Eocene nannofossil biostratigraphy of the mid-Waipara River section, Canterbury Basin, New Zealand.

Abstract

Samples collected from the middle reaches of the Waipara River, northern Canterbury Basin, New Zealand, provide a detailed record of calcareous nannofossil assemblages from lower Eocene to uppermost middle Eocene sediments of this southwestern Pacific, mid-paleolatitude region (~52°S). Biostratigraphic analysis indicates an almost complete section spanning nannofossil Zones NP10 to NP16 (Ypresian to Bartonian Stages), with a hiatus that encompasses all of NP15 (Lutetian Stage) and likely portions of upper NP14 and lower NP16. There is also evidence for an unconformity that includes part of upper NP10 and lower NP11, which is also found in other New Zealand sections. This paper documents the biostratigraphy and calcareous nannofossil assemblages of the mid-Waipara River section.