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Cyclostratigraphic analysis of pelagic carbonates at Monte dei Corvi (Ancona, Italy) and astronomical correlation of the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary

¹ Department of Geology, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota 55057, USA, and Osservatorio Geologico di Coldigioco, 62020 Frontale di Apiro, Italy

Spectral analysis of high-resolution calcium carbonate data from a 2-m.y.-long section from the upper Miocene pelagic limestone-marl sequence at Monte dei Corvi, Italy, indicates orbital forcing of depositional cycles at frequencies corresponding to eccentricity, obliquity, and precessional cycles. Identification of these Milankovitch cycles, dated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages from two biotite-rich volcanic-ash layers within the section, allows us to correlate this section with the astronomical time scale by matching low-frequency variations in calcium carbonate content with the orbital eccentricity. This correlation yields precise numerical ages for any stratigraphic level within the analyzed section, including the two volcanic-ash layers and the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary, dated here as 11.32 Ma. The eccentricity-based correlation also allows us to tune the data, resulting in enhanced power in the obliquity and precessional frequencies, supporting the initial hypothesis of orbital control of these lithologic cycles.

Key Words: Milankovitch theory • Serravallian-Tortonian boundary • paleoclimate cycles

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