Biota, sedimentology and dating of terrestrial Permian deposits in the Dead Sea region, Jordan

Basic data for this project

Description

Funding is requested for a fieldwork in the Dead Sea region, Jordan, to study sedimentary sequences and collect Permian fossils. The Permian of Jordan has yielded excellently preserved plant fossils with superb cuticles. Not only the preservation but also the composition of the flora is of great interest. In the type locality of the Um Irna Formation at Wadi Himara the genus Dicroidium is the dominant element. This genus is traditionally regarded as a marker for the Triassic of Gondwana. From another locality in the same formation typical Permian Cathaysian elements have been reported. A volcanic ash bed found in 2010 enabled a radiometric dating by LA-ICPMS of 261±2 ma, i.e. at the Capitanian-Lopingian boundary. In recent years several new fossil localities have been found by the applicants, but these still need to be explored. In addition to plants, we also expect to find Permian terrestrial fauna (body and trace fossils). Sedimentary sequences will be measured and documented in order to reconstruct the sedimentary environment. We will prospect for additional ash beds in order to improve the stratigraphic control.