Palynostratigraphy of the lower Paleogene Margaret Formation at Stenkul Fiord, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada