Nannostratigraphy of the Surgah Formation at Posht-e-Jangal and Pasan stratigraphic sections – with special seference to Turonian-Coniacian and Coniacian-Santonian boundaries

A conformable passage between Sarvak and Surgah Formations in Lurestan sedimentary basin reveals the potential of studying the Turonian–Coniacian boundary within Surgah Formation. Two sections of the Surgah Formation at Posht-e-Jangal and Pasan anticlines situated on the southeast of the Lurestan sedimentary basin have been studied on the basis calcareous nannofossils, and based on the observed distribution of nannoflora, the presence of CC12 to CC16 nannofossil biozones is documented which points to the latest Turonian to Coniacian age for the base of this Formation, while the top boundary is estimated approximately at earliest Santonian. Due to the absence of Micula staurophora, however, separation of CC13 and CC14 biozones is not possible and therefore, the Turonian–Coniacian boundary is placed somewhere within the said undivided interval. The FO of Calculites obscurus as the marker event for the top of CC16 biozone is not identified but on the basis of suspected LO of Lithastrinus septenarius as the marker event of the top of UC11 and onset of UC12, the record of early Santonian beds seems probable.