Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115 – 137

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High-resolution Late Silurian correlations between Gotland, Sweden,

and the Broken River region, NE Australia: Lithologies,
conodonts and isotopes
Lennart Jeppsson a,⁎, John A. Talent b , Ruth Mawson b , Andrew J. Simpson b ,
Anita S. Andrew b,c , Mikael Calner a,1 , David J. Whitford c , Julie A. Trotter c,2 ,
Olof Sandström a,3 , Heidi-Jane Caldon b
a
Department of Geology, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
b
Macquarie University Centre for Ecostratigraphy and Palaeobiology, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences,
Macquarie University 2109, Australia
c
CSIRO Petroleum Resources, PO Box 136 North Ryde 1670, Australia

Received 15 February 2005; accepted 2 February 2006

Abstract

High-resolution correlations, partly with a precision better than 10 ka, are achieved between late Ludfordian sequences on Gotland,
Sweden (on Baltica), and a section (COG) through the Coral Gardens Formation along the Broken River, northeastern Australia (on
Gondwana), despite these sections having been on different palaeocontinents facing different oceans. The interval is characterised by
rapid, very large faunal, isotopic, and lithologic changes. Lithologies are remarkably similar in the two areas, consisting of, in order from
below: marls with thin limestone beds, flaggy limestones, oncoidal crinoidal limestone, oncoidal marls, terrigenous clastics (silty clay,
mudstone, sandstone), oolite, and cliff-/gorge-forming limestones. Further, independent correlation dates several of the lithological
changes as coeval. The δ13C excursion in whole rock carbonates is one of the three largest ones known during the Phanerozoic. The
increase in δ13C is very similar in the two areas, from below +1‰ to c. +9‰ VPDB though two Gotland samples yielded +9.71‰ and
+10.54‰ (the corresponding COG interval included fewer carbonate layers than needed to definitely exclude that this difference is due
to a lack of suitable rocks for sampling). Compared with the lithologies and the δ13C curves, the conodont faunas display some
divergence, but key taxa permit precise correlations for much of the studied interval. The conodont assemblages change stepwise from
very diverse in the Polygnathoides siluricus Zone to a low diversity fauna dominated markedly by a single taxon (Upper Icriodontid
Subzone), returning abruptly to a comparatively diverse Ozarkodina snajdri Zone fauna. A method resembling graphic correlation in
some respects is used to propose a similarly high-resolution correlation through a longer interval for future testing.
© 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Silurian; Conodonts; High-resolution correlation; Carbon isotopes; Sweden; Australia

⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +46 46 131299; fax: +46 46 222 4419.

E-mail addresses: Lennart.Jeppsson@geol.lu.se (L. Jeppsson), jtalent@els.mq.edu.au (J.A. Talent), rmawson@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au
(R. Mawson), asimpson@els.mq.edu.au (A.J. Simpson), anita.andrew@csiro.au (A.S. Andrew), mikael.calner@geol.lu.se (M. Calner),
david.whitford@csiro.au (D.J. Whitford), julie.trotter@anu.edu.au (J.A. Trotter), olof.sandstrom@minmail.net (O. Sandström).
1
Tel.: +46 46 2227379; fax: +46 46 222 4419.
2
Petroleum and Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia.
3
Helenetorpsgatan 24, SE-214 58 Malmö, Sweden. Tel.: +46 40978020.

0031-0182/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.02.032
116 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
1. Introduction
The Silurian sequences of Gotland (Sweden) and the
Broken River region (northeastern Australia) were
located on different palaeocontinents: respectively
Baltica and on the northern Gondwana margin. Al-
though faunal differences are evident, conodonts are of
prime importance for correlating the strata of the two
regions. Stable isotopic changes are very similar in both
regions and also useful in the correlations. Unexpected,
however, was the very close correspondence in the
sequence of lithologies and, based on the various means
of correlation, even synchroneity in the lithologic
changes. The two regions were parts of low latitude
shelf areas on widely separated continents. In our
analysis we utilise all available data on changes in
lithology and conodont faunas and compare these with
changes in ocean chemistry indicated by C, O, and Sr
isotopic data. Global oceanic cycles – as the origin of
similarities and synchronicity of changes – have been
discussed elsewhere, as has the Lau Event, associated
with many changes (Jeppsson, 1990, 1998; Aldridge et
al., 1993; Jeppsson et al., 1995; Jeppsson and Aldridge,
2000; Calner, 2005). Rapid strong oceanic changes
during that event caused synchronous changes in faunas,
sediments, and stable isotope ratios that we here use for
high-resolution correlation of the two sequences. The
two successions have not been correlated previously; the
identification of Polygnathoides siluricus in COG was
the only tie point for correlations of that important
section.
An anonymous referee asked us to discuss other
factors controlling the faunal and isotope changes, e.g.
facies and dept changes. We completely agree that such
factors must be eliminated before any conclusions are
drawn; doing that is for us (as it probably is for most
stratigraphic colleagues) a routine. Hence, we repeat that
the faunal changes we use herein occur across the whole
range of facies on Gotland. As an example of our analy-
sis we use the most extreme carbonate environment
discussed herein, the oolitic facies. It occurred only
twice, briefly, in the Silurian of Gotland (latest
Llandovery to topmost Ludlow), in the Burgsvik
(Section 5.8) and in the mid-Homerian Bara Oolite
Member (Jeppsson and Calner, 2003). It is similarly rare
in the Australian Silurian. Comparisons of the Bara and
the Burgsvik faunas show that: (1) The Bara oolite fauna
is closely similar to that in the upper Eke Fm (Section
5.7.2), but very different from that in the Burgsvik
oolite. (2) The Bara fauna is also found in coeval strata
(but not below nor above) in the När core in which the
Wenlock facies typically consists of graptolitic shales
and marls. If facies had controlled the oolite fauna, the
Bara and Burgsvik oolite faunas should have been
closely similar, and the När core strata coeval with the
Bara should have had a very different fauna. Samtleben
et al. (1996, 2000) discussed the relatively minor facies
effects on the isotopic ratios in coeval strata. We note
that the Bara oolite yields δ13C ratios of c. 2–3‰
(unpublished data from the Hunninge-1 core, Calner et
al.), much lower than that of the Burgsvik oolite, 6.0–
10.5‰ (see Section 5.8.3). If the high isotope ratios had
been related to the oolitic facies, the Bara oolite would
be expected to have similarly high ratios. Other such
comparisons give similar results, the faunal characters
used herein are not due to the facies changes per se; that
is, coeval changes in lithologies and faunas were not one
of cause and effect; instead they were controlled by
another cause (see Jeppsson, 1990; Jeppsson and
Aldridge, 2000 for details).
Specification of the interval of a sample is below (−)
or above (+) a reference level, and is expressed as
+0.00/+ 0.00 (meters from the reference level, always
with the lower boundary first), i.e. the fossil or isotope
ratio stated was obtained between the metric intervals
indicated. Conversely, +0.00 – +0.00 specifies bound-
aries for an interval having a specific character.
2. Areas studied
2.1. Gotland, Sweden
During the Silurian, the palaeocontinent Baltica was
located somewhat south of the Equator (Cocks and
Torsvik, 2002). The carbonate platform strata of Got-
land (Fig. 1) formed in the intracratonic Baltic Basin on
the southern margin of Baltica. The present-day Silurian
strata are an erosional remnant of a major carbonate
platform system that evolved around the basin from the
western parts of the present-day Baltic Sea northeast-
wards to Estonia; it is known from bores between there
and exposures in Podolia (western Ukraine). Strata
exposed on Gotland range in age from latest Llandovery
(upper Pterospathodus amorphognathoides Zone)
through the Ludlow to just above the Ozarkodina crispa
Zone (Jeppsson, 2006). The entire succession is c. 500–
700 m thick depending on where measurements have
been made. The strata dip 0°–4° to the southeast; they
are neither metamorphosed, strongly folded nor appre-
ciably faulted (Figs. 1 and 2). Apart from downdip
facies transitions, the strata also display distinct facies
changes southwestward along strike. Argillaceous lime-
stones and marls deposited in an open marine shelf
environment dominate on western Gotland, whereas
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
Fig. 1. Studied areas: (A) Gotland and Skåne in Sweden; (B) The position of Bjärsjölagård; (C) Northeastern Australia with position of the Broken
River; (D) Location of Fig. 3.
contemporaneous shoal, reef, and back-reef strata
accumulated episodically toward the northeast. From a
depositional point of view, the strata represent a series of
stacked carbonate platforms, with individual platform
episodes being generally some tens of metres thick –
from the incipient transgressive surface to the develop-
ment of prograding reef complexes – separated by
variably pronounced stratigraphic discontinuities. The
peripheral platform areas and central parts of the basin
consist of marls and graptolitic shales located beneath
the southeastern part of the Baltic Sea, western Lith-
uania and Poland. Some of the cyclic changes in sedi-
mentation were discovered many years ago (Munthe,
1925, Fig. 5, referred to as from [rather, based on data
in] Hede, 1921). They correlate with faunal changes
including extinctions and are now interpreted as reflect-
ing global atmospheric and oceanic cyclicity (Jeppsson,
1990). Gotland functions as the reference area for the
sequence of events and episodes during the latest
Llandovery to the end of the Ludlow (Aldridge et al.,
117
1993; Jeppsson et al., 1995; Jeppsson and Aldridge,
2000).
The interval of interest here is the När Formation of
the Hemse Group, and the Eke, Burgsvik and lower
Hamra formations outcropping on southern Gotland
(Figs. 1 and 2). Their boundaries have been revised
recently, and precision in local correlations considerably
increased (Jeppsson, 2006). For locality descriptions,
see Laufeld (1974b) and Jeppsson and Jerre (ms.; copy
available at Allekvia Field Station). OS did the
sedimentology for Bodudd 1 and MC that for other
areas, including the Uddvide 1 bore.
2.2. The Broken River region, northeastern Australia
The Broken River region has an extensive suite of
Ordovician to Early Carboniferous sedimentary units
(Withnall et al., 1993; Fig. 3). During the Late Silurian it
formed part of the eastern Gondwana margin and lay
just south of the Equator (Cocks and Torsvik, 2002).
118 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137

