On October 26th, 2007, Marcos A. Lamolda reported a summary of activities
Eventually, the special issue with contributions from the Bilbao meeting, 2002, has been published in the 1st issue of vol. 28 of Cretaceous Research. In total 11 contributions.
Now those contributions are published and following our schedule, this Chairman has produced a report about the two candidate sections: Olazagutia and Ten Mile Creek (the Seaford Head section is no longer a candidate GSSP for the base of the Santonian, after Hampton et al., 2007).
This report confirms our previous opinion at the Bilbao Meeting recommending the Olazagutia section as the best of the candidates. In fact, the Olazagutia section was mentioned in the ICS annual report for 2002: "Santonian: The Olazagutia section near Bilbao (Spain) is the leading candidate for the GSSP section", as well as in the Minutes of the 51st Executive Committee Meeting of the IUGS, 2003. But in this case we have robust independent criteria such as stable isotope data, in addition to the fossil record, etc. formerly considered.
Having in mind these precedents, and the contents of the report, this Chairman has proposed the Olazagutia section, in the eastern border of the Cantera de Margas, as the Santonian Stage GSSP for the consideration of the Santonian Working Group.
According to ICS statutes a postal vote is being carried out on this Chairman's proposal. Dead-line, November 15th 2007.
Acknowledgements: To Peter Bengtson, Michel Bilotte, Jim Haggart, Mihaela C. Melinte, and Chris Wood for their informations.
NOTE: the list of publication is up-dating
On July 15th, 2005, Marcos A. Lamolda reported to Prof. Isabella Premoli-Silva, chairwoman of the SCS
According to your letters, I comment to you on the progress of the Santonian Working Group.
The short report about 'the Base of the Santonian GSSP' included in your circular (after Rawson's report at the 32nd IGC session) is different from both, 1) Report on: Meeting on the Coniacian-Santonian boundary (quoted copy enclosed), and 2) Newsletter no. 5 December 2002 (quoted copy enclosed).
It is disappointing as he described the issue in terms previous to the Working Group meeting at Bilbao on September 13rd - 17th, 2002. Actually, the other two candidates where 'discarded' as they had troubles with permanence, no appropriated biogeographic characteristics..., and the main discussion was eventually on the Olazagutia Quarry section.
After the meeting I got several supportting letters for the Olazagutia Quarry section as a good candidate for the base of the Santonian. Late Jake Hancock in his letter on September 21st, 2002 asked me to find a permanent status for the section, in his words "My concern is not the geology but the permanence and permanent access to the section" (copy enclosed).
Since then it has been a main task of mine, in addition to other requests of the Bilbao meeting, to produce a detailed stratigraphic column with all data available on different fossils, stable isotope data. In fact, I did several approaches, especially to the Geological Survey of Spain [Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME)], see the copy of my letter to its General Director on November 27th, 2002.
On January 27rd 2003 I received an e-mail from an official of the Regional Navarran Government (Olazagutia Quarry belong to that region) asking me for details about the interest of the site (copy enclosed). I answered her request on January 28th 2003 with a complete report about our research and interest of preservation of the Olazagutia Quarry section, etc. (copy enclosed). This official, a representative of the IGME and representatives of the quarry owner (Cementos Portland) met by February. News of that meeting were commented to me by the IGME representative. They concluded to start a proccess and give protection to the Olazagutia Quarry section. I wrote to Annie Dhondt (by e-mail, copy enclosed), about such a successful meeting, on March 25th 2003.
Nontheless, in the next Newsletter of the Subcommission (no. 6) there had no news about such a relevant point, neither in the former chairman's report to the 32nd IGC session. Frankly, I think it is a big support for the Olazagutia Quarry section as an appropriate candidate, which should be remarked in both documents.
At this point, I am waiting the publicacion of the monography in Cretaceous Researchs with topics about the Coniacian-Santonian transition, as I reported to the former chairman on July 24th 2003 (copy enclosed).
On July 24th, 2003, Marcos A. Lamolda reported to Prof. Peter Rawson, chairman of the SCS
Short report of the Santonian Working Group
"The main task of the SWG is related to publication of the Bilbao Meeting contributions, including several papers on the Coniancian/Santonian Boundary at the Olazagutia Quarry. This publication is a special issue of Cretaceous Research, edited by Annie Dhondt, Marcos A. Lamolda and Jose M. Pons. After that publication, this chairman will produce a proposal for the Coniacian/Santonian boundary stratotype which will be circulated firstly among WG members, and later should be posted to the ICS, if appropriate."
On March 25th, 2003, Marcos A. Lamolda reported to Dr. Annie Dhondt Vice Chair of the SCS
Yesterday Monday 24th, I get very good news on Olazagutia Quarry.
A representative of the Spanish Geological Survey (SGS) has told me about a meeting between representatives of the Regional Government of Navarra, several services, a representative of the owner company of the quarry and the mentioned representative of the SGS.
They agreed to promote the site to become a Natural Monument, that means the section in the Olazagutia Quarry with the Coniacian-Santonian boundary will be protected and accesible in the term required by the International Commission on Stratigraphy.
Furthermore, they like support this site in order to have better conditions for research, etc.
May be you are now in Russia, when you come back you will find this good news.
