for estimations of the
total number of cycles in the stratigraphic sections. An estimate of
the number of “hidden” cycles was given by simply dividing their
thickness by the average cycle thickness of the contigous intervals.
An error of two low-eccentricity cycles is assumed using this
methodology.
Sequence-stratigraphic framework is based on the identification of
flooding surfaces, which were identified using juxtaposition and disloca-
tion of facies. In fact, the position of the Vaca Muerta Formation in the
sedimentary system does not allow the recognition of sequence bound-
aries as subaerial exposure surfaces in the sense of Van Wagoner et al.
(1990). Nonetheless, stacking pattern and facies arrangement are used
to recognize sequence-stratigraphic trends, where flooding surfaces
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
can be interpreted as correlative conformities of subaerial exposure sur-
faces, forming coplanar surfaces (e.g. Embry and Johannessen, 1992).
Palaeomagnetic data come from the Arroyo Loncoche section,
where we sampled 10 sites along the Vaca Muerta Formation. Each
sampling site contains at least 4 oriented specimens obtained with a
portable drill. Because nearly 40% of the collected specimens are still
being processed, the magnetic polarities we present in this study are
preliminary.
4. Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy
4.1. Facies associations
A detailed facies analysis of the Vaca Muerta Formation in the south-
ern Mendoza sector was published by Kietzmann et al. (2014). In order
to establish the sedimentological features of cyclic deposits described in
this paper, five facies associations characterized in this areas (FA-1 to
FA-5) are briefly described here, which correspond to basinal to middle
carbonate ramp deposits.
4.1.1. Facies association 1: Oyster autoparabiostrome dominated
middle ramp
FA-1 consists of oyster accumulations, which form up to several
meters thick internally bedded biostromes, alternating with poorly
stratified, massive, or low-angle cross-stratified bioclastic rudstones/
floatstones, marls and laminated wackestones/packstones (Fig. 4A).
Fossil content includes abundant oysters (Aetostreon sp.), ammo-
nites, serpulids (Rotularia sp.) and rynchonellid brachiopods, as
well as ostracods, ophiuroid ossicles, dasycladacean algae, crustacean
microcoprolites, and epistominid and textularid foraminifera.
Beds are frequently bioturbated by Taenidium, Diplocaterion,
Rhizocorallium and/or Thalassinoides.
FA-1 is interpreted as deposits of a well-oxygenated middle ramp.
Laminated wackestones and marls represent fair-weather periods.
Low-angle cross-stratified deposits are interpreted as accretionary
bioclastic bars located probably within the upper part of the middle
ramp, similar to those described by Bádenas and Aurell (2001). Trace
fossil assemblage is indicative of the Cruziana ichnofacies, which charac-
terizes low-energy environments (MacEachern et al., 2008).
4.1.2. Facies association 2: HCS dominated middle ramp
FA-2 is composed by marls and hummocky cross-stratified
grainstones, bioturbated wackestones, laminated intraclastic packstones,
massive to gradded bioclastic floatstones/rudstones, and occasionally
planar microbialite beds (Fig. 4B). Early diagenetic concretions included
among the marls show similar textures to packstones.
In these facies bivalves, gastropods, ammonites, echinoderms,
Saccocoma remains, lingulid brachiopods, benthic foraminifera
(Epistomina, Lenticulina and agglutinated forms), calcareous algae,
gastropod internal molds, small bone fragments and scales, as well
abundant pellets are the dominant particles. Trace fossil are represented
by Thalassinoides, Helminthopsis, Planolites, and Chondrites.
FA-2 represents sand-sized peloidal sediments deposited in a well-
oxygenated middle ramp. Hummocky cross-stratified grainstones
were generated from storm-related oscillatory flows with a small unidi-
rectional component. Morever, bioclastic floatstones/rudstones repre-
sent bioclastic tempestites originated by turbidity-like gravity flows
(Kietzmann and Palma, 2011). Marls and bioturbated wackestones
were deposited by fallout of mud, whereas microbialite beds reflect
times of low sedimentation rate.
Trace fossils represents the ichnofacies of Skolithos and Cruziana
(Kietzmann et al., 2014), indicating an alternating energy regime and
a well-oxygenated substrate (Pemberton et al., 1992).
33
4.1.3. Facies association 3: bioclastic middle ramp to proximal outer ramp
FA-3 consists of gradded bioclastic floatstones/rudstones, bioturbat-
ed wackestones, laminated packstones and wackestones, and marls
(Fig. 4C).
Allochems are dominated by bivalves, rynchonellids, gastropods,
serpulids, ammonites, aptychi, nautiloids, belemnites, echinoderms,
and abundant epistominid foraminifera and pellets, which are
chaotically distributed. Bioturbation is represented by Thalassinoides,
Diplocaterion and Rhizocorallium.
FA-3 was deposited in a moderate well-oxygenated bioclastic
middle ramp to proximal outer ramp. Taphonomic features of skeletal
particles, suggest reworking by storm-wave action (Kietzmann and
Palma, 2009a). Occurrence of laminated wackestones and marls suggest
deposition by settling of fine-grained suspended material, during fair-
weather stages, as well as sedimentary particles transported during
storm events. Trace fossils also indicate alternating energy regimes
and a relatively well oxygenated substrate.
