A second K/Pg boundary interval in the northern sector of the Antarctic Peninsula on Vega Island has been proposed, yet current temporal resolution of these strata prohibits direct testing of this hypothesis. To not only test for the existence of a K/Pg boundary on Vega Island but also provide increased age resolution for the associated vertebrate fauna (e.g., marine reptiles, non-avian dinosaurs, and avian dinosaurs), the Vega Island succession was intensively re-sampled. Stratigraphic investigation of the Cape Lamb Member of the Snow Hill Island Formation, and in particular, the overlying Sandwich Bluff Member of the López de Bertodano Formation, was conducted using biostratigraphy, strontium isotope stratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, and detrital zircon geochronology. These data indicate a Late Campanian−early Maastrichtian age for the Cape Lamb Member and present three possible correlations to the global polarity time scale (GPTS) for the overlying Sandwich Bluff Member. The most plausible correlation, which is consistent with biostratigraphy, detrital zircon geochronology, sequence stratigraphy, and all but one of the Sr-isotope ages, correlates the base of the section to C31N and the top of the section with C29N, which indicates that the K/Pg boundary passes through the top of the unit. A second, less plausible option conflicts with the biostratigraphy and depends on a series of poorly defined magnetic reversals in the upper part of the stratigraphy that also correlates the section between C31N and C29R and again indicates an inclusive K/Pg boundary interval. The least likely correlation, which depends on favoring only a single Sr-isotope age at the top of the section over biostratigraphy, correlates the section between C31N and C30N and is inconsistent with an included K/Pg boundary interval. Although our preferred correlation is well supported, we failed to identify an Ir-anomaly, spherules/impact ejecta, or other direct evidence typically used to define the precise position of a K/Pg boundary on Vega Island. This study does, however, confirm that Vegavis, from the base of the Sandwich Bluff Member, is the oldest (69.2−68.4 Ma) phylogenetically placed representative of the avian crown clade, and that marine vertebrates and non-avian dinosaurs persisted in Antarctica up to the terminal Cretaceous.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Article Contents
Research Article|
July 14, 2022
New age constraints support a K/Pg boundary interval on Vega Island, Antarctica: Implications for latest Cretaceous vertebrates and paleoenvironments
Eric M. Roberts;
Eric M. Roberts
1
Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Patrick M. O’Connor;
Patrick M. O’Connor
3
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA4
Ohio Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Julia A. Clarke;
Julia A. Clarke
5
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C1100, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Sarah P. Slotznick;
Sarah P. Slotznick
6
Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Christa J. Placzek;
Christa J. Placzek
2
Australian Groundwater & Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd., 1/60 Ingham Road, West End, Queensland 4810, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas S. Tobin;
Thomas S. Tobin
7
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Carey Hannaford;
Carey Hannaford
8
MGPalaeo, Malaga WA 6090, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Theresa Orr;
Theresa Orr
1
Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Zubair A. Jinnah;
Zubair A. Jinnah
9
School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Search for other works by this author on:
Kerin M. Claeson;
Kerin M. Claeson
10
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Steven Salisbury;
Steven Salisbury
11
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Joseph L. Kirschvink;
Joseph L. Kirschvink
12
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Duncan Pirrie;
Duncan Pirrie
13
School of Applied Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd C37 4BD, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
Matthew C. Lamanna
Matthew C. Lamanna
14
Section of Vertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
GSA Bulletin (2022)
Article history
received:
13 Dec 2021
rev-recd:
20 Mar 2022
accepted:
22 Apr 2022
first online:
14 Jul 2022
Citation
Eric M. Roberts, Patrick M. O’Connor, Julia A. Clarke, Sarah P. Slotznick, Christa J. Placzek, Thomas S. Tobin, Carey Hannaford, Theresa Orr, Zubair A. Jinnah, Kerin M. Claeson, Steven Salisbury, Joseph L. Kirschvink, Duncan Pirrie, Matthew C. Lamanna; New age constraints support a K/Pg boundary interval on Vega Island, Antarctica: Implications for latest Cretaceous vertebrates and paleoenvironments. GSA Bulletin 2022; doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B36422.1
Download citation file:
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.