The Lower Jurassic at Peniche (Lusitanian Basin): recent advances in Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Geology

Abstract

In the Lusitanian Basin (west-central Portugal), the Lower Jurassic deposits are well exposed and are dominated by carbonates. Framed by a beautiful and unique Atlantic coastal landscape, the Peniche Peninsula shows the most important and continuous section of the Lower Jurassic in Portugal, providing a record of around 20 Myr of Portuguese geological history (Sinemurian to Toarcian). The importance of this site is testified by the large number of recent research studies in different domains of sedimentary geology and stratigraphy. This field-trip focuses on three main topics of international scientific interest: a) the Sinemurian and Pliensbachian organic-rich deposits, one of the chief intervals of hydrocarbon source potential in the western Iberian margin; b) the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary at Ponta do Trovão, which has been ratified as the Toarcian Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP)a; and c) the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event recorded at Abalo beach.