Sediments ranging from Mississippian to Pleistocene age were present in a series of shallow coreholes drilled in 1965 on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Palynologic analyses of 110 samples from nine of these coreholes permit the recognition of 16 diagnostic biostratigraphic divisions within the late Mesozoic-Tertiary section. These divisions are defined on their spore, pollen, and/or dinoflagellate and acritarch assemblages. The geologic history and paleoecology can be reconstructed in part from the palynomorph assemblages. Mississippian rocks were recognized in only one of the coreholes (no. 10) and are of marine origin.

The stratigraphic interval from Pennsylvanian to the

End_Page 2146------------------------------

Aptian inclusive was not present in any of the stratigraphic tests. The oldest Early Cretaceous sediments of late Albian age are of continental origin. The Cenomanian-Turonian marked the onset of marine deposition which was relatively continuous throughout the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary. A climatic cooling first recognized in the early Miocene extended into the Pleistocene. Comparison is made with the data from the Pan Am IOE Tors Cove and Pan Am IOE Grand Falls wells drilled in 1966. The age determinations on 212 samples from 20 of the shallow coreholes have assisted greatly in the construction of a geologic subcrop map of the Grand Banks region.

End_of_Article - Last_Page 2147------------