Fig. 2. Gotland (Sweden) showing localities mentioned in text. Map based on Jeppsson (2006).
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
The Jack Group, initially referred to as the Jack
Limestone Member of the Graveyard Creek Formation
(White, 1959), conformably overlies the Quinton For-
mation, but is inferred to interfinger with it northwards
(Withnall and Fleming, 1993). In its type section along
the Broken River, the Jack Group consists of, from
below: carbonates (Dark Dog Limestone), clastics (Red
Bull Formation), interbedded marls and nodular lime-
stones (Coral Gardens Formation), and generally
massively-bedded limestones (Jack Hills Limestone;
Fig. 4d). The latter two are of special interest here.
Munson (1979), Fleming (1986) and Caldon (2003)
described lithologies from the type section of Jack
Group and in its vicinity. Sloan et al. (1995), Simpson
(1999) and Brime et al. (2003) have discussed strati-
graphic relations and modifications of nomenclature.
The 100 m thick Dark Dog Limestone (Simpson,
1998a) is best exposed near the Jack Hills Gorge. For
many years the age of its base remained uncertain,
though a broad Wenlock age had been suggested
(Simpson, 1998a). A small conodont fauna, including
the long-ranging Early Silurian Distomodus staurog-
nathoides, was obtained from its base near Six-Mile
Dam 3 km northeast of, and along strike from, the type
section. In the context of underlying pelitic lithologies
with Llandovery (Telychian) graptolites (turriculatus to
greistonensis zones; Jell et al., 1993) and conodonts
from small allochthonous carbonates (Simpson, 1999),
the age of the basal Dark Dog Limestone is most prob-
ably early Wenlock age, probably Lower Kockelella
ranuliformis Zone, with apparently little or no time-
break between it and the underlying pelitic sequence.
Large Megalomoidea appeared near the middle of the
Dark Dog as on Gotland in the middle part of the Slite
Group (middle Sheinwoodian). The latest Wenlock
consists widely of carbonates (the Klinte Secundo
Episode, Jeppsson et al., 1995), followed by argilla-
ceous early Ludlow sediments (the Sproge Primo Epi-
sode; Jeppsson and Aldridge, 2000). By analogy, the
base of the Ludlow in the COG section may be at or near
the base of the Red Bull Formation and the Dark Dog
Limestone may represent the whole of Wenlock time.
The Red Bull Formation consists of 165 m of thick-
bedded, red to purple, medium to coarse micaceous
quartzose arenite, succeeded by the Coral Gardens For-
mation, 81.2 m in its type section.
Note that sampling limits herein are in meters mea-
sured along the ground; true thickness requires multi-
plication by 0.974 to compensate for the 77° dip in the
Coral Garden Formation. The dip increases to c. 85° in
the middle of the Jack Hills Limestone (246.4 m total
thickness). Above it follow thin-bedded shales and fine-
119
grained arenites with thin interbedded calcarenites, now
referred to the Ralph Flint Formation (Talent et al.,
2002, 2003; Brime et al., 2003).
3. Conodont collections
3.1. Gotland
Sampling strategy, sample size, processing technique,
yield/kg, yield/man-hour, and average number of con-
odonts/collection have changed enormously since collect-
ing began on Gotland in 1969 (Jeppsson et al., 1985,
1999; Jeppsson and Anehus, 1995, 1999; Jeppsson,
2005). In some of these variables the increase in yields has
been more than a hundred-fold. As a result, most later
collections have at least a few 1000 elements each, even
for samples that produced only a few 10s to 100s of
elements/kg (for further details of technique see Jeppsson,
2005). The samples were processed with the best pH-
measured buffered technique known and taken on a
63 μm screen (for details see Jeppsson, 2005).
About 10 localities close to the Hemse/Eke boundary
were measured and collected and c. 20 from Eke,
Burgsvik, and lower Hamra formations (Jeppsson,
2006; Fig. 2). These yielded about 270 collections
from the När, Eke, and Burgsvik formations (c. 60 of
which are from the Botvide Member; many more
collections have been studied from older and younger
strata). The När, Eke and Burgsvik collections produced
over 100,000 elements. Most samples from younger
horizons were less productive than those from the När
Fm. In some cases, even samples N100 kg failed to
produce adequate collections (cf. Ward, 1984). For the
Botvide Member, most recorded range-ends have an
uncertainty of one to a few decimetres.
3.2. The Broken River region
Sampling extended through the Coral Gardens Fm and
the basal 2.9 m of the Jack Hills Limestone. In total, c. 100
samples were collected (Fig. 4). Sample spacing for
conodonts averaged about 1 m but was more concentrated
in intervals where lithologic and faunal changes were
apparent. In general, the volume of carbonates acid-
leached in quest of conodonts from the Broken River
sequences was less than for Gotland. Some age-diagnostic
Late Silurian conodont taxa known to occur in rather low
frequencies may not therefore have been obtained.
Conodont yields were generally 2 to 3 elements per kg;
the exception, another sample from the bed with COG
44.74–44.8 produced 30 elements per kg (Simpson,
1983). Considering the similarity in lithologies and
120 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
lithologic changes therein and in the thickness of the
Wenlock–Ludlow sequence in COG and on Gotland, a
similar conodont frequency would be expected. Diver-
gence in yields could be due to various factors (or a
combination of them). Differing processing methods and
biogeographic factors could only have caused minor
divergence in conodont data from the two regions and the
difference in yield is enigmatic. The Broken River
conodonts have a CAI of 4.5–5.1, are nearly black in
colour (Brime et al., 2003) and, unlike the Gotland
conodonts, the white matter cannot be readily observed.
This is significant for identification of a few taxa (the
white matter distribution provides important taxonomic
characters for some taxa), however, direct comparisons of
the taxa used for correlations herein have provided
enough characters for reliable identifications.
3.3. Conodont zonation
The interval of the main interest here includes the
P. siluricus Zone, the Icriodontid Zone (portion of
which corresponds, at least partly, with the Icriodus
latialata Zone of Walliser, 1964) and the Ozarkodina
snajdri Zone (Jeppsson, 2006). Problems identif-
ied with previous definitions necessitated revisions
of their boundaries. In addition, four new subzones
were discriminated: Upper P. siluricus Subzone, and
the Lower, Middle and Upper Icriodontid subzones
(Figs. 5–8).
4. Sampling and analytical procedures for isotope
analysis
Whole rocks were chosen to give high-resolution
sampling over intervals of interest. C, O and Sr isotope
analyses were undertaken on whole rock samples with-
out weathered surfaces or veining. For the COG section
samples were taken over its 84.1 m (Fig. 5). Good
sections are available on Gotland from the När/Eke
boundary interval. RM and JAT collected samples for
isotope analysis from Botvide 1 (Fig. 6); these were
supplemented by pieces from LJ's conodont samples.
OS supplied samples from the upper and main part of
Bodudd 1 section (Fig. 7). Analyses of the latter were
based on powdered material (an average for each sam-
pled interval). Data from younger parts of the sequence
relied on reference pieces from LJ's conodont samples;
hence, every one is biostratigraphically dated.
Fig. 3. Broken River region of northeastern Australia showing stratigraphy in the vicinity of the pivotal COG section (insert) through the Coral
Gardens Formation at the Jack Hills Gorge, and ancillary BRC and MBC sections through the Jack Group at the Broken River Crossing and middle
Bullock Creek. Geology from Munson (1979), Withnall and Lang (1992), Simpson (1995b), and Talent et al. (2002).
121
Examination of selected sectioned samples by cath-
odoluminescence microscopy revealed significant sec-
ondary alteration in the COG section, so resultant data are
used with caution. Where available, published and new
analyses of secondary layers of brachiopod shell (Samtle-
ben et al., 1996, 2000; Wenzel and Joachimski, 1996 and
own data) are similar to those from whole-rock samples,
suggesting secondary alteration did not significantly alter
C and O values. All data about the carbon and oxygen
isotopic composition of carbonates is reported in conven-
tional δ notation as parts per thousand (‰) relative to the
VPDB with calibration against the NBS19 carbonate
standard δ13C = +1.95, δ18O = − 2.20). Replicate analyses
of carbonate standard are better than ±0.1 (Stalker et al.,
2005). Illustrations were produced electronically from the
tables, hence the symbols are placed as recorded;
therefore, those values are chiefly used in the text.
Sr isotope analyses were performed mostly on whole
rock samples. Strontium was separated using conven-
tional cation exchange techniques and the samples ana-
lysed on a VG 354 multicollector mass spectrometer at
CSIRO North Ryde Laboratories. 87Sr/86Sr ratios have
been normalised to 86Sr/88Sr = 0.1194. All results are
normalised to NBS987 87Sr/86Sr = 0.710235. Over the
period in which the analyses were performed, external
precision estimated from replicate analyses of the
NBS987 standard lay within the range 0.0020–0.0030%
(95% confidence limits).
ASA, DJW and JATr performed the isotope analyses.
5. The sequence of changes
5.1. The Early and mid Ludlow
5.1.1. Lithologies
On Gotland, the Hemse Group includes three distinct
units, together ≥ 200 m (Jeppsson, 2006). (1) A lower
marl unit, Hemse Marl Northwestern Part, ≥ 105.7 m.
(2) Limestone, ≈ 30 m, dominates in the middle unit. (3)
The När Formation, ≥ 65 m (Jeppsson, 2006), consists
of marl except for limestones in the extreme northeast.
The lowermost Hemse Group (as now delimited) has
yielded Ozarkodina bohemica bohemica; hence, is
referable to the lowermost Ludlow.
The early Late Ludlow När Formation consists of inter-
bedded marls and argillaceous limestones with a distinct
conodont fauna (Jeppsson, 2006). Rounded intraforma-
tional pebbles are found at some levels; rare graptolites
122 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137

