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Geophysical fecordS of dispersed weathering products on the

Frasnian car onate platform and early Famennian ramps in
Moravi , Czech Republic: proxies for eustasy and
palaeoclimate
Jindrich Hladil *
Institute o/ GeoZogyi Arodemy o/ Scíence.s o/Ihe Czech Republic, Rozvojova 135, 165 02 Prague 6, Czech Republic
Accepted II October 2001

Abstract

An exceptionally hi sea leve! in Frasnian times (early Late Devonian) changed many peneplained, cratonised
and tectonically undistur ed continental margins of tropical be!ts into carbonate platforms which became covered by
thick banks of limestone The stages marked by very pure carbonates deve!oped during partia1 sea-Ievel highstands
since, when the flooding eached its maximum, the shoreline was distant and conditions for reef growth were good.
An increased extension f emerged, flat, coastal areas was coupled with an opposite situation, when oscillating sea
level fell to its moment minimum and the accommodation space available for accumulation of carbonate material
was low. Subaerially ex osed surfaces were subject to weathering and the products were dispersed by aeolian or
aquatic means to form ayers when these weathering materials were trapped in carbonates. This overall scenario
relating to the trapping 'weathering products in pure carbonates was tested at geographical1y isolated platform with
a stable and on1y slowly ubsiding basement (Eastern Moravia, Czech Republic)_ The amounts ofweathering products
dispersed in limestone ere documented using the combined methods of "'(-ray logging, "'(-ray spectrometry and
magnetic susceptibility t easuring, i.e. according to their radioactivity (K, Th and U) and magnetism (Fe). Six
third-order Frasnian eus atic cycles have been inferred from the data, with an estimated period of 1 Ma. The Late
Frasnian and especially he FrasnianlFamennian (F/F) transition brought the total destruction or at least a strong
overlay on this hypothe ical background setting. The record of strong sea-Ieve1 fluctuations in the F/F interval is
shown in strong oscillat ns and offsets related to pronounced hiatuses and flooding surfaces. Such rapid sea-level
fluctuation is typical for lacioeustatic control, although the present estimates of the maximum amplitudes are larger
than realisable by glaciat on events and may be explained in combination with tectonoeustatic models. Comparison of
sections between the ce tre and periphery of the platform substantiates the concept that oscillating Late Frasnian
shorelihes were rapidly rograding. Very low sea-leve! stages of early Famennian times changed the depositionary
systems from extensive atforms to narrow carbonate ramps which were positioned out and down on the extinct reef
bank slopes. The centra pafts of the Eastem Moravian and also other Frasnian platforms in the world were not
normally covered by FI sediments, the transgressive on1aps above any crystalline highs were not observed and
therefore the drowned F asnian reefs on their periphery, although emphasised by many geologists, may feflect sliding

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214 J. HIlJdill Palaeogeography. Palaeoclimatology. Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
or tectonic subsidence on Ithe margins of platform blocks rather than eustatic rise of sea leve!.
Science B.V. All rights resbrved.
Keywords: carbonate sequenq:s; y-ray speetrometry; magnetie susceptibility; eustasy; Late Devonian; Czech Republie
oí tbis study
Natural y-ray loggin of drilled wells is an ef­
fective tool for under tanding the sedimentary
stacking pattern with more than 60-yr history
of practical use (Sokan , Inc., 2001). Its relation­
ship to changing fac es and environment on
f1.ooded cratons was s ggested more than 30 yr
ago (Irwin, 1965; argo and Fons, 1965),
but more consistent undamental ideas about
sea-level change with its possible refiection in
well logs emerged mu h later (Van Wagoner et
al., 1988, and many o er papers of the 19808).
Reliable confinnation f lowstand silicic1astic de­
position on cratonic bonate platforms required
completely new eviden (Southgate et al., 1993).
Although the relation ip between low sea-Ievel
stages on the one hand and palaeokarst, palaeosol
and lime-mud deposits n the other was expressed
in the documentation f many shallow-water car­
bonate cyc1es (Tucker d Wright, 1990, p. 156),
many sedimentologists would accept that weath­
ering products and th ir dispersal occur on low­
stand boundaries betw en the platform cyc1es, the
exploitation of this fac for systematic and routine
geophysical 10gging f weathering products in
carbonate platform se iments is still in an early
stage and has proba y never been used as an
effective tool for the assessment of tbird-order
cyc1e background se . g in combination with
strong oscillations rel . g to major biocrises.
This study aims at e development of this ap­
proach to Frasnian and FrasnianlFamennian
(FIF) carbonate sequ ces. The analysis of large
sets of y-ray logs w compared with results of
y-spectrometric and agnetosusceptibility mea­
surements. At the pr ent time, the most impor­
tant lithostratigraphi and biostratigraphic data
about evolution of F asnian cyclicity up to the
F/F crisis are typica y based on object-related
decisions relating to . dividua! sequence markers
or fossils. Such object elated decisions are power­
© W02 Elsevier
fui tools but have the risk of imperfection, be­
cause the decisions on the importance of seams
in platform carbonates are often subjective and
fossils may inhabit dillerent environments. How­
ever, continuous geophysical 10gging provides a
tool for precise correlation. Of course, the logging
requires good linkage to biostratigraphy, because
onIy tbis link makes sense of the observed geo­
physical f1.uctuations. Therefore, a revision of ear­
)jer conodont and coral-stromatoporoid-forami­
niferal evidence was made whenever required by
the well-logging analysis.
2. Iotroductory discussioo addressiog tbe maio
problems
2.1. Late Frasnian and early Famennian: sea-level
JaU or rise?
Present views about the Frasnian and F/F eu­
stasy are cbaracterised by many differing opin­
ions. Summaries (e.g. Hallam and Wignall,
1999) usually stress tbat the end-Frasnian biotic
evolution is accompanied by extinctions oC shal­
low, warm-water taxa (stromatoporoids, colonial
corals, pentamerids and atrypids among bracbio­
pods), whereas the pelagic, cold- and deep-water
faunas turned to dominance with the F/F events.
It is also refiected by extinction of reefs and car­
bonate platforms and an overall change to starved
open-sea sedimentation. The record of place
where reefs (or their slopes) are covered by
open-sea sediments formed a generally accepted
conclusion that the average sea level was bigher
during the F/F and early Famennian than during
the formation of thick and territorial1y vast Fras­
nian carbonate platform complexes. Assessments
of vigorous sea level lowering witbin the anoma­
lous F/F oscillations (140 m, madil et al., 1991;
150 m, Van Buchem et al., 1996; 60-100 m, see
Racki, 1998) were considered separately, witb no
 'adill Palaeogeography. Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
unenhanced vertical dirnension (1, n K 10-100 km. haight n K 0.1-1 km)
'"
carbonate platform Famennian·Toumaisian palaeokarst.
¡_. . aeolian and shallo_.
'" AA c::: l.
y sedimenls
pe:;:::=:::........
Fig. l. Simplified vertical trueture related to the Frasnian
carbonate platfonn on erat nie basement. The most general·
ised shape of the megaseq nce is eharaeteristic for Middle
to Upper Devonian limest nes of Moravia, but was also
found in Gennany, Canada and Australia. The c1assical eVlr
lution stages can be correl ed with the transgressive system
traet (stages 1 and 2), hig stand system traet (stage 3) and
falling stage system traet (s ge 4).
direct significance for gradual sea-Ievel lowering
(cf. Hallam and Wign 11, 1999).
However, these co c1usions about re1ative1y
high F/F sea levels s ow significant weaknesses,
as already suggested Dvorak (1986, 1990) and
recentIy by Isaacson al. (1999). The main evi­
dence for this stateme t has been summarised in
the last paper quoted bove, that the vast territo­
rial areas of inner Fr nian platforms on tropical
cratons of present-da Europe, North America,
South China and Au tralia were emerged (with
hiatuses) and FIF o early Famennian pelagic
sediments were never eposited in these deep in­
land territories. Such ediments only occur above
or alongside the mar al segments or in the epi­
genetic depressions o the platform (cf. Dvorak,
1986; lsaacson et al., 999). The early Famennian
shorelines, greatly pr grading to edges and slope
of older Frasnian pla forms, document a consid­
erable lowering of m an sea-Ievel hjgh (Fig. 1).
The real or assumed eef drownings at platform
margins can be caus d by difIerent factors and
need not necessarily c rrespond to eustatic flood­
ing. Such causes of a parent drowning might be
seen, for instance, in he contra-directjonal shed­
ding of non-carbonat sediments during environ­
215
mentally controlled extinction of reefs (cf. Schlag­
er, 1991), decreased carbonate productivity (cf.
Copper, 1997), as well as gravitational collapse
of cemented platform margins (cf. George et al.,
1995).
An interpretation of a gradual but strongly os­
cillating sea-Ievel lowering has been supported by
correlation between the South American Late
Devonjan tillite deposits on Gondwana continents
and sea-Ievel changes on tropical carbonate coasts
of other continents (Isaacson et al., 1999). The
glacioeustatic control of these rapid fluctuations
has been inferred for Famennian and end-Fras­
nian? times and tbis would at least contribute to
the long·term sea-Ievel lowering which started
during end-Frasnian times. In this connection,
the emergence of land barriers and changes oí
the oceanlatmospheric circulation, i.e. the global
cooling in oceans (Copper, 1986), are major re­
lated causes related to the FIF extinction mecha­
nisms as was stated by Hallam and Wignall (1999,
p. 227). The geological evidence of the Late Dev­
onian setting for cooling of climate and eustatic
lowering is supported by the miospore-based, pa­
laeofloral data given by Streel et al. (2000) who
especially emphasised the Late Devonian gla­
cioeustatic control on the sea-Ievel fluctuations.
The global mínimum in miospore diversity mark
end-Frasnian times and depressed flora of early to
middle Famennian was narrowed to low-latitude
areas. The authors of these two glacioeustatic pa­
pers (Isaacson et al., 1999; Streel et al., 2000)
concluded that glaciation seems the most reason­
able explanation for the major eustatic falls asso­
ciated with the Kellwasser events. Long-distance
comparisons between Belgium and South China
(Muchez et al., 1996) support the opposite argu­
ments, tbat tbe transgression in tbe Early rhenana
Zone, being continued by the Late rhenana aggra­
dational highstand system tract, was not stopped
earlier than during the latest part of the Late rhe­
nana Zone. However, this interpretation is based
on the sediments of platforrn margins and does
not consider tbe development in the central parts
of the cratonic blocks (cf. Chen in Isaacson et a1.,
1999).
However, the estimates of the maximum possi­
ble sea-Ievel lowering fluctuate between 100 and
216 dill Palneogeography. Palaeoclimatology. Palneoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
200 m. For glaciation of these dimensions there
is only weak evidenc from modern data. Tbe
explanation of amplifi d sea-Ievel anomalies sug­
gests also otber pass ble mechanisms that are
seen for instance in te tonoeustatic processes re­
lating to transcurrent aults or seams in the col­
lage of litbospheric ocks (density changes in
shear zones; cf. Catble and HaUam, 1991; Rach,
1998). The evidence fo worldwide or at least East
European Platforro-re ted litbospheric breakage
is seen in synsedime tary tectonic changes on
previously integral atforms, starting mostly
since the late Fras n times (Dvorak, 1986,
1990; Wilson and yashkevich, 1996; Rach,
1998; Skompski and SzuIczewski, 2000; Rach
and Narkiewicz, 2000
2.2. Third-order cycle~ before the F/F boundary
K.nowledge about rasnian eustasy contains
many problerns which mostly arise from tbe dif­
ferent methods and c ters of tbe areas which
have been investigate . Sea-Ievel lowering corre­
lated with pre-asym tricus levels have been
known for a long f . They correspand to sev­
eral prominent, on-s ore-anastomosing bound­
aries which separate tbe late middle Givetian
reef banks from Fr nian transgressive cycles
(Tsien, 1980; Hladil, 1988, 1994; Racki, 1988,
1993). Palaeokarst athering characterises the
platforro interior dil et al., 1993; George
and Chow, 1999). Th' sea-Ievellowering was ex­
pressed also by the aIIIb unconformity in tbe
Euramerican T-R cu e (Johnson et al., 1985).
This c1assical Eura erican scheme shows step­
wise transgression, wi h tbe Frasnian episodes of
sea-Ievel rise recorde in the transitans (= Lower
asymmetricus) Zone ( IIb/c, Genundewa Event;
see Racki, 1993), two transgressions in the IIc T­
R interval (punctata d hassi cycles =Middle and
Upper asymmetricus ycles), transgression in the
Lower rhenana (= gas) Zone, and one other
shift higher in lid. he evolution of these five
textually separated cy les (?up to seven sometimes
illustrated in the pict e; cf. Johnson and Sand­
berg, 1988, p. 172) es not show a general re­
gression trend befor the latest Frasnian. This
trend of stepwise ba kstepping of the cyclicaUy
deposited Frasnian reef sediments has also been
seen by otber autbors in several Asian and Aus­
tralian basins (e.g. Tsien and Fong, 1997; Gagiev,
1997; Becker and House, 1997). However, Kuz­
min and Yatskov (1997, p. 32) interpreted visible
regression relating to two (?up to tbree, one is
subdivided) late Frasnian third-order cycles in
tbe Timan. Karaulov and Gretschischnikova
(1997, p. 15) drafted tbe structure of six (?up to
eigbt, two are with small amplitude) cycles in tbe
Nortb Eurasia Frasnian. These cycles show a gen­
erally decreasing trend in the upper part of the
Frasnian. In general, the curve by Karaulov and
Gretschischnikova (1997) shows much similarity
to Mona or Slavkov-2 in Moravia, as weU as,
tentatively, to Meda-l and Mimosa-l in Canning
Basin (Soutbgate et al., 1993; if tbe weakly docu­
mented base is Frasnian and not Givetian). Tbe
end-Frasnian to early Famennian sea-IeveJ fall is
expressed by hiatuses in many Devonian sections
of Kazakhstan, Urals and adjacent regions of the
Russian Plate (Veimarn et al., 1997, p. 44; from
linguiformis to rhomboidea Zones). Of course, it
influenced the construction of a global eustatic
curve (Morrow et al., 1995), where tbe decline
in late Frasnian transgression trend is linked to
much earlier stratigraphic levels than were drafted
by Johnson et al. (1985).
The major part of recent studies on cyclicity in
Devonian sediments has concentrated on short­
terro cycles which are within the Milankovitch
band of periodicities (cf. House, 1995). Many pa­
pers focus on siliciclastics rocks (e.g. Marshall et
aL, 1996; Cotter, 2000) but correJation of tbese
data is difficult because of weak biostratigraphic
control. The source of information about tbird­
order cycles is seen, therefore, mainly in se­
quence-stratigraphic studies from limestone ter­
rains.
2.2.1. New York State, USA
For New York State, USA, House and Kirch­
gasser (1993) analysed distal ramp and depression
fills in tbe central and western part of tbe state. Of
course, in tbese facies just tbe opposite criteria
must be used to tbose on platforms. Water deep­
ening corresponds to clayey, not carbonate sedi­
ments. Remarkable transgressive pulses were de­
 J. Hbdill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
scribed with (1) Ren 'ck in Pen Yann Mb.
(?equivalent of falsiov lis Zone in Europe), (2)
Genundewa Mb. (equi alent of transitans Zone),
(3) Middlesex Fm. (eq ivalent of punetata Zone),
(4) basal Rhinestreet ( uge and complex, equiva­
lent of hassi andjamiae Zones), (5) at Pt. Breeze it
seems to be hidden in other possible pulse (An­
gola Mb., equivalent o Early rhenana Zone), and
(6) Pipe Creek Mb. ( uivalent of Late rhenana
Zone, Lower KeUwas r Event?) and Hanoverl
Dunkirk (Upper Kell ser Event?). Of course,
the direct analysis of t e New York flooding sur­
faces, especiaUy if ext nded to the west of New
York, can also suggest five cycles (cf. Kirchgasser
et al., 1997; Over et al. 1999). This would depend
on hypotheses on gro ings and levels of signifi­
cance.
2.2.2. Alberta, Canada
For Canada, Weisse berger (1994) published a
relatively new view o the banks and reefs of
western central Albert showing that the Frasnian
succession is dominat d by a three-part subdivi­
sion where third-order units (in the conodont zo­
nal concept of the 19 s) are (1) Lower asymme­
tricus Swan HiUs Fm, (2) Middle asymmetricus
two-part Cooking L e Fm., correlatable with
the off-reef shale mar ers in Cline Channel and
Duvernay sediments, 3) Upper asymmetricus 1st
Leduc Fm. Cycle, wi backstepping and aggra­
dation, (4) Ancyrogn hus triangularis?, 2nd Le­
duc Fm. Cycle, again ovemed with backstepping
and aggradation, the apiabi Gap Reef reached
170 m height, (5) Lo er gigas?, 3rd Leduc Fm.
Cycle, with the maxi um relief difference of 220
m, by prograding fac s shift and filling of adja­
cent depressions, and 6) Upper gigas, seen in the
thin and clearly progr dational Nisku Formation.
This six-part division ay reflect a possible l-Ma
eustatic gross rhyth (cf. Tucker et al., 1998;
Frasnian duration 6 a) with possible partition
into ca 0.5-Ma interv Is. Also Van Buchem et al.
(1996), in my opinion found fairly regular subdi­
vision of the Frasnia into six stratigraphic parts.
Of course, modified tacking of the third-order
cycles is possible (cf. he classical literature since
Andrichuk, 1958; Fis hbuch, 1968, etc.). The var­
iable structure of thir -order cycles may be caused
217
by different subsidence regime of satellite reef
blocks (Whalen et a!., 2000).
2.2.3. Lublin Trough, Poland
For the Lublin Trough, Krzywiec and Narkie­
wicz (1998) analysed reflection seismic and drilling
sections in the central part of this sag and de­
scribed a depositional model for the Frasnian
and FIF carbonates. The upper Frasnian carbon­
ate ramp facies prograded towards the deepened
depocentre, over thin layers of older carbonate.
The lower Famennian lime-mud shelf clinoforms
also prograded towards the depocentral axis.
These progradations, with enhanced deepening
alongside the central axis, would be understood,
in my opinion, as the coupled elIect of tectonic
deepening in the sag with the eustatic sea-level
lowering, narrowing of coastal seas and decreas­
ing carbonate productivity.
2.2.4. Moscow Syneclise, Russia
Alekseev et al. (1996) emphasised the mid-Fras­
nian transgression, whereas the transgressions of
end-Frasnian or close F/F times are developed to
smaUer extent. The ingression of minor siliciclastic
wedges or siliciclastic admixture in limestone is
characteristic for the margins of the Moscow Syn­
eclise, so that tectonically controlled subsidence is
probable. The authors suggest that wobble and
subsidence in this area originated in response to
differential tectonic movements of the Voronezh
Anteclise and the Tokmovo Uplift as well as to
vertical oscillations of the entire East-European
Craton. The Frasnian rifting and halfgraben for­
mation might be seen as the major control of the
sedimentation along the margins of rigid blocks.
But the dimension of this change must be taken
cautiously, because the Moscow Syneclise is the
only part in the south East-European Craton
which has almost continuous sedimentation of
sediments from the Late Proterozoic to Mesozoic.
2.2.5. Moravia, Central Europe
The plotted 'reef-bank maturity ratios' (Hladil,
1988, p. 611) indicate three major pulses until the
end of Middle asymmetricus Zone, one pulse in
Upper asymmetricus to Aneyrognathus triangularis
zones, and after depression one other pulse in the
218 J. 1l1adill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclúnatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
Lower gigas Zone and another maximum between
the gigas and triangul ris Zones. The main verti­
cal growth, aggradati on the platform, is linked
to middle Frasnian. . he mid-Frasnian platform
limestones in Easter Moravia, in contrast to
the sampled sections in Holy Cross Mountains
and drilled rock sa les from Lublin Trough,
practically lack any ilicic1astic wedges and the
limestones are extrem ly pureo The rocks are not
so strongly altered in e vadose zone as regularly
seen in rocks and cor microstructures from the
Polish carbonate-plat rm segments, in the north.
In spite of the geogr phic proximity within the
Late Carboniferous llage of terranes, the faun­
istic dissimilarity betw en the Moravia and Polish
segments (Holy Cross Mountains, U pper Silesia­
Cracow, Lublin, Pom rania) as calculated by Cej­
chan in Hladil et al. ( 999, p. 43) is so large that
the Moravian block 'ght be considered more
similar to the Dniepe Donets Basin, Moessinian
Platform or Anatolia an to the segments in the
north (cf. also Kalvo a, 2000).
2.2.6. Summary
In general, the pre nt attempts to understand
the gross pattern of FTasnian eustasy has pTO­
vided rather uncertain results which imply six (but
also ?four, five or sev n) third-order cycles. How­
ever, the climate duri g the early to middle Fras­
nian was very hot. n t being govemed by glacial
feedbacks. Even in g eral, the origin of eustatic
fluctuations with 1-3 a periodicity is seen as a
big problem, althou h these third-order cyc1es
sensu Vail et al. (19 7) are a common part of
the Phanerozoic strat graphic record. Haq et al.
(1987) registered 119 ird-order cycles in the last
250 Ma. The most re arkable is that for the last
5.5 Ma six cyc1es ofhis magnitude were recog­
nised (or ?five, one' minor), and six two-part
cyeles might be seen between 5.5 and 16.2 Ma
(LowerlUpper Mioce e boundary). If these latter
cyeles had really n double, then the best­
known part of the str tigraphic record would con­
tain 18 third-ordeT c eles in 16.2 Ma by a mean
duration of the cyc1e f about 0.9 Ma.
But the insoJation variations calculated from
fiuctuating parameter of Earth tilt and orbit are
too small to govern the cycles of nX 10- 1 to
nX 10-Ma duration (Muller and MacDonald,
1995). Even the strongest O.I-Ma periodicity ob­
served in subrecent deep-sea sediments was hypo­
theticaUy ascribed by these authors to fluctuations
in star dust accretion in the stratosphere, not to
Milankovitch parameters. However, cycles of 11-,
19-23-, 41- and 90-100-ka durations correlatable
to the vaJues in the Milankovitch band might
have been seen in the Devonian sequences
(House, 1995). Bai (1994) identified Devonian
cyclicity in South China using extensive geochem­
istry with special emphasis on nickel concentra­
tions. His results revealed a dominant periodicity
of 0.1 Ma, including three anomalous peaks in
the linguiformis Zone elose to FIF. The recurrent
interval for the third-order cycles was 1.4 Ma
(Bai, 1994, p. 15).
A very promising control of fluctuations, but
totally speculative, is the long-term cbange in
tbe interior of the Sun wbicb can cause direct
cbange of solar radiation. On the other hand, it
would be strange to consider these variations to
be directly responsible for long-term eustatic f1uc­
tuations in extremely hot climates without polar
ice caps which probably governed the Eartb be­
fore the Late Devonian. Tberefore, attention bas
also turned to fluctuating eartb-born processes
relating to core/mantle evolution (Cloetingh,
1988) and/or evolution of strain domains in litho­
spheric pIates (Cathles and HaUam, 1991; their
model in Racki, 1998, or the Cisne model in
Skompski and Szulczewski, 2000).
2.3. Weathering products and platform cycle
boundaries
Tbe platform carbonate cyeles are usuaJly
asymmetrical-upward with a gradual development
of coarse-grained sediment in thick beds below
the upper cycle boundary (James, 1979). The
lime-mud silicielastics-bearing carbonates are usu­
al1y confined to the base of tbe Devonian plat­
form-reef cycles (Jansa and Fiscbbucb, 1974).
The depositional environment on vast Frasnian
platforms was relative1y calm, probably due to
their large size, and sedimentary cycles developed
most1y in a continuous regime of backstepping
and aggradation (Fig. 1). Opposite trends are ob­
 J. Hladill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
served following the lat st Frasnian (HIadil, 1994;
Weissenberger, 1994). n spite of this difference,
the binding, bafHing d biocementation of car­
bonate sediment were ffective until the final FIF
collapse of the reef osystem. Tbe amputated
banks composed exclu ive1y of aeolian dunes or
marine sandbars are n t as common as they are
on Recent platforms. ut also these Quatemary
examples of such dyn 'ca1Iy structured cycles
suggest that muddy d Iithoclastic facies were
preferably confined to he 10wer parts of the plat­
form cycles (Harris et ., 1993). Symmetrical up
to reverse, fining- and thinning-upward pattems
occur on broken platfo margins and/or inclined
carbonate ramps. A atch-reef-based clinoform
unit described by He ger and Workum (1989)
exemplifies this. In thi situation, tbe non-carbon­
ate material was dis sed mainly in the upper­
most parts of the dow ward-asymmetrical cycles.
The sheets of eusta ically govemed carbonate
cycles are, in their sha owest areas, regularly sep­
arated by palaeosols nd these weathering prod­
ucts both penetrate tb substrate and disperse in
proximal, overIying tr nsgression sediments (Myl­
roie and Carew, 1 95). Mechanical (crystal
growth of salt, temper ture and dilatation, terres­
trial bioerosion) and emical (solution and acid
hydrolysis) weathering are different but intricately
linked processes. Ho humid climates support
chemical weathering a d related cycle boundaries
are usually marked b clay contents. GeneraUy,
potassium and urani are more soluble than
thorium, so lhat eleva ed Tb/K and ThIU directIy
in thin dissolution resi ue can indicate hot, humid
climates (Ruffell and Worden, 2000). However,
this process also has nother aspect that the pre­
cipitates from this lea hate in c10se rock environ­
ment, as well as later 1 dispersal (wash-out), can
be greatly enriched i K and U. This secondary
aspect is very signifi nt, because many paJaeo­
karst surfaces and s leothems c1early manifest
increased radioactivit . In a general climatic inter­
pretation, Myers an Bristow (1989) suggested
that high ThIK and h/U in mudrocks are more
typical of arid climat s than the opposite. A cer­
tain mismatch or mis derstanding of theoretical
conclusions and obse vations can be checked by
investigations of fos il weathering systems and
219
their dispersal in lateral, bedrock and overlying
sediments.
However, by a1I means a coupling of platform
cycle boundaries with non-carbonate material and
increased radioactivity of carbonate rocks must be
considered. There are two reasons for this. (1)
The large surface areas are subject to weathering
and dispersal of weathering products. (2) The de­
creased deposition rate (and numerous non-sedi­
mentation episodes) during the interval from the
terminal falling stage system tract to the begin­
ning of a transgressive system tract constrains di­
lution of these weathering products in carbonate
rocks. From that is derived the premise that the
eustatic record in such types of platform carbon­
ates can be described according to a natural y-ray
signal of dispersed weathering products, and con­
currently could be inferred from the magnetosus­
ceptibiJity response of iron in dispersed paramag­
netic and ferromagnetic minerals. The maximum
responses should correspond to low sea-Ievel
stages, i.e. from the terminal falling stage system
tract to the beginning of a transgressive system
tract (Fig. 2).
3. Analysis of regional conditions for application oí
geopbysical loggiog
3.1. Geological framework and evolution history o}
the region
The Devonian carbonate platform sediments
cover a significant part of eastem Moravia, espe­
cially in the subcrop of Carboniferous units but
rarely in the direct subcrop of Miocene deposits.
Moravia lies in the eastern part of the Czech Re­
public, in central Europe (Fig. 3). On the geolog­
ical map, the Palaeozoic units form a spacious
wedge e10ngated in the NE-SW direction. The
Variscan orocline was pressed against the defor­
mation-resistant and deeply rooted eastem parts
of the Moravian block framework (Weiss, 1977).
The platform cover resting on the compact core
block is only slightly deformed and forms an ir­
regular, trapezium-shaped e1evated area in the
subsurface of the Eastem Moravia (Fig. 3).
The lateral loading by the latest Variscan
220 J Hladi/l Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250

