TAPHONOMY OF LOWER CARBONIFEROUS CRINOIDS FROM THE HOOK HEAD FORMATION, IRELAND

Lower Carboniferous strata at Hook Head, County Wexford, Ireland, reco rd tempestite deposition on a mixed carbonate and siliciclastic shelf- ramp. Crinoidal remains occur in all facies, which allows for a compar ative taphonomic analysis of crinoid preservation. Preservation of cri noid crowns was controlled by a balance between mean storm intensity a nd frequency. The best preservation occurs at moderate depths. Taphono mic resistance among Hook Head crinoids is interpreted as follows (fro m most to least resistant to disarticulation): monobathrid camerates - cladids - diplobathrid camerates - flexibles (with Platycrinites and Dichocrinus disarticulation more like cladids).