Fig. 4. (a) COG section through the Coral Gardens Formation with sample bags for isotopic data along a metric tape, viewed from high on the Jack
Hills Gorge on the left (north) flank of the Broken River, NE Australia. Photo JAT, 1991. (b) Members 2 and 3 of the Coral Gardens Formation,
Broken River. The step-up is horizon 43.5 m with an approximate change in relief of 50 cm. The boundary marks the transition from the geologically
older interval (on the left and middle part of the figure) with medium-grained mica-rich siltstones with lenticular, nodular or thin-beds of limestone
(packstones and bindstones), sometimes biostromal, with abundant stromatoporoids, tabulates and occasional solitary rugose corals (7.3–43.5 m) into
(on the right) flaggy limestones with interbedded rudstones, packstones and bindstones with abundant Cyanobacteria, microproblematica, Girva-
nella, Sphaerocodium and Wetheredella (43.5–51.4 m). The latter interval has produced the microbial bloom post-dating the initial C excursion.
Photo H-JC, 2003. (c) The unconformable boundary between the Hemse Group and the Eke Formation at Botvide 1. The centimetre scale bar rests on
the boundary, which is developed as an abraded hard ground overlain by a conglomerate. The interval is coeval with the topmost step-up in Fig. 4b
and the immediately overlaying strata. Photo MC. (d) Composite photograph of the Coral Gardens Formation (left part of the figure) and Jack Hills
Limestone (right part) viewed from left (north) flank of the Broken River, NE Australia. Photo H-JC, 2003.

occur especially on western Gotland (Hede, 1919b, 1942). In COG, Member 1 (0–14.1 m) of the Coral Gardens
In the far northeast, crinoidal limestones cap the hills; these Formation consists of thinly interbedded nodular lime-
represent only the lower part of the formation. stones, siltstones, and fine-grained micaceous labile
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137 123

Fig. 5. Stratigraphic column and isotope curves from COG, through the Coral Gardens Formation and the lowermost Jack Hills Limestone. Note that
identification of zonal boundaries below COG 40 m is less precise than in the interval that is the main focus of this report.

arenites with abundant in situ coral heads (Munson, 1979;
Caldon, 2003) and stromatoporoids (Webby and Zhen,
1997). Member 1 has a lower percentage of carbonate
interbeds than Member 2 (from 14.1 to 43.5 m). Up to
50% of the skeletal allochems in the carbonates consists of
coral fragments, brachiopods, medium- and high-spired
gastropods, bryozoans, ostracodes, and ossicles of
crinoids. The thickness of interbeds varies, but both
carbonate and pelitic beds are generally less than 10 cm.
The limestone beds include a variable but relatively high
content of sand, silt and clay-equating with marls.
5.1.2. Conodonts
Conodont faunas throughout Members 1 and 2 of the
Coral Garden Formation consist mainly of Ozarkodina
excavata excavata and Panderodus ssp. From the base
of Member 1 to COG 10.5–10.55 m, the frequency of
Ozarkodina excavata elements is roughly equal to that of
Panderodus spp. Rare acanthodian scales occur in COG
2.75, COG 3.4 and COG 10.5–10.55, and Panderodus
greenlandensis (?n. ssp.) in COG 7.3–7.35, i.e. lower-
most in Member 2. From COG 12.8–12.83 through to
COG 15.05 faunas are dominated by Panderodus spp.,
with ?Panderodus panderi in COG 12.8–12.83. O.
excavata reappeared in COG 15.85 and dominates a
meagre fauna with Panderodus spp.; all elements of the
former in this sample have uncharacteristically elongate
processes in comparison with other populations. From
COG 16 through to COG 43.1, uppermost Member 2,
coniforms predominate, but other taxa occur in small
124 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137

Fig. 6. Carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of whole-rock samples from three Gotland localities where the basal Eke Formation is developed as an
oncoidal crinoidal limestone with a basal conglomerate, Lithological symbols: black = marls; dark grey = marly limestones, partly dolomitic;
white = limestones.

numbers, particularly above COG 23.2. These in-
clude Oulodus siluricus siluricus from COG 38.1 and
Coryssognathus dubius from COG 27.6. C. dubius was
also obtained from 6 m above the base of Member 1 on
the northern side of the Broken River but was not found
below 27.6 m in COG. Panderodontids from this interval
include P. panderi (COG 40.75 and COG 43.1) and
Panderodus serratus (COG 42). From the north side of
the river, Kockelella ortus was obtained from c. 45 m
above the base of Coral Gardens Formation. In the BRC
section, about 5 km east of COG (Fig. 3), the Coral
Gardens Formation yielded rare elements of Ancoradella
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
Fig. 7. Carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of whole-rock samples from Bodudd 1, the most distal section on Gotland, where no erosion surface,
conglomerate, or crinoidal limestone have been found. Lithological symbols: black = marls; dark grey = marly limestones, partly dolomitic;
white = limestones.
ploeckensis, Kockelella variabilis, Oulodus sp. and, near
the top of this interval, P. siluricus (see Simpson, 2000). A
single Pa element of Kockelella maenniki was obtained
from 27.3 m below the highest find of P. siluricus
(Simpson, unpublished data). In the MBC section, along
strike from the BRC section, A. ploeckensis was found
14.4 m below the highest find of P. siluricus (see
Simpson, 1995a). Simpson (2000) discussed the overlap
of these two index taxa, noted by many authors (e.g.
Klapper and Murphy, 1975). During 2003 a large
specimen of P. siluricus was found on Gotland in a very
large collection with Kockelella variabilis variabilis
and Ozarkodina n. sp. A, i.e. older than those with A.
ploeckensis; hence a similar overlap occurs there
(Jeppsson, 2006). In contrast, none of the taxa restricted
to the K. variabilis variabilis s.str. Zone and older strata
have been found in COG.
These records permit correlations with, inter alia,
Gotland where O. siluricus siluricus appears first in
extremely low numbers in the K. variabilis variabilis
Zone but is typical of faunas between it and the P.
siluricus Zone. A. ploeckensis is limited to a middle part
of that interval. P. greenlandensis appeared in or just
below the K. variabilis variabilis s.str. Zone. C. dubius,
populations close to K. maenniki, and acanthodians ap-
peared somewhat later. Hence the fauna of Member 2
indicates that at least a major part of it may be coeval
with the När Formation on Gotland, and that most of
125
Member 1 is not older than the K. variabilis variabilis
Zone, as would be expected if the Red Bull Formation
represents the Early Ludlow.
Globally, an abundant and diverse conodont fauna
characterises the P. siluricus Zone (Jeppsson, 1975).
At least 23 species are present in the När Formation
on Gotland. Frequent are Ozarkodina confluens, O.
excavata, C. dubius, P. serratus (in the marl area),
Panderodus dentatus (in distal areas), P. greenlandensis
n. ssp. (in the limestone area), and Panderodus gracilis
(at most distal localities). Rare but regular are: P.
siluricus, Oulodus cf. excavatus and P. panderi (in the
marl area), and Silurognathus maximus (Jeppsson,
2006; = Gen. et sp. indet. of Jeppsson, 1983; low in
the formation). O. siluricus siluricus and K. ortus are
similarly restricted but exceedingly rare. Decoriconus,
Pseudooneotodus beckmanni, Belodella sp., Belodella
mira, and Ozarkodina n. sp. of Aldridge (1985) are
small, mostly fragile, and rare, except in the 63–125 μm
fraction of some collections from low energy environ-
ments. The När Formation is early Ludfordian in age
(‘late Leintwardinian’) and coeval with the Neo-
cucullograptus kozlowskii graptolite Zone (Jeppsson,
2006).
5.1.3. Isotopes
The δ13C and δ18O values from the COG section up to
43.5 m show a gradual increase in values of about +1‰ in
126 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137

