Paleocene-Eocene planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of western Cuba

Planktonic foraminifera were studied from five sections in western Cuba. Bi ostratigraphic studies by previous workers had indicated the presence of a continuous section through the upper Paleocene and lower Eocene in this reg ion. The primary goal of this investigation was to verify this and if possi ble, propose a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Paleocene /Eocene boundary. Our study shows that the sections are in fact incomplete. Only 4 biozones: the Planorotalites pseudomenardii Total Range Zone (P4), the Morozovella velascoensis Interval Zone (P5), the Morozovella formosa fo rmosa/Morzovella lensiformis-Morozovella aragonensis Interval Zone (P6b) an d the Morozovella arganensis/Morozovella formosa formosa Concurrent Range Z one (P7) were identified from the sections. No record of the Morozovella ve lascoensis-Morzovella formosa formosa/Morzovella lensiformis Interval Zone (P6a) was identified in this study. The biozonal boundaries are associated with unconformities. In the San Fran cisco de Paula section in Ciudad de La Habana, four unconformities were ide ntified. These unconformities appear to be related to Paleocene and early E ocene tectonic activity. The tectonic activity in the region during the late Paleocene and early Eoc ene has resulted in an incomplete biostratigraphic record. Consequently, we stern Cuba is not a suitable candidate for the location of a Paleocene-Eoce ne GSSP. The biostratigraphic data obtained will provide information toward the more precise timing of tectonic events in the area.