Biostratigraphy of Gurpi Formation in Noor-Abad area, coastal Fars (south-west of Iran)

In order to biostratigraphic studies of Gurpi Formation, a section was selected in the north-east of Noorabad city in Fars. Structurally, this section is located in the folded-thrust zone of Zagros and geographically in the Fars zone (coastal Fars). The Gurpi Formation is extended of 229 meters in thickness, contains limestone, shale, marly limestone and argillaceous limestone. Its lower boundary with Sarvak Formation and its upper contact with Pabdeh Formation are discontinuous. The study conducted on foraminiferal biostratigraphy in this section led to the identification of 20 species belonging to 7 genera of planktonic foraminifera. Based on the stratigraphic distribution of the planktonic foraminifera, five biozones are determined which correspond with global biozonation. Described biozones are comprised of: 1-Globotruncanita elevata Partial range zone; 2-Globotruncana ventricosa Interval zone; 3-Radotruncana calcarata Total range zone; 4-Gansserina gansseri Interval zone; 5-Contusotruncana contusa, Contusotruncana walfischensis, Globotruncanita conica Assemblage zone. Based on these biozones, the age of Gurpi Formation is assigned to early Campanian to late Maastrichtian. The absence of the Marginotruncana and Dicarinella  asymetrica in the lower part of the Gurpi Formation indicates of the Santonian-Campanian boundary and the determination of the early Early Campanian age for the base of this Formation.