Fig. 8. Correlation of δ13C curves from COG and Gotland. At this resolution, the slow increase before the Lau Event contrasts with the rapid shift
during the event followed by a culmination. The rapid fluctuations through time around the 'average trend' merge into a wide band, giving a false
impression of substantial uncertainties in the data (compare the curve that, with selected data points, is copied from Fig. 8, where resolution is better
and partly adequate). Gotland lithologies are illustrated from the Uddvide 1 core, using its lithologies for correlating it with the conodont and isotope
data from surface sections and exposures; these data are used for correlating with the COG section. The core was scaled linearly so that the (flaggy)
top of the Hemse Group correlated with the top of the flaggy interval in COG, and the base of the Hamra with the base of the well-bedded limestone.
As a consequence, the top of the (oncoidal) Eke happens to be nearly coeval with the top of the oncoidal interval in COG. Correlations between COG
and Gotland below the uppermost När Formation are less certain than those higher up. Grey diamonds = COG data, X and x together with a locality
name = data from Gotland, X = selected examples of our data and x = selected literature data (chiefly Samtleben et al., 1996, 2000); see the text for
further details and for most locality names.

δ13C (c. +0.03‰/m) and +2.5‰ in δ18O (c. +0.04‰/m; 1996, 2000; Fig. 8) are not stratigraphically continuous
Fig. 5). Equivalent data from the several locations in but show a similar increase of about +1‰ in δ13C
the Hemse Group, Gotland (chiefly Samtleben et al., (c. +0.01‰/m) but a considerable scatter in δ18O values.
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
Isotope data from exposures dated with conodonts are
important for our correlations of COG with Gotland and
are hence included in our Fig. 8. The δ13C values from
both sections are similar, ranging from around 0‰ at the
base of the COG section and in the K. variabilis variabilis
Zone of the Hemse Group to around +1‰ at 40 m in COG
and just below the Botvide Mbr. The δ18O values for the
Hemse Group (Figs. 6 and 7) are in line with other data for
sea-water in Middle Silurian times (Veizer et al., 1997a)
whereas the COG data are significantly depleted in 18O
suggesting secondary processes may have modified the
original signature.
From 5.1 m in the COG section up to 38.0 m, the
87
Sr/86Sr ratios decrease from 0.70905 to 0.708737.
This range of values is somewhat higher than most
estimates for the seawater Sr curve for the Ludlow and
follows an upsection decrease in 87Sr/86Sr rather than
increase (McArthur et al., 2001). However, given the
fine-scale sampling resolution in this study, this trend
may be significant. Fifty-five samples were analysed
between 39.85 and 56.16 m (Figs. 5 and 9). Within this
interval Sr isotope values vary in an apparent cyclical
pattern within a range between 0.70872 and 0.70882,
broadly consistent with Middle Silurian data (Veizer
et al., 1997b; McArthur et al., 2001), with 0.7 m per
cycle. Strontium isotope data above 38 m are distinctly
different from those of the preceding argillaceous
sediments. Whereas the ratios lie within the range of
those measured in the lower interval, the change from
decreasing 87Sr/86Sr to increasing 87Sr/86Sr may be
significant. In the COG and Gotland sections, the inter-
val with peak in 87Sr/86Sr values above 0.7088 includes
Fig. 9. 87Sr/86Sr curve for the COG interval between 40 and 50 m.
127
the flaggy limestone (see Section 5.2); it is more resis-
tant to weathering and richer in carbonate than the
underlying marls and argillites.
5.2. The upper P. siluricus subzone
5.2.1. Lithologies
On Gotland, the Botvide Member forms the distinct
uppermost part (c. 2.15 m at Botvide 1, Fig. 6) of the När
Formation. Both fauna and lithology change markedly
through the member. Its upper part is markedly dolo-
mitic and rich in coquinas of the brachiopod Dayia
navicula (regarding the topmost decimetres of Hemse
see Section 5.3; Munthe, 1902). D. navicula range
through the Hemse and the lower Eke (Hede, 1921) but
we have only seen this kind of mass occurrence in this
interval. Carbonate content decreases distally (towards
the SW and south). In the most distal outcrop, Bodudd 1
(Fig. 7), there are argillaceous mudstones and scattered
thin limestone interbeds, including at least one Dayia
coquina. Higher weathering resistance causes the upper
contact to be exposed in several sections across Gotland.
The COG sequence 43.5–44.9 m of Member 3 con-
sists of thinly bedded (c. 5 to 10 cm) dark flaggy
bioclastic micrites outcropping more prominently than
underlying strata due to a marked increase in carbonate
content (Caldon, 2003; Fig. 4b). As on Gotland, this
subzone may have started slightly before the lithologic
change (see Section 5.2.3).
5.2.2. Conodonts
Initially, the conodont faunas on Gotland remained
essentially the same as in the main part of the P.
siluricus Zone, although large collections reveal some
differences. Upwards, many of the species became
extinct or disappeared.
On Gotland, P. siluricus occurs regularly in the När
Formation up to c. −2.15 m at Botvide 1. In the Botvide
Member, however, its frequency is below one in 10,000.
Only scattered specimens are found, possibly due to
competition with rare Kockelella (see Jeppsson, 2006).
Correlations herein show that the youngest P. siluricus
fragment from Gotland was collected c. 0.2 m below the
level that is coeval with that of the last specimen from
COG, at 44.70 m, i.e. just below the isotope excursion.
Other taxa in parts of, or the entire subzone, include
Ozarkodina confluens confluens, O. excavata, K. var-
iabilis n. ssp. b, K. ortus n. ssp. y, K. aff. maenniki, O.
siluricus siluricus, Panderodus unicostatus, P. gracilis,
P. panderi, Decoriconus, Belodella, and P. beckmanni.
O. cf. crispa is known from occasional collections and
sporadic specimens from most of the Ludlow on Gotland
128 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
(in Australia probably identified as Spathognathodus sp.
cf. Spathognathodus ranulifornis by Link and Druce,
1972). The Pa(sp) element is morphologically close to
both the O. crispa group and the Early Silurian K.
ranuliformis. Identification of non-Pa(sp) elements is
needed to settle its taxonomic position.
COG 43.5 was barren, but COG 44.7 has a char-
acteristically diverse fauna dominated by panderodon-
tids, P. serratus and P. panderi, and a large number of
acanthodian scales. Other taxa include O. excavata
excavata, O. siluricus siluricus and P. siluricus. The
later two are the youngest occurrences of these taxa in
the Broken River region. One fragmentary element has
been tentatively identified as S. maximus. If it is that
species, then this is a younger occurrence than those
reported from the lower När Formation on Gotland.
More sampling is needed for confirmation. Other
coniform taxa include Decoriconus fragilis, Belodella
resima and Belodella anomalis. A few coniform
elements classified tentatively as ?Icriodus n. sp.
(Simpson, 1998b) both in the COG and BRC sections
appear first at this level, but, as no Pa element has been
recovered, there is some doubt concerning the generic
assignment.
5.2.3. Isotopes
In the COG section, the increase in δ13C values
continues at a slightly greater rate (c. 0.45‰/m) from c.
43.5‰ to 2.06‰ at 44.7 m (Fig. 10). At Botvide 1, δ13C
values in the interval between − 2.0 and − 0.2 m increase
from 1.5‰ to 2.4‰ (c. 0.7‰/m) (Fig. 6). At Bodudd 1,
apart from a single sample from the base of the section,
the δ13C values are constant at + 1.7 ± 0.1‰ from − 3.22
to − 2.75 m (Fig. 7).
At COG, δ18O fluctuates between − 9.02‰ and
−8.61‰. The δ18O values from Botvide 1 show some
cyclical variations but with an overall increase from
−6.6‰ to −5.8‰. At least one similar cycle is apparent in
the base of the Bodudd section between −3.1 and −2.8 m
rising from a base of −4.8‰ to a peak of −4.2‰. Carbon
and oxygen isotope data in this interval reflect continu-
ation of the conditions of the interval below, with either an
increase in the activity driving the isotopic changes or, less
likely, a change in sedimentation rate.
The marked fluctuations in 87Sr/86Sr ratios around
a decreasing trend continue through this interval to
0.708792 at 44.7 m (Fig. 9). At least some of the scatter
in the data may be related to cycle variations and not
spikes in the data-set related to alteration. The 87Sr/86Sr
ratios for the Botvide section are all N0.709 (Fig. 6) and
are considered unlikely to represent primary seawater
values.
5.3. The final early Lau Event
5.3.1. Lithologies
On Gotland, in the topmost decimetre(s) of the
Hemse Group, bedding surfaces are often covered with
the brachiopod Shaleria aff. ornatella, except at, e.g.
Botvide 1 (Munthe, 1902). Like D. navicula, his taxon
has a longer range on Gotland but mass occurrences are
limited to this interval as far as we know. No difference
in lithologies was noted between those formed during
this interval and those formed during the preceding part
of the Botvide Member.
5.3.2. Conodonts
In the COG section at the Broken River there is a
distinct change in the conodont faunas between COG
44.7 and COG 44.74–44.8. Panderodontid elements and
acanthodian scales are dominant in the former col-
lection. In COG 44.74–44.8 and COG 44.8–44.85,
O. excavata predominates over all other conodont taxa
by a ratio of approximately 22:1, i.e. it has a frequency
of 95.6%. In contrast to Gotland, no elements of O.
confluens have been obtained. Elements of O. excavata
are smaller than those from underlying strata and have
closely packed denticulation. Elements of Panderodus
from this interval are not identifiable at species level. In
the BRC section, the distinctive Ozarkodina martins-
soni auriformis first occurs with the last find of P.
siluricus, whereas in the MBC section the first
appearance is well above this level (Simpson, 1995b,
2000).
Through the När Formation and most of the Botvide
Member on Gotland, the robust O. confluens confluens is
usually better represented than Ozarkodina exavata.
However, the topmost Hemse Group includes a similar
kind of “Lilliput fauna” at five localities (Jeppsson, 2006).
Conodonts are rarer, small specimens dominate, and O.
exavata is more frequent than O. confluens, e.g. in most
samples from the interval between −0.21 and 0 m at Nyan
2. Thus, during this brief interval, environmental condi-
tions on both Gotland and northeastern Australia changed
to favour O. excavata, although it did not reach a similar
dominance on Gotland in this interval, as it did in COG.
On Gotland, O. excavata is found in frequencies between
90% and 98% during two intervals of the Mulde Event; a
slight freshening of the shallow coastal waters was
discussed as a possible cause (Jeppsson and Calner,
2003).
5.3.3. Isotopes
On Gotland, δ13C values suddenly increase slightly
more than 1‰, from c. 2–2.5‰ to c. 3.5‰; in the
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137 129

Fig. 10. Correlation of sections with strata from the interval from just before the event to the earliest middle part of the event, COG from Australia,
Bodudd 1 on western Gotland, Botvide 1 and Nyan 2 on eastern Gotland, supplemented with own and literature data for Lau Backar 1 (see the
text for the literature data). In the four left columns, metric data for each section are given together with indication of some key horizons used to
constrain the isotopic correlations of the sections; only the metre lines of COG are drawn across the isotope diagram. LAD P.p. = last record
of Panderodus panderi during the event, O.ex. = Ozarkodina excavata fauna, FAD P.eq. = oldest identified Panderodus equicostatus during
the event, onc. = appearance of oncoids visible in the field. Strata older than the O. excavata fauna are shadowed grey, ‘dolomite pattern’ marks
strata with that fauna, and brick pattern (‘limestone’) strata with oncoids. Isotope and conodont samples were collected at different times from
Bodudd 1. Only those from the upper part can be correlated precisely, hence, only the extent of oncoids is marked. Vertical lines mark the
probable extent of identified and assumed gaps.

eastern localities. At Nyan 2 the sudden shift occurs c. Bodudd 1 is the southwesternmost locality. Being
9 cm down in the Hemse Marl, across a markedly rusty farther offshore and slightly deeper, the sequence
surface; i.e. it post-dates the conodont faunal change by is expected to be more complete than those farther
12 cm (Fig. 6). northeast. The sequence agrees well with this; no
130 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
conglomerate was found (see Section 5.4). The sudden
shift in δ13C values is c. 25–27 cm below the Hemse/
Eke boundary (see Section 5.4). Above that shift is
typical ‘Hemse’, 13.9 cm of skeletal wackestone to
packstone followed by 8 cm of mudstone (marl; Fig. 7).
In COG there is a similar sudden shift in δ13C from
about 1.9‰ to 3.7‰ between 44.70 and 44.74/44.80 m.
The latter sample yielded the least radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr
measured in the COG section, 0.708686 (the succeeding
value is also low). These changes were found 15–20 cm
below the lithologic boundary defined by entry of
oncolitic crinoidal limestone at 44.90 m (see Section
5.5).
The sudden δ13C shift takes place between adjacent
samples at Nyan, Bodudd and COG. Distances between
these samples are c. 3 cm, 1.3 cm and 7 cm, respectively.
Considered together, the sudden shift was probably
completed over b2 cm. Better precision would require
finely laminated sediments lacking bioturbation and re-
working. With an average rate of sedimentation of 1 m/
20,000 years on Gotland (Jeppsson, 1987, 1990, p. 674),
3 cm corresponds to about 600 years. The shift preceded
the lithologic change (see Section 5.5). The thicknesses
are very similar at Nyan (9 cm + eroded strata), Bodudd
(25–27 cm) on Gotland and COG (15–20 cm) in
Queensland. Thus, there are good reasons to conclude
that:
⋅ faunal13changes preceded the isotopic shift,
⋅ the δ C isotopic shift was contemporaneous ocean-
wide,
⋅ it took at the most a few hundred years to complete,
⋅ the lithologic change at the end of this interval was
coeval on the two continents, and
⋅ the lithologic changes postdate the δ13C shift by
about 3000–4000 years.
5.4. Erosion
The upper boundary of the Hemse Group is a
discontinuity surface and the basal Eke layer(s) is
conglomeratic with rounded pebbles of Hemse Marl
(Spjeldnaes, 1950), except in distal areas, as in the
Bodudd 1 and Uddvide 1 cores. Locally, erosion has
removed all strata with the O. excavata fauna and the
Shaleria mass occurrence, and the sudden δ13C shift is
found across the discontinuity surface. This is the
situation at Botvide 1 (Fig. 4c). At Malms 1, the O.
exavata fauna was not found, the Shaleria frequency is
unstudied, the conglomerate unusually well developed,
and the δ13C shift seems to be across the Hemse/Eke
boundary (Fig. 6).
5.5. Early part of the interval with oncolites, the Lower
Icriodontid Zone
5.5.1. Lithologies
On eastern Gotland, the lower Eke Formation
consists of oncoidal crinoid limestone (Hede, 1921;
Fig. 4c) overlain by the Lau Backar marl. The boundary
is well below the first oncoids more distally, both in the
Burgsvik core (re-illustrated by Hede, 1921, the paper in
which he introduced his subdivision of the Silurian of
Gotland, compare that figure with fossil ranges in Hede,
1919a), and in more distal exposures although this has
sometimes been overlooked. At Bodudd 1, the most distal
exposure, δ13C data (compare Figs. 6 and 8) and cono-
donts agree that the c. 2.8–3 m of lower Eke Fm reaches at
least to +0.35 m, but not above +0.65 m (above the upper
reference level). The lower 2.05 m is characterised by
partly dolomitised wackestones and mudstones. The
following 0.50 m, up to the reference level, is char-
acterised by skeletal wackestones and packstones. This
interval is overlain by, in order, a shell coquina (pack-
stone), and mostly argillaceous marls (mudstones).
Limestones between 44.9 and 47.3 m, the lower part
of Member 3, in the COG section differ from older ones
in being purer and oncolitic, although thin sections
reveal cyanobacteria forming oncoids from as low as
43.6 (Caldon, 2003). Further, these strata contain cri-
noid remains between 44.9 and 46.0 m.
5.5.2. Conodonts
On Gotland, the Lower Icriodontid Subzone in the
lower Eke has yielded O. confluens, O. excavata and P.
unicostatus. P. beckmanni, Decoriconus, C. dubius, P.
gracilis. P. serratus may also be present basally, but re-
deposition with Hemse Marl pebbles can not be excluded.
P. serratus occurs high in the lower Eke Formation with
O. confluens, O. excavata, P. beckmanni, P. unicostatus,
and Decoriconus. The conodont-based correlation across
Gotland, e.g. between Lau Backar 1 and Bodudd 1 at
+0.28/0.35 m (Jeppsson, 2006) is in excellent agreement
with that based on isotopes (see Section 5.3.3).
Conodont yields from the oncolitic unit in the COG
section are markedly poorer than from underlying strata.
This interval sees the first appearance of a small number
of taxa and shows a distinctive trend in the relative
abundance of coniform taxa. In COG there is an im-
poverished conodont fauna consisting mostly of O.
excavata and panderodontids, mostly unidentifiable at
the species level. Unlike the earlier dominance of O.
excavata, this taxon is equally represented with coniforms
in this interval. The lowest sample of this interval, COG
45.7/45.75, retains a population of O. excavata, but these
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
elements are not so diminutive, having broader denticles
and widely flared basal cavities in comparison with those
from the preceding interval. It dominates over pander-
dontid elements by a ratio of 4:1 (=a frequency of 80%).
A single fragmentary Pb element of ?O. confluens may
represent the first appearance of this cosmopolitan species
in the COG section. COG 46.15–46.2 documents further
reduction of the O. excavata stock, with numbers roughly
equating with panderdontid elements. P. beckmanni first
appears in this sample.
5.5.3. Isotopes
In COG, δ13C increases about 0.7‰/m up to c.
46.2 m and then slower, reaching c. 6.0‰ at the top of
this interval. The more rapid increase after the sudden
shift (see Section 5.3.3) is very similar on both
palaeocontinents (Fig. 10).
At Bodudd 1 on Gotland, δ13C increases from 2.5‰
just above the sudden shift, to 5.96‰ at +0.31 m
(Fig. 7). In five brachiopod collections from 1.7 m of
strata, δ13C increases from 2.31‰ to 5.8‰ (Samtleben
et al., 2000), i.e. very much the same as through the c.
1.9 m between − 2.22 m (2.3‰) and − 0.31 m (5.8‰) in
our section. The difference in thickness, c. 10%, is less
than the probable uncertainty in measuring where
surface exposures of strata dip only slightly. The
increase in our curve is 1.3‰/m. This trend is modified
by what may be cyclicity with a frequency of c. 1 cycle/
m of strata.
At Lau Backar 1 on Gotland, δ13C values of atrypid
shells are 6.2‰, 7.0‰, 7.3‰ (three analyses; Wenzel and
Joachimski, 1996), c. 5.1‰ to c. 5.9‰ (seven analyses;
Samtleben et al., 2000) and, in micrite, 6.30‰ (herein;
Figs. 8 and 10). Part of this spread is attributed to standard
errors in analyses (Samtleben et al., 2000, p. 6, suggested
the analytical precision of their analyses was ±0.4‰), but
the spread is the same as the increase through 1.1 m –
from −0.50 m to +0.60 m at Bodudd 1 – except that the
highest value is slightly higher. At least a metre of section
is exposed in the clay pits at Lau Backar 1. In other words,
even if the rate of deposition were not exactly the same,
the spread in measurements could reflect a stratigraphic
difference. The δ13C value of our sample is within the
range of variation at Bodudd 1, in the strata between
+0.21 and +0.51 m. This corresponds with the conodont
correlation of the sample from +0.28/0.35 m (see above).
It follows that our high-resolution isotope record from
Bodudd 1 represents isotopic changes through the lower
(and lowermost middle) Eke Formation. This record may
be combined with those from Nyan 2 and Botvide 1 in a
Gotland composite by using the isotope excursion and the
disappearance of P. panderi as tie-points.
131
The COG δ18O values vary between − 8.94‰ and
− 8.46‰. In the Bodudd section δ18O fluctuates between
− 5.06‰ and − 7.23‰, around a slightly decreasing
trend.
Above one of the least radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios
(0.708686) measured in the COG section just below the
base of this interval, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios increased
through only 0.2 m to 0.708779, nearly the previous
value, but then continued decreasing to the lowest value
measured in COG, 0.708679 at 47.3/47.4 m (Fig. 9).
5.6. Middle part of the oncoidal interval, the Middle
Icriodontid Zone
5.6.1. Lithologies
In the Middle Eke on Gotland, oncoids spread to
the most distal exposure, Bodudd 1, appearing there at
c. + 0.4 m. Limestones between COG 47.3 and 50.6 m,
the middle part of Member 3, are oncolitic, like sub-
jacent strata.
5.6.2. Conodonts
Panderodus equicostatus re-appeared at the base of
the Middle Icriodontid Subzone (absent since late
Homerian) occurring with O. confluens, O. excavata,
P. serratus, P. beckmanni, Decoriconus and rare Belo-
della sp. It was found both on eastern Gotland and at
Bodudd 1 at + 0.65/0.70 m and + 1.16/1.20 m.
P. equicostatus first appeared in COG 47.3/47.4 and
was also obtained from COG 47.7 and COG 48.4–48.5.
From a comparable stratigraphic level in the BRC
section, i.e. above the last P. siluricus, a single
icriodontid cone, and elements of D. fragilis were
found in a poor, predominantly panderodontid fauna
(Simpson, unpublished data).
5.6.3. Isotopes
In COG, δ13C values increase through this interval
from 5.92‰ at 47.3/47.4 m to 6.88‰ at 50.45/50.50 m,
about 0.3‰/m. At Bodudd 1 on Gotland, δ13C increased
from 5.96‰ just below this interval to a maximum of
7.05‰ at + 0.61 m, then dropped to 5.57‰ at +1.16/
1.20 m, the top of the section.
The δ18O curve for COG maintains the same steadily
decreasing trend as occurred before onset of the event: c.
0.07‰/m to about 47.8 m where it reached about
− 8.2‰ (the highest actually measured value is
− 7.79‰). Above 47.8 m the trend decreases. In the
Bodudd section, δ18O fluctuates between − 5‰ and
− 7‰ around a slightly decreasing trend. The 87Sr/86Sr
ratio, however, fluctuates around an increasing trend
through the same interval in COG.
132 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
5.7. The upper oncoidal interval, the Upper Icriodontid
Zone
5.7.1. Lithologies
On Gotland, proximal oncoidal strata are distally
interbedded with non-oncoidal strata (Laufeld, 1974a);
the upper boundary of the Eke Formation has been
revised using the top of the Icriodontid Zone (Jeppsson,
2006).
In the COG section, 50.6–51.4 m is shaly with
oncoids (Caldon, 2003). As on Gotland, part of the
succeeding terrigenous interval may also belong here. If
relative thickness of the Icriodontid Zone and the
succeeding interval to the top of the oolites were similar
in the two areas, then the top of the Icriodontid Zone
would be some metres higher in COG (see Fig. 8).
5.7.2. Conodonts
On Gotland, the Upper Eke includes an Upper
Icriodontid Subzone fauna strikingly dominated by P.
equicostatus (typically N90%). Decoriconus, P. beck-
manni and Oulodus sp. are regularly present. Rare and/
or intermittent are Ozarkodina cf. scanica, Dapsilodus
obliquicostatus, and Icriodus sp.
The few samples between COG 50.85 and COG 67
have so far proved barren. Lateral equivalents in other
parts of the Broken River region have yielded only
impoverished panderodontid faunas. A fragmentary Pa
element of ?Pedavis latialata was found in one section
(Simpson, 2000).
5.7.3. Isotopes
Too few samples were taken between COG 50.85
and 67 to tell if there is a trend in the δ13C values or if
they fluctuate around an average of c. 6.1‰. δ13C
remained below + 7‰, at least up to 60.25 m, but rose to
above + 8‰ from 68.9 m. This pattern is very similar to
that at Bjärsjölagård in Skåne, southernmost Sweden
(Fig. 1B), where δ13C rose from 6.96‰ just below the
top of the Icriodontid Zone to around 8.36‰ 3 m above
it (our unpublished data).
On Gotland, Samtleben et al. (2000) measured 7.79‰
at Bodudd 2, 8.45‰, 8.59‰, 8.38‰ at Kullunde 3, 6 and
8 respectively, and 8.23‰ at Ronehamn 2, where the
uppermost Eke is exposed. Wenzel and Joachimski
(1996) measured 7.66‰ and 8.45‰ at Kullunde 2. Our
two samples from Petsarve 14 and 3 have 8.23‰ and
8.80‰, respectively, and our four samples from
Ronnings 1 increase upwards from 8.79‰ to 9.17‰.
Considering their chitinozoan faunas (Laufeld, 1974a),
geographic position and conodont faunas, the order of
these localities (in this paragraph) may approximate their
age-order. If so, they record an increasing trend through
this interval. All other Eke analyses of Samtleben et al.
(2000) give δ13C within the lower to upper Eke range.
In older intervals there is very close similarity
between COG and Gotland (see above), whereas in
this interval δ13C is about 2‰ lower in the COG section.
Values of δ13C similar to those on Gotland were found
above 68 m, i.e. in the oolitic interval. Unfortunately,
correlation of this interval is based solely on similarity
of lithologic sequences. There may be genuine differ-
ences or miscorrelation. More data are needed, e.g.
conodonts between 68 and 70 m, before choosing an
interpretation.
The δ18O trend changes to decreasing at c. 47.8 m in
COG; i.e. 3 m below the interval discussed in this
section. This trend is maintained through this interval.
δ18O is − 10.63‰ at 56.1 m and − 11.57‰ at 62.70 m.,
The trend in δ18O from 47.8 to 56.1 is − 0.28‰/m, but
from 47.8 to 62.7 the decrease is more rapid, − 0.22‰/m.
On Gotland, δ18O is also lower than in subjacent strata
but not as low as in COG. In our analyses it is between
− 5.77 (at Petsarve 3) and − 6.65‰ (at Petsarve 14).
The rise in 87Sr/86Sr continued and culminated at
0.708998 at 55.93–56.00 m, higher than values
considered by McArthur et al. (2001) to represent
primary oceanic signatures.
5.8. The interval with terrigenous sediments and oolites
5.8.1. Lithologies
On Gotland, the Burgsvik Formation probably
consists of 47 m (Hede, 1921see Jeppsson, 2006, for a
discussion) of partly hummocky, cross-stratified sand-
stone with intercalated sandy claystones and, through
the uppermost 7.18 m, it is intercalated with, or overlain
by a few metres, at most, of oolite (Hede, 1919a, 1921).
Bivalves are a salient component of the fauna (Hede,
1921, p. 73; Liljedahl, 1994). In the shallowest areas,
both lower and higher parts of the formation are
represented by about 10 m of oolite (Hede, 1925, p.
30–33), although unpublished data (MC) indicate this
may need to be revised.
Member 4 of the Coral Gardens Formation, from
COG 51.4 to 68.15 m, is characterised by micaceous
siltstone to fine sandstone with trilobites, brachiopods
and bivalves (Caldon, 2003). It has the same position as
the terrigenous interval on Gotland. In the absence of