4.1.4. Facies association 4: bioclastic outer ramp
FA-4 is represented by an alternation of peloidal and intraclastic
packstones, radiolaritic wackestones and thin gradded bioclastic
rudstones, rhytmically interbedded with marls (Fig. 5A). They contains
abundant crustacean pellets, fine to medium sand-size micritic
intraclasts, ammonites, bivalves, gastropods and foraminifera.
Bioturbation is rare, although there may be some Planolites,
Palaeophycus and Thalassinoides tubes.
FA-4 deposited in a poorly-oxygenated bioclastic outer ramp.
Sedimentation during fair-weather periods is represented by marls
and laminated radiolaritic wackestones.
Pelloidal accumulations probably come from the unroofing of
crustacean galleries (e.g. Tedesco and Wanless, 1991). The abundance
of intraclasts suggests intermittent erosion of wackestones facies and
transport from bottom currents associated with storm events
(Schieber et al., 2010). Thin massive or gradded bioclastic rudstones
were originated from storm-generated turbidity-like flows. Trace fossils
are related to the Cruziana ichnofacies, which characterizes low-energy
environments (MacEachern et al., 2008).
4.1.5. Facies association 5: distal outer ramp to basin
FA-5 consists of dark grey to black well-laminated marls, and
subordinately intraclastic packstones, ripple-laminated packstones,
radiolaritic wackestones, and microbialites (Fig. 5B).
Radiolarians are abundant, but disarticulated thin-shelled oysters
are also common. These facies are particularly rich in fishes, turtles,
ichthyosaurs and crocodiles remains. Trace fossils are represented
by Chondrites, but also evidences of cryptobioturbation are found in
microbialite laminae.
FA-5 deposited in a poorly-oxygenated distal outer ramp to basin.
Sedimentation occurred mainly from suspension. Sedimentation took
place in a restricted marine environment with suboxic bottom waters,
as indicates the absence of wave-induced structures, and the passive
accumulation of organic materials and pelagic microfossils. However,
the presence of fine-grained ripple laminated carbonate, as well as
bioclastic remains derived from shallow-water are probably associated
with storm-generated turbidity flows.
4.2. Sequence stratigraphic framework
Based on the analysis of flooding surfaces, Kietzmann et al. (2014)
recognized two hierarchies of depositional sequences: 1) Composite
depositional sequences (CS) for large-scale sequences, and 2) high-
frequency depositional sequences (HFS) for those of small scale. Be-
cause of its average duration, composite sequences are considered to
be equivalent to third order sequences, while high-frequency sequences
are considered as fourth order sequences (e.g., Kerans and Tinker,
1997). In this paper we will consider only composite sequences, because
34 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46

Fig. 4. A) Facies association 1 (oyster biostrome dominated middle ramp) in the upper Berriasian of Cuesta del Chihuido section (see hammer as scale). B) Facies association 2 (HCS
dominated middle ramp) in the middle Tithonian of Bardas Blancas section. C) Facies association 3 (bioclastic middle ramp to proximal outer ramp) in the middle Tithonian of the Cuesta
del Chihuido section. Facies code: (Mrh) marls, (FRbm) massive bioclastic floatstones/rudstones, (FRbl) low-angle cross-stratificatified bioclastic floatstones/rudstones, (Fbm) massive
bioclastic floatstones, (Gphcs) hummocky cross-stratified grainstones, (Piph) horizontal laminated packstones, (Wbb) bioturbated wackestones. Hammer scale ~30 cm.

it is important to eliminate these trends for spectral analysis. High-
frequency sequences are too close to the superbundle hierarchy, there-
fore their removal could generate fictitious frequencies.
The studied interval includes 5 trasgressive-regressive composite
depositional sequences (Figs. 6, 7; Kietzmann et al., 2014). First
composite depositional sequence (CS-1) starts with a regional flooding
surface at the boundary between the Vaca Muerta Formation and the
continental facies of the Tordillo Formation (see Fig. 2), in the lower?
Tithonian Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone (Figs. 6, 7). The transgres-
sive deposits include basinal to distal outer ramp facies (FA-4 and FA-5)
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46 35

and the regressive system tract shows the progradation of middle ramp
FA-2 and FA-3. The upper limit is marked by other regional flooding
surface (SB-1) located within the lowermost upper Tithonian
Windhauseniceras internispinosum Zone (Figs. 6, 7), which is also the
base of the second composite depositional sequence (CS-2). CS-2 en-
compasses outer ramp facies (FA-4) and middle to proximal mid ramp
(FA-2 and FA-3) in its regressive part. The upper limit of CS-2 (SB-2)
lies within the uppermost upper Tithonian Substeueroceras koeneni
Zone. CS-3 has a clear transgressive-regressive trend of middle (FA-3)
and outer (FA-2) facies (Figs. 6, 7).
