# Astronomical calibration of the Early Oxfordian (Vocontian and Paris basins, France): Consequences of revising the Late Jurassic time scale.

Slah Boulila, Linda A. Hinnov, Emilia Huret, Pierre-Yves Collin, Bruno Galbrun, Dominique Fortwengler, Didier Marchand, Jacques Thierry

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## ► To cite this version:

Slah Boulila, Linda A. Hinnov, Emilia Huret, Pierre-Yves Collin, Bruno Galbrun, et al.: Astronomical calibration of the Early Oxfordian (Vocontian and Paris basins, France): Consequences of revising the Late Jurassic time scale. *Earth and Planetary Science Letters*, 2008, 276 (1-2), pp.40-51. 10.1016/j.epsl.2008.09.006. hal-00541029

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https://hal.science/hal-00541029v1

Submitted on 3 May 2021

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# Astronomical calibration of the Early Oxfordian (Vocontian and Paris basins, France): Consequences of revising the Late Jurassic time scale

Slah Boulila<sup>a</sup>, Linda A. Hinnov<sup>b</sup>, Emilia Huret<sup>b,c</sup>, Pierre-Yves Collin<sup>a</sup>, Bruno Galbrun<sup>a,*</sup>, Dominique Fortwengler<sup>d</sup>, Didier Marchand<sup>e</sup>, Jacques Thierry<sup>e</sup>

Magnetic susceptibility (MS) variations record Earth's orbital parameters in the clays and marls of the Early Oxfordian in the Paris and Vocontian basins of France. Climatically driven weathering of surrounding emergent areas and the resulting detrital input to the basins is a significant source of the MS signal. MS proves to be an effective tool for deciphering the orbital forcing signal in these sediments, and for assessing the chronology of these formations. The 405-kyr orbital eccentricity cycle is clearly visible in the MS signal and, consequently, is a valuable geochronometer for this portion of the Jurassic time scale. Astronomical calibration of the Mariae ammonite zone (basal Oxfordian stage) indicates a duration of ~2.2 myrs, whereas current time scales assign only 0.6 myrs to this biozone. However, the Late Jurassic time scale has large uncertainties in stage boundary ages (±4 myrs), hence of interval durations. These results could lead to significant revisions in the M-sequence magnetic anomaly block model, and greatly improve the resolution of the Jurassic time scale.

## 1. Introduction

The Geologic Time Scale 2004 (GTS2004, Gradstein et al., 2004) reveals significant and numerous uncertainties, which impact the interpretation of major geologic events: velocities of plate motions, sediment accumulation rates, paleoclimatic change, biological evolution, and geochemical cycling. Thus, geoscientists need to refine GTS2004 to improve research into our planet's history.

A particularly poorly constrained Phanerozoic geological interval is the Late Jurassic, which has the largest uncertainties in the Phanerozoic time scale, with stage boundary ages estimated with 2σ uncertainties on the order of ±4 myrs (Hinnov and Ogg, 2007). A paucity of radiometric dating and the low amplitudes of the oldest marine magnetic anomalies contribute significantly to these uncer-

tainties. Here we tackle the problem of the virtually unconstrained time scale of the Mariae ammonite zone that defines the lower boundary of the Oxfordian stage.

Our investigation centers on astronomical calibration of the Terres Noires Formation at Aspres-sur-Buëch, Vocontian Basin, SE France (Fig. 1). The formation presents a thick sequence of cyclic clayey and marly sediments of latest Bathonian to Oxfordian age (Artru, 1972; Tribovillard, 1988). This cyclic sequence was deposited at an exceptionally high sedimentation rate (e.g., Dardeau et al., 1988), thus providing a very high stratigraphic resolution with relatively few hiatuses (Fortwengler and Marchand, 1994). We approach the Late Jurassic time scale problem with a cyclostratigraphic analysis of 333 m of the earliest Oxfordian Terres Noires encompassing the Mariae Zone. Thus, we use magnetic susceptibility as a proxy for paleoclimate change (e.g., Weedon et al., 1999; Boulila et al., 2008a). This section is greatly expanded compared to the Polish condensed sections (only 13 cm and 20 cm) that were used in the construction of GTS2004 (Ogg et al., 1991). To support our interpretation, we compare the Aspres-sur-Buëch section with its equivalent in the EST342 ANDRA core from the eastern Paris Basin, ~400 km to the northwest (Fig. 1). In this core, the Mariae Zone is only 25-m thick and was recently biostratigraphically defined to the horizon scale (the thinnest stratigraphic unit

<footnote><sup>a</sup> Université Paris VI, CNRS - UMR 7072 Tectonique, case 117, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 5, France</footnote>

<footnote><sup>b</sup> Morton K. Blaustein Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA</footnote>

<footnote><sup>c</sup> ANDRA DS/Milieu Géologique, 1/7, rue Jean Monnet, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex, France</footnote>

<footnote><sup>d</sup> Le Clos des Vignes, Quartier Pierry, F-26160 La Bégude de Mazenc, France</footnote>

<footnote><sup>e</sup> Université de Bourgogne, UMR 5561 Biogéosciences, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France</footnote>

<footnote>* Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 144275041; fax: +33 144273831.

E-mail addresses: slah.boulila@upmc.fr (S. Boulila), hinnov@jhu.edu (L.A. Hinnov), Emilia.huret@andra.fr (E. Huret), pierre-yves.collin@upmc.fr (P.-Y. Collin), bruno.galbrun@upmc.fr (B. Galbrun), dominique.fortwengler@wanadoo.fr (D. Fortwengler), didoux.marchand@gmail.com (D. Marchand), jacques-thierry2@wanadoo.fr (J. Thierry).</footnote>
characterized by a distinctive ammonite association within which no
finer subdivision is possible), with both lower and upper boundaries
precisely recognized at the cm scale (Thierry et al., 2006).

This paper aims first at the demonstration of the orbitally forced
stratigraphy in the Paris and Vocontian basins (Oxfordian, Mariae
ammonite zone). Thus, we applied spectral analysis to assess non-
random variations in the MS series obtained from both localities, and
to understand the distribution of signal variance as a function of
frequency. To assess the behavior of specific astronomical frequencies,
we applied filtering and time-frequency techniques, and compared
the results to the astronomical model of Laskar et al. (2004). Then, we
astronomically calibrated the duration of the Mariae Zone. The results
report on our multiple working hypothesis approach and decision
making us propose a greatly expanded time scale for the Mariae
Zone, i.e., not 0.6-myr long as assigned by GTS2004, but ~2.2 myrs in
duration. Finally, we discuss the consequences of the longer time
scale, as indicated by these cyclostratigraphic sections, on the

estimated rates and timing of geologic events and processes that
were occurring during the Late Jurassic.

