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Earth and Life pp 615–630Cite as

An Analysis of the Ireviken Event in the Boree Creek Formation, New South Wales, Australia

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Part of the book series: International Year of Planet Earth ((IYPE))

Abstract

Conodont data from a section through the Boree Creek Formation in New South Wales, the best sequence in Australia extending through the Llandovery–Wenlock boundary, represent strata of the Ireviken Event. A significant number of conodont datum planes within the sequence indicating step-wise extinctions can be recognised and correlated with the sequence through the Visby Beds, in Gotland, Sweden, the most comprehensively analysed Ireviken Event sequence globally. This intercontinental correlation, involving both north and south hemispheres, adds to the data set concerning cyclicity in Silurian marine strata and postulated models concerning causality.

Peter D. Molloy: Deceased

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Acknowledgements

Keith Goodridge cheerfully gave free access to limestone occurrences in his property, Kalinga, for sampling the Boree Creek Formation and provided much good cheer as we attacked our field work. James Valentine shared much of the fieldwork with Peter. Our program has benefited from association with Prof. Lennart Jeppsson who showed us his remarkable Gotland sequences, generously provided access to his extensive conodont collections, and was always quick to provide insightful advice on all aspects of conodont taxonomy, especially with regard to Silurian taxa. He and Ann–Sofi Jeppsson provided extraordinarily generous hospitality in Lund. Prof John Talent and Ruth Mawson have provided us with excellent supervision for both our doctoral studies and have worked with us as friends and colleagues, showing us what real research is all about.

We are especially grateful to our friends from the Macquarie University Centre for Ecostratigraphy and Palaeobiology who have been involved with this and other conodont endeavours: David Mathieson, George Wilson, Margaret Harvey, Robyn Isberg, Karen Novotny, and Col MacKenzie. Peter Cockle deserves special mention and was especially generous with advice on computing matters. The camaraderie, humour and assistance provided by a gang of MUCEP friends all helped generate a cheerful environment in which to work. The elegant drafting of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is by our talented friend Dean Oliver.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, 2109, Sydney, Australia

    Peter D. Molloy†

  2. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Museum Studies and Centre for Ecostratigraphy and Palaeobiology (MUCEP), Macquarie University, 2109, Sydney, Australia

    Andrew J. Simpson

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  1. Peter D. Molloy†
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Correspondence to Andrew J. Simpson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, 2109, Sydney, Australia

    John A. Talent

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Molloy†, P.D., Simpson, A.J. (2012). An Analysis of the Ireviken Event in the Boree Creek Formation, New South Wales, Australia. In: Talent, J.A. (eds) Earth and Life. International Year of Planet Earth. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3428-1_19

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