dispersal of weathering products

local dispersions· • ~
.r· •
~
• ••-. • •
aqueous lransport.
o o
o 00
suspension frcwn humid areas ~

r
o

nDI~Q!T!1­ ~ ~. .• '
~=::~r '~! "ng .,~~

~ .~ I f:id~es
....?-'"~"
. ...
lST.T .ocean Cárbonate
,,_ ,,,,,,,,,,,-
of tortlldites-
shedd.ng
anged .!J.
, .... afwe"""
of carbonate
'_h_
D
In
"""'" ~ Oh. ,,-~ ~ I
carbonate sed' enng products

...
- - increased dispersal of weathering products __
. . ... . .
- - little dispersal - ­
... n
Iwge::¿;.......--,.YT~\~.J

high sea level

• lowstand conditions ­ - highstand conditions -

Fig. 2. Pathways of diSPertf weathering products, relationships to environment and sea-level height. Deposition of particles
from atmospheric dusts and marine suspensions of distant origin, under conditions of very pure carbonate sedimentation, are
two other effective processes in addition to deposition of non<arbonate rock components from local sources. Much more non­
carbonate material is availa le during the periods of sea-Ievel lowering than during periods of very high sea level, because large
parts of emerged continents exposed to weathering in subaerial conditions.

nappes (Dvorak and N votny, 1984; Hladil et al.,
1999) abuts against th westem margin, whereas
the younger West Ca pathian nappe structures
produced an opposite exure on the eastem plat­
form margin (Roth, 978; Fodor et al., 1995).
Strike-slip faults wi a WNW-ESE direction
are responsible for t e present terminations oí
this platform on the s uth and north. Details oí
these contacts are un own, owing to the thick
sedimentary fill in the ienna Tertiary basin in the
south, as well as the U per Silesian Carboniferous
basin in the north. Th overall geologica1 charac­
teristics linking Mor via to the neighbouring
Upper Silesian Block are also related to other
Rhenohercynian or East European Platform
blocks. The computed similarity of fauna between
Moravia and Upper esia is striking1y low (Cej­
chan in Hladil et al., 999). In tectonics, AJeksan­
drowski et al. (2000) uggested an extensive Late
Palaeozoic strike-slip ranslation in the Sudetes as
allowing also the pr ption of lateral juxtapo­
sition of the Mora .an block. The Moravian
block was probably a component derived from a
separate microplate (Cyrnerman, 2000). The evi­
dence for a possible isolation of this block in
Frasnian seas, or at least a salient shape of the
original microplate, can be seen in the extremely
pure carbonate sedimentation (cf. Zukalova,
1980) as well as in a palaeomagnetic position
close to 15 0 South (Krs in Hladil et al., 1999).
More distant from this geographically isolated
(or salient?) platform were Emsian to Toumai·
sian? intracontinental rifts (Chab et al., 1984;
Galle et al., 1995; Hladil et al., 1999), which grad­
ually changed from narrow grabens into deep and
large ocean embayrnents and passages. The long­
term lateral sliding of lithospheric segments from
the axes of rift structures may have contributed to
the slight but continuous subsidence of this plat­
form and also to a slight tilting on platform mar­
gins. This tilting is visible as regular and undis­
turbed thickening of banks in a direction from the
central palaeohighs to the platform peripheries
(Zukalova, 1980; Dvorak, 1990; Hladil and Jan­
 J. Hladil/ Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250 221