## 2. Geologic setting and stratigraphic framework

### 2.1. Geologic setting

The Vocontian Basin of southeastern France (Fig. 1) experienced the effects of significant global changes. These changes include a worldwide carbonate production crisis (Norris and Hallam, 1995) and extensive deposition of argillaceous sediments or iron oolitic condensed sections (de Graciansky et al., 1999; Collin et al., 2005). These environmental changes may have been induced by a global sea-level rise (e.g., Hallam, 1988; Norris and Hallam, 1995) and a major perturbation of the surface carbon cycling. The latter may have been a response to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from possible volcanic effusions (e.g., Dromart et al., 2003).

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 1.** Paleogeographic framework of the Vocontian and Paris basins of France (indicated with the stars) during the Early Oxfordian. (A) Paleobiogeographic map of the Tethyan Basin during the Early Oxfordian (from Cecca et al., 2005). (B) Paleogeographic map showing possible sources (in arrows) of detrital input to the Paris and Vocontian basins of France (modified from Pellenard, 2003 and Dercourt et al., 1993).</figcaption></figure>
Hundreds of meters of clayey and marly sediments (the Terres Noires Formation) were deposited in the central Vocontian Basin where subsidence was apparently the highest during the Early Oxfordian, particularly during the Mariae Zone, Scarburgense Subzone (de Graciansky et al., 1999). Subsidence was the result of Tethyan and North Atlantic rifting (Dardeau et al., 1988). Sedimentation of the Terres Noires Formation was continuous and today provides a sensitive record of hydrologic weathering from the surrounding emergent areas (Debrand-Passard et al., 1984; Dercourt et al., 1993). Consequently, it is an ideal area for geodynamic, paleogeographic and paleoclimatic studies. In addition, the Terres Noires Formation has preserved a number of volcanic ash layers. Several bentonite horizons were recently discovered in the Terres Noires and their equivalents in the eastern Paris Basin, ~400 km to the northwest, in the overlying Cordatum and Plicatilis ammonite zones (Pellenard et al., 2003). These ashes may yield radiometric dates, which together with the astronomical calibration undertaken in this study will offer a new high-resolution absolute time framework.

During the Late Jurassic, the Paris Basin (Fig. 1) was an intra-
cratic basin created by dislocation and extension of the West
European craton from the combined influences of the opening North
Atlantic Rift, Tethys Ocean, and North Sea (Dercourt et al., 1985;
Curnelle and Dubois, 1986; Ziegler, 1988). In the northwestern Tethys,
the Early Callovian was characterized by carbonate environments and
siliciclastic platforms. A major change occurred in the Middle-Late
Callovian and persisted into the Early Oxfordian, marked by the
disappearance of carbonate platforms and the onset of copious
terrigenous sedimentation into the basins. During this period, the
eastern Paris Basin received continuous deposition of a thick
argillaceous series (~150 m). This clayey formation, called the
Callovian–Oxfordian argillites, spans the Middle–Late Callovian to
Middle Oxfordian and reflects a shelf marine environment (Collin and
Courville, 2006; Ferry et al., 2007). The formation includes a major
maximum flooding surface situated near the base of the Oxfordian
stage in the Mariae Zone (Jacquin et al., 1998; Courville and Collin,
2002; Ferry et al., 2007). In the Middle Oxfordian, carbonate platforms
became newly established and contributed to increased carbonate
deposition into the basin and the formation of alternating marl-
limestone successions (Lorin et al., 2004; Collin et al., 2005; Ferry
et al., 2007).

The record of the changes in terrigenous fluxes from the Early Callovian to the Early Oxfordian implies the presence of a palaeogeographic barrier between the eastern Paris Basin and the Vocontian Basin, with two distinct detrital sources (Fig. 1; Pellenard and Deconinck, 2006).

## 2.2. Stratigraphic framework

### 2.2.1. Aspres-sur-Buëch section

The Aspres-sur-Buëch section is located ~3.5 km to the west of Aspres-sur-Buëch village near the Callovian–Oxfordian synsedimentary fault of Aspremont (Dardeau et al., 1988). The section spans the Early Callovian to Late Oxfordian. Here we focus on the more continuously exposed and well dated interval encompassing the Mariae ammonite zone of the earliest Oxfordian. An abundant ammonite fauna provides a well constrained biostratigraphic framework (Fig. 2B); the uppermost part of the Mariae Zone, however, has not been precisely identified (Fortwengler and Marchand, 1994).

The section (Fig. 2C) records a ~333-m thick interval of the Mariae Zone. The lithology is composed of grey marls with low carbonate content (10 to 32%) and low organic matter content (<0.8% TOC) mainly derived from terrestrial erosion (Tribovillard, 1988). An enrichment of the marls with carbonate is observed in the uppermost part of the section. Calcareous nodules with oblate ellipsoidal shapes (5 to 10-cm thick) are aligned parallel to the strata. These nodules are rare in the lower part of the section, and abundant from ~180 to

~280 m. Locally in the upper part of the section, calcareous septaria-
type nodules with a variety of shapes (round, spiral, tubular) are
dispersed within the marls. Phosphate nodules occur in the upper-
most part of the *scarburgense* horizon, the uppermost *woodhammense*
horizon, and within the *praecordatum* horizon (Huret, 2006). Some
levels in the marls include cm-thick calcareous layers. Finally, three
intervals with distal tempestites (each 1 to 2-cm thick) were
recognized within the marls (labelled T1, T2, and T3, Fig. 2C).

Subtle color variations in darkness versus lightness are occasionally observed in the lower part of the section; these become prominent toward the top of the section due to the increase in carbonate content. The uppermost 6 m consists of alternating carbonate-rich/ carbonate-poor layers in decimeter-scale couplets. Elsewhere in the basin, Tribovillard (1986, 1988) and Tribovillard and Ducreux (1986) describe 0.3 to 2-m thick bundles of light/dark grey marl alternations and superbundles composed of four bundles. They explain this bundling as due to cyclic variations of terrestrial clay and organic matter input versus marine carbonate production and interpret it as expressions of the ~100 and 400 kyr orbital eccentricity cycles.

