Sorthat Formation

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Sub-unitsSorthat & Levka beds
Sorthat Formation
Stratigraphic range: Latest Pliensbachian to Latest Toarcian
~184–174 Ma Possible Lower Aalenian layers
Korsodde section of the Sorthat Formation, where the local Toarcian anoxic event stratum is located
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofBornholm Group
Sub-unitsSorthat & Levka beds
UnderliesBagå Formation
OverliesRønne & Hasle Formations
Thickness240 m (790 ft)[1]
Lithology
PrimaryClaystone, sandstone[1]
Location
Coordinates55°05′N 14°25′E / 55.09°N 14.42°E / 55.09; 14.42
Approximate paleocoordinatesApprox. 35°N
RegionBornholm
CountryDenmark, Germany (ex situ sandstones)
Type section
Named forSorthat-Muleby, Bornholm
Named byGry (as part of the Bagå Formation) [2]
Year defined1969
Sorthat Formation is located in Denmark
Sorthat Formation
Sorthat Formation (Denmark)

The Sorthat Formation is a geologic formation on Bornholm, Denmark, and the Rønne Graben, Baltic Sea, from the Latest Pliensbachian to Late Toarcian. It holds plant fossils and invertebrate traces, overlain by fluvial and lacustrine deposits of the Aalenian-Bathonian Bagå Formation.[2] Initially classified as part of the Bagå Formation until 2003, it spans the Latest Pliensbachian to Early Aalenian.[3][4] It reflects a deltaic to marine setting with eastern river systems forming in the Toarcian.[2] Early Pliensbachian volcanism from southern Sweden extended across the North Sea.[5] The Central Skåne Volcanic Province and Egersund Basin contributed volcanic material, affecting tectonics.[5] Early Jurassic porphyritic nephelinite lavas in the Egersund Basin, akin to those in the formation's clay pits, suggest fluvial sediment transport to the Grimmen Formation and Ciechocinek Formation.[5] The Grimmen Formation is its sister unit.

Sorthat Formation layers, mainly mudstones, claystones, and sandstone bands

Bornholm's Lower-Middle Jurassic includes the Rønne (HettangianSinemurian), Hasle (Early–Late Pliensbachian), Sorthat, and Bagå Formations. Coal-bearing clays and sands overlie the Hasle Formation, divided between the Sorthat and Bagå.[1] The Sorthat Formation aligns with the Röddinge Formation, sharing a fluvial system, and correlates with the Ciechocinek Formation, Fjerritslev Formation, and Rya Formation.[1] Originally termed Levka, Sorthat, and Bagå beds, its key exposure is the Korsodde section.[2] Faulting and scarce marine fossils hinder stratigraphic clarity.[2] Palynological data from the Levka-1 core and Korsodde section date it to Late Pliensbachian–Toarcian, possibly Early Aalenian.[6][7][3] Megaspores indicate Toarcian–Aalenian strata.[8] It features bioturbated sands, heteroliths, clays, coal veins, and dinoflagellates, suggesting brackish to marine settings, capped by Bagå deposits.[6][1]

The Sorthat Formation's lithology varies.[1] The Levka-1 well reveals fining-upward units, 3–14 m thick, with coarse sand, muddy, coal- and mica-rich sands, clays, and coal seams.[1] Parallel lamination dominates, with minor cross-bedding.[1] Abundant plant fragments and quartz, but no marine palynomorphs, indicate a coastal delta plain.[6] This mirrors the Ciechocinek Formation's Toarcian–Bajocian deltaic shoreline.[9][10] The North German Basin shows four sea-level fluctuations forming delta generations, with Toarcian regressive deltas depositing 40 m in Prignitz and Brandenburg.[9] Palynomorphs tie to the Sorthat Formation.[9]

The upper formation (~40 m) has bioturbated sands, heteroliths, syneresis cracks, pyrite nodules, and ichnofossils like Planolites and Teichichnus, reflecting nearshore lagoons and channels.[1] The 93 m Korsodde section, with organic-rich sands, suggests fluvial channels tied to coastal lakes, with plant remains and ichnofossils like Diplocraterion.[1] The top features fine, yellowish-brown sands and sandstones with bioturbated, wave-rippled beds.[1]

At Korsodde, the environment includes the following:

Stratigraphy of the Korsodde section[11]
Unit Lithology Thickness (metres) Type of environment Fossil flora Fossil fauna

Unit A

Yellow, weakly cemented muscovite quartz sandstone, medium- to fine-grained in the lower part, fine-grained in the upper part.

0.45–2.3 m

Estuarine channel fill (upper or marginal, less energetic part)

None recovered

Unit B

Intercalations of muscovite quartz sandstones and dark mudstone drapes, with abundant heteroliths.

2.3–3.41 m

Upper tidal flat deposits surrounding an estuary

None recovered

  • Planolites isp.
  • Rosselia isp.
  • Palaeophycus isp.
  • B. tortuosus
  • D. parallelum

Unit C

Two main layers: a series of 20 cm dark mudstone with horizontal lamination and silt intercalations and a series of dark heteroliths with intercalated mudstones and ripple limestones.

3.41–3.7 m

Restricted bay passing into upper tidal flat deposits

None recovered

  • D. parallelum

Unit D

Yellow ripple cross sandstone with abundant muscovite, alternating with continuous and discontinuous dark mudstone with abundant organic material. There are pyrite concretions in the lower part.

3.7–4.7 m

Lower tidal flat within an estuary

Roots

  • Planolites isp.
  • Palaeophycus isp.
  • B. tortuosus
  • D. parallelum

Unit E

Mostly fine-grained sediments with abundant organic matter.

4.7–6.9 m

Lagoonal environment above a coal bed

  • Neocalamites sp. stems
  • Coal
  • Plant cuticles
  • Roots
  • Root structures

Unit F

Mostly pale, fine-grained, ripple cross muddy sandstone and normal sandstone, separated by thin, pale sandy mudstones or thin mudstone drapes.

6.9–9.9 m

Tidal flat deposits in an estuary

  • Lignites
  • Root structures
  • ?Thalassinoides isp.
  • ?Chondrites isp.
  • Rosselia isp.
  • Palaeophycus isp.
  • Planolites isp.
  • D. parallelum

Unit G

A prominent erosional surface at the start, composed of yellow medium- to fine-grained cross-laminated sandstones with muscovite.

9.9–11.35 m

Estuarine bar

None reported

None reported

Unit H

Pale, fine-grained ripple and herringbone sandstones and mudstones, with intercalations of sandy mudstones and mudstone drapes with intense ferruginization, and some layers of mudstone–sandstone heteroliths

11.35–14.2 m

Marginal part of an estuary channel fill

None reported

Unit I, J

Bioturbated muddy sandstone

14.2–14.4 m

Short-lived bay or lagoon

  • Rosselia isp.
  • Teichichnus isp.
  • Teichichnus zigzag
  • Planolites isp.
  • Thalassinoides isp.
  • Palaeophycus isp.

Biota

See also

References

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