16"30'1 16"45' 17" 1rlS' 17"30' 18°45'

(~-I~

I
I

U·
I
I
1
--T­
I

I
~
,
1

~
_%
, $ .......
""""""uv'''''
....,- ­ 'o>
~
.... ..-; - ':2,
I ..
1
I

~
~

~
~

.~

~
~

~
---¡l ~
I I ' ~ Ir

,¡­
l '
I O ' 1 50km 1

• , 1 g
_L___ -~------~------r------r ~

platform and adjacent carbonate facies in Moravia. The major part of this carbonate complex was
refiection seismic profiles, because of the scarcity of outcrops. Outcrops in the neighbourhoods oC
Brno and Olomouc repr~tonly 1.4% of the entire surface. The largest outcrops are in the Moravian Karst, northeast of Brno
(quarries, caves and karst v lIeys). Axial elevations of carbonate surface (in depths 1-6 km) were more densely driIIed in compar­
¡son with the flanks of the mplex dipping under thick Variscan and Carpathian nappes. Note the occurrence of margin facies
a1so on the east (rock core vidence; among others Pisek-l borehole). Pourteen of 44 relevant wells are discussed in the text (tar­
gets in map). The Mokra arry West is marked with the c10sest target lo Brno. CZ=C.zech Republic (Moravia), SK=Slovakia,
PL = Poland., A = Austria.

sa, 2000) (Fig. 4). An ncreased subsidence of pe­
ripheral segments (D orak and Friakova, 1978)
may speculatively refl ct the FIF acceleration of
extension in the East uropean Platform (Wilson
and Lyashkevich, 199 ; Racki, 1998), as well as
subduction and colli .ons in distant areas (Su­
detes: Maluski and atocka, 1997; Kalvoda et
al., 1999). This is rela d to possible tectonic stick
slipping on periphe 'es of the platform (cf.
Skompski and Szulc wskj, 2000), which might
be combined with no -tectonic gravitational slid­
ing of marginal bloc s (cf. George et al., 1995).
The balancing of thes aU possible processes lacks
reliable models.
The main average characteristics of the plat­
form-reef complex in Moravia, inferred from
the reflection seismic profiles and deep boreholes,
are a stratigraphic duration from the late Eifelian
to late Frasnian, with a mean estimate of the area
of about 15000 km2 and a mean thickness of 0.45
km (HIadil et al., 1998). Although the maximum
stratigraphic range of carbonates is late Emsian to
late Visean, the large irmer platform consists only
of the Gjvetian and Frasnian carbonates. In addi­
tion, exclusively the Iimestones of early to middle
Frasnian ages cover the crystalline highs in the
centre (llladil et al., 1993). The deposition of
the major mass of platfonn-reef Iimestones was
222 J. Hl~dill Palaeogeography, Palaeoc/imatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250

~ FR1NT
CARBONATE PLATFORM WITH MOATS ANO BIOHERMS
conlinuosly close ID sea level COA8T 1)
O 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
km l. 1 1 . ) 11 1 1 I 1 lid 1 1 1 I I11I 1 II 1 I I 11 I II II I I tll I 1 1 II I 1 I II 1 Id, 1 1 .1 I I 1 ti 1 I I I 1
8 r; optlmum pIKe for welllogglng lateral dls1ance
'~I~=oWó'&'~c:>-="rU¡"~/YI'" ~~.•;.:.::_ •••
...oc O.S-:
\1~~~=o'tí'ó,,,¿j.Cb.--- =-cC>"t,¡llo-~/YI'11 _ .. _."­
-' ~ -
i
!
"

1:íS>1f/E>e>O \fIE,'''~
1
"lyl , 11 -- ­
c:>¿:> 't' 9,(10'"--­
"'" ~ n r
...- "':;:" -.-'

'1; 9,(10'"--;7/,' 11'1'0/ ¿;>

.y"' : • / ~
~ 0.4--= ~
o ~~ c:> / QI".-/ " t ,1 ~ ¡¡
1 ,,,--"'00--­ 'l.'I f ~ Gi
ie _~",--=o'V~
1o.....~ C?
p .../
Qr ,J' " :ot "l!
?
'ID­ p"'­ .. r
o
11)

i,g 0.3 1 ,fIb'" .:?

/'
1WO MOOELS
~
Il;
B
'"

E
~ii. ~ I~
1 ~<7éJ
..,?~
- ' r:? ,:7' OF ACCUMULAnON
:i 1

I ¿?(1'fIE','
PLATFORM SEOUENCE <l) 8.
e 0.2
Q" UNDER CONDITlONS
OF CONTINUOUS TllTING
I
.
.!l

• 1/)

... ..
c:

pl,d7D01ONANTST~
'E ui .~

~ ... I!!
IL
.., :5" IL.

i• 0.1 1 ¿?Il I ~
N
~ 'O
g
¡ .19'
"

.lZu ,p// PLATFORM SEOUENCE

CONTROl.LED ONLY .,~
BY EUSTASY . NO TILTING
f¡

wilh exception for

,, slrong and rapid Late Givelian
bu! peltiaJlarly
USUALLY ABSENT F·f se&-Ievel ftudualions

angular subsidence rateca 0.07 degree /1 Ma

Fig. 4. Vertical sedimentary accretion of Frasnian carbonate ban.k.s on the Moravian platform. Very slow and continuous tilting
of the fundament provided, together with eustatic change of sea level, the necessary accommodation space for accretion of early
Iithified, largely autochthon us carbonate sediments. A1ga1~onge-coral benthic comrnunities controlled baffiing andJor binding
processes in the sediment. 'crobial cementation was strong. Two diagrams in the central part of the picture explain two extreme
situations. The lower model illustrates a non-subsiding block where sea-Ievel change is rel:Jected exclusively by bypsometry of ter·
races. The upper model is i ustrative of continuous tilting subsidence of vast backreef area. Here, the sea-Ievel change is directly
derived from onlaps-offiap, thickening-thinning of beds and decrease-increase of trapped weathering products. This model
largely matches the structur of Frasnian carbonate ban.k.s in Eastero Moravia.

