TRACE FOSSILS AND ICHNOFABRICS ON THE LOWER MUSCHELKALK CARBONATE RAMP (TRIASSIC) OF GERMANY - TOOL FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY

In the German Triassic of Thuringia, the Lower Muschelkalk sequence ca n be subdivided by application of ichnological methods. Three ichnofac ies with five ichnofabrics are described. In accordance with the litho logical features, trace fossils are found to defining parasequences on the basis of a regular change of bioturbation. Furthermore, it is pos sible to establish deepening-upward cycles. The reconstruction of para sequences allows the establishment of a high-resolution sequence strat igraphy. The position of the maximum flooding surface can be identifie d in the Terebratula Member and is developed in a condensed interval. The most significant of the additional major marine flooding surfaces is found at the top of the Upper Oolith Bed, characterized by lithostr atigraphy, ichnology, biostratigraphy and parasequence thickness trend s.