THE MEDITERRANEAN LOWER CRETACEOUS

The Strambach Limestones are Berriasian-Valanginian in age, whereas the Rossfeld
Beds belong to the Hauterivian and Barremian. The basic sections have been studied
by S a y n, U h 1 i g and H a u g (Kufstein, Ruhpolding, RossFeld, Salzburg
and Ischel). Exclusively bathyal clayey limestones, marls and clayey shales (Berriasian-Barremian)
are developed, containing: Fauriella boissieri (P i с t.), Tirnovella
occitanica (P i с t.), Berriasella privasensis (P i с t.) (Berriasian), Kilianella
pexiptycha (U h 1.), Neocomites neocomiensis (d'O r b.) (Valanginian), Lyticoceras
cryptoceras (d'O г b.), Crioceratites duvali h é v., Olcostephanus astierianus (d'O r b.)
O. jeannoti (d'O r b.) (Hauterivian), Barremites difficilis (d'O r b.), Silesites seranonis
(d'O r b.) (Barremian). The Aptian is developed in the same facies, whereas
the Albian is represented by glauconitic sandstones (U h 1 i g, 1882; 1887;
Sayn, 1893).
8. HUNGARY
The Lower Cretaceous in the Pannonian Massif is known from its southern part —•
Vilany and Meczek, as well as from the Hungarian Central Mountains — Bakony
and Geiccse. Of particular importance for the stratigraphy of the series are the works
of J. ir. N о s z к у and especially the more recent research of F ii I о p (1958-
1976). Varied facies with numerous intraformational hiatuses are developed. In
most places the Lower Cretaceous sediments overlie the strongly denuded surface
of the Tithonian limestones.
8.1. Vilany and Meczek
These arc low-mountainous elevations in the peripheral part of the Pannonian Massif.
The section of the series usually starts over the strongly denuded and partially
karstificd surface of the Upper Jurassic limestones. Generally speaking, it is characterized
by complex block and. or flake structure, which is also reflected in the fullness
of the sections.
In Meczek there are sections in which the Berriasian deposits are connected by
a gradual transition with the Tithonian rocks. The Berriasian is represented by dense
micritic limestones and clayey limestones (30 m) with Tintinnopsella carpathica,
Calpionellopsis oblonga, Remaniella cadischiana, radiolaria and ammonites. The
Lower Valanginian is connected with volcanogenic-sedimentary formations (the
trachydolerite tufogenic formation with thickness up to 10- 100 m), among which
Kilianella roubaudiana (d'O r b.) has been found. The Upper Valanginian is represented
by marls and sandstones (5-30 m) with Thurmanniceras thurmanni
(P i с t., С a m p.), Olcostephanus astierianus (d'O r b.) and Neocomites neocomiensis
(d'O r b.).
Urgonian limestones with many rudists overlie the denuded surface.
In the Vilany Mountains above the deeply denuded Kimmeridgian-Tilhonian
limestones there are diabase volcanic rocks (trachydolerites) which arc assumed
to have the same age as the Valanginian trachydolerite tufogenic formation in Meczek.
In the Beremend horst and in Harsany bauxites were formed during the Hauterivian.
Marine sedimentation started during the Barremian with the formation of
Urgonian limestones with Orbitolinidae and rudists which reach until the base of
the Albian.
In the Tenkes flake there is a big hiatus and over the strongly denuded surface
of the Kimmeridgian limestones there are Urgonian limestones deposited transgressively
but concordantly, followed upwards by clayey-calcareous siltstones (Albian)
(F u 1 ô p, 1966).
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