also accompanied by he territorially most exten­ Regarding underlying and overlying forma­
sive transgression ep sodes. Shallow-water and tions, a thin layer of siliciclastic series separates
aeolian banks aboye e Devonian platform-reef the peneplained Late Proterozoic basement block
interior are very thin nd rareo OnIy three on1aps of intrusive-gneissic rocks (Dudek, 1980) from the
in the expansa Zone, n2-3 and V3a-b, occasion­ overlying carbonates. These clastics represent
aJly reached over the interior of the abandoned mostJy recycled terrestrial sediments of Silurian?
Frasnian platform. e calciturbidite sediments to Devonian age, but relicts of Early Cambrian
sedimented on f1anks of the block or filled the siltstones and wackestones are also locally pre­
peripheral halfgrabe s (Dvorak et al., 1987; served (Jachowicz and Prichystal, 1997). The
Dvorak, 1990; Kalvo a, 1994). overlying Culmian (Visean) flysh as well as the
 J. H/Jidi/l Palaeogeography, Palaeaclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
Late Variscan mOllasSl(NamUrian) are tectoni­
cally allochthonous, w th the exception of the
small relicts of their s allow-water or terrestrial
time equivalents to th east (Chab et al., 1984;
Grygar et al., 1998; ID dil et al., 1999).
3.2. Basic characteristid> 01 the platform sequence
The Frasnian sedime ts on the platform reflect
a structured series of aps. Stepwise transgres­
sion of carbonate bank on the peneplained base­
ment continued until ate Frasnian times when
shore line progradatio prevailed (Dvorak, 1986,
p. 134). Exceptional st bility of this slightly sub­
siding block was doc ented by the absence of
Frasnian fault movem nts, witb tbe exception oí
late Frasnian synsedim ntary tectonics on periph­
eries oftbe block (Zuk lova, 1980; Dvorak et al.,
1987; Hladil and Jans , 2000). The fact that brit­
tle deformation was Ii e or absent is important.
The geological section of tbe Frasnian sequences
in Moravia (Dvorak tal., 1984; IDadil, 1988,
1994) are very simila to the sections on otber
cratons in the Late D vonian tropics (cf. K.rebs,
1968; Playford et al., 1976; Tsien, 1980; Cock­
bain, 1984; Soutbgat et al., 1993; Morrow et
al., 1995). Backsteppi and aggradation of plat­
form reef margins a ompanied tbe rapid and
long-term backsteppin of shorelines. The signifi­
cant turning point of he sequence structure is in
tbe late Frasnian wit typical termination in a
tbin, small, but stro gly prograded uppermost
part (the Vail model modified by Holmes and
Christie-Blick, 1993, p 184).
The vertical sectio across the Christie-Blieck
model sequence displ s an extremely flat, asym­
metrically arrow-sha d geometry, because the
partial sequences difli r in shape, shift and vol­
ume. The lowermost art is tbin, long, and rap­
idly moving on tbe pe eplained craton. There are
only small bioherms nd reefs in these beds. The
second part is tbicke than the basal series and
consists of a backstep ing but very flat platform,
being governed by re f banks, regularly dissemi­
nated patch-reefs an cyclically arranged storm
deposits. The tbird of tbe complex is very
thick and consists of variety of reef banks, reefs,
lagoon fills, etc. This art is also backstepping but
223
many episodes of aggradation and short-lived
progradations occur. The terminal part is the
smallest, being evidently prograding and practi­
cally climbing down from tbe platform massif.
Such a design of platform architecture is not com­
pletely new, being very similar to c1assical subdi­
visions into four basic parts, which were charac­
terised as semi-Iagoonal, reef-bank, true-reef and
reef-cap stages (Krebs, 1968; Hoffman and Nar­
kiewicz, 1977). The evident agreement among dif­
ferent analyses of the sedimentary stacking on
cratonic platforms implies a good measure of re­
liability regarding this model (Fig. 1), confirms its
significance relating to global eustasy and also
gives tbeoretical warranties that lateral well-log­
ging correlation of horizons is feasible.
3.3. Rock composition
Frasnian carbonate sediments are rhythmically
arranged autochtbonous beds alternating witb
storm beds which are still rich in micrite (wacke­
stones, packstones to floatstones, imperfect cover­
stones, algal baffiestones and microbial bioce­
mentstones up to about 50%). The typical reefal
boundstones are rich in stromatoporoids and cor­
als, carbonate rudstones and grainstones are half
as abundant, tbat is, about 25%. All otber types
of sballow-water carbonate sediments comprise
tbe remaining part of tbe volume. Bioberms,
patcb reefs and reef banks are connected mostly
with tbe upper parts of sedimentary cycles, having
tbeir preferentiallocations c10se to shore, in wind­
controlled, zebra-shaped biohermal tracts and at
the reef edge of the platform. AJthough half of the
Frasnian carbonate volume contains rocks of
darker colour tban the Munsell N4 degree, the
total organic carbon contained in tbese rocks
does not usually exceed 0.05%. Dark colour
hues correspond to many crystal surfaces, seams
and inherited crystal defects, as well as tiny min­
eral and fluid inclusions in the micrite/dismicrite.
Pyrite, pyrrhotite and magnetite crystals of micro­
to nanometric size are commonly dispersed in fine
crystalline rock fabric, so tbat the evidence oí
tbese minerals is based on microprobe, X-ray dif­
fraction and thermal demagnetisation (magnetite)
data rather than on optical methods. The Fras·
224 dill Palaeogeography, Palaeocli1ñatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
nian rocles are rarely dolomitised (Jess than 3%
dolomite) and even e early dolomitised island
margins in the centre f the platform were dedo­
lomitised.
The FIF and Fa ennian rocks of Moravia
show much stronger mechanical reworking and
recycJing of tbe carb nate sedimentary partic1es
than the previous se iments. The sedimentation
on the top tlat of th underlying Frasnian plat­
forms was stopped o replaced by corrosion!ero­
sion of the surface an the sedimentation rate was
genera1ly reduced. O tbe platform margins, the
mudstone lenses, aeo n dunes and foralgaJ, rna­
rine-grainstone banks graduaUy pass into intra­
c1astic-bioc1astic wac estoneslpackstones of the
ramp environment. e calciturbidites filled the
post-jamiae marginal depressions in relief but
mostly deposited at e toe of outer slope. These
range from the Eife' n to Tournaisian only in
deep areas which w re originally very distant
from main parts of t e Frasnian platform (near
Jesenec; Babek, 199 . Significant parts of the
middle slope were de ositionary starving or trun­
cated areas (calciturbi ite bypass zone, cf. Kalvo­
da et al., 1999).
From the FIF inte al, the limestone rocks are
differently but regul ly enriched in c1ay, siIt,
phosphate and opal-q artz. The increased content
of the last two com onents can be ascribed to
weathering of carbon tes (largely emerged surfa­
ces of extinct Frasnia reef banks) but especiaUy
to the accumulation f necto-benthonic and pe­
lagic microfossils (suc as ichthyolites, conodonts
and radiolarians; rela ed to upwelling of cold oce­
anic water alongside he slope of the extinct reef
complex; Hladil et a., 1991). Emerged parts oí
extinct Frasnian reef banks were karstified and
10ca1ly covered by l eritic soils, but they were
never massively dolo ·tised. Practically no dolo­
mite was found at th FIF transition or in over­
lying beds. The absen of early dolomitisation, as
observed, is typical r present humid subtropic
climates (Ryukyu Is1 ds, Japan, or San Salva­
dor, Bahamas; aut or's unpublished observa­
tions). The scarcity f dolomite contrasts with
the middJe!late Give .an and GivetianlFrasnian
emergence of reef b ks, when many Moravian
reef banks were mass vely dolomitised.
The tluctuations of o13 C and 018 0 values in
carbonates on the Frasnian platform basically
follow the cyclic structure of the sedimentary
sequences tbat was inferred from both rock-col­
our change and density of coral-stromatoporid
fauna. In the average upward-shaUowing cyc1e
of n X 10 m tbickness (from its base to upper ter­
mination), the o13 C values increase from 0.5 to
3.5 %0 PDB, respectively. The oIgO values develop
in an opposite sense, from -3.0 to -7.0%0 PDB.
These mean variations on whole-rock samples
show a good, but not excellent positive correla­
tion with the y-Iogs (Hladikova et al., 1997; Hla­
dil and Hladikova, 2000). The relatively increased
o13 C values on carbonate (2.5-3 %0 PDB) were
found in late Frasnian stromatoporoid banks oí
Mokra (1, 5 and 20 m under the roofing FIF
hiatus) but the highest OI3C anomaly 5.5 %0
PDB is known from the transitans Zone of the
Krtiny borehole (Hladikova et al., 1997). It means
that the end-Frasnian o13 C anomalies (sensu Joa­
chimski and Buggisch, 1993) are present, but
there are also many other significant excursions.
The data from late Frasnian (Balcarka Section, N
Moravian Karst; Hladikova and Kesslerova­
Krejci, unpublished) show extremely fluctuating
but often very negative 018 0 values (from -2 or
- 3 up to -8 or -12 %0 PDB). The o13 C values
are usually confined within the interval 1-2 %0
PDB. These values correspond to recyc1ing and
diagenetic alteration of carbonate sediment.
The content of heavy minerals (translucent) in
the pure Frasnian limestone is very low, < 1-500
ppm, even in condensed parts of the sequence.
These mineral grains are dominated by small zir­
cons (l{}-loo ¡..Lm), whereas garnet is rarely
presento Small c1asts of micas, apatite, chlorite,
tourmaJine, epidote-zoisite and rutile were also
registered (Stelc1, 1989). According to tbis author,
long prismatic zircon crystals are surprisingly
common. This might suggest some distant vol­
canic source of atmospheric dust. The input oí
dispersed volcanic material in the end-Frasnian
and FIF beds, anticipated on the basis of greenish
c1ay residues by Zukalova (1980), seems to be
newly indicated with increased Zrl Al ratios in
the basal Famennian beds at Sumbera near
Broo (Racki et al., 2001). The significance of vol·
 J. Hl!dill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
canism for the Famenqan black-coloured layers
of sediment was alreadj suggested by Dvorak et
al. (1988).
THM contents > 0.1 o were found only in ex­
tremely rare interleavin clastic horizons relating
to tbe material from lo 1 higbs dissected during
sea-Ievel lowstand episo es. In such middlelupper
Frasnian sediment (J. tava, unpublished), the
HM assemb1age is 90 o dominated by zircons
but the oval zircons a tbree times more abun­
dant tban their idiom hic counterparts. How­
ever, the upper Fras an to lower Famennian
strata also contain ot er clastic heavy minerals
tbat are less stable ag . st weathering. Tbe in­
creased amounts of cas, chloritoide, chlorite,
titanite, ilmenite and na1Iy also pyroxene and
amphibole have been observed (Lisen, Hranice
n.M., Lipovec: Hladil et al., 1991; and unpub­
lished analyses by Z. aborsky, J. Otava and J.
Stankova). The unique KW-related horizon witb
clasts of quartz and mi in tbe Usti Quarry near
Hranice (analysed b J. Otava) contains an
Drahany Upland nappe stacks; Dvorak et al.,
association dominated y oval zircons where zir­
1983; Galle et al., 1995; Hladil et al., 1999).
con > apatite > rutile tourmaline > epidote. Tbe
Summarising the aboye facts and assumptions,
abrupt occurrence of ch a horizon is explained
the increased content of silty--dayey components
as a result of an ab pt sea-Ievel lowering (and
dissection of platform witb a consequent abrupt
pulse of sea-Ievel rise shedding and dispersal of
tbis siliciclastic debris)
Contents of clay an silt are closely related to
radioactivity of rock, articularly based on con­
centrations of K and h isotopes in this dispersed
material. Tbe insolu le residues of limestones
consist most1y oC micr rysta1Iine mixtures which
are geochemically rel ed to original clayey, silty
and oxidic weathering roducts. The tiny particles
have rarely been pre rved in their full original
shape. The content o non-carbonate residues in
Frasnian limestone ra ges from 2 to 8% but the
common values fiuct te in tbe lower part of this
range. This residue c nsists mostly of hydroxidic
fioccules witb silica d illite, tiny clasts of pa­
laeosols and duricrust , clay, aeolian or fiuvial silt
and micas. Stylolitic issolution seams of Fras­
nian limestones are ually composed of pyritic
to iron oxidic, clay a d quartz components witb
organic matter. Tbe t p-Frasnian and F/F seams
differ by their incre ed content of chalcedony
225
quartz and phosphate. The Lower Famennian de­
posits are largely characterised by 5-25% of non­
carbonate components. Tbe surplus of lateritic
weathering products (Dvorak, 1990), together
with the presence of weathered tiny lithic and
mafic-mineral c1asts (Hladil et al., 1991), has
been interpreted as a refiection of rising humidity.
Microscopic grains of hardpans (part of palaeo­
soIs), greenschists and ferriferous ooids are other
indices of such aclimate (Hladil et al., 1991; cf.
also data from Be1gium, Dreesen, 1981).
The absence of the siliciclastic stratigraphic
members at tbe FIF boundary, as well as below
and aboye, on tbe entire territory of Eastern
Moravia is rea1Iy an important fact which has
primary significance tbat must be stressed. Th
silty-shale members or siliceous condensed shales
are placed in otber segments of the rocks which
represent relicts of deep-sea and oceanic sedi­
ments and have no direct connection with the
platform (tectonic klippen in the Jeseniky and
in carbonates in tbe late Frasnian and earIy Fa­
mennian interval has several causes. Three are
basic: first, the humid climate under conditions
of emerged coastal areas allowed the origin of
clay suspensions in sea and adjacent ocean water;
second, tbe strength of volcanism and overall ac­
tivation of tectonics in the neighbourhood con­
tributed to increased production of silicate par­
ticles; and third, tbe carbonate productivity
(Copper, 1997; Kiessling et al., 2000) gradually
collapsed owing to tbe extinction of reef organ­
isms under conditions of drastically changed pa­
laeogeography (reduced shelf areas), ocean/atmo­
spheric circulation (N-S exchange) and world
climate (glaciation).
4. Geopbysical metbods and coocepts
Tbe present study develops two concepts
proposed in tbe 1990s to explain the observed
physical stratigraphy of carbonate sequences, es­
pecially on uneventfully developed Frasnian plat­
226 'adill Pa/aeogeograp}¡y, Pa/aeoc/imat%gy, PaÚleoec%gy 181 (2002) 213-250
forms which rest on cratonic basements. These
two concepts are rela ed to eustatic and c1imatic
proxies using geophys 1 tools to characterise the
amount of weathering products in limestone. Tbe
"(-ray logging is con ntrated on cornmon and
prevalent radioactive . otopes which are regularly
contained in clayey, s Ity and fiocculated mixture
particIes. Magnetosus ptibility tools are focused
on the fact that thes dispersions in carbonates
are ordinarily enriche in iron-bearing minerals.
The concept of reci rocal lowstand clastic and
highstand carbonate imentation on carbonate
platforms was intro uced by Southgate et al.
(1993). This approach makes it possible to identi­
fy the relationships tween "(-ray logs and sea­
level changes on car onate platforros. Basically,
the increased total ray counts correspond to
sea-level lowstands, cause the intensive weath­
ering and low rates of sediment accumulation
caused a higher co centration of weathering
products in the limes ne. The terro reciprocal is
used for the differen . tion of the relatively shal­
low-water environme s from deep-water carbon­
ates, where larger a unts of clay and siIt indi­
cate deepening of the asin (sea-Ievel rise) and the
occurrence of pure c bonates has the opposite
significance. The use f "(-ray logging belongs to
very standard and dely used techniques. Tbe
major effect is caused y the presence of clay min­
erais (potassium). An ther significant compound
is silt (usualIy a carrie of thorium) while uraruum
is distributed among these terrigenous particles
andlor trapped in the organic matter.
Novelty in techniq es is seen in the systematic
use of "(-spectrometri tools in vertical limestone
sections in combinat n with the total "(-counts
and magnetic suscepti ility data. Tbe "(-spectromet­
rie measuring allows paration of radioactive iso­
topes, particularly rel ing to the contents of potas­
sium, thorium and niurn. Fluetuation of these
contents may, but nee not, be in the same phase.
ceptibility
The application ofl magnetosusceptibility mea­
surement (K) to stratigraphie studies on carbon­
ate-bearing sequences has been developed for
high-resolution correlations (Criek et al., 1997,
2001). Tbe fundamentals of this approach are
based on empirically proven stratigraphic correla­
tions that show well-defined and synchronous
fiuctuations of K in limestone beds in diverse de­
positional environments at many locations. This
newly introduced method of interregional detec­
tion of climatic events (Ellwood et al., 1999)
shows principies which are partIy involved in oth­
er methods. For example, the K measuring was
used for the detection of palaeosol horizons in
loess sections of Quaternary age, as well as in
loessite sediments of the Late Palaeozoie age (Sor­
eghan et al., 1997). Tbe enhanced K values were
also used as evidence for cold andlor desertifica­
tion events recorded in deep-sea sediments (Sol­
heid et al., 1995). This signal from sediments
might be linked to dispersal and subsequent sed­
imentation of iron-rich atmospherie dust from
continents (Yamazaki et al., 1995).
The paramagnetic mineral dispersion of smaIl
particles is the most likely primary carrier of
iron and its K reaction (EIlwood et al., 2000),
but considerable amounts of this iron entered
early diagenetic processes. It has been found
that tiny crystals of ferrimagnetie magnetite can
be produced in present-day conditions directly by
magnetotactic bacteria (cf. Blakemore, 1975). In
addition, the formation of magnetite, pyrrhotite
and thiospinels by sulphate-reducing bacteria (Ba­
zylinski et al., 1993; Sakaguchi et al., 1993; Krs et
al., 1993) is also significant for any speculations
about the primary carriers of ferrimagnetie prop­
erties that are preserved since the times of early
rack diagenesis. The presence of such early pop­
ulations of small ferrimagnetic crystals must be
seriously considered owing to the regular therroal
demagnetisation evidence of these minerals in rel­
atively pure limestones (Pruner in Hladil et al.,
1999, p. 39). The tiny oxidie grains change with
redox conditions in the sediment (cf. magnetite/
maghaemite; Torii, 1997) but the small magnetite
crystals enclosed in metastable calcite can be weU
proteeted against ehange. The very old, almost
synsedimentary origin of these nanoerystals may
be deduced from the oldest components of the
 J. Wladilf Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
remanent magnetisati wlllch has been inferred
from these ferrimagne 'c carners.
However, both the aramagnetic and ferrimag­
netic minerals are prefl rably concentrated close to
cycle boundaries. The ncreased amounts of para­
magnetic minerals clos ly follow the lowstand sys­
tem tract and hiatus s, whereas the increased
magnetite concentrati ns can reach higher into
transgressive system tracts, occurring in the
dark-grey-coloured li estones with slightly in­
creased contents of or anic matter. The magneto­
mineralogic character f microcrystalline mixtures
is more complicated an separated silty-dayey
(clastic) and magne 'te-tlllospineJ (diagenetic)
populations. The mix es with iron-bearing glau­
conite, phosphate, chJ ritoide?, kerogen, illite and
chalcedony quartz, w h typically occur in the FI
F sequences of platfo flanks, contain different
dornains where there re tiny relicts of old c1asts
or new crystals of m etic minerals (combined
microprobe, X-ray di action, thermaJ demagnet­
isation, and optical te hniques). It must be men­
tioned that no efi'ectiv concentrations of siderite
were found in the sam les from our shallow-water
sections, although the occurrence of tllls mineral
was expected on the IF ramps, for example, at
the rnargins of dying latforms and in relatively
cold and deep water ( f. Ellwood et al., 1986).
5. Techoiques aod ios
5.1. WelL-logging
Tllls study presents elected Frasnian and FIF
natural y-ray logs fro significant pJaces in the
eastero Moravian car onate platform. The pri­
mary well logs have en carried out from the
1970s to the present, s that several standard con­
structions of probes re used, according to the
year of measurement, he aims of providers and
the diameter of the hol . These well logs also con­
tain many other tech .ques and their variations
(such as sonic, electric esistivity, spontaneous po­
larisation, neutron an neutron-neutron methods
in 44 varieties, total 14 km of logging). The force
of this large collection 'ght become considerably
impaired if technologi l correction had not been
227
pursued. Thus, the situation required the follow­
ing steps:
(1) The best-quality logs were selected primarily
from the boreholes where the whole thickness of
the Frasnian was drilled and rock cores were
sampled. Wells in oil reservoirs or close to them
were not used for tbis study to preclude possible
bias from late diagenetic changes.
(2) A]] logs were digitised (in steps of 0.1 m).
(3) Then the experts who had been engaged in
these individual loggings were asked to check for
technical errors or biases in the data.
(4) Small deviations caused by the presence of
other radioactive elements in rock fluids and gas
were filtered according to the results of neutron
and y-ray activation methods, y-ray spectrometry
and laboratory analyses of rocks and fluids. These
differences were sma]] to negligible, because the
selected Frasnian and FIF iotervals are in places
with the lowest porosity, < 0.5%.
(5) When corrected and valjdated, the data
were recalculated to American Petroleum Institute
(API) units and theo, after a virtual recalibration,
standardised for the entire carbonate complexo A
contracted team of geophysicists, A. Tezky et al.,
covered the technical and instrumental aspects of
tllls re-evaluation.
5.2. Gamma-ray spectrometry
Spectral y-ray measurements were carried out
on fresh and continuous rock faces in the
Moravian Karst, especially in the Mokra Quarry
West near Broo. A caljbrated y-ray spectrometer
was used in a mode with direct display of com­
puted contents of K (%), U and Th (ppm). Tech­
nical details about the instrument can be found
at http://www.geofyzika.czlproducts/instrum.htm
#GS-SI2 Gamma Ray Spectrometer. The most
reliable measurements were found at step 0.5 m
(full contact, perpendicular to rock wall, probe
axis bedding-parallel, sufficiently stabiJised leve!
of counts at 240 s).
5.3. Measurements 01 magnetic susceptibility
The magnetosusceptibility samples were taken
at O.I-m intervals from fresh, quarried rock face,
228 J. Jnadill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
using the hammer and hise!. The parts damaged
by tools, as well as ose with clearly visible
weathering or late dia netic complications, were
separated using a coo d, diamond copper saw.
The average weight of he sample was 20 g. Afier
documentation of vol me, weight (and density),
the proper measureme ts were carried out at the
Pruhonice Palaeomagn tic Laboratory, Academy
of Sciences of the Cz h Republic, on the most
sensitive commercially available laboratory kap­
pabridges for measuri g bulk magnetic suscepti­
bility [2.5 X 10-8 (Sn]. Technical details can be
found at http://www.·co.com/manuaCkIy-3_in­
tro.htm.
Our laboratories ex ress the bulk susceptibility
related to volume (in 's case re1ated to 10 cm3)
whereas many laborat ries in North America pre­
fer computing and no tion related to weight. In
spite of comparable struction principIes, there
are a1so small differen es among the instruments
of difIerent manufact ers that depend on con­
struction and calibrati n specification. The data
processed in tbis stu y were measured on the
KLY-213 Agico instru ents designed by K. Pri­
hoda. On the otber ba d, most data publisbed on
Pa1aeozoic limestones (Crick et al., 1997, 2001;
ElIwood et al., 1999) ere measured in E11wood's
laboratory at Arlingt and Baton Rouge using
the LSU bridge built b W. Williams. Both instru­
ments were calibrated on comparable standards
(F. Hrouda, personal communication). A short
series of samples from e Mokra Quarry, selected
from sligbt to enhan d susceptibility intervals,
was measured both i Pruner's laboratory and
in Ellwood's laborato y. Generally, the matcbing
provided by tbese two aboratories was very good.
6. Data processing an
6.1. Gamma-logs and forrelation of boreholes
Tbe contents of da and silt in carbonates are
typically facies-depen ent quantities. Neverthe­
less, even the fine "(- attems are never repeated
comp1etely in our sect ons and provide, to a cer­
tain extent, unique c aracteristics for the strati­
graphic interva1s. For xample, tbe seemingly uni­
form repetition of the Frasnian bedding cyc1es
was usually diversified in the y-Iogs and, con­
versely, the diagrams of bioherms and biostromes
obtained much more detailed stratigraphic sense
when juxtaposed with tbe logs. This experience
suggests that the natural "(-ray logs on continu­
ously stratified, well-preserved sedimentary sec­
tions provide more detailed (and partly different)
information relating to events than can be in­
ferred from the Iithological sequences and biostra­
tigraphic markers.
Tbe common a1temation of stratigraphic lacu­
nae among different sedimentary subfacies on the
East Moravian platform is minimised by condi­
tions of relatively calm water, large and aggrading
platform, i.e. sufficient subsidence and eustatic
sea-level rise. Thus, a packstone deposited in a
shaUow lagoon contains tbe same pattems of ra­
dioactivity change as coeval grainstone sediment
on the shoal. Such a bigh interfacial, and also
interregional correlative value of dispersed weatb­
ering products in limestone was practically con­
firmed by means of tbe concurrentIy developed
magnetosusceptibility event and cycle stratigraphy
(Ellwood et al., 2000; Crick et a1., 2001). Mucb of
tbis magnetosusceptibility signal from any contin­
uously accumulated sediments, without disturban­
ces from tectonics or gravitation sliding, refiects
tbe climatic/eustatic cbange. Tbe detection of dis­
persed weathering products in platform carbon­
ates based on radioactivity is analogous to the
use of magnetic methods based on increased con­
tents of iron. The "(-ray-based methods were
found appropriate for the purpose of this study
on tbe basis of botb the aboye discussed theoret­
ical expectations and direct experience from the
feasibility studies in the Frasnian of Moravia
(HIadil and Jansa, 2000). In addition, the y-Iogs
a1so reflect bulky pattems of sedimentary stacking
on the platforms. Some of these gross pattems
must, as is implied from principIes of the method,
have interregional correIation potentiaI which
must be explained by correIation studies which
are in process. Hypotheses about correlation
with the siliciclastic-carbonate pIatform complex
in tbe Canníng Basin and New York basinaI de­
posits are presently being tested.
Fine pattern anaIysis within the 2-, 5-, 10- and
 J. Hladill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology. Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
20-m segments of log was routinely used for
identification of the F nian cycles in Moravia.
Each thírd-order cycl contains some high-fre­
quency identification pecifics (such as ampli­
tudes, power on freque cies, their shifts or assem­
bling). These minor s ifics are traceable across
the platform. It gener lly provides a significant
feedback to biostratigr phy and, concurrently, a
new level of enhanced eliability for tbe laterally
expanding stratigraphi correlation. For example,
the upper part of the rasnian third-order cycle
No. 4 (at first entry of Amphipora moravica, cor­
related witb hassiljamia to jamiae conodont ages)
is marked by a long b t extremely oscillating in­
crease of "(-ray counts roxies to slowly lowering
but very osciUating se level). This anomaly is
also c1early visible in v distant areas and differ­
ent facies, as could b exemplified by evolution
within the Rhinestre t Member, New York
(House and Kirchgas er, 1993; Kirchgasser et
al., 1997). The best eserved, 630-m-thíck (by
lO-cm resolution) Fra nian log originates from
tbe Slavkov-2 borehol (densely cored, cuttings
collected). This log co ains many well-expressed,
undisturbed and prop rtionally developed high­
frequency patterns and tberefore, would be pro­
posed as a type sectio for the possible bigh-fre­
quency, interregional s ratigraphic correJations.
Mention should be ade of corrections of pre­
vious stratigraphic inte retations. A good exam­
pie of tbese corrections is tbe borebole Raskovice
J a-7 on tbe nortbeast ank of the platform. The
biostratigraphy of the arly 1980s indicated nor­
mal superposition of f; unas in two levels, at the
very base and top of límestones, in tbe middJe
Givetian and upper F snian, respectively. How­
ever, tbe stratigraphic tructure of a tbick 'inter­
mediate' series of str ta remained problematic.
An unlikely 'Givetia Frasnian transition' was
suggested for hundred of metres of limestone.
uch a thickness contr sted with the situation in
all other platform sec ions, where the Givetianl
Frasnian sea-Ievel I wering was particular1y
marked by sediment y condensation and hia­
tuses. Two thick pack ges of tbe rocks, approx.
1250-1440 m and app ox. 1470-1690 m, display
many identical "(-patte ns of aH orders and must
be ofthe same age. Su sequently, merged biostra­
229
tigraphic data bases provided evidence about se­
quentially grouped faunal markers (abundance of
Amphipora angusta, entry of Amphipora pingllis,
and entry of Alveolites mailleuxz) tbat replicate
in the same way as the repeated intervals on "(­
logs. In addition, a thin, interleaved slice above
the lower segment (close below 1450 m) is marked
by Amphipora moravica which is an index fossil oí
tbe Upper Frasnian Division (sensu Zukalova,
1980). The main interface is a thrust fault at
1450 m (up-section young thrusting on f1anks of
tbe stable block). The J a-7 profile, after correction
for tectonic repetition, became very similar to
Cho-9 or any otber section in the neighbourbood.
As sbown in tbe previous example, the regional
correlation va1ue of tbe "(-log patterns on the plat­
form is high, and tens of boreholes have been
ordered in tbis way. The first step in correlation
of logs was based on three sources of informa­
tion: (1) intervals characterised in amplitudes,
(2) intervals classified according to cbaracter of
oscillations, and (3) sequentionaJ log markers (off­
sets, stackíng, etc.). The final adjustment of corre­
lation was based on the specific (anomalous) high­
frequency pattems and their succession in tbe seg­
menÍS.
6.2. Assessment 01 mean shape 01 six third-order
Frasnian eye/es
The six-part vertical subdivision of logs was
indicated in 44 logs, but was best in 32, wbere a
difference in organisation of dispersed weathering
products was observed. Trends of thís difference
were centred on several parts of the investigated
platform area, wbere tbe local facies specifics and
tbe most visible deviations on "(-logs (using tbe
medium FFT splines, 10-20-m windows) are rep­
resented by tbe followiog boreboles: Jablunka-1
(ramp, 'mid-south in Drilling Sector North'), Dre­
vohostice-1 (inter-reef vaHey, 'soutbwest in DS
North'), Choryne-9 (backreef part of platform,
'mid-west in DS North'), Svabenice-l (ramp to
sligbtly inclined reef banks, 'north in DS Center'),
Slavkov-2 (reef banks and shallow 1agoons, 'mid­
die of DS Center'), and Nemicky-2 (backreef to
very shallow rimming platform, 'south in DS Cen­
ter'). While a detailed correlatability of the shal­
230 J. Hl4dill Pa/aeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Paiaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
lowing-upward cycle pa terns concerns the central
parts of the platform' DSs North (HIadil and
Jansa, 2000), the assess ent of mean cycle shapes
requires involvement of aH platform-related types
of sequences, including also the thinning-upward
cycles on closely adjace t ramps.
The search for tbis arrowed selection of logs
was limited by the foH ing postulates:
(1) These sections ha to reflect, as far as pos­
sible, aH larger specifica ly developed areas on the
Frasnian platform.
(2) A balance betw n upward-asymmetrical
and downward-as trical patterns was re­
quired to warrant the easonable quality of the
calculated eustatic pro es.
(3) The selected secti ns must possess, as far as
possible, the same stra igraphic-to-tbickness pro­
portionality, where the esired level was < 5% of
relative thickness varia ility.
(4) To avoid disturb nces from hiatuses andJor
shedding of sediment, the best thickness of the
Frasnian sequences h been confined in the in­
terval 0.3-0.6 km.
The task was solubl due to the large number
of available logs whic were prepared during the
early stages of the pr ·ects. Of course, the were
other ways to group is selection, but they fulfi]
the above-mentioned p stulates much worse than
these six boreholes, i.e. Jabl-l, Dr-1, Cho-9, Svab­
1, Slav-2 and Nem-2 ( ig. 5).
The fol1owing six a itrary steps were used to
calculate the mean cyc ic pattern:
(1) The FFT splines f these six logs (steps 100­
200, i.e. 10-20-m win ows on a 10-em row of
data, according to 0.3- .6-km tbickness) were jux­
taposed one beside t e other and stretched to
equal height (= inte al between the base and
end level of the Frasn stage).
(2) Each of the jux osed curves was digitised,
using an arbitrary ver cal step 1/116 of the entire
Frasnian thickness.
(3) The horizontal ordinates on these six jux­
taposed curves were unted up and divided by
six. The raw curve of cbased eustatic proxy was
defined.
t
(4) The raw curve w recalibrated against aver­
age carbonate conten s. Archive data and new
analyses of core slabs and cuttings from dril1ing
were used. The matching was good, and tbis step
also provided a useful loop check of the entire
procedure.
(5) Of course, such a tbickness-related curve
must have been considered 'deformed against a
linear time scale', since the sedimentary rates
during the earliest Frasnian and, especiaHy, late
Frasnian were very low. Using the evidence froro
overal1 se<limentological and palaeobiological
documents (cf. Dvorak et al., 1984; Gal1e et al.,
1988; Hladil et at, 1991; Hladil, 1994) and con­
sidering observations on both season-accretion
layers and number of short hiatuses, the 'best'
proxies to tbis vertical 'time deformation of
logs' were searched foro The conclusion was that
the highest long-term sedimentary rate might be
expected at the level which corresponds to 45% oí
the Frasnian thickness. The beginning Frasnian
rate for this platform was two times and the ter­
minal rate three times smaller than the maximum.
Now, a simple descriptor of this change must
have been reasonably shaped, i.e. found by means
of fitting. Of course, such an estimate does not
reflect the short-period, small-scale oscillations.
Vice versa, the entire-Frasnian trends are pre­
ferred. The plausible 'stretching-coefficient' func­
tion converting the 'tbickness scale' to 'time
scale', based on the above-mentioned postulates,
can be expressed in the following shape (Fig. 5),
being described using the sixth-order polynomial
trend in the form:
y = -8x 1O-14 x6 + 4x 1O-lI r -7X 1O-9x 4+
10~ + 1O- sx 2 -O.0102x + 0.6103
where x =position of the arbitrary interval on the
tbickness scale, i.e. from the base to top of the
Frasnian strata (scaled by 116 equal intervals),
and y =relative time distance in these intervals,
i.e. the smal1er sedimentary rate, the larger dilata­
tion.
(6) Using tbis simple function, the 'bulk defor­
mation due to low se<limentary rate' was removed
and the vertical axis oí the calculated eustatic
proxies must be more similar to 'normal linear
time scale' than before. Of course, many small
 J. m.diU Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250 231

BALANCED COLLECTION OF DIFFERENT

FACIES-RELATED GROSS PATTERNS OF GAMMA LOGS AVERAGING RESULT

Jablunka-1 Choryne-9

BACKREEF
Svabeníee-1
RAMPTO
Slavkov-2
REEFBANKS
Nemdcky-2
O
REEFBANKS TO Elf\CKREEF
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latíon based on fine pattems in logs + biostratigraphical markers

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116 th interval

Fig. 5. Assessment of meanfy-curve with respect to visualisation o[ third-order cycles. Representation oí y-Iogs from the maio
Frasnian facies areas on the latform (six [rom 32 key boreholes). This selection involves the most contrasting records, which al·
low balancing the calculatio of the mean pattem. The mean curve was calculated by averaging of the juxtaposed curves (result
on right). lndicated correcti ns (Iower left, compare the text) were used to reduce the thickness deformation against lime tbat
originates due to long-term ange o[ sedimentary rateo

'time' deformations re ained untreated owing to The calculated six-part third-order cycle pattern
problems witb the d ation of 'short-lived' hia­ of the Frasnian is in volved in 'high-yand low-sea­
tuses (a general probl m of the discipline). To level' segmentation of aH primary logs. These six
summarise briefiy all ese steps, the final curve cycles are also involved in sections tbinner than
shows an average resul of extensive y-ray logging 0.3-0.6 km, of course, with tbe exception of
in the Frasnian platfo on Moravia, witb two slightly elevated interiors of the platform where
basic corrections: (a) for asymmetry of cycles, tbe last cycles were never deposited (regression).
and (b) for deformati n of vertical scale caused The relatively tbin Mokra Section on a platform
by changes in sedime ary rateo The final curve satellite (accreted in Variscan orogeny), measured
represents the y-log pr xies to the interpretation using the y-spectrometric and magnetosusceptibil­
of the Frasnian eustati sea-level changes (Fig. 6). ity tools, provides good evidence for this six-part
232 J Htuiill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology. Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250

tejrigenous material
¡g alid weathering SEA LEVEL MORAVIAN SEA LEVEL sccumuJation of pum

;i DROP CARBONATE RISE carlxJnates

~< HIGHSTANo:l'l\1\
r~ ~6 PlATFORM
542 1
..
3
~ LOWST NDS ~ ~-4 h- -4~ Á
~
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e
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w +

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~ ~ -t. ~
5 I ~ ~
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aeo/len sil!

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- '
I,

~ ~
z
~
00 1
I
---- -J.
<;::::: g¡¡;m¡avar. 80 % caCo, -
b/lsed on total gemm&-f8Y counls (retIecting~..... K and Th'
--.J
100 % caco
total IH8}'counts(+)= "~UI ,

Fig. 6. Gamma-Iog proxies
ready been eorrected for
against the eontent of ealei
long-term manma. Num
mate, as well as decrease in
the uppermost part of the e
o Frasnian eustatie ehange: subdivision into six third-order cycles. Thc resulting curve, having aI­
e thielmess defonnation against time, was, subsequently, horizontally stretehed and recalibrated
in the drilled rock samples. X marks show the primary mínima of sea level; the targets mark the
correspond to third-order cycles (as indicated on the left). Parallel indications about humidity of cli­
bulk bioprecipitation of carbonate, might have been eontributing factors that enhanced the shifts in
e.

pattem, sti11 showing uch similarity to the refer­
ence log from the Sla kov-2 borehole. The rela­
tively regular timing O the main elevated parts on
the y- and magnetosus ptibility logs suggests that
the duration of each O these six cycles was about
1 Ma, using the 6-Ma estimation of the Frasnian
according to Tucker al. (1998). Cycles 1, 3, 5
and 6 are symmetrical but the shapes of cycles 2
and 4 indicate large h terogeneity (Fig. 6). These
six third order cycle are, approximately, time
equivalents of the fo11 wing conodont zones: (1)
falSÚJvaJis, (2) transit s, (3) punetata, (4) hassi
and jamiae, (5) Early henana, and (6) Late rhe­
nana and linguiformis Fig. 7).
The major T -R rey sal in the entire carbonate
sequence is connected 'th the boundary between
the third-order cycles and 5, herein, and corre­
sponds to separation of the Upper Frasnian Di­
vision (Zukalova, 1980) at the boundary between
the parasequences (cycles) IIIIIV (IDadil, 1988).
The sequence-stratigrapbic change between the
middle and late Frasnian deposits has been
marked in overall diagrams as an unconformity
between the true-reef and reef-cap stages (Fig. 1).
6.3. Charaeteristics 01 the F/F y-logs
A sharp peak on y-logs separates the upper part
of the sixth Frasnian cycle. This subdivision is
contained only in the F/F logs of the platform
periphery where the continuity of sections is bigh­
est (Fig. 8). As documented by sections Tes-l,
Nem-2, Ja-7 and others in tbis picture, tbis peak
on y-curves occurs approximately in the same lev­
 1. m~dill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250 233

RAHGES OF REGIONAL BIOSTRATIGRAPHICAL MARKERS IN EASTERN MORAVIA

3-rd OROER (al<Tl!lated wilh conadonls on nanks 01 lhe platform)
CYCLES CHANGE ~
• in background
STANDARD
POSSIBLE CONOOONT Of CARBONATE FACIES &

PI
SUBDIVISON ZOIlES & sequence boundaries ~
OF FRASNIAN i
_ oo~~ & 1
(SOS 'MJRKING
GROUP·
~
.;
e
_1 ~ mXN? 1)(? ! ~~ I?