De Graciansky et al. (1999) assigned a single third-order deposi-
tional sequence [Ox0–Ox1] to the Mariae Zone of the Terres Noires
Formation (Fig. 2C). Sequence boundary Ox0 was assigned to the
lower boundary of the Mariae Zone (i.e., the Callovian/Oxfordian
boundary), and sequence boundary Ox1 was placed within the
Praecordatum Subzone. The maximum flooding surface (MFS) of
[Ox0–Ox1] corresponds to a major surface recognized in the western
European basins within the Scarburgense Subzone (Jacquin et al.,
1998). The opening of the Tethyan and North Atlantic oceans (Dardeau
et al., 1988) involved high subsidence rates and flooding of the
Vocontian Basin. In the Vocontian Basin, this MFS is found within
the Scarburgense Subzone (de Graciansky et al., 1999); at Aspres-sur-
Buëch this surface corresponds to phosphate nodules (Fig. 2C), which
likely indicates low sedimentation rates.

### 2.2.2. EST342 drill-core

The EST342 drill site is located to the west of the Marne valley near Joinville (Haute-Marne, France), ~25 km to the southwest of the ANDRA (Agence Nationale pour la gestion des Déchets Radioactifs) Underground Research Laboratory near Bure, Meuse/Haute-Marne, France. The Callovian–Oxfordian argillites, 65-m thick in the drill-core, span the Middle Callovian (Jason Zone) to the top of the Mariae ammonite zone of the Early Oxfordian, and were cored in their entirety. Here, the Mariae Zone is represented by only ~25 m (Fig. 3, 615.57 m to 590.10 m); ammonite fauna provides a constrained biostratigraphic framework at the horizon scale (Thierry et al., 2006).

Lithologies (Fig. 3C) are composed of approximately 50% clay minerals, 25% silt (quartz, feldspar, muscovite) and 25% carbonate (calcite and dolomite). An enrichment of clays is observed at the base of the Mariae Zone with a concentration of bioclasts, bioturbation, ammonites and burrows. The remainder of the series is represented by black silty bioturbated argillites with some burrows; glauconite and pyrite occur at ~600 and ~605 m. From 595 m up, the ammonite fauna is less abundant. In the uppermost 4 m, the series exhibits decimeter-scale couplets of carbonate-rich and carbonate-poor beds as in the Aspres section. Two sample gaps occur at ~611 and ~605 m.

The sequence stratigraphic interpretation for the EST342 section (Fig. 3C) is based on well logging correlations, geochemical analyses, mineralogical studies (Pellenard et al., 1999; Pellenard, 2003; Ferry et al., 2007), and on the interpretation of MS long-term evolution (Huret, 2006). The Mariae Zone is situated within the [Ox0–Ox1] third-order depositional sequence (Hardenbol et al., 1998). Its lower boundary Ox0 is placed around the base of Mariae Zone whereas its upper boundary Ox1 occurs in the Praecordatum Subzone (from Hardenbol et al., 1998). The maximum flooding surface (MFS), which corresponds to a major MFS, is situated in the Scarburgense Subzone (at the *scarburgense* horizon; e.g., Courville and Collin, 2002).
## 3. Methods

### 3.1. Magnetic susceptibility (MS)

In the Aspres-sur-Buëch section, the Mariae Zone is ~333-m thick. According to GTS2004 this represents a duration of 0.6 myrs. If we assume a constant sedimentation rate through the section, the

precession index about 20 kyrs would be recorded in sediment cycles with an average thickness of ~11 m. Thus, to recover a record of the precession index, the sampling interval was fixed conservatively at 0.50 m (~22 samples per cycle). Sampling was performed on marls excluding tempestite and nodule levels because they may introduce singular MS peaks that are not representative either for the time sampling or the original magnetic mineral concentrations that were

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 2.** The Aspres-sur-Buëch Terres Noires Formation, Vocontian Basin, SE France. (A) Magnetochrons M34 p.p., M35 and M36 p.p. of the Early Oxfordian (after GTS2004). (B) The Mariae ammonite zone and its subdivision in subzones and horizons (Fortwengler and Marchand, 1994). T: Thuouxensis, Praecord.: Praecordatum; L: Lamberti horizon of the latest Callovian. (C) Sedimentological description, and sequence stratigraphy interpretation (from de Graciansky et al., 1999, who refers to Jacquin et al., 1998), T1, T2, and T3: distal tempestites, [0x0-0x1]: third-order depositional sequence with Ox0 as lower boundary and Ox1 as upper boundary. (D) Magnetic susceptibility (MS) data, C1 to C5: long-wavelength cycles interpreted as 405-kyr eccentricity cycles to time-calibrate the MS series. The black star indicates a major maximum flooding surface (after de Graciansky et al., 1999). A 35% weighted average of the series is also shown. (E) 405-kyr tuned MS values after removal of the weighted average in D. Symbols: precession (*), obliquity (*) and ~100-kyr eccentricity (e).</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 3.** The EST342 drill-core, Callovian–Oxfordian argillites, eastern Paris Basin, France. (A) Magnetochrons M34 p.p., M35 and M36 p.p. of the Early Oxfordian (after GTS2004). (B) The Mariae ammonite zone and its subdivision in subzones and horizons (Thierry et al., 2006). T: Thuouxensis, Praem: Praemartini, Praec: Praecordatum; L: Lamberti horizon of the latest Callovian. (C) Sedimentological description, and sequence stratigraphy interpretation (after Ferry et al., 2007; Huret, 2006; Hardenbol et al., 1998), [Ox0–Ox1]: third-order depositional sequence (terminology as in de Graciansky et al., 1999) with Ox0 as lower boundary and Ox1 as upper boundary. (D) Magnetic susceptibility (MS) data, C1 to C5: long-wavelength cycles interpreted as 405-kyr eccentricity cycles to time-calibrate the MS series, the black star indicates a major maximum flooding surface (after Courville and Collin, 2002; Collin, 2000). A 35% weighted average of the series is also shown. (E) 405-kyr tuned MS values after removal of the weighted average in D. Symbols: obliquity (*) and ~100-kyr eccentricity (e).</figcaption></figure>

deposited. The 667 collected samples were measured for MS with a Kappabridge KLY-2. Each sample was measured three times, and the mean of these values is reported after weight normalization. The standard deviation of the analytical error associated with the MS measurements, based on triplicate analyses, is 0.0091 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg.

For the EST342 drill-core, MS measurements were taken directly on the core and parallel to the strata using a Bartington MS2E1 sensor (sensitivity of 2 × 10⁻⁶ SI). The measurement step was fixed at 0.04 m to

recover a high-resolution record of the precession index (~21 measurements per cycle, again assuming 0.6 myr duration for the Mariae Zone).

