The Clarence Series at Coverham, Clarence Valley

Abstract

The stratigraphy of the Clarence Series at Cover ham, at the north-east end of the Clarence Valley, eastern Marlborough, is revised. The Wharfe Sandstone, which underlies the “Coverian”, and was previously placed in the Taitai Series, contains Inoceramus ipuanus, Inoceramus cf. urius, and Aucellina cf. euglypha and is therefore of Motuan age. Identity of the overlying “Coverian” and Ngaterian is suggested by the occurrence in both of a closely related Inoceramus species. Overseas correlations based on ammonites also support this time equivalence. It is proposed to abandon the “Coverian” as a stage, and to consider the Clarence Series as consisting of three stages: Urutawan (Lower Albian), Motuan (Middle and Upper Albian), and Ngaterian (Cenomanian).