conodonts, accurate identification and correlation of the
lower boundary of this interval is not possible. In this
section we discuss the strata above 62–65 m. As on
Gotland, the sequence changes to sandy, partly oolitic
limestone with some partings, some channelling and
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
some long-wave, low angle cross-bedding between
68.15 and 81.2 m (Member 5) (Withnall et al., 1993).
5.8.2. Conodonts
An abrupt major conodont faunal change marks the
start of the O. snajdri Zone. The diverse incoming fauna
occurs directly above a fauna typical of the Upper
Icriodontid Subzone in Bjärsjölagård 2b section in
Skåne (LJ unpublished data; Fig. 1B).
The first distinct O. snajdri Zone fauna on Gotland
includes Ozarkodina wimani, O. snajdri, O. confluens,
Oulodus novoexcavatus, P. equicostatus, P. beckmanni,
Decoriconus. O. scanica, Icriodus? sp., and D. obliqui-
costatus. The first five are all well represented. Species of
Panderodus other than P. equicostatus are notably absent.
So are also O. excavata in the main part of the formation
but it returned near the top (Jeppsson, 2006).
Absence of carbonates prevented conodont sampling
between COG 57.2 and 68.15 m. One sample on the
northern side of the Broken River, 66 m above the base
of the Coral Gardens Formation, produced a single
element of O. excavata; equivalent intervals in the BRC
section produced poor faunas of O. excavata, P.
equicostatus, and ?D. fragilis.
5.8.3. Isotopes
There are large intervals between the few limestones
suitable for collecting in COG (Fig. 8). δ13C rose
initially, culminated with 8.98‰ in COG 73.35 m and
9.67‰ in COG 75.90–75.95 m and remained above 8‰
except perhaps just below the top of the interval, fluc-
tuating through the interval.
On Gotland, in the uppermost metre(s) of the
Burgsvik Formation in its main area of distribution,
Wenzel and Joachimski (1996) measured δ13C values of
5.95‰ at Kättelviken 2 and 5.28‰ to 8.10‰ at Uddvide
2 (seven analyses). Samtleben et al. (2000) reported δ13C
values (SW to NE) of 7.74‰ at Kulhaken 2, 7.08‰ at
Uddvide 3, 6.98‰ at Ronehamn 4, 8.68‰ at Närs Hamn
4, and 8.47‰ at Närs Hamn 3 (Fig. 8). Our sample G72–
20LJ from Glasskär 3 has δ13C = 9.71‰ and G72–17LJ
from Glasskär 1 10.54‰.
In COG, the decrease in δ18O continued to at least
the middle of the shaly interval at 62.7 m, where it
is − 11.57‰. No analyses are available from the upper
half of this interval, but an increase occurs to − 9.39‰
at 67.8 m, and − 6.96/− 7.47‰ at 71.70 m, low in the
oolitic interval. From there, δ18 O fluctuates, part
irregularly, part cyclically, to − 7.97‰ near the top of
this interval.
The few 87Sr/86Sr analyses available indicate a
steady drop to 0.708715 at 80.15 m.
133
5.9. Return to “normal” sediments
5.9.1. Lithologies
The Hamra and Sundre formations on Gotland
aggregate at least 88 m (Jeppsson, 2006). The lower-
most Hamra Formation consists of more or less oncolitic
strata, followed by marls and marly limestones in more
distal areas (in the south) and, more proximally, reefs
and reef-associated sediments. The latter kinds of
sediments are typical for most of the Silurian of Got-
land. That succession was interrupted by the anachro-
nistic sediments characterising the Botvide Member to
Burgsvik Formation (Calner, 2005).
The COG section continued for 2.9 m (81.2–84.1 m)
into the boldly outcropping Jack Hills Limestone, a unit
consisting, in the Jack Hills Gorge, of 2.9 m of well-
bedded limestone followed by 210 m of fine grained,
massive to thickly/poorly bedded, dark blue-grey, bluff-
forming micritic limestone (the walls of the Jack Hills
Gorge) with, above it, 10 m of well bedded limestone
with large stromatoporoids and corals. It resembles the
Dark Dog Limestone; both are interpreted as reflecting
restricted marine lagoonal carbonate sedimentation.
5.9.2. Conodonts
Collections from the Hamra Formation include, in
addition to the fauna from the Burgsvik Formation
(listed above), other surviving taxa, e.g. P. unicostatus.
New and old lineages appear higher up, e.g. O. crispa,
Oulodus n. sp. p aff. Oulodus elegans, O. elegans, and
Ctenognathodus confluens.
In the Broken River region, C. dubius reappears and
was found with O. excavatus in COG 82.65. The 210 m of
bluff-forming micrite was barren of conodonts. The
uppermost 10 m of the Jack Hills Limestone produced a
small conodont fauna including O. excavata, O. con-
fluens, O. martinssoni auriformis, C. dubius, ?Dvorakia
sp. P. unicostatus, and P. equicostatus. The presence of
O. confluens, which became extinct during the Silurian
part of the Klonk Event, straddling the Silurian–Devonian
boundary (Jeppsson and Aldridge, 2000; cf. Jeppsson,
1988, 1989, 1998; Aldridge and Schönlaub, 1989;
Barrick and Klapper, 1992), indicates the last 10 m of
the Jack Hills Limestone in this area is entirely Silurian.
The fauna was interpreted as Ludlow due to presence of
C. dubius (Sloan et al., 1995), but this taxon extended
through the Pridoli in Sardinia (Serpagli et al., 1996). In
contrast, an early Lochkovian age is indicated for the
uppermost Jack Group carbonates in the BRC section at
the Broken River Crossing (Simpson, 1995a,b, 2000).
Ctenognathodus has been found in the Pridoli, high in the
Jack Hills Limestone in the BRC section.
134 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
5.9.3. Isotopes
In the highest COG interval sampled, 81.2–84.1 m,
δ13C fluctuates between 7.78‰ and 8.95‰ (Fig. 8). This
compares well with the reported c. 7.60‰ in the Hamra
Formation at Uddvide 2 on Gotland (Samtleben et al.,
2000), where the uppermost Burgsvik Formation and
lowermost Hamra are exposed. A subsequent consider-
able drop may be indicated a few metres above the base
of the Hamra Formation at Kättelviken 5, where δ13C is
4.62‰ in the lowermost sample, rising gradually to
5.84‰ at the top of this 4 m section (Fig. 8). However,
both the Uddvide 2 and the Kättelviken 5 ratios are close
to the stratigraphically lower ones from Uddvide 2 and
Kättelviken 2. Hence, either δ13C fluctuated markedly
through the O. snajdri Zone, or the relative position of
the sampled strata needs reconsideration. Nonetheless,
δ13C values around 8.0‰ correlate with the highest
sampled interval in COG. Higher in the Hamra
Formation at Bankvät 1, 4.06‰ (Samtleben et al.,
2000) and 5.87‰ (in G72–2LJ, micrite) were obtained.
Samtleben et al. (2000) indicate a major drop in δ13C to
as low as 0.52‰ at Klehammarsård 3.
6. Summary of the sequence of changes
The sequence of lithologies is remarkably similar on
Gotland, Sweden, and in the COG section in northeast-
ern Australia: (A) argillaceous strata, (B) more weath-
ering-resistant limestones, (C) oncoids and crinoids
(oncolitic crinoid limestone or oncolite with crinoids),
(D) argillaceous oncolites, (E) terrigenous clastics, (F)
oolite, and (G) return to a similar suite of sediments as
characterising most of the Wenlock and Ludlow in these
areas before B. The δ13C record includes a slow rise
during A, a slightly more rapid rise during B, an abrupt (a
few hundred years or less) shift upwards of some-
what N 1‰, 3000–4000 years before the lithologic
change at B/C, a rapid rise initially during C, stable, high
values during D, (probably?) an abrupt shift downwards
at the start of E, followed by a rapid rise. A high diversity
conodont fauna (including platform-equipped taxa) was
found during A, stepwise extinctions and disappearances
during B and C, a notably unbalanced fauna during D,
followed by an increase in diversity in E.
7. Discussion
Though based on standard biostratigraphy, combined
with changes in δ13C and sedimentary sequence, inter-
continental correlations of the mid-Ludlow interval
between Sweden and northeastern Australia have unex-
pectedly high resolution. These changes were closely
synchronous in the two areas despite having been on
different palaeocontinents and being more different
faunally than coeval sequences from other palaeoconti-
nents (unpublished conodont data LJ, AJS, macrofaunal
data H-CC, JAT). Resolution of the sequence of some