ª­
iii

~
in pmcess)

UPPER
FRASNIAN
4~
~~~
baseolF....

base of conod. zs.

tnangularis

/ale
rtlenana!!:.
";"
~

~
~
'ii
1i

I
Il
:z:

~
·1 ~" "'" 'ci]·U.
~
"
¡r Id+U'+W

~NIAN/FAMENNIAN -:.~~._8::::!!:~~

fIj ~ ~ ~
8. s

CI)
-.Í!( n. T, :
ª~
~

§.;_:
i ~

g-:i::
;¡¡
lii -
setrachsrovae ~ ;j
;¡
~ ,::5
!5 E i
,,'R .... ~
~ S ~! i i '" 1
~ . gigas 1. g "lO
... Q: .... 16 ~
Q. .9-
~
E: [
<1('
I

!
1

i 1-~~ -~-~Ti.bl""l
c::'Y~1.4i ~- Ti !iirl .
i
'\J T. i
~I II ... ~
~
'6 • ;:
S~E'¡¡'" W ~ ~
i. MIDDLE
hassi
¡¡
~-¡¡_.? :--S!!l §,--­ ~

iJ ~ ~ ~l""~~ 1°~
FRASNIAN
,¡¡
~ jI..
",!l,¡~a: !p!l.~ a I -$
(§

1
pundala
~ '~~ i ~;.; f? -.~l!!:& l.i.

'
punc:1ala
~ :ll'~-'j¡ í5 .... ~-.l!-~
l!'1 ~ ~a ,
I S io
~
E
~
..
i !
:
~ ~ ~

1 ~1·~ H-~ ~l ....

~
i­ LOWER tnJnsdalls

55 .E"'~ oq: .!!!

~ '~ ~ ~
· '", l' 1\
- 383 \
-r """"" ta/$IOV8NS _'§ ... e
... c=.!!!_..g.
TI!!
§.
~
g
bl
~
8.
e----'-­
.a
~ ~ ""
~ ~
Fig. 7. Suggested six-cyc1e p ttero juxtaposed witb tbe stratigraphic charlo The picture shows the writer's opinion about possible
juxtaposition of the tbird-o er cycles, schematised view of oscillations in y-Iogs, stratigraphic boundaries, stages, zones and
ranges of fossils in Moravia. he vertical dimensions of zones have been recalculated according to sedimentary rate of limestones
in order to match the linear time-scaling as much as possible. The very simplified third-order rhythm on the left approximately
coincides witb zones, Frasni subdivision, sequence boundaries, )itbological change and ranges of taxa coming witb flooding sur­
faces before tbe highstands. he traceability of the third-order cycle pattem in, the background becomes complicated with tbe
stepwise environmental chan e before tbe FIF extinction evento Two principal yand magnetosusceptibility markers (spikes in the
logs) are linked to tbe Late enanallinguiformis and end-Iinguiformis events of sea-Ievel lowering.

el as documented by measuring in the sections a3/a-b K zones (MSZs of fifth order, in original)
La Serre C and Stein uch Schmidt by Crick et correspond, according to the aboye authors, to
al. (2001), i.e, in the m gnetozone La Serre I-alfe the latest parts of the linguiformis Zone and the
which corresponds to .ostratigraphic data about earliest Early triangularis Zone. By aH means the
the latest rhenana Zon and earliest linguifonnis y-K comparison is clearly expressed, although our
Zone (cr. Crick et al., 001). conodont evidence on the margins of the platform
The sharp spike on -logs occurs close to the block is not so dense in comparison with the con­
biostratigraphic-microt cies markers of the F/F densed open-sea sediments studied by Crick et al.
boundary (Fig. 8; ef. Nem-2, Cho-9, la-7 and (2001). However, there are a sufficient number oí
Svab-2). This spike is correlatable with the La biostratigraphie markers in conodont species of
Serre I-a3/a-b anomal es in K values, as ilIus­ the late Frasnian to early Famennian age (Fria­
trated by Crick et al. ( 001) in the sections from kova and Zukalova, 1986), and a useful indicator
Europe, North Africa nd North America. The I­ oí the F/F extinction levels in Eastern Moravia
234 dill Palaeogeography, Pafaeoc/imatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250

BR-1 BR-2
CONTINUOUS SECTIONS.
windward part ot platform,
the Drilling Sector North,
SE of Hranice Reefs

F-F
l!l
§
ii

X
u JABlA-1
i
p ~ p p p p p p p
JA-7 ar~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~ BYPH-1
g e e ::
IRREGULAR SECTI~S'
in embayments with emating
'i:
.
o
N
t .~ .~ ~ . ~

banks and ramps. ex pies i i H

~
from the Dritling Sed North
--.-_.-._._.
"'-'"""__ ft ._~-_ ...
~ ~'- I
F-F i

¡¡ fi
( I
NEM-2
j RAT-2
. .
==>
g •<> - ¡;
g
, l:, SVAB-2 ,
b
,

e e
i i
f
i
e e
1 i
~
i
e
•
fi __ -~..;;; .=on inward
....­ OCCURRENCE Of f-F GAP,

F-F
3

ft
¡j

¡j
-'­ examples from the DriHing
Sector Middle and South

strong offSet of increased

values on gamma Iogs
3 i
I
i
alÁE ti
e
I ~
er e !l

==>
5
•
..• -- '­- 'tW!Q.

e
changefrom
F-F ¡¡ HIATUS

relatively continu s iI
to missing f-f re rds
~
3 "!l
~
W ~
 J. H/ddilf Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250 235

are the last occurrencetof the late Frasnian cal­
careous benthic forami ifers Multiseptida coralli­
na or Eonodosaria evlan sis (Kalvoda in Hladil et
al., 1991; Fig. 7 herein)
With reference to the asics of the methods and
their interpretative val e, it is practicalIy c1ear
that this F/F spike on y-Iogs is the geophysical
record of the generally accepted end-linguiformis
sea-Ievel fall (Sandberg tal., 1988, 1992; Racki
and BaliJíski, 1998) whi h was accompanied with
a narrow band of relate T-R oscillations (Flladil
et al., 1991; HIadil and alvoda, 1993; Krhovsky
and Cejchan, 1995; con ept of sea-Ievel drop-and­
rise). For example, the mparison of the K log in
the linguiformis Zone of Steinbruch Schmidt
(Crick et al., 2001) wi the y-Iog of the Tesany­
1 borehole (Fig. 8; Tes- , uppermost part of cycle
6, between the F/F bou dary and another prom­
inent spike in the lates Frasnian Iimestone) dis­
plays practicaJIy identi 1 structures in both logs,
including the details. ention should be made
that the strength of the link between the extraor­
dinary sea-Ievel lower' and triggering biocrises
seems to be reasonably based on overall geologi­
cal factors (May, 1995, contrast to HalIam and
Wignall, 1999, p. 227).
Below the F/F boun ary, the y-ray counts dis­
playa moderate trend f increase. But the struc­
ture is very specific: in he lowermost part of the
sixth cycle, the y values oscillate in a wide range,
whereas the entire mid e part is characterised by
decreasing, moderate mplitudes, until the first
prominent spike enters (yequivalent of La Serre
I-aVe sensu Crick et al, 2001). Above this spike,
amplitudes of high-fr quency osciJIations are,
after a short interval f quiet development, re­
duced to an irreguJarIy scillating mash of spikes.
The latest Frasnian values are abruptly in­
creased (content of clay), compared with the pre­
viously mentioned end-linguiformis, F/F y marker.
Above the FIF boundary, the average level of y­
ray counts is usually increased (Fig. 8). The irreg­
ular ftuctuations in y-logs are accompanied by oc­
currences of many spikes and missing segments of
the record in detail. According to principies of
well-Iog analysis, these anomalies indicate strati­
graphic lacunae as weU as a presence of thin
clayey uníts. In spite of the variance in parameters
of the positions, the amplitudes and entirety, the
techniques of grouping and spline seem to provide
evidence of long-term sea-Ievel lowering during
the both Early triangularis and Early erepida
Zones. The Middle triangularis sea-Ievel rise is ex­
pressed, at least in the stratigraphicaUy continu­
ous sections (cf. Fig. 8; Cho-9), as the first large
valIey on the data plotted aboye the FIF bound­
ary. This vaHey corresponds to depressions on the
curves of plotted K data (La Serre I-a4 in Stein­
bruch Schmidt; or La Serre I-a4/c and e at Lake
Classen; Crick et al., 2001).
The higher contents of weathering products
trapped in the Famennian limestones are well ex­
pressed in y- and K-Iogs of discrete stratigraphic
sections which typically occur in shallow-water
ramp environments on the periphery of a partly
emerged platform massif (Fig. 8; middle and
right). This trend of changes from the relatively
continuous to discrete stratigraphic records shows
several modifications owing to the distance from
the margins of this massif and different sea-floor
relief (Hg. 8; Cho-9 to Br-2, Ja-7 to BypH-1,
Nem-2 to Rat-2, and Tes-l to Uh-2). The most
strongly developed hiatuses (Fig. 8; Uh-2) tend to
the omission of aH sediments between the latest
Frasnian and the Famennian marginifera Zone.
Such an extreme situation is known also from

Fig. 8. Comparison oC y-Iogs at crossings with the FIF boundary. The most continuous FIF sections of outer platform with adja­
cent ramps (on the left) sho largely oscillating end-Frasnian values. The sharp increase (spike) at the end of the Frasnian record
would be compared with the end-/inguiformis sea-level drop. In the Famennian, lhe beginning-triaJlgu/aris, erepúúz and rhomhoidea
maximum values oC y-ray co nts differ Crom vaIleys on curves which occur on sediments of MiddlelLate triangu/aris, erepúúz and
marginifera ages. The sectio s in shallow depositionary environments display 'Y characteristics of the FIF hiatus lhat are seen in
the absence of the FIF patle s in association with an abrupt positive offset in 'Y values (Iower right). The density of high-radio­
activity spikes in F/F to tbe arly Famennian interval is interpreted as a swarm of weathered sequence boundaries.
236 1. 'il/ Pa/neogeography, Pa/neoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
the Polish outcrop in t Holy Cross Mountains,
at the GaJezice-Ostrow a Quarry. In tbis section
(Racki et al., 1993, p 11; Szu1czewski et al.,
1996), the latest amp 'porids-bearing limestone
coDtains the uniserial careous beDtbic foramini­
fers of the latest Fr nian but the erosionally
truncated surface with alaeosols is directly over­
laiD by the marginifera ephalopod limestoDe (au­
thor's refereDce sample ). A similar evolutioD of
the stratigrapbic gap h s beeD geophysically COD­
finned at Mokra Qu West (see SectioD 7).
The y-logs in the mi dIe parts of the Famen­
nian succeSSiOD were s udied in only a few sec­
tiODS. As in many M ravian sections the lime­
stoDe beds related to he rhomboidea ZODe are
very thin and mostly sent. Especia1ly the sedi­
ments OD extinet Fras ian platfonns bypass tbis
ZODe and the crepida nd marginifera ZODes are
clearly separated by an unconformity. Tbe tootb­
brush-shaped pattems n "(-logs aboye the rhom­
boidea-related offset long to marginifera and
trachytera plus poster Zones. Details of tbeir
structure were DOt iDt preted, due to patchy al­
temations of hiatuse aDd small, leDs-shaped
layers of recycled calci lastie sediments.
CODceming the spec' FamenniaD facies inside
and outside tbe platf~ ,such a special facies,
Damed Drazovice Lim stone (Dvorak, 1986), de­
veloped locally on the ost emerged ceDtre of the
extinct FrasniaD platr. nn. These limestoDes are
eharaeterised by a hi degree of recrystallisation,
inclined lamination d pale-brownish or rose
colour hues and they should be interpreted as
aeolianites. Another gr up of facies is represeDted
by calciturbidites. Tbe FameDniaD calciturbidites
were sedimeDted iD a y depressioDs of the sea
floor in tbe peripheral part of the platfonn-bear­
ing block (cf. Kalvod et al., 1996). Tbe breccia
layers of subaerially athered material occur in
proximity of the shor 'ne (cf. Dvorak, 1986).
6.4. Spectral "fray an
tools: climatic proxies
Tbe pilot study 0lcompariSOD of these two
metbods was located in tbe large active quarry
of Mokra West (Fig. . The Macocha FonnatioD
consists of relatively p e carboDate platformlreef
facies (limestoDes with boundstone, coverstone
and biocementstone structures; GivetiaD to Fras­
Dian at Mokra) and tbe LiseD FonnatioD of pre­
dominantly elayey ramp facies (cephalopod- aDd
ichthyolite-bearing limestone beds, lime-mud­
stone/wackestoDe largely barren of fossils, en­
crinite aDd rhytbmically deposited tempestites/
calciturbidites with foraminifers; no reef eODstrue­
tions; Famennian to Visean at Mokra).
This section provides documents tbat the SGR­
and K-logs iD platfonn limestoDes have a largely
similar basic distributioD of amplitudes. Both
metbods detect weatheriog products wbich origi­
Da1ly cODsist of clay mineraJs, hydro-micas and
silt, including ultra-fine-grained heavy mineral
fractiODS, originally also oxyhydroxides and pos­
sible complex colloids, including orgaDie matter.
The coDcentratioDS of clay, silt and mioer.a1s of
autbigenic origin are tbe primary carriers of ra­
dioaetive isotopes (mainIy of potassium, tborium
and uranium) and their fluetuating contents have
becn detected using the SGR tools. Tbe presence
of mineralogically bloeked aDd/or diageDetically
disposable iron re1atiog to tbis material has beeo
registered using the K tools (mainly paramagnetic
iron-bearing silicates, or tbiospinels, pyrrhotite,
maghaemite, or early diageDetie mierobial erystals
of magnetite; Figs. 10 and 11).
The juxtapositioD of SGR- aDd K-Iogs helps to
understand the Dature of anomalies, for inStaDce,
a coupled inerease in the cODteDt of Th and mag­
Detic susceptibility separates the Frasnian eycles 4
and 5 (Fig. 9). Practically, it indicates a bigh iD­
flux of silt and iroD-rieh particles. CODcurreDtly,
the uranium and organie-matter coDteDts have
DOt been increased in tbis way. The level of clay
(as potassium) is not very enhanced. In additioD,
this horizon is widely correlatable over the eDtire
platfonn and its presence should be interregion­
ally significant. Such a eharacter of tbis cycle 4/5
eveDt may be explained as an enonnous dispersal
of aeolian silt from arid laDd. In terms of the
present working hypothesis, tbis might be inter­
preted as aD 'aridic lowstand event'.
A differeDt situatioD has beeD documented be­
tween Frasnian cycles 5 and 6 (Fig. 9). In tbis part
of the stratigraphic section, the records of K and
U are much elevated and they correspoDd to in­
 1. madill Pa/aeogeography, Pa/aeoc/imat%gy, Pa/aeoecology 181 (2002) 213 250 237

~<ti
~
~GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETRY

(RADIOACTIVITY);;;:
~ t+
llSEÑ_on

2Om
MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBI ITY

u 1AlmI.i (d"Y"Y IlOO-reef Imsl,

V
Q¡ 1lI [ppmJ lempesliles. turbidles)

::~~~~~:~~~¡~i":~~

en '5
::::> ~
~ ~ :I~tj*i~~=
~h-vaJues 6 U(ppm)
I
::::::¡¡!il~~:?~-$~ ;m-.-
~-=~:>~ ~ó
-r-.-+--/(.-
MJJN:;_AVER (5)
FFTSMOOTH[15] AMENNIAN
·RASNIAN····
MACOCHAformalion
om
-'E ~i~i ::~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
(Inf banks. tidalites

,g ----rI_~~~ ·20
..

E e
o
g
.... o
~ •
w:f.., E
o ..w
W c LL
~.!!!
)oC ~.g
0::'"
o:: e!
c(U-
~~
~::¡
'-..,
I)D
'i:'

::::>0 LLO "EE

't= e¡>~
0'"
~~
~
l;
"E:=
(")m
a.
'C

~41 CI)
Q.
015 2- .!!! ID
~5 ",,,,
c:­ lum
ma>
iii U: O>­
E o
'" o 1m)
top

4 2 o o 50 100 150

Fig. 9. Gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetosusceptibility section in Mokm Quarry West. The F asnian limestones at Mokra
consist mostly of loferites, amphiporid and coraJ-algal bank:s but also significant are regularly r eating intertidal algal macs,
grainstone storm deposits and coverstones. The concurrent measuring of magnecic and radioactive pr perties gives comparable re­
sults. lt implies primary dependence of these traits on concentration of fine-grained, siliciclastic w thering products. Note the
co-occurrences of enhanced magnetic susceptibility values and spectrally detected uranium. It is ex lained using the concept of
concurrent growth of microbial ferrimagnetic nanocrystals and trapping of uranium in an early diag etic dysoxic rock-pore envi­
ronment, with increased content of organic matter. The six Frasnian third-order cycles are present b t the c10se FIF pattems are
absent. The sharp offset on Th values (coupled with spike on U values) is considered c1ear geophys cal evidence of the FIF hia­
tus.

creased amounts of both clay and organie matter. more stratigraphically co centrated contents of
It is suggested that the organie complexes had to uranium were partIy reco centrated in the base­
efIectiveJy trap any m.igrations of uranium from ment rocks (Ieaching of hardgrounds and pa­
the pre-existing tiny particles or colloids of the laeosols) and partly, the could be washed out
primary weathering products. A very strong and and trapped during the position of the trans­
massive uranium anomaly corresponds to redistri­ gressive system traet. A v ry good eorrelation oí
bution of uranium into both the underlying and the uranium eurve with th plot of buIk: magnetic
overlying rocks. It is suggested that the originaJly susceptibility vaJues is si mcant in the light of
238 'adill Pa/aeogeography, Pa/aeoc/imat%gy, Pa/aeoec%gy 181 (2002) 213-250

+20 - (Th+K)/U SEcnON MOKRA aUARRY WEST

- Th/U / ...... Th/K (tend to ¡ncrease)

I o ~-=== _._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.!:~~.~N~~._._._._

i w
1-
~ -.t~
"~
6i11.,ü
~., -20 ~'E
4)

~ 5
----- ~~
4)0

'O - UlK (tends to decrease)

=-40
~
z
~
Z
w
...J
4
E
==~~=_ en
ºo~
= ~
ce
__ ~ 3
~

- _._ - ftiiiii"p •
- _ _-

-­
~

~~
~ _:l
2
.20
Oí

~­
-a0

~~.:.........
= iS= 1 ~
~
:::;t::::::tttm..
"u. - r .<:
_yo..........•.•
'U'U'U''''N
;M~'\':
._. .... E .•.:-:='. ._._._._.
".I ' ""
---------_._._._._._._._.­
GIVETIAN I
-100

o 5 10

Fig. 10. ThIU and other ~'os in Frasnian beds: main trends and details. The plotted ratios caloulated from Mokra Quarry
West data are illustrative o the slight increase of ThIU or (fh+K)IU. and, in most general trend, also ThIK ratios. The Frasnian
UIK ratio is conversely d casing. An extreme snrplus of uraniurn in comparison with the content of potassiurn cbaracterises
the mid-parts of the third-o der cycles 1 and 2 (early Frasnian). The early, middle and late Frasnian rocks have different charac­
teristics (especially of ThIK) These boundary changes can be, at least partly, caused by low sedimentary rates at the 213 and 4/5
sea-Ievel minima. Note that strong but consistent decrease of ThIK marks the mid-Ievels of cycle 5.

the faet that the orga ie matter eontained in the
roek links both the tr pping of uraníum and the
mierobial origin of ma etite. Of course, the trap­
ping of aqueous uraní on ferribydrite surfaces
(Arnold et al., 1998) ad to have been smalJer
that it is in other situa .ons. Sueh a configuration,
together with records of tiny clastie grains of
ehJorite, ehloritoids, d speekled sericite-aJbite
grains (fast fluvial dis rsal), allows an interpre­
tation of the eycle 5/6 oundary as a 'humid 10w­
stand event'o
The proportions a ong the signals of Th, K
and U vary greatly an ,tberefore, the calculation
of the ThIU, (Th+K) U, ThIK and UIK ratios
(fh and U in ppm, in %) has been used for
the analysis of this p blem. Further cornments
on these ratios are bas d on tbe data from Mok:ra
(Fig. 10).
Conceming the Th ratio, toward the end of
the middle Frasnian, bis ratio increases (from
values about 1 to 2), and few short-lived maxima
occur (fhIU about 3, and 5). In tbe upper tbird oí
tbe Frasnían, the ThIU oscillatesround tbe mean
vaJue of 0.8, with positive amplitudes up to about
3. The early Famennian sedimentary series has a
high ThIU ratio (2.2 on average; 4.5 in maxi­
mum). The (Th+K)/U ratio gives only comple­
mentary information tbat the major eontents of
potassium are eoupled witb the 'in situ' material,
not witb tbe authigeníe forms of illite (cf. HJadiJ
et al., 1991). The comparison of the ThIU and
(Th+K)/U ratios, if plotted, cJearly suggests a
small difference in the entire seetion. Also the di­
rect correlation of the Th and K values for tbe
Frasnian of Mok:ra is very high (0.92).
In spite of tbis high correlation, TblK is the
powerful tool which should be examined from
tbe base of tbe Frasnian. The mean 10wer Fras­
nian value decreased to 2, but many sharp oscil­
lations occur (for instance tbe anomalies higher
 J. Hladi/! Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213 250 239

MOKRA aUARRY WEST W 0.2 oN 0.2 0.4 mAm E

7040/6
laslbed
up down
of Marocha Formation

ferrimagnelic minerals
(possible magnetite)
even in rock with very
low bulk susceplibilily
•
O

• mA/m S \)

¡) \
-lo
Id(M/IIMo' l/dil

stereographic
projection
0.005

~ I I I m

o O I
-0­
O 100 200 300 1 400~0 600 'C I down

. • • • * ••

I I I I j ,
..........'---' """"''-'-'f ~ .........

Fig. 11. Indication of magnetite: an ana1ysis of results of thermal partial demagnetisation. Therm l demagnetisation: both the
modulus of the smoothing spline (solid tine) and the modulus of its derivative with respect to tempe ature (dashed line) are plot­
too against temperature. The local maxima of the latter indicate the components of magnetisation. his example illustrates that
even slightly magnetic samples contain the ferrimagnetic component persisting up to 560°C (580° . lbis is explainOO by the
presence of nanocrystallic magnetite cores with possible maghaemite envelopes. Zijderveld diagram: the projections of observed
vectors are both interpolated and smoothed by means of smoothing spline. Stereographic projection the direction of the deriva­
tive of lhe smoothing spline is sampled with a sampling rate of 20°C. The c1usters of samples indica the direclions of particular
components of magnetisation (circles by thin dashed line). The projections show that remanent m gnetisation on ferrimagnetic
components must be relatively very old. (Measured on MAVACS Pruhonice, P. Pruner, calculated yO. Man, 2001; other dia·
grams relatOO to thermal demagnetisation see Hladil et al., 1999, p. 39-41).

than 10, at the section marks of -81.5, -75.5,
and -64.5 m; Fig. lO). This depressed pattern
with only three narrow swarms of anomalies
ends at -60 m. The overlying middle Frasman
cycles 3 and 4 show an entirely different pattern.
There, ThIK. does not oscillate so strongly, but it
shows an upward-increasing trend within each of
these two cycles separately, i.e. from 1.5 to 3 and
from 2.5 to 4, respectively. An inconsistent in­
crease of the ThIK. values marks the interval be-
low -30 m, where the ove-mentioned 'aridic
lowstand event' has been interpreted. A reverse
situation is found within cycle 5. Higher in the
section, that is in cycle 6 lus its Famennian cov­
er, ThlK f1uctuates in me ium ranges, averaging
at 3, but with many maxi a about 5. Both ThlU
and ThlK ratios, checked ·th the linear and po­
Iynomial fits, show a very mal] long-term increase
in values during the whol Frasnian. A significant
difference between the Fr nian and Famennian is
240 J. llladi/! Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
seen in the enhance lower Famennian ThIU
which is equal to ThI of tbe same age, because
the ThIU is much low r than the ThIK in tbe all
underiying Frasnian i ervals (Fig. 10).
On the other hand the UIK. ratio is elearly
decreasing. Tbis ratio varies over a large range
(mostly between 1 an 10, but occasionally also
bigher than 100). In t e lower third of the Fras­
nian, tbis U/K ratio many maxima over 10.
The bighest values of bis ratio are concentrated
in the mid-levels of celes 1 and 2. The middle
Frasnian part is chara terised by low UIK, wbile
