Storm accumulation of brachiopod shells and sedimentary environment of the Terebratula Beds in the Muschelkalk of Upper Silesia (Southern Poland)

Abstract

Osady burzowe i środowisko sedymentacyjne warstw terebratulowych This paper deals with allochthonous brachiopod accumulations in the Terebratula Beds (Middle Triassic). Some of such accumulations are thought to have been deposited by rushing storm currents carrying large amounts of suspended load. The environmental model of the Terebratula Beds, as advanced in. this paper, is that of a shallow epicontinental sea with shoals and sediment ponding depressions. The unusual density and low diversity of bivalve fauna is attributed to temperature controlled environmental instability.