Name bearer for Awamoan Stage (lower Miocene, New Zealand)

Abstract

A drillhole at Awamoa Creek, Oamaru, sited on strata that constitute the name bearer for the Awamoan Stage (lower Miocene), penetrated (in downward sequence) Rifle Butts Formation (c. 55 ft), Gee Greensand (c. 120 ft), and terminated in volcanic agglomerate (?Deborah Volcanic Formation). Correlations with the section at Target Gully (principally by trends in Haeuslerella pukeuriensis Parr, in Globigerinoides trilobus trilobus (Reuss) and in Globorotalia zealandica zealandica Hornibrook) indicate that the latter sequence is highly condensed. Because Target Gully Shellbed, base of the Awamoan Stage by original designation, appears to be strati-graphically superior to strata at Awamoa Creek, the latter is rejected as name bearer. Target Gully Shellbed is proposed in its place.