## 3.2. Spectral analysis and significance testing

The MS data are affected by irregular long-term trends which were measured and subtracted by the 35% weighted average of the series (Figs. 2D, 3D). Following removal of these long-term trends, the data
were analyzed via spectral analysis (Fig. 4) using the multitaper method (MTM, Thomson, 1982) as implemented in the SSA-MTM Toolkit (Ghil et al., 2002).

Assessment of the relative contributions of signal versus noise in the MS series presents a special challenge. The long-term C1–C5 cycles

(section 4.1.) overwhelmingly dominate the Aspres series; other regular, higher-frequency variations are also quite visible in both the Aspres and EST342 series (Figs. 2, 3). This rather obvious presence of narrow-band (non-random) signal precludes application of traditional approaches to noise modelling. For example, simple autoregressive (e.g., “red noise”) modelling (e.g., Box and Jenkins, 1976) would improperly include signal variance, which is substantial in the modelled noise.

The solution involves diminishing the influence of narrow-band components in the time series prior to noise modelling (Mann and Lees, 1996). This is accomplished through “median-smoothing” the spectrum to suppress elevated power in narrow bands, then fitting a first order autoregressive spectral model to this median-smoothed spectrum. The fitted output constitutes a “robust” estimate of the noise continuum. We used the SSA-MTM Toolkit (Ghil et al., 2002) to carry out robust noise modelling on the tuned versions of the MS series.

### 3.3. Amplitude modulation (AM) analysis

Amplitude modulation (AM) analysis of cyclostratigraphy is an excellent means to assess astronomical forcing. The well known modulation phenomenon is expressed by the precession index which is modulated by the eccentricity. Short eccentricity cycles are also modulated by long eccentricity cycles, and can be registered in the stratigraphic signal. Obliquity modulation also appears in the astronomical signal, although its origin is more complicated, and is unknown for Jurassic times (Laskar et al., 2004).

We applied the technique to the tuned series to look for AM patterns consistent with eccentricity: (1) We filtered the precession index and eccentricity bands using the Taner filter (Taner, 2000); (2) we applied the Hilbert transform to extract the amplitude modulations (AM) of the filtered series; (3) we computed the power spectra of the AM series to seek evidence for eccentricity variation (405-kyr and ~100-kyr periodicity); and (4) in the case of the precession, we compared the AM series to the low-frequency variations of the original tuned series to cross-check our hypothesis that the long-term C1–C5 cycles (discussion below) follow the 405-kyr eccentricity cycle recorded in the AM precession.

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /></figure>

**Fig. 4.** 2n-MTM power spectra, using the multitaper method as implemented in SSA-MTM Toolkit (Ghil et al., 2002). Results of robust noise modelling are also shown: Curve M is the median-smoothed, fitted red noise spectrum (see Section 3.2); the upper 90%, 95% and 99% confidence limits are also shown. For both Aspres and EST342 tuned series, robust noise modelling was carried out with a 0.03 cycles/kyr median-smoothing window, which represents a bandwidth that is approximately 20% of the effective Nyquist frequency range (varying between 0.1 to 0.2 cycles/kyr) of the series. Also shown are Taner passbands used to filter the series (Taner, 2000). (A) Detrended magnetic susceptibility (MS) series from Aspres-sur-Buëch (Fig. 2D). Significant peaks are labelled in meter. The high-power (~90) peak at the lowest frequency (65 m wavelength) is truncated to emphasize the high-frequency portion of the spectrum. (B) Detrended magnetic susceptibility (MS) series from the EST342 drill-core (Fig. 3D). Significant peaks are labelled in meter. (C) 405-kyr tuned MS series from Aspres-sur-Buëch (Fig. 2E). Significant peaks are labelled in kyr. The high-power (~50) peak at the lowest frequency (405-kyr period) is truncated to emphasize the high-frequency portion of the spectrum. Shaded area indicates precession passband (cutoff frequencies 0.04 and 0.06 cycles/kyr) used in AM analysis (see text). *Inset*: spectrum over [0, 0.02 cycles/kyr] and Taner passbands; dashed area depicts the low-pass filter (cutoff frequency 0.017 cycles/kyr) used in Fig. 5A (Curve 1); the shaded area is the passband (cutoff frequencies 0.007 and 0.013 cycles/kyr) used to filter short eccentricity in Fig. 6A (Curve 1). (D) 405-kyr tuned MS series from the EST342 drill-core (Fig. 3E). Significant peaks are labelled in kyr. Shaded area indicates precession passband (cutoff frequencies 0.04 and 0.065 cycles/kyr) used in AM analysis (see text). *Inset*: spectrum over [0, 0.02 cycles/kyr] and Taner passbands; dashed area depicts the low-pass filter (cutoff frequency 0.012 cycles/kyr) used in Fig. 5A (Curve 3); the shaded area is the passband (cutoff frequencies 0.0055 and 0.015 cycles/kyr) used to filter short eccentricity in Fig. 6A (Curve 3). (E) Earth's orbital parameters, 158.9 to 161.2 Ma B.P., from the nominal La2004 model (Laskar et al., 2004) in ETP format (Imbrie et al., 1984, pp. 296–297). Peaks are labelled in kyr.
# 4. Results

## 4.1. MS variations

### 4.1.1. Aspres-sur-Buëch

The MS values are relatively low (4.36 to 10.74×10⁻⁸ m³/kg) and their variations follow a strongly cyclic pattern (Fig. 2D). A decreasing trend up section is linked to a progressive enrichment of the marls with carbonate and dilution from diamagnetism. There are five low-frequency cycles (C1–C5) superimposed on high-frequency cycles. The thickest cycle (C5) records the highest carbonate content. Comparing C1–C5 cycles to the tempestite intervals (T1, T2, and T3; Fig. 2C): the lower T1 occurs in the interval between C1–C2; T2 occurs in the middle of C2; finally, T3 coincides with the maximum of C4. Thus, tempestite occurrence does not have a consistent relationship to MS C1–C5 cycles.

In Fig. 2C,D we compare C1–C5 MS cycles to the third-order depositional sequences of de Graciansky et al. (1999) who refer to Jacquin et al. (1998) (in Hardenbol et al., 1998): the lower sequence boundary Ox0 of the third-order sequence [Ox0–Ox1] may correspond to the lower minimum of C1. The upper sequence boundary Ox1 of the same sequence [Ox0–Ox1] may correspond to the minimum that separates C4 and C5. Finally, the maximum flooding surface (MFS) of [Ox0–Ox1] appears to correspond to relatively high values within C2, the least regular cycle, supported with a phosphate nodule level. In sum, the C1–C5 MS cycles do not correspond well to the third-order depositional sequences of Jacquin et al. (1998). The one exception, the MFS in the Scarburgense Subzone, is situated within the maximum of C2. This MFS may induce clay condensations. Thus, we infer that fast sea-level rise enhanced the surface clay deposits in the basin, resulting in a reduced accumulation rate over this time interval, as also suggested by the occurrence of the phosphate nodule level.

### 4.1.2. EST342

In the EST342 drill-core, MS values are relatively low between 2×10⁻⁵ and 16×10⁻⁵ SI (Fig. 3) and follow a long-term evolution similar to other ANDRA drill-cores in the Paris Basin (Huret, 2006). Magnetic mineralogy studies indicate that these low values of MS characterize paramagnetic clay minerals (Huret, 2006) and locally a few contributions of ferrimagnetic minerals like iron sulfides and oxides (Esteban, 2006; Esteban et al., 2006). In the Mariae Zone, the long-term evolution of MS occurs in two stages (Fig. 3D). The first, from the bottom of the series to 611.5 m is a progressive increase in MS values with a maximum value of 16×10⁻⁵ SI occurring at 611.5 m; this corresponds to the maximum argillaceous content observed in the series (Pellenard et al., 1999; Esteban et al., 2006). The second interval, from 611.5 m to the top of the series, shows a decrease in MS values reflecting a progressive enrichment in carbonate, similar to Aspres. Low-frequency cycles, ~3 to 6 m thick, designated C1 to C5, analogous to those in the Aspres series, are also visible, although with much lower amplitudes. The least thick cycles, C1 and C2, at the base of the series are associated with reduced sedimentation across the Callovian/Oxfordian boundary. As in Aspres, the thickest cycle (C5) records the highest carbonate content.

Study of numerous ANDRA drill-cores indicates a long-term evolution of MS reflecting major transgressive/regressive changes of second and third orders, with the transgressive phases represented by increases in MS and the regressive phases by decreases in MS (Huret, 2006). In this context, the Mariae Zone is situated in a third-order transgressive/regressive cycle. The transgressive phase in the EST342 drill-core starts, as at Aspres, around the base of Mariae Zone (Ferry et al., 2007; Huret, 2006) with an increase of MS values peaking at 611.5 m. The maximum flooding surface (MFS) is situated in the Scarburgense Subzone, precisely at the *scarburgense* horizon (Collin, 2000; Courville and Collin, 2002). This MFS is at the same stratigraphic level as the MFS interpreted for the Aspres section (Fig. 2C) and the

Terres Noires Formation (de Graciansky et al., 1999). The regressive phase corresponds to the decrease of MS values observed in the middle part of the series from 611.5 m to 600 m (after de Graciansky et al., 1999).

## 4.2. Time series analysis and modelling of the MS variations

### 4.2.1. Time calibration of C1–C5 cycles

Applying the GTS2004 0.6 myr Mariae Zone duration to the 333 m Aspres-sur-Buëch section implies an average sedimentation rate of 55 cm/kyr and the prominent ~60-m thick cycles C1–C5 (Fig. 2) should correspond to a 100-kyr periodicity. This calibration, however, creates challenges in explaining the distribution of power in the MS spectrum, as discussed below. The same problem applies to the EST342 series. We also note that even more expanded sections of the Terres Noires Formation recently measured at Oze and Trescleoux (SE France) reveal cyclic patterns comparable to those at Aspres (Boulila, 2008). These sections extend the C1–C5 cycling theme at a comparable scale into the Middle Oxfordian where finally the 405-kyr calibration of the cycles (up to C10) reconciles with GTS2004 scaling at the top of the Transversarium ammonite zone (Boulila, 2008; Boulila et al., 2008b). These observations, along with several tests presented below, strongly influenced us to favor the C1–C5 calibration to a 405-kyr periodicity.

### 4.2.2. Aspres-sur-Buëch

The power spectrum of the untuned Aspres MS series (Fig. 4A) shows numerous peaks resulting most likely from a variable sedimentation rate. In the 405-kyr tuned MS spectrum (Fig. 4C), e1 and e2 short eccentricity terms are expressed by a broad peak centered at a period of ~100 kyr, presumably averaging e1 and e2. P1 and P2 precession index are assigned to frequencies comparable to those predicted for the Jurassic (compare Figs. 4C and E). In contrast, the obliquity, which is predicted to appear at 1/(35 kyr) (Fig. 4E), is evidently not present. Instead, elevated power occurs at numerous frequencies centered near 1/(50 kyr), nowhere close to the predicted obliquity band. Nonetheless, we have tentatively identified these peaks as obliquity; there are persistent cycles at these frequencies throughout the MS series, as shown by the asterisks in Fig. 2E. The scatter of peak frequency is probably due to unsteady sedimentation rates not accounted for by the 405-kyr tuning. These frequencies in the 100-kyr tuning model scale to semi-precession (Table 1A).

At this point, we comment further on the Aspres MS spectrum tuned to 405-kyr and alternatively to 100-kyr (indicated by GTS2004). Referring to Fig. 4C, rescaling the depicted 405-kyr tuned spectrum to a 100-kyr calibration of C1–C5 is a simple matter of dividing the periodicities of the labelled spectral peaks by 4.05 (Table 1A). Consequently, substantial power (14% of the total) is reassigned to the sub-orbital (millennial) band (boxed values in Table 1A). We compared the two calibrations using ratio testing: if C1–C5 are 405-kyr cycles, then the ratio of 405 kyr to the interpreted short eccentricity components of 111 kyrs and 80 kyrs ranges from 405:111=3.65:1 to 405:80=5:06:1, compared to the predicted ratios of 405:128=3.16:1 and 405:96=4.22:1. For the 100-kyr calibration, the ratios between short eccentricity and the precession index fall in the range 128:18=7.1:1 and 96:22=4.36:1. The observed ratios (3.65:1 to 5:06:1) fall partly between both ranges, not ruling out either calibration, but being on the slightly lower side, favors the 405-kyr calibration.

As a second test for the 405-kyr calibration, we examined the precession band for amplitude modulations consistent with the orbital eccentricity. The results (Fig. 5) reveal strong AM signal frequencies (Curve 2) at 1/(400 kyr) and a significant 1/(100 kyr) component consistent with eccentricity variation. The low-frequency variation (Curve 1) shows that 405-kyr minima of C1–C5 cycles are phase-locked with those of the AM signal; the 100-kyr scale variations, while pronounced, appear less well correlated. The AM spectral peak at 1/(240 kyr) may also be related to a minor eccentricity term (cf. Grippo et al., 2004, their Fig. 7D). In terms of ratios, the AM
<table><caption>Table 1
Comparison between the MS spectral peaks tuned to 405-kyr (referring to Figs. 4C and D) and alternatively to 100-kyr</caption><thead><tr><th>405-kyr tuned</th><th>Orbital periods (Jurassic)</th><th>100-kyr tuned</th><th>Orbital periods (Jurassic)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="4"><strong>A</strong></td></tr><tr><td>405</td><td>E-405 (405)</td><td>100.0</td><td>e1/e2-128/95 (128/95)</td></tr><tr><td>180</td><td></td><td>44.44</td><td>02-54 (47.6)</td></tr><tr><td>111</td><td>e1-128 (128)</td><td>27.41</td><td>01-41 (37.5)</td></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>e2-95 (95)</td><td>19.75</td><td>03-29 (27.0)</td></tr><tr><td>58</td><td></td><td>14.32</td><td>P1-23 (21.8)</td></tr><tr><td>52</td><td>02-54 (47.6)</td><td>12.84</td><td>P2-19 (18.2)</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td></td><td>11.11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>41</td><td>01-41 (37.5)</td><td>10.12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>36</td><td></td><td>8.889</td><td>NOTE:</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>03-29 (27.0)</td><td>7.161</td><td>All values in kyr</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>P1-23 (21.8)</td><td>5.185</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>P2-19 (18.2)</td><td>4.691</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td></td><td>4.444</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td></td><td>3.951</td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><strong>B</strong></td></tr><tr><td>410</td><td>E-405 (405)</td><td>100.0</td><td>e1/e2-128/95 (128/95)</td></tr><tr><td>208</td><td></td><td>51.36</td><td>02-54 (47.6)</td></tr><tr><td>128</td><td>e1-128 (128)</td><td>31.60</td><td>01-41 (37.5)</td></tr><tr><td>84</td><td>e2-95 (95)</td><td>20.74</td><td>03-29 (27.0)</td></tr><tr><td>67</td><td></td><td>16.54</td><td>P1-23 (21.8)</td></tr><tr><td>59</td><td>02-54 (47.6)</td><td>14.57</td><td>P2-19 (18.2)</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td></td><td>12.35</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>01-41 (37.5)</td><td>11.11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>31</td><td>03-29 (27.0)</td><td>7.654</td><td>NOTE:</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>P1-23 (21.8)</td><td>5.432</td><td>All values in kyr</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td></td><td>5.185</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>P2-19 (18.2)</td><td>4.444</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td></td><td>3.704</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

(A) Aspres-sur-Buëch, (B) EST342 ANDRA drill-core. Rescaling the depicted 405-kyr tuned spectrum to a 100-kyr tuning of C1–C5 is a simple matter of dividing the periodicities of the labelled spectral peaks by 4.05. Jurassic orbital periods in parentheses are interpolated from Berger and Loutre (1994), with additional terms from Hinnov (2000). The boxed values indicate significant spectral peaks calibrated to the obliquity band by 405-kyr orbital tuning, and to the sub-orbital (millennial) band by the 100-kyr calibration.

signal components have a ratio of 476:118=4.03:1, which is consistent with long eccentricity:short eccentricity as opposed to short eccentricity:precession index (see previous discussion).

Finally, we repeated the AM procedure on the short eccentricity, seeking evidence for amplitude modulation by the long eccentricity

(405-kyr period modulation). This involved high-precision bandpass filtering in the very low-frequency range of the Aspres spectrum (see Fig. 4C inset); the bandpass filtered signal is shown along with its AM envelope in Fig. 6A (Curves 1 and 2). The spectrum of the AM envelope (Fig. 6B) identifies the major cycling at a peak frequency centered on 1/ (500 kyr). This could represent 405-kyr cycling. Visual examination of the bandpass filtered signal (Fig. 6A, Curve 1) shows that the lower half of the series does not appear to have a regular modulation (C1 and C2 cycles). In contrast, the upper half shows two successive bundles (within C3 and C4 cycles) of four short eccentricity cycles which could indicate eccentricity. Unfortunately, the series is too short to look for additional very long-term modulations, e.g., 2.4 myr modulations associated with eccentricity variation.

405-kyr calibration results in an average sedimentation rate for the Aspres section of 15.32 cm/kyr (Fig. 2D). However, sedimentation rates vary significantly between the C1–C5 cycles. An increase of sedimentation rate up section is associated with enrichment of the marls with carbonate. The condensation between C1 and C2 (Fig. 2C,D) corresponds to the forementioned MFS, during which the Vocontian Basin experienced maximum subsidence plus eustatic sea-level rise (de Graciansky et al., 1999). Visual examination of MS variations shows that the C1 and C2 cycles are less regular. Especially the C2 cycle is most likely disrupted by the condensation induced by the MFS. All of these factors likely contribute to the dispersal of spectral peaks in the MS spectrum.

### 4.2.3. EST342

The power spectrum of the untuned EST342 MS series (Fig. 4B) shows numerous peaks resulting most likely from a variable sedimentation rate. In general, spectral peaks occur at wavelengths that are only ~10% as long as those in Aspres, reflecting the impressive thickness disparity between the two sections (~25 m versus >300 m). While the C1–C5 cycles are visually recognizable at ~4 to ~6 m intervals (Fig. 3D), the power spectrum detects no significant power at the corresponding frequencies (Fig. 4B, peak E). This is likely the result of the near doubling of C1–C5 cycle thicknesses from bottom to top of the series (Fig. 3C). The dominant spectral peak at 0.92 m is also visible in the MS series, and in particular gains prominence in C4 and above.

Remarkably, simple tuning of C1–C5 to 405-kyr intervals collects sufficient power to give E the highest spectral peak in the tuned

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /></figure>

**Fig. 5.** (A) Low-frequency variations and precession-band amplitude modulations of the Aspres and EST342 tuned MS series, and (B) their 2π-MTM spectra. Robust noise spectra were estimated using a linear median filter of width 0.01 cycles/kyr, are indicated as in Fig. 4. All filtering was carried out using the Taner filter; bandpass dimensions are indicated in Fig. 4. Curves are as follows: 1–Low-pass filtered Aspres MS series (parabolic trend removed). 2–Amplitude modulations of the Aspres precession band. 3–Low-pass filtered EST342 MS series (parabolic trend removed). 4–Amplitude modulations of the EST342 precession band.
<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 6.** Amplitude modulations of the short eccentricity of the Aspres and EST342 tuned MS series. Taner filter bandpass dimensions are shown in Fig. 4. C1–C5 cycles are also indicated. (A) Filtered series and AM envelopes. 1—Filtered Aspres MS series. 2—Amplitude modulations of Curve 1. 3—Filtered EST342 MS series. 4—Amplitude modulations of Curve 3. (B) 2π-MTM power spectrum of Curve 2 in A. (C) 2π-MTM power spectrum of Curve 4 in A. Labels in kyr.</figcaption></figure>

spectrum (Fig. 4D). The tuning also disperses power from the 0.92 m wavelength primarily into the lower frequencies associated with eccentricity. As with the Aspres tuned spectrum, the theoretical obliquity is not borne out by comparable frequencies in the tuned series. Instead, a packet of frequencies centered closer to 1/(50 kyr) is present. Low power peaks associated with precession index frequencies exceed the calculated noise model, and are closely aligned with the predicted precession frequencies (compare Figs. 4D and E).

As in Aspres, 405-kyr tuning (Fig. 4D and Table 1B) focuses spectral peaks into the precession, obliquity, and short eccentricity bands. In contrast, the 100-kyr tuning model calibrates some spectral peaks, with high power, at millennial band (boxed values in Table 1B). Moreover, ratio testing falls in the range of 405-kyr tuning model. For the 405-kyr calibration, the ratios between long and short eccentricity are 410:128=3.2:1 and 410:84=4.88:1 (close to theoretical ratios 3.16:1 to 4.22:1). However, the 100-kyr tuning model gives 128:18=7.1:1 and 84:22=3.82:1.

The AM of the tuned EST342 precession index signal (Figs. 5A and B, Curve 4) shows no significant 405-kyr component but has a strong 100-kyr band power, although with a different structure than in the low-pass filtered series (Figs. 5A and B, Curve 3). The AM of the EST342 short eccentricity (Fig. 6A, Curve 4) shows regular modulations, but they progress irregularly, with a heavy loss of amplitude near the middle of the series and not with 405-kyr periodicity (Fig. 6B, Curve 2). The low-pass EST342 series (Fig. 5A, Curve 3) does exhibit 405-kyr cycling, although it is much weaker than that in the low-pass Aspres series (Fig. 5A, Curve 1).

In sum, the AM analysis of EST342 does not show strong evidence for the presence of an eccentricity modulator in either the interpreted precession index or short eccentricity frequency bands. This stands in contrast with the AM results for Aspres, which shows evidence for eccentricity modulation in both AM tests (see above). This negative result could be due to greater sedimentation rate variations affecting the recorded precession index, that cannot be overcome by any single bandpass filter.

# 5. Discussion

## 5.1. Duration of the Oxfordian stage and the *Mariae* ammonite zone

In GTS2004, the calibration of the 'M-sequence' of marine magnetic anomalies was used to establish the Oxfordian time scale.

The M-sequence time scale is derived from a block model scaled to a single seafloor spreading center, the Pacific "Hawaiian" ridge. There are only three radiometric ages for the entire M-sequence (Ogg and Smith, 2004): 124.6±0.2 Ma at the top of Chron M0r (Early Aptian), 155.3±3.4 Ma within Chron M26n (Late Oxfordian–Tethyan), and 167.7±1.4 Ma, prior to the oldest anomaly M41 (Early Bathonian). These three dates, together with an assumed constant spreading-rate model for the entire pre-Tithonian portion, were used to estimate the absolute ages of the M-sequence anomalies. Biostratigraphic datums and stage boundary dates were determined by a simple projection onto the M-sequence anomalies. For the Late Jurassic, this procedure results in abnormally large uncertainties in the time estimates for biozones and stage boundaries. The boundaries of the Oxfordian stage, which spans anomalies M26 to M36, a particularly unconstrained segment of the M-sequence, are defined only to within ±4 myrs.

*Quenstedtoceras* (Q.) *mariae* is the first ammonite zone species for the Oxfordian in both the Tethyan and Boreal realms. This biozone is correlated to chrons M36 to M34 (Ogg, 2004), but these assignments are very tenuous. Only one Early Oxfordian section with the *Mariae* Zone has a published magnetostratigraphy (Ogg et al., 1991). At Zalas (Krakow-Wielun region, Poland), the *Mariae* Zone is only 20-cm thick, and its polarity is defined by 4 non-equaly spaced samples of reversed polarity; at Podleze, the *Mariae* Zone is 13 cm thick, and at the top of this short condensed interval 3 samples are of normal polarity. In contrast, the *Mariae* Zone at Aspres-sur-Buech is ~333-m thick, but has not yielded polarity data. Based on the Polish data, a "composite" polarity pattern was roughed in for the *Mariae* Zone: reversed polarity at the base, a short normal polarity in the middle and a reversed polarity zone at the top (Ogg et al., 1991). This pattern was tentatively correlated to the marine magnetic anomalies, for which the age controls are very poorly constrained (Ogg and Coe, 1997; Ogg and Gutowski, 1996).

Compounding these problems is a rapid occurrence of polarity reversals over this period, which can result in ambiguous correlations. Finally, these geologically old marine magnetic anomalies are weak, and their interpretation as true magnetic reversals is debatable (Tivey et al., 2006). Nonetheless, the *Mariae* Zone is presently considered to extend from the upper part of Chron M36 through the lower part of M34 (Fig. 2B). Finally, assuming a constant spreading rate for the magnetic lineations, the duration of the *Mariae* Zone was estimated as 0.6 myrs, with the base of the zone defined at the Callovian–Oxfordian boundary (Ogg, 2004). Given all of these uncertainties
and approximations, it is not unreasonable to consider that the 0.6 myr duration assigned to the Mariae Zone in GTS2004 might be questionable.

## 5.2. Astronomical calibration of the Mariae ammonite zone

The question of whether C1–C5 are 405-kyr or 100-kyr cycles is our main problem. GTS2004 points to 100-kyr, but the power spectrum of the MS series suggests 405-kyr, at least in terms of being able to explain the majority of spectral power in terms of orbital forcing. The internal MS variations within C1–C5 show consistent patterns that are reminiscent of composite orbital behavior: The power spectra of Hilbert transform envelopes in the two studied sections suggests that the precession index is strongly modulated by short and long eccentricity. Furthermore, there is a consistent 4:1 bundling of the 10 m 'e' cycles into long-wavelength ~50 to 65 m 'E' cycles (except for C2 and C5) at Aspres-sur-Buëch. C2 shows a 5:1 bundle; C5 does not exhibit internal bundling *per se*; 10 regular high-frequency cycles of 10-m wavelength within this cycle suggest that they could be obliquity cycles. We suggest a transition from primary precession-eccentricity to dominant obliquity forcing across C4 to C5.

If the 100-kyr calibration were to hold, it would imply that Jurassic precession has been recorded at a 10 m stratigraphic (post-compactional) thickness, which is more than an order of magnitude greater than, for example, the ~1 m thick precession-forced Pliocene Trubi Marl cycles (e.g., Hilgen et al., 1993) or the ~0.6 m precession-forced Kimmeridgian cycles in the Vocontian Basin (Boulila et al., 2008a). This would indicate an unprecedented rapid (post-compactional) sedimentation rate of 550 m/myrs for a clay-rich marine marl (with only 10–30% carbonate) during a geologic age noted for a global crisis in marine carbonate production.

In light of the above considerations, we are skeptical of the GTS2004 calibration of 0.6 myrs for the Mariae Zone, respectively a 100-kyr calibration for C1–C5. We suggest that a 405-kyr calibration for C1–C5 is equally valid, and this results in a duration estimate of ~2.2 myrs for the Mariae Zone.

## 5.3. Geological consequences for a long Mariae ammonite zone

This result—2.2 myrs in this study versus 0.6 myrs in GTS2004— could have a significant impact on the spreading-rate model used in GTS2004. In the model, the long-term average spreading rate of the “Hawaiian” ridge in the Pacific was estimated as ~28 km/myr. Constraints from Early Cretaceous cyclostratigraphy (Huang et al., 1993) imply that the average Early Cretaceous rate was about 25% slower than the average rate during the Middle–Late Jurassic. Therefore, relative to the long-term average rate, four extended intervals of constant-spreading rate were calculated through the pre-Hauterivian M-sequence (Gradstein et al., 2004, p. 85). Consequently, for the M-sequence older than Chron M23n (mid-Kimmeridgian), the spreading rate of the “Hawaiian” ridge was estimated as ~30 km/myr. In this study, the Mariae Zone duration is more than three times greater than that indicated in GTS2004. Therefore, the Pacific spreading-rate model may be significantly overestimated for the Early Oxfordian, and our results appeal to a revision of the M-sequence model (Boulila et al., 2008b).

Sediment supply and sedimentation rate depend on morphological gradient, climate, erosion rate, organic or inorganic (carbonate, silica, etc.) productivity, and carbonate export from the platform to the basin (e.g., Pittet et al., 2000). These parameters are variable all over the Earth and may interact with different subsidence rates of the various geodynamic settings (Doglioni and Prosser, 1997; Doglioni et al., 1998). The estimated sedimentation rate in the Vocontian Basin from this study is ~150 m/myr, which is reasonable when compared to those from previous geodynamic studies. For example, for the passive Southern Alps margin, foredeep sedimentation rate was estimated as

~100 m/myr (e.g., Doglioni and Prosser, 1997), whereas for the active Apennines margin, foredeep sedimentation rate was estimated as ~3000 m/myr (e.g., Doglioni et al., 1998).

Another example from the Kimmeridgian stage, again using a cyclostratigraphic approach in the Vocontian Basin (Boulila et al., 2008a), indicates sedimentation rates of ~30 m/myr, which is comparable to the results of Doglioni and Prosser (1997).

# 6. Conclusions

High-resolution magnetic susceptibility (MS) analysis of the Early Oxfordian marine marls in the Aspres-sur-Buëch section (Vocontian Basin, SE France) and the EST342 drill-core (eastern Paris Basin) was undertaken to investigate variability and astronomical forcing of detrital input into the basins. The principal results are:

* Astronomical cycles were encoded as variations in detrital input to the basins. Climatically driven weathering of surrounding emergent areas during the Early Oxfordian was a significant source of the detrital (clay) components.

* MS proved to be a powerful tool for detecting cyclic variations in detrital influx within the marl deposits. Spectral analysis of the MS series revealed multiple frequencies that are consistent with orbital forcing.

* The five longest-wavelength cycles C1–C5 were calibrated to the 405-kyr eccentricity cycle, which focused spectral power into the ~100-kyr eccentricity, obliquity and precession bands. Strong obliquity forcing takes place at both localities near the top of the Mariae Zone (in cycle C5).

* The 405-kyr tuned MS series calibrate the Mariae ammonite zone to a duration of ~2.2 myrs, whereas GTS2004 assigns only 0.6 myrs. This implies that the durations, as well as the uncertainties, are seriously under-reported in GTS2004 due to lack of adequate chronostratigraphic data.

This work demonstrates the power of cyclostratigraphy of the marine marls in the Vocontian and Paris basins to calibrate the Oxfordian time scale. The interpreted 405-kyr cycles in the MS series correspond to the most stable astronomical (orbital eccentricity) term predicted for Jurassic times (Laskar et al., 2004), and thus constitutes a reliable metronome for the astronomical calibration of this Late Jurassic sedimentary series.

The results contribute to the knowledge of regional tectonics, subsidence, and sedimentary filling of the Vocontian and Paris basins. The astronomical calibration presented here may also lead to improved spreading-rate estimates for the M-sequence model that is currently used to calibrate Jurassic time. Finally, a future intercalibration of an extended astronomical time scale through the entire Terres Noires Formation, with supporting high-precision radiometric dating of recently discovered bentonites in the Terres Noires Formation and the adjacent Paris Basin marls, should provide much improved constraints for the Jurassic time scale.

# Acknowledgments

S. Boulila gratefully acknowledges the French Institute of Petroleum (IFP-school) for support of this work, especially Christian Ravenne. He also acknowledges the "Institut Français de Coopération - Tunis" for support of his PhD Thesis. We are grateful for the thoughtful reviews provided to us by André Strasser, Jean-François Deconinck, and Stephen Meyers, whose deep knowledge and skillful guidance in geological and analytical matters vastly improved our paper. We thank Stéphanie Bregoin (post-graduate student, Ecole des Mines de Paris) who helped us in the field, and Dmitri Kondrashov (UCLA) for assistance with the SSA-MTM Toolkit. We also thank ANDRA (Agence Nationale pour la gestion des Déchets Radioactifs) for allowing us
access to the EST342 drill-core and data; we acknowledge especially Hervé Rebours (Bure Site) and Alain Trouiller. L.A. Hinnov was supported by US National Science Foundation Grant EAR-0718905.

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