the upper Frasnian val es are moderately elevated
and decrease again at e FIF contact and in the
Famennian. The prop rtional surplus of uranium
in the limestone of e ly Frasnian must be as­
cribed to aqueous spec es of uranium in sea water
of these 'transgressive' times.
The comparison of e signal giving contents of
iron in trapped weatb ring products (bulk mag­
netic susceptibility) wi other signals of this ma­
terial (Th+ K) yields i ormation on tbe connec­
tion between magnetic iron-bearing minerals and
siliceous dust and silt. Of course, such a compar­
ison has not been pr .ously used and thus the
units for this relation hip, Kappa!(Th+K), must
be defined. The bulk agnetic susceptibility is en­
tered in 10-6 (S1), i.e. olume-related, and tbe Th
and K values are in p and %, respectively. The
mean Kappa!(Th+K) atio fluctuates in the lower
Frasnian at 120, in the middle Frasnian at 70, and
in the upper Frasni n and lower Famennian
drops to 40. High osc llations and anomalies ex­
ceeding 150 are co on in the lower Frasnian,
rare in the middle Fr nian and totally absent in
the latest Frasnian ds and first Famennian
beds. The gradual ecrease of the Kappa!
(Th+K) ratio in th upward direction, both
in mean values and in oscillations, is a very
consistent trait inferre from the Mokra Section.
This can be explained either as a decreased pro­
portion of iron, in increased mass of the
weathering products, r as decreased activity oI
magnetite-forming ba teria. These two assump­
tions may be valid d should be tested in the
future.
The comparison of t~e K plot from Mokra with
the data by Crick et 41. (2001) suggests that the
Mokra section lacks the record of the major part
of the linguiformis Zone (truncation of the reef­
bank surface). However, the spike relating to La
Serre 1-al/e in the Crick et al. notation is present
(at -5 m; the crisis reported by Cejchan and
HIadil, 1996). The end-linguiformis and the ear­
liest Famennian pattems are absent.
7. Refutation of a 'myth about Famennian survival
of reefs at Mokra'
A typical controversy between rather exagger­
ated conclusions made by different scientific
schools ('global climate and event stratigraphy'
vs 'synsedimentary tectonics and facies') occurred
in the late 1970s. Zukalova and Skocek (1979)
proposed an abrupt, stratigraphically horizontal
change from the Frasnian reef limestones to Fa­
mennian muds and non-reefal limestones. These
authors placed emphasis on the catastropbic con­
cept related to bolide impacts wbich was already
suggested from preliminary communications by L.
Alvarez and D. McLaren (e.g. Alvarez et al.,
1980; Playford and MeLaren, 1984). However,
this event-related study neglected, in the majority
of cases, the tectonics and palaeogeomorphology.
Dvorak (1982) provided an antithesis wbich
emphasised the mid-Frasnian termination of reef
limestones at Hranice and also assumed a direet
continuation of reefal facies into the Tournaisian
at Hnojnik (near Ostrava). However, this antith­
esis was mostIy based on exceptional localities,
where reefs were drowned due to sliding, trunca­
tion or transgressive backstepping of reef margins,
and also on very shallow areas, where emerged
Frasnian reef banks were covered by thin, light­
coloured breccias with scattered stromatoporoids
and corals of the Famennian or Tournaisian age.
The Dvorak concept of 'consistentIy oblique
stratigrapbic boundaries' was further developed
in other studies (e.g. Dvorak et al, 1984, 1987).
In this connection, another very interesting phe­
nomenon attracted the interest of researchers. It
was a large bedding-parallel contact between the
Frasnian reef banks and Famennian cephalopod
limestones, traced over a distance of 0.5 km in the
quarries of Mokra. Speculations about possible
 J. Hladi/l Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213 250
early Famennian survival of reefs at Mokra were
seemingly supported by the following arguments:
(1) presence of a strong coral-killing crisis a few
metres below the end of the reef-bank formation,
(2) records of rare but different conodont popu­
lations of a crepida zone, (3) absence of neptunian
fissures in Quarry West, (4) emergence of several
Famennian-related endemics (such as rugose cor­
als Tabulophyllum, stromatoporoids Labechia or
tabulate corals Syringopora). AJthough several
different solutions were considered (Cejchan and
Hladil, 1996), many papers exaggerated the pos­
sibility of the early Famennian survival of reef
communities. Practical1y, al1 local publications of
the last two decades considered, to some extent,
this concept of 'directly surviving reef commun­
ities'.
The present SGR and K measurements show
that the section of Mokra consists of aH su Fras­
nian cycles (Fig. 9). The details of the Mokra log
are very similar to the log of Slavkov-2 borehole
which is used as the main reference record for the
correlation of fine pattems. The sequence of y
values near the upper boundary of the Macocha
Formation at Mokra corresponds to other re­
cords from the uppermost part of the Frasnian,
only a significant part of the linguiformis Zone
time equivalent is absent. An abrupt increase (off­
set) of the y values at the base of the Lisen For­
mation is marked also by a strong uranium spike.
This character of the logs must be geophysically
interpreted as a prominent hiatus at the Famen­
nian base (Fig. 9). In addition, all the y signatures
related to the F/F and triangularis Zone are ah­
sent.
Tbe correlatable offset in the y-Iogs has been
observed, besides the Mokra Quarry, also in the
logs from the Svabenice-2, Rataje-2, Uhrice-l and
Uhrice-2 boreholes. The aboye signatures of the
offset, spikes and cut in the section give c1ear evi­
dence that the stratigraphic continuity of the
Mokra Section is practically impossible. The
Frasnian and Famennian beds are separated by
a hiatus which spans at least the linguiformis to
Lower crepida intervalo These records imply an
emendation of all communications during last
two decades which developed and/or used the
problematic biostratigraphic or microfacies evi­
241
dence for the 'myth abo t Famennian survival
of reefs at Mokra' (see an extended reference list
in Cejchan and Hladil, 19 6).
8. Discussion: problems, e straints and
speculations
8.1. Bias in calculation 01 hird-order cycles and
y-related eustatic curve
The calculation of the ean Frasnian eustatic
proxies yields several pro ems, because this cal­
culation was thought to etermine only a long­
term pattem of change. F r example, the spline
techniques were necessary to minimise both the
possible noise in the data d bias from scattered
uncorrelatable details, but they cannot treat cor­
rectly many small swarms of dispersed hiatuses.
Any stratigraphic tasks i platform limestones
must face this problem o dispersed lacunae in
the sedimentary record f time. The seasonal
banding of sediment obs rved on the zig-zag­
shaped sides of platy str matoporoids indicates
the mean yearly accretion X 10- 3 m, but the en­
tire thickness of the Fras ian used here (0.3-0.6
km) divided by the dur tion of the Frasnian
shows by al1 means that th mean yearly accretion
of sediment should be much smaHer, about
n X 10-4 to n X 10-5 m. erefore, the ratio be­
tween the time recorded i the sediment and the
time dispersed in hiatuses s up to 11100, even in
the thicker parts of the pI orm massif. Distribu­
tion of this unrecorded f in the vertical section
is pooTly understood owin to the absence of di­
rect methods for meas' smal1 hiatuses which
are in ancient limestones. though the selection
of very different logs atte pted to minimise the
effect of such deformation the core of this prob­
lem remains unsolved.
The curve calculated o the basis of the y-Iogs
tends to decline very early i.e. at the end of cycle
4 (equivalent of jamiae one). It partly differs
from the documented bac stepping-progradation
turning point at the reef argin or shoreline on
the Moravian platform (D orak et al., 1984; Hla­
dil, 1994; Hladikova et l., 1997; Hladil et al.,
1998), where the main i version occurs in the
242 'adill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250

late Frasnian. This di rence may be expressed as on the periphery of a platform massif might be
a 15° higher inclinati n of the middJe to upper roughly comparable with the other locations
Frasnian 'Y trend line. The main reason for this where the Frasnian limestones deposited, for in­
difference is seen in th fact that the late Frasnian stance in Poland (SzuJczewski et al., 1996; Racki
carbonate productivit was 10w (Copper, 1997; and Narkiewicz, 2000). However, the aboye au­
Kiessling et al., 2 ) while the contents oí thors also suggest the subsidence paradox that
clayey-silty and org 'c aqueous suspensions in the Frasnian subsidence was strong but the Fa­
water were high. Th role of aqueous organic mennian subsidence was very low and further ac­
mud suspensions t be underestimated, be­ celeration was not until the end-Toumaisian.
cause concentrations a out 0.5 ppm start a signif­ Four satel1ites round the Moravian block also
icant col1apse in the arbonate production (cf. yield examples of this tectonic swelling with the
Sorokin, 1993). This l te Frasnian environmental late Frasnian emergence, karstification and fil1s oí
change, of course, imp es a certain bias at the end pre-anchoralis, Toumaisian times (Brezina, Sosuv­
of this curve, which y be used for the explan­ ka, Sobisky and Potstat-l borehole near Hranice;
ation of the aboye sm difference between the T­ HIadiJ, 1994). It was suggested that the late Fras­
R turning points in laeogeography and the 'Y nian transpression zones might occur among the
curve. Nevertheless, th re is a simple test whether blocks of the FIF times (cf. HIadil, 1994). The
the estimates about re l1y big late Frasnian flood­ extension-related subsidence with tiJting might
ings (cf. Sandberg et al , 1988; House and Ziegler, be stressed or stopped (but not the gravitational
1997; HaJIam and Wi al1, 1999; Ma and Day, extension of the Jimestone massif with sliding of
2000) are reasonable. ·s test is to find the ma­ margin blocks).
rine transgressions of e late Frasnian age which Further, two postulates based on field observa­
were spread over pen plained cratonic surfaces, tions must be introduced for the Frasnian situa­
that is, over place which were previously tion. First, let the difference between sea level and
unreached by the exte ive middle Frasnian trans­ surface of sediment be negligible for the lowstand
gressions. In my opini n, such a hypothetical sit­ and let it be 10m for the highstand, i.e. transition
uation must be rare or oes not exist at all. There­ from the dark- to light-grey-coloured sediments.
fore, the opposite co pt has becn emphasised Second, let the thiclmess of the sediment which
that late Frasnian sea evel stages should tend to deposited until the turning point be 0.75, i.e. 60
decline. m. Further, let the cycle be regularIy developed in
time. Then a very approximately calculated differ­
8.2. Possible dimensi01V o/ eustatic sea-level ence (D) of the sea-Ievel stages which are respon­
change sible for the origin of these third-order, l-Ma
cycles is as follows:
The Frasnian six-c le pattem is strongly ex­
pressed in the platfo cover of the Moravian D = W + Th-S = 10+ 60-40 = 30 m
block. Hence, the q stion arises, how strong
was the sea-Ievel difli rence during this change.
The thickest continuo ly accreted Frasnian plat­ where W =maximum depth of water during the
form, on its middle riphery, is usually 0.5 km highest sea-Ievel times (tuming point), Th =thick­
thick. Using the 16-M duration for the Frasnian ness of platform limestone deposited until this
(fucker et al., 1998), t e approximate value of the point, and S =subsidence of the basement during
extensional tilting-su idence rate might be ex­ the half-time of the cycIe.
pressed as 80 mIMa ( .5 km/6 is about 0.08 km; An approximate calculation of sea-level differ­
cf. HIadil and Jansa, ). It also means, by six ence between the most different Frasnian hassi­
cycles, that a, very a roximate thickness of an highstand stage and the FfF sea-Ievel mínimum
ideal Frasnian, third- rder cycle may be about (an interval of 14 Ma) can also be based on water
80 m. Such a value of ubsidence for the Frasnian depth, thickness and subsidence. No assumptions
 J. madill Palaeogeography. Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213
about sedimentary rate, etc., are inv01ved. Let tbe
fie1d-experience estimates based on constantIy de­
veloped HV-105 K.rtiny and otber sections (cf.
Dvorak et al., 1984) be:
D = W + Th -s = 30 + 100-240 = -130 m
where W =increase of relative water depth oC
epi-p1atform carbonates in this time interval,
Th =thickness of epi-platform, 'autochthonous'
limestone deposited during this interval, and
S =possible subsidence of tbe basement during
tbe above-mentioned time intervaI.
Such a big difference inferred from tbe K.rtiny
and similar constant1y developed sections sup­
ports tbe ideas about possible deep sea-Ievel low­
ering in the FIF (end-linguiformis) intervaI. It also
implies tbat tbe late Frasnian flooding character
(Johnson and Sandberg, 1988) was not as strong
as suggested in many papers (Sandberg et al.,
1988; Ma and Day, 2000; HalIam and Wignall,
1999).
8.3. Climatic and environmental significance o}
Th/U ratio
The most general present opinion indicates that
tborium isotopes with a long half-life are con­
tained in minerals coming from magmatic sili­
cates. In recycled sediments, the concentrations
of Th are usually coupled with heavy minerals.
Isotopes witb a short half-life also occur in the
uranium and actinium decay chains, being in sec­
ular equilibrium with isotopes of uranium. All
these thorium isotopes are extremely insoluble,
and may be slightly soluble in water with organic
material.
Much higher solubility is ascribed to uranium.
The soluble complexes of U(VI) are washed out
from the rocks under oxidising conditions espe­
cially when carbonates are present and uranyl di­
carbonate U02(C03)~- can oceur. However,
Jones and Manning (1994) found that tbe solubil­
ity of uranium was highest in reducing, dysoxic
marine conditions. The varying experience witb
concentrations of dissolved/precipitated uranium,
redox and pH conditions could be explained using
50 243
studies about surface com 1exes on small mineral
grains. Bargar et al. (2 ) measured uranium
adsorption on haematite der conditions as in
surface water. They fo dimeric haematite­
U(VI)-<:arbonate temary complexes and sug­
gested tbeir significance or uranium solution/
trapping under various p values. The trapping
of uranium on the surfa of oxidised magnetite
can, perhaps, also contrib te to explanations oC
tbe parallel maxima of RS-detected uranium
and K-detected ferrimagn tic minerals at cycles
5/6 in the Mokra Section Figs. 9 and 10). How­
ever, the trapping of uran could also be real­
ised on organic matter (cf. Zumberge et al., 1981;
Mossman, 1999). In addi ion, an effective trap­
ping of uranium is also possible in diagenetic
phosphate (De Putter et al 1999). Thus, the over­
simplified use of the T ratio as a proxy to
pa1aeoclimate seems to b problematic, because
the depletion with soluble anium can easily con­
vert to enrichment of tbe derlying andlor over­
Iying rocks.
Ruffell and Worden (2 O) suggested that hot,
humid palaeoclimates mi t have been regularly
refiected in strongly eleva d ThIU ratios on tiny
particJes of eroded palaeo 1 or clayey weathering
products. This conclusion not in full agreement
witb tbe slightly enhan late Frasnian ratios
which were inferred fro the measurements. in
Mokra. A possible explan tion is that consequent
surface trapping on ferr minerals, in organic
matter and phosphates uld significantly com­
pensate tbe expected depl tion.
9. CooclusioDS
The principIes of reci rocal lowstand clastic
and highstand carbonate sedimentation on plat­
forms (Southgate et al., 993) were modified for
purposes oC y-stratigraph on relatively pure-car­
bonate platforms. Sheets f dispersed weathering
products on the carbona e platform and closely
adjacent parts of the ra p have practically the
same significance for sep ation of the sequences
as in tbe use of epi-co tal siliciclastic wedges.
The concurrent increase of natural y-ray counts
and magnetic susceptibili y indicates the presence
244 J. Hhdill Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213-250
of a lowstand system ract including its closest
vertical region. Conten s of dispersed weathering
products, together with tbeir timing, provide use­
fuI eustatic proxies. Th technique of y-ray tracing
of dispersed weatherin products in platform car­
bonates was developed n analogy to magnetosus­
ceptibility event and yclostratigraphy metbods
applied to marine roc s (ElIwood et al., 2000).
Thus, the correlation based on natural y-ray
counts, under conditi s of uneventfulIy devel­
oped sedimentation on ooded margins of craton­
ised basement, has m e tban only regional po­
tential.
Large colIections o y-logs from a densely
drilIed platform have lIowed tbe calculation of
a gross eustatic patte for tbe Frasnian stage
whicb consists of six third-order cycles. These
cycles are compared ith possible durations of
tbe folIowing conodon zonal intervals: (1) falsio­
valis, (2) transitans, ( punctata, (4) hassi and
jamiae, (5) Early rhen na, and (6) Late rhenana
and linguifonnis. Accor ing to tbe radiometrically
based estimates of the rasnian duration (Tucker
et al., 1998), each of ese cycles may span over
1 Ma. A loop check o tbese results is seen in tbe
presence of tbis patte in primary welI logs, as
welI as in spectral y-ray and magnetosusceptibility
logs from Mokra Qua . Setting tbe stages for
tbe major T-R revers in the late Frasnian is
linked to cycles 4/5 wit evident prograding since
5/6. The late Frasnian ea-level lowering inferred
from natural y-rays 1 rgely corresponds to en­
hanced prograding s . s of tbe facies and shore­
line in Moravia (HIadil 1994). Following tbe con­
cepts about tbe comm ncement of glaciation on
Late Devonian Gond na (Isaacson et al., 1999;
Streel et al., 2000), tb autbor suggests tbat tbe
stepwise emergence of e late Frasnian regression
from tbe Moravian Bl ck is not only a regional
but a widely controlIe process.
The concurrent use f spectral y-ray tools with
measurements of ma tic susceptibility provides
geophysical proxies to alaeoclimate. The surplus
of thorium by low m bility of uranium at the
Frasnian cycle bounda 4/5 has been interpreted
as a lowstand episode 'nked to the conditions of
dry c1imate and depos tion of atmospberic dust.
The lowstand-related e ent at the cycle boundary
5/6 linked to the massively enhanced uranium
contents, tbe magnetic susceptibility and deposi­
tion of c1ayey-silty material from aqueous suspen­
sion has been interpreted as an episode of very
humid climate. The ThIU ratio is slightly in­
creased during the Frasnian, but this increase
seems to be compensated by trapping of uranium
on femc minerals, organic matter and phosphate.
A stronger increase of tbe ThIU is typical for the
F/F and early Famennian intervals. It indicates a
humid, but still bot climate in tbe late Devonian
tropics, in spite of tbe beginning of a glacioeu­
static regime (Isaacson et al., 1999; Streel et al.,
2000).
An uninterrupted profiling by y-ray tools al­
lowed adjustment of tbe F/F boundary in many
published and cited boreboles in Moravia. Re-ad­
justment of tbe boundary particularly affects the
following wells: Choryne-9 - 964 m, Branky-l ­
1871 m, Branky-2 - 1868 m, Raskovice Ja-7 ­
1092 m, Jablunka-l - 5814 m, Bystrice pod Hos­
tynem-l - 2348 m, Nemcicky-2 - 4772 m, Svabe­
nice-2 - 1237 m, Rataje-2 - 1272 m, Tesany-l ­
3688 m, Uhrice-l - 3046 m and Uhrice-2 - 2556
m. Besides tbe precision of correlation levels,
some evident failures of biostratigraphy bave
been corrected. For instance, tbe section Rasko­
vice Ja-7 bas been corrected for a superimposed
tectonic duplication.
The detailed SGR- and K-logging in Mokra
Quarry resulted in the negation of tbe popular
myth about Famennian survival of reefs at Mok­
ra. Tbis mytb originated from the controversy
between crystallised schools of 'global climate
and evento-stratigraphy' versus 'synsedimentary
tectonics and facies' in tbe 1970s. The section of
Mokra involves all six Frasnian cycles, where only
a tbin interval in tbe latest Frasnian is probably
missing in tbe section. A sbarp uranium spike at
tbe base of tbe overlying beds witb the omission
of typical lower Famennian patterns suggests tbat
tbe F/F-related beds are separated by a hiatus
whicb involves a time span froro tbe linguiformis
to tbe Lower crepida Zone. Practical1y, all data
publisbed in tbe last two decades about tbe prob­
lem of survival (see tbe references in Cejcban and
HIadil, 1996) are constrained by tbis new interpre­
tation.
 J. Hladill PaJaeogeography. PaJaeoclúnatology. Palaeoecology 181 (2002) 213
Aclrnowledgemeots
The project was funded by A3013809 Eustasy
and fmished in preparation stage of IAA3013209
Wheathering products (academic grants), with
subsidies from Z 3-013-912 Bohemian Massif
(institutiona1), VaV/630 Geodynamics (public)
and CMC 7004 Mok:ra (industrial). 1 would like
to tbank Katerina Helesicova, Antonin Tezky and
Jisk:ra Hrubanova for co-operation on wel1 logs;
Brooks B. Ellwood and Lubomir Jansa for
consulting and feasibility studies; Grzegorz Racki
and Michael R. House for valuab1e biostrati­
graphic suggestions, criticism, corrections and
advice; Martin Chadima and Petr Spacek for co­
operation in the field, Frantisek Hubatka and Jan
Svancara for reflection seismic support, and Rex
Crick, Pavel Bosak and Josef Pavelka for geoJo­
gical support. Technica1 services and consulting:
spectraJ y-ray instruments, Jaromir Oravec; pa­
laeomagnetic laboratory, Petr Pruner, Otakar
Man; computers, VacJav Javurek; tbin-sectioning,
1vana Konopacova; geochemistry, Jana Hladiko­
va; X-ray diffraction, Jiri Dobrovolny; micro­
probe, Anna Langrova. Thanks are due to many
unnamed geoJogists (and companies), since tbe
moment of Jocation of tbe first well. Special tbanks
are due to the technical stafI of CMC Co. and my
wife Tana HladiJova for unselfish assistance in
quarry faces.
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