changes has been possible even when separated by less
than 10 ka (Section 5.3.3), and then used for very-high-
precision correlations. It approaches the time-scale resolu-
tion of present-day oceanic mixing time (1000 a; Holland
et al., 1986), though mixing time may have been greater in
the past, e.g. N 10 times as long during the mid Cretaceous
black shale events (Bralower and Thierstein, 1984). Black
shales were common and widespread during much of the
Silurian (Moore et al., 1998). The precision achieved in
correlation of the COG and Gotland sections may thus be
comparable to the scale of oceanic mixing time during the
Silurian. Since many kinds of signals are spread globally by
oceanic water mixing, this phenomenon may place a limit
on the resolution that can be achieved. Our sampling was
independent and largely routine stratigraphic-cum-bio-
stratigraphic sampling with centimetric precision, done at a
time when rapid lithologic changes were assumed to be
merely local phenomena, and so no extra samples were
taken from the intervals now known to have had the
quickest changes. Hence, the precision achieved was partly
due to the average rate of sedimentation being in the order
of 50 m/Ma in these areas (thickness of the Wenlock +
Ludlow /the radiometric duration of that interval). There-
fore, the present limit may be related more to the distance
between the samples and their thickness.
A signal carried by the atmosphere may spread
globally more rapidly than a signal associated with
oceanic mixing, and surface currents may also carry a
signal around the globe faster than a complete oceanic
mixing, especially if continents do not block equatorial
and subtropical circulation as they do today. Hence, an
attempt should be made to extend this precision to a
wider time-interval in pursuit of further refinement.
In Fig. 10 we have used δ13C changes to refine
correlations of strata between biostratigraphically cor-
related points, taking into account uncertainties in the
data, notably the probability that the oldest identified
specimen(s) represent the oldest preserved record
depends on the size of collections and their spacing
(Jeppsson, 2005). The test includes only the most
restricted alternative, that the relative rate of sedimen-
tation was linear between two biostratigraphically
correlated planes, i.e. if it increased through time in
one section, it is hypothesised as doing likewise in the
other sections, simultaneously and at the same rate. We
have, accordingly, stretched or compressed each part
uniformly. The sections and the data tied to them are
 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
thus treated as in the standard method of graphic
correlations. The difference is that graphic correlation
(Shaw, 1964) was developed to handle range ends
whereas data in the form of curves are better handled by
electronic stretching/compression.
Uncertainty as to how much strata are missing at an
erosion surface(s) requires that all sections, except one,
must be correlated as two discrete parts – for brevity,
referred to herein as lower and upper. As an example of
our approach, the lower parts of Botvide 1 and Nyan 2
were correlated, stretching the latter to correlate the
disappearances of P. panderi and the base of the
O. excavata faunal interval (missing in Botvide), see
Fig. 10. Then the lower part of the COG sequence was
added and then Bodudd 1. Next, the starting points of
the upper parts of the COG, Botvide and Nyan sections
were adjusted upwards until they fitted with the Bodudd
curve. This suggested/required two previously unrecog-
nised gaps in the COG section (presumably at bedding
planes). The upper parts were stretched to correlate the
appearance of P. equicostatus in COG and Bodudd.
Judging from field relations, the top of Botvide is well
below that appearance. The relative rates of deposition,
indicated by these adjustments, make sense sedimento-
logically and imply, for instance, that the coarse-grained
crinoid limestone at Botvide was deposited much faster
than coeval mudrocks at Bodudd.
The coincidence between the curves is good, e.g.,
nearly all pre-erosion data at COG and Botvide are
within 0.1‰ or 0.2‰ from the line fitted in Fig. 10.
The Nyan curve shows the same slight oscillations,
although on average it seems to be slightly displaced
towards lower values. Only a small part of the Bodudd
curve belongs in this interval. Due in part to too few
biostratigraphic points of correlation, it fits less well.
The Bodudd δ13C data, moreover, are from samples
that were prepared slightly differently (see Section 4).
Additional, minor adjustments could be made, e.g. the
appearance of oncoids at Bodudd possibly increased
the local rate of sedimentation in a minor but signi-
ficant way.
The pre-erosion part of the curve oscillates around an
increasing trend, the amplitude of the oscillations being
about 0.4–0.5‰. There are 4 such oscillations in the
pre-erosion curve in Fig. 10. The average rate of
sedimentation on Gotland has been calculated as ‘20 ka/
m’ (Jeppsson, 1987) using Hede's (1960) thickness
calculations (chiefly based on eastern facies types) and
radiometric ages. The uncertainty in that rate is due
primarily to imprecision as regards the duration of the
Wenlock + Ludlow (9.5 ± 5.0 Ma; Gradstein et al.,
2004). A new calculation of the Ludlow thickness,
135
including new bore data representing the facies of
western Gotland (Jeppsson, 2006), has increased the
thickness. However, because Botvide is on eastern
Gotland, and assuming that pre-erosion deposition there
was normal, the average duration (based on 4 cycles in c.
2.4 m and 20 ka/m) was c. 12,000 years per cycle,
although the uncertainty may be a factor of 2 (6000 to
25,000 years or worse). The amplitude of at least some
Tertiary high frequency δ13C Milankovitch cycles is
generally b 0.4‰, and that of lower frequency cycles
exceeds 0.8‰ (Zachos et al., 1997). Hence, both
amplitude and frequency are what would be expected, if
these oscillations would represent Milankovitch cycles,
although a series long enough to permit spectral analysis,
is needed to prove such an origin.
Most correlations in Fig. 10 are within the limits
identified in the main part of this paper; they ‘only’
refine the correlation of the intermediate intervals. A
few correlations diverge in minor details, chiefly due to
assuming a gap (see earlier) in the COG section. (Con-
firming these gaps would increase the similarities with
eastern Gotland sections even further.). High-resolution
studies of other sections will permit testing which of the
alternative correlations is the best, although finding
these oscillations requires that at least isotope data
points are a few ka apart at the most.
Acknowledgements
The Swedish Natural Science Council and The
Swedish Research Council funded much of LJ's field
and laboratory work, especially conodont extraction.
Ann-Sofi Jeppsson skilfully handled most of the typing,
linguistic checking, etc. Rickard Anehus assisted LJ
during parts of the fieldwork. Git Klintvik Ahlberg and
Rickard Anehus processed many of the conodonts
samples and picked many of the residues. All this and
other help are much appreciated. Research grants from
the Australian Research Council and Macquarie Uni-
versity to RM and JAT enabled sampling of various
Broken River sections, collection of isotope samples
from the Botvide section, and funded the isotope
analyses and the conodont extraction from the Austra-
lian sections. They are grateful for field assistance from
Nadia Talent in sampling the Botvide section, and from
Glenn Brock, David Mathieson, Rosemary Saul, Terry
Sloan, and the late Ross Talent in helping sample
Broken River Late Silurian sections. Final drafting of
most of the figures is by Dean Oliver. Many useful
suggestions were received from referees Brad Cramer
and Michael Joachimski. This study is a contribution to
IGCP 421 and 503.
136 L. Jeppsson et al. / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 245 (2007) 115–137
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