Flooding surface SB-3 that separates composite depositional se-
quences CS-3 and CS-4 coincides with the lower part of the Spiticeras
damesi Zone (upper Berriasian), while SB-4 lies in the upper part of
this zone. CS-4 mainly includes outer ramp facies (FA-2) and prograding
middle ramp facies (FA-3). In the eastern part of the southern Mendoza
sector and the Malargüe Anticline (see Figs. 2C, 7). Finally, composite
depositional sequence CS-5 ends in the lower part of the Olcostephanus
(O.) athertoni Zone (lower Valanginian) including middle ramp facies
(FA-3) of the Vaca Muerta Formation and shallower oyster-dominated
deposits of the Chachao Formation.
5. Cyclostratigraphic analysis
5.1. Hierarchy of cycles
A well-ordered hierarchy of cycles, including elementary cycles,
bundles and superbundles has been recognized within the Vaca Muerta
Formation. Elementary cycles have a relatively regular thickness in the
order of 20 to 40 cm, so that they can be regarded as temporarily equiv-
alent units. Three types of elementary cycles are recognized: limestone/
marl, marl/marl and marl/shale (Figs. 8, 9).
Each elementary cycle consists of two hemicycles of similar thick-
ness. Limestone/marl cycles begin with a limestone hemicycle, wich
pass transitionaly to a marl hemicycle. On unweathered surface, lime-
stones have a net basal boundary and show enrichment in clays upward,
resulting in a transitional passage to marls. The sedimentological feature

Fig. 5. A) Facies association 4 (bioclastic outer ramp) in the upper Tithonian of the Arroyo Loncoche section, showing an alternation of marls and intraclastic/peloidal packstones. B) Facies
association 5 (distal outer ramp to basin) in the Berriasian of the Arroyo Rahue section, showing an alternation of marls and radiolaritic wackestones. Facies code: (Mrh) marls, (Wrh)
laminated radiolaritic wackestones (Piph) horizontal laminated packstones. Hammer scale ~30 cm.
36 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46

Fig. 6. Stratigraphic sections of the Vaca Muerta Formation in the Sierra Azul area. References: (SB) sequence boundary, (TST) transgressive system tract, (RST) regressive system tract,
(E) low-frequency eccentricity cycle, (e) high-frequency eccentricity cycle, (O.a.) Olcostephanus (O.) atherstoni ammonite Zone.
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46 37

Fig. 7. Stratigraphic sections of the Vaca Muerta Formation in the Malargüe anticline. References: (SB) sequence boundary, (TST) transgressive system tract, (RST) regressive system tract,
(E) low-frequency eccentricity cycle, (e) high-frequency eccentricity cycle.
38 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
Fig. 8. Hierachy and types of cycles in the Vaca Muerta Formation.
of each hemicycle varies according to the facies association in which
occurs. Marl/marl and marl/shale elementary cycles show variations in
the content of carbonate, allowing detecting them in weathering profile.
Elementary cycles are grouped into sets of 4–5 elementary cycles (bun-
dles), and these are grouped into sets of 4–5 bundles (superbundles).
Such stacking pattern is used by different authors as diagnostic criteria
to identify the influence of orbital forcing (e.g., Goldhammer et al.,
1990; Schwarzacher, 1993; Lehmann et al., 1998; Raspini, 2001;
Anderson, 2004; Strasser et al., 2004, among others). The 5:1 ratio (5 el-
ementary cycles per bundles) is commonly attributed to high frequency
eccentricity (95 ky and 125 ky), while the 4:1 ratio (4 bundles per
superbundles) as low frequency eccentricity (410 ky).
Bundles and superbundles start with a thick elemental cycle and
show higher proportion of marls towards the top. This characteristic
stacking pattern is clearly shown on the field in stratigraphic sections
with low sedimentation rate, such as the Cuesta del Chihuido section
(Fig. 9A). Bundles and superbundles can be dominated by marl/marl el-
ementary cycles, so that the proportion of marls exceeds the proportion
of limestones, or be dominated by limestone/marl elementary cycles,
i.e., the proportion of limestones is greater or similar to the proportion
of marls (Figs. 8, 9). This descriptive division correlates with facies and
system tracts, so that variations in the proportion of marl or limestones
have no real genetic connotation respect to the mechanisms which
transfers the orbital signal to the sedimentary record, but with the
proximal-distal trend within the carbonate ramp.
Facies association 4 and 5, which represent basinal to outer ramp de-
posits, are dominated by marl/marl elementary cycles. Bundles or
superbundles can occasionally start with a limestone/marl elementary
cycle (Fig. 9). These facies associations are common in transgressive sys-
tem tract. By contrast, facies association 3 to 1, which represent outer
ramp to middle ramp deposits, are dominated by limestone/marl ele-
mentary cycles (Fig. 8), and are common in regressive system tract.
5.2. Spectral analysis
According to traditional ammonite biostratigraphic data, the Vaca
Muerta Formation covers the early Tithonian to early Valanginian time
interval. However, it should be noted that the lower Tithonian is not
complete in the Vaca Muerta Formation (Fig. 5), because the correlation
with the H. hybonotum Standard Zone would not be represented (see
Leanza, 1981).
