Cambrian ichnofabrics from the Ossa Morena and Central Iberian zonespreliminary results

Abstract

The study of ichnofabrics across the terminal Proterozoic - Lower Cambrian remains at a preliminary stage and largely restricted to shallow-water subtidal deposits (e.g. Droser et al.., 2002a,b). Preliminary results from the study of ichnofabrics of shallow-water Lower Cambrian siliciclastics of the Ossa Morena and Central Iberia zones, show considerable similarity to published results from the Cambrian of Newfoundland. The combined study of terminal Neoproterozoic and Cambrian strata of the Central Iberian and Ossa Morena zones provides an excellent opportunity to gain improved knowledge of the nature and development of early infaunal activity in shallow water as well as basinal settings. These studies also will provide improved age constraints on rocks of problematic age such as the "Alcudian" of the Central Iberian Zone. Preliminary work on the Azuaga Formation of the Ossa Morena Zone provides support for a Cambrian age on account of the presence of apparent bioturbation.