Absolute ages from the Vaca Muerta Formation are rare, due to the
absence of appropiate lithologies or poor preservation of tuffs. However,
Vennari et al. (2014) obtained recently a SHRIMP age of ~139.5 Ma for
the Argentiniceras noduliferum ammonite Zone. Detrital zircon data
from the Tordillo Formation, which underlies the Vaca Muerta Forma-
tion, indicate a maximum age of ~ 147 Ma (Rossel et al., 2014) and
~ 144 Ma (Naipauer et al., 2012), and the lower Hauterivian deposits
of the Agrio Formation yielded an age of ~ 132.5 Ma (Aguirre-Urreta
et al., 2008). These data point to a duration of about 10 Ma for the
Vaca Muerta Formation on the basis of the time scale of Gradstein
et al. (2012).
In the Sierra Azul area, the Vaca Muerta Formation extends from the
Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone to the Olcosthephanus (O) atersthoni
Zone (Fig. 6). The Bardas Blancas section contains 480 elementary cy-
cles, which are grouped in 96 bundles and 24 superbundles, while the
Arroyo Rahue section includes 460 elementary cycles, 92 bundles and
23 superbundles. Dividing the time-length of these sections by the
number of cycles, elementary cycles in this area have duration of
about 20 ky, which can be attributed to the precessional cycle of the
Earth. Data from other Jurassic examples are consistent with this aver-
age value (e.g., Hinnov and Park, 1999; Weedon et al., 1999; Husinec
and Read, 2007).
In the Malargüe anticline, the Vaca Muerta Formation starts in the
Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone, but the upper boundary reach the
lower part of the Neocomites wichmanni Zone, reaching about 10 Ma
time lengths (Fig. 7). The Arroyo Loncoche section contains 447 elemen-
tary cycles, which are grouped in 88 bundles and 22 superbundles,
while the Cuesta del Chiuhido section include 445 elementary cycles,
88 bundles and 22 superbundles. Elementary cycles in this area can
also be attributed to the precessional cycle.
In the Sierra Azul area, Blackman-Tuckey spectra show a peak above
the 95% confidence level, which corresponds to a periodicity of 89 ky in
the Arroyo Rahue section, and 111 ky in the Bardas Blancas section
(Fig. 10). These periodicities can be attributed to the high-frequency ec-
centricity cycle. Another peak near the confidence level of 95%, with a
frequency of 395 and 390 ky respectively, can be attributed to the
low-frequency eccentricity cycle.
In the Malargüe anticline, Blackman-Tuckey spectra show a peak
above the 95% confidence level, and two peaks above the 99% confi-
dence level (Fig. 10). The first one has a periodicity of 410 ky in the Ar-
royo Loncoche section and 403 ky in the Cuesta del Chihuido section,
which are consistent with the low-frequency eccentricity cycle. The
other two peaks have periodicities of 118 cycles ky and 91 ky in the Ar-
royo Loncoche section, and appear as a single peak of 95 ky in the Cuesta
del Chihuido section (Fig. 10). These periodicities can be also attributed
to the high-frequency eccentricity cycle.
6. Palaeomagnetic data
Palaeomagnetic data presented here are preliminary (see for exam-
ple, large gaps with no data in the Loncoche section) and has to be up-
grade in the forthcoming time. Palaeomagnetic behaviours were in
general terms, very reliable, and only a few specimens were ruled out
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46 39

Fig. 9. A) Outcrops example of a cyclic interval dominated by limestone/marl elementary cycles in Cuesta del Chihuido section (upper Tithonian). B) Outcrops example of a cyclic interval
dominated by marl/marl elementary cycles in Arroyo Rahue section (upper Berriasian). References: (P) elementary cycles, attributed to precession, (e) bundles, attributed to high-fre-
quency eccentricity cycles, (E) superbundles, attributed to low-frequency eccentricity cycles.

from this study. From each site, we calculated mean directions that were
converted to virtual geomagnetic poles (Fig. 11A). By averaging such
poles, we obtained a palaeomagnetic pole that falls very consistently
with reliable Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous palaeomagnetic pole
from stable South America, indicating the primary origin of the isolated
magnetisations.
Results reveal that both normal and reverse polarities that pass the
reversal test have been isolated in the Vaca Muerta Formation, indicat-
ing that the antipodal directions belong to the same population. From
base to top, we find in the Arroyo Loncoche section (Fig. 11A) the re-
verse polarity R1, located in the Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone,
followed by the R2 polarity that probably spans from the top of the
Pseudolissoceras zitteli Zone to the base of Windhauseniceras
internispinosum Zone. Here, there is a clear change to the dominant
normal polarity N1 which would extend until the boundary between
the Corongoceras alternans Zone and Substeueroceras koeneni Zone. On
the top of the section, we find the N2 polarity spanning probably part
of the Argentiniceras noduliferum Zone and the Spiticeras damesi Zone.
7. Discussion
7.1. Origin of elementary cycles
Rhythmic calcareous successions have been cited as key examples of
climate-forced sedimentation resulting from environmental signals or
created by diagenesis (Einsele and Ricken, 1991). Criteria for identifying
sequences of primary origin from those of diagenetic origin were enu-
merated by Einsele (1982) and Einsele and Ricken (1991), which are
40 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46

based on simple geological criteria. Recently, Westphal et al. (2010)

reviewed the use of these criteria, dividing them into “criteria of limited
use” and “unequivocal criteria”. The former include: 1) lateral continu-
ity of individual beds, 2) presence of aragonitic fossils, and 3) the use
of stable isotopes in whole rock. These criteria are highly questionable,
since there are numerous examples where these characteristics are
met both sequences of primary or secondary origin (see reference in
Westphal et al., 2010).
Among the unequivocal criteria may be mentioned: 1) presence of
palynomorphs, 2) presence of calcite fossils in both calcareous and
terrigenous hemicycles, 3) presence of sedimentary structures and tex-
tures, 4) variations in clay mineralogy, and 5) use of stable isotopes in
calcite stable components. The abundant paleontological content of
the Vaca Muerta Formation, which includes several groups of planktonic
and benthic invertebrates whith aragonitic, calcitic and organic compo-
sition, is present in both hemicycles. Furthermore, although there is ev-
idence of diagenetic overprint, taphonomic, sedimentary structures,
and petrographic evidences are irrefutable evidence that support the
primary origin of rhythmicity in the Vaca Muerta Formation (see
Kietzmann et al., 2008, 2010, 2011b, 2014; Kietzmann and Palma,
2009a,b, 2010, 2011, 2014; Martín-Chivelet et al., 2011).
Primary environmental signals result from fluctuations in the supply
of calcareous biogenic sediments produced by plankton (productivity
cycles: Einsele and Ricken, 1991) and fluctuations in the input of fine
terrigenous sediments (dilution cycles: Arthur et al., 1984; Einsele and
Ricken, 1991). Additional potential mechanisms include, fluctuations
in superficial fertility (fertility cycles: Premoli Silva et al., 1989), and
fluctuations in carbonate mud exportation from shallow areas (carbon-
ate dilution cycles: Pittet and Strasser, 1998).
Strictly, productivity cycles reflect fluctuations in the productivity of
the water surface, related with changes in the surface temperature or in
the availability of nutrients (e.g., Seibold, 1952; Prell and Hays, 1976;
Einsele, 1982). A special case of “productivity cycle” is related to varia-
tions in carbonate factory production in shallow areas associated to fluc-
tuations in sea level or changes in the water temperature, which
translate in variations in carbonate exportation. This mechanism has
been called carbonate dilution cycles (Pittet and Strasser, 1998;
Colombié and Strasser, 2003) or exportation cycles (Bádenas et al.,
2003).
The sedimentary features of the Vaca Muerta Formation in the
Mendoza sector of the Neuquén Basin restrict significantly the range
of possible mechanisms to explain the transfer of the orbital signal to
the sedimentary record. Productivity (sensu Einsele, 1982) and fertility
(sensu Premoli Silva et al., 1989) mechanisms are not adequate to ex-
plain the cyclicity in the Vaca Muerta Formation, since sedimentation
should have strong pelagic imprints. By contrast, the abundance of skel-
etal particles with signs of transport, the presence of particles derived
from shallow-water areas, such as dasycladacean algae and agluttinated
foraminifera, and the abundant crustacean microcoprolites in both
carbonate and marly facies, are strong evidences that sedimentation
was controlled by hydrodynamic factors. Therefore, cyclicity can be
interpreted in terms of “productivity” related with variations in carbon-
ate exportation, similarly to carbonate dilution cycles of Pittet and
Strasser (1998) or carbonate exportation cycles of Bádenas et al. (2003).
This mechanism would be controlled by variations in shallow-water
productivity in response to surface temperature fluctuations and/or
high frequency sea-level changes. In fact, cyclic patterns observed in
marl-dominated bundles and superbundles are typicaly transgressive;
while carbonate dominated bundles and superbundles coincide with
progradation of carbonate ramp. The decrease in shallow-water accom-
modation space may have promoted the exportation of carbonate
sediments towards distal areas of the ramp, while increase in the ac-
commodation space due to increasing water depth, promotes retention

Fig. 10. Blackman–Tuckey spectrum of studied localities, showing the presence of the low
frequency (E) and high frequency (e) eccentricity cycle.
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46 41

Fig. 11. A) Distribution of palaeomagnetic sampling sites in the Vaca Muerta Formation at Arroyo Loncoche section, and relation with the Andean ammonite zones. Latitude of virtual geo-
magnetic poles (VGP lat.) defines the sequence of isolated polarities (R1–N2). Polarities: white = reverse, black = normal, grey = intervals with no data. B) Correlation between the local
magnetostratigraphic scale and the international geomagnetic polarity time scale (Ogg and Hinnov, 2012a,b). Solid line indicates reliable equivalence whilst dashed line represents a more
uncertain correspondence.

of carbonate in shallow-water areas and marl accumulation in deeper
areas.
7.2. Orbital calibration of Tithonian – Valanginian Neuquén
basin succession
Milankovitch cycles vary throughout geological time (e.g., Berger
et al., 1992; Schwarzacher, 2000; Hinnov and Oggs, 2007). Berger
et al. (1989) estimated that obliquity cycles increased a 45% from the Si-
lurian, while precession cycles about 20 %. However, the periodicity of
the eccentricity cycle can be considered more or less constant over the
last 500 Ma. According to calculations of Berger et al. (1992), during
Tithonian–Valanginian times the primary precessional cycle of ~23 ky
would have been about 21 ky, while the secondary cycle of 19 ky
about 18 ky, so the precessional values calculated in this study are con-
sistent with those estimated by this author.
It is also known that variations in the obliquity parameter are impor-
tant at high latitudes, while precession variations affect middle and
lower latitudes (Berger and Loutre, 1994). These observations led
Fischer et al. (2004) to define two categories, one related to the
precession-eccentricity syndrome (PES) and other related to the
obliquity cycle. The obliquity signal comes and goes erratically in middle
and low latitudes, but would have remained constant in some
hemipelagic sequences (e.g., Fischer et al., 2004). Therefore, the eccen-
tricity cycle has been used to build astronomical time scales (Hilgen
et al., 2000, 2003; Van Couvering et al., 2000; Lourens et al., 2004;
Hinnov and Oggs, 2007; Hüsing et al., 2007).
Using high and low frequency eccentricity cycles identified in the
four studied stratigraphic sections, we built a floating astronomical
scale for the lower? Tithonian–lower Valanginian of the Neuquén
Basin, which allowed us to calibrate ammonite zones (Figs. 6, 7, 12).
There are some differences in the number of high-frequency eccentric-
ity cycles between sections, so longer duration of biozones of the four
sections is used for building the astronomical timescale (Fig. 12). In
fact, seismic data shows the existence of discontinuities, which allow
to recognize depositional sequences (e.g., Mitchum and Uliana, 1985).
However, having sufficiently long time series reduces errors caused
by the presence of these minor discontinuities in spectral analysis
(e.g., Weedon, 2003).
The most important difference in the thickness and number of cycles
between ammonite biozones is shown in the Argentiniceras noduliferum
Zone, since in the Malargüe anticline it has the scale of two high-
42 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
Fig. 12. C) Orbital calibration of Andean ammonite zones and correlation with standard zones. The lower boundary of the Windhauseniceras internispinosum Zone (red dotted line) is
choosen as datum to fit the orbital floating scale. Note that the second datum (base of the Neocomites wichmanni Andean Zone) fits quite well to the ICS 2004 scale.
frequency eccentricity cycles, while in the Sierra Azul area up to eigth
cycles can be identified. Additionally, some missing cycles are observed
in the upper part of the Substeueroceras koeneni Zone in the Malargüe
anticline. In the rest of the biozones the difference in the number of cy-
cles is not greater than 2 high frequency eccentricity cycles. According to
Mitchum and Uliana (1985) seismic stratigraphic scheme, a significant
basinward facies-belt migration is observed during the Berriasian, that
could means bypass and/or erosion stages in the Malargüe anticline po-
sition, while in the Sierra Azul area normal depositional conditions
prevailed.
There seems to be consensus in the position of lower Valanginian am-
monite zones, where nannofossils get better resolution in the Neuquén
Basin (see Fig. 3). Similarly, different lines of evidence indicate that the
Windhauseniceras internispinosum Zone is located at the base of upper
Tithonian, including the presence of ammonite genus Simplisphinctes
(Zeiss and Leanza, 2008), the first occurrence of the nannofossil
Polycostella senaria (Lescano and Kietzmann, 2010; Kietzmann et al.,
2011b), the first occurrence of the preacalpionellid Chitinoidella boneti
(Fernández-Carmona and Riccardi, 1998; Kietzmann et al., 2011a), and
a change from a reverse to a normal polarity zone (Iglesia Llanos et al.,
2013). These two levels are used in this paper as a datum to tie our float-
ing astronomical scale.
According to our cyclostratigraphic data the minimum durations of
ammonite zones within the Vaca Muerta Formation are summarized
in Fig. 12. The Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone contains two low-
frequency eccentricity cycles, so that its duration is about 0.8 Ma. Fol-
lowing the orbital calibration proposed by Gradstein et al. (2004) and
Graindstein et al. (2012), it would be located at the base of the middle
Tithonian (upper part of the S. semiforme to lower part of the S. fallauxi
Standard Zone). The Pesudolissoceras zittelli Zone (~ 0.6 Ma) and
Aulacosphinctes proximus Zone (~0.4 Ma) are located within the middle
Tithonian (upper S. semiforme to Ponti Standard Zones). The
Windhauseniceras internispinosum Zone (~0.7 Ma) would be located at
the base of the upper Tithonian (M. microcanthum Standard Zone), and
the Corongoceras alternans Zone (~ 1 Ma) would coincide with the
upper Tithonian (M. microcanthum Standard Zone and lower part of
the Durangites Standard Zone).
In our astronomical scale the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary is
located within the Substeueroceras koeneni Zone (~2.9 Ma), that would
correlate with the Durangites Standard Zone and the lower part of
the Occitanica Standard Zone. The Argentiniceras noduliferum Zone
(~ 0.8 Ma) correlates with the upper part of the Occitanica Standard
Zone, and the Spiticeras damesi Zone (~1.7 Ma) with the Boisieri Stan-
dard Zone. The lower Valanginian Neocomites wichmanni and Lissonia
riveroi Zones contain 2.5 low-frequency eccentricity cycles, so that its
duration is about 1 Ma.
It is important to keep in mind that the number of cycles within each
ammonite zone may be conditioned by the facies in which they are rep-
resented. Particularly, the basal biozones of the Tithonian, which are
found in distal facies of carbonate ramp system, may contain minor dis-
continuities that are not detectable by biostratigraphic methods or field
evidences, and thus may have longer durations.
The polarities sequence we obtained in the Loncoche section
shows an evident controversy between the reverse polarity of the
Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Zone and the international geomagnetic
polarity time scale (GPTS), since in the GPTS the uppermost lower
Tithonian is represented by a normal polarity spanning the Darwini
and Semiforme Standard Zones. For this reason, in concordance
with cyclostratigraphic data, we propose that R1 in the Virgatosphinctes
mendozanus Zone could be correlated with the dominant reverse polar-
ity (M21r) of the GPTS located in the base of the Fallauxi Standard Zone
(Fig. 11B).
On the other hand, the reverse polarity R2 could be correlated with
the reverse polarity spanning the top of the Fallauxi and part of the
Ponti/Peroni Standard Zones in the GPTS (M20r). The R2-N1 change is
probably related with the reverse-normal polarities change that occurs
in the Ponti/Peroni Standard Zones in the GPTS, which also converges
with the cyclostratigraphic results. N1 is thus correlated with the dom-
inant normal polarity located within the Microcanthum Standard Zone
extending maybe into the Durangites Zone in the GPTS (M20-M19?).
Following N1, we find a large interval with no palaeomagnetic data in
which the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary would be represented and is
our most urgent target. Finally, N2 is here correlated with the dominant
normal polarity zone that spans the Boissieri Standard Zone in the GPTS
(M16n-M15n?). Although the polarities sequence we obtained in the
Arroyo Loncoche section is preliminary, it is clearly very consistent
with the polarities pattern found particularly in the northern hemi-
sphere, and is a strong incentive for our present and future work.
 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46 43

In recent years detrital zircon datings (Naipauer et al., 2012, 2014; part of the Berriasian (upper S. occitanica to S. boissieri Standard
Rossel et al., 2014; Vennari et al., 2014) have questioned the age of the Zones), since the biostratigraphic data presented by these authors are
Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Andean successions, and particular- not conclusive for the position of the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary,
ly the Tithonian–Berriasian age of the Vaca Muerta Formation and equiv- and the A. noduliferum Zone is probably younger than early Berriasian
alent units. Regardless of the absolute ages, several lines of evidence, (see Fig. 12).
particularly ammonite, nannofossil, calpionellid and dynoflagellate bio- It is hoped in the future to have new absolute age data, which to-
stratigraphy, support a Tithonian–Valanginian age for these units, so it gether with magnetostratigraphic studies and systematic studies of cal-
would be negligent to assume a very different age. Nevertheless, there careous microfossils, and cyclostratigraphic analysis allow a better
are clear disagreements between the absolute ages and the accepted geo- calibration of the Tithonian–Berriasian, and providing more clarity to
logic time scale. this interesting interval in the Neuquén Basin.
Likewise, the duration of the Tithonian stage is still debated. In
the timescale proposed by Gradstein et al. (1994) the Tithonian has a
8. Conclusions
duration of 6.5 Ma, whereas that Pálfy et al. (2000) estimate a duration
of 8.7 Ma. Ogg (2004) proposes a duration of 5.3 Ma, and in the
The Vaca Muerta Formation is characterized by decimetre-scale
latest proposal 7.1 Ma (Ogg and Hinnov, 2012a,b). The duration of
rhythmic alternations of marls, shales and limestones, and consists of
8.7 Ma is regarded with skepticism, since the Late Jurassic isotopic
five facies associations, which represent basinal to middle carbonate
data are still scarce and chronological estimates were made using
ramp settings.
magnetostratigraphic data interpolations (Pálfy et al., 2000).
The Vaca Muerta Formation has a well-ordered hierarchy of cycles,
Considering the duration of the Tithonian between 5.3 and 7.1 Ma,
including elementary cycles (20–40 cm), bundles (3–10 m) and
this stage should contain between 252 and 338 elementary cycles,
superbundles (8–20 m). Based on spectral analysis, elementary cycles
53 to 71 bundles, and 13 to 17 superbundles. Therefore, the Jurassic–
have a periodicity of 21 ky, which correlates with the precession cycle
Cretaceous boundary in the Neuquén Basin would be within the
of Earth's axis; bundles and superbundles have preriodicities of
Substeueroceras koeneni Zone, regardless of the accepted time-length
90–120 ky and 400 ky, which we interpret as the modulation of the pre-
(Fig. 12). These results are consistent with the biostratigraphic scheme
cessional cycle by the Earth's orbital eccentricity.
proposed by Riccardi (2008) and Riccardi et al. (2000, 2011). On the
Cycles are probably driven by change in carbonate exportation, as
other hand, our floating orbital scale shows some differences in the cor-
changes in shallow-water carbonate production involve changes in car-
relation with standard ammonite biozones according to ICS-2012 and
bonate basinward exportation. Productivity and fertility mechanisms
ICS-2004 scales. Using the base of the Windhauseniceras internispinosum
are not adequate to explain the cyclicity in the Vaca Muerta Formation,
and Neocomites wichmanni ammonite Andean zones as datum levels
since sedimentation shows no strong pelagic imprints.
to tie our orbital scale, we show a better correlation with the scale
Cyclostratigraphic data allowed us to build a floating orbital scale for
ICS-2004 (Fig. 12).
the lower? Tithonian–lower Valanginian interval in the Neuquén Basin,
The floating astronomical scale presented in this paper is consistent
which in conjunction with preliminary paleomagnetic data from the
with: 1) The lack of marine lowermost Tithonian; 2) The middle
Arroyo Loncoche section, allowed us to obtain the following correlation
Tithonian position of the Pseudolissoceras zitteli and Aulacosphinctes
of ammonite zones: The Virgatosphinctes mendozanus Ammonite Zone
proximus Zones; 3) The presence of Saccocoma acme (middle Tithonian)
is probably located at the base of the middle Tithonian (upper part of
in the Pseudolissoceras zittelli and Aulacosphinctes proximus Zones, and its
the Semiforme to Fallauxi Standard Zone). The Pesudolissoceras zittelli
last occurrence within the Corongoceras alternans Zone; 3) The presence
Zone and Aulacosphinctes proximus Zone are located within the middle
of Dobeniella and Longicollaria in the base of the Vaca Muerta Formation
Tithonian (Fallauxi to Ponti Standard Zones). The Windhauseniceras
and Chitinoidella bonetti in the Windhauseniceras internispinosum Zone,
internispinosum Zone would be located at the base of the upper
as well as the presence of large forms of Calpionela alpina Lorenz,
Tithonian (Microcanthum Standard Zone), and the Corongoceras
Crassicollaria sp. and Tintinnopsella sp. within the Corongoceras alternans
alternans Zone coincides with the upper Tithonian (Microcanthum
Zone and the lowermost part of the Substeueroceras koeneni Zones.
Standard Zone and lower part of the Durangites Standard Zone).
In particular, the orbital calibration of the Tihtonian–Valanginian
The Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary is located within the
Andean succesion has implications on two key points: 1) A younger
Substeueroceras koeneni Zone that would correlate with the Durangites
age is assigned to the base of the Vaca Muerta Formation, and 2) the
Standard Zone and the lower part of the Occitanica Standard Zone. The
position of the Jurassic–Cretaceous is discussed.
Argentiniceras noduliferum Zone correlates with the upper part of the
With respect to the base of the Vaca Muerta Formation
Occitanica Standard Zone, and the Spiticeras damesi Zone with the
(V. mendozanus Zone), it appears to be younger than traditionally ac-
Boisieri Standard Zone.
cepted in previous works (e.g., Leanza, 1981, 1996; Riccardi, 1984,
Orbital calibration of these sections is consistent with biostrati-
1988, 2008; Riccardi et al., 2000, 2011; Vennari et al., 2014). A middle
graphic scheme of Riccardi et al. (2000, 2011), wich place the Jurassic-
Tithonian age is assigned rather than an early Tithonian age; these re-
Cretaceous boundary within the Substeueroceras koeneni ammonite
sults are also consistent with the lower Tithonian age for the upper
Zone.
Tordillo Formation suggested by Leanza (1993), so the correlation of
ammonite zones along the peri-Pacific region should be analyzed with
new and detailed studies. Acknowledgements
With respect to the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in the Neuquén
Basin, the astronomical calibration of Andean ammonite zones allows The authors are especially grateful to Alberto C. Riccardi
us to place this boundary at the base of the Substeueroceras koeneni (Universidad Nacional de La Plata y Museo, Argentina) for ammonite
Zone, which is consistent with the biostratigraphic scheme of Riccardi identification, and also to Susana Damborenea (Universidad Nacional
et al. (2000, 2011), and coincide with Salazar Soto (2012), who studied de La Plata y Museo, Argentina) for bivalve identification and Miguel
the Tithonian-Valanginian of Chile, and placed the S. koeneni Zone in the Manceñido (Universidad Nacional de La Plata y Museo, Argentina) for
lower Berriasian. In this context, the absolute age of ~139.58 Ma provid- brachiopod identification. We thank Beatriz Bádenas and Roberto A.
ed by Vennari et al. (2014) does not imply that the Jurassic–Cretaceous Scasso for their comments and suggestions that improved significantly
boundary is 5 Ma younger than accepted by the International Commis- the manuscript. This research was supported by the Consejo Nacional
sion on Stratigraphy. The tuff level dated at Las Loicas section (~30 km de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (PIP-0546), the Agencia
east of the Bardas Blancas section) could corresponds to the upper Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT-2542) and the
44 D.A. Kietzmann et al. / Sedimentary Geology 315 (2015) 29–46
Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBACyT 01/XC28). This is the contribu-
tion R-145 of the Instituto de Estudios Andinos “Don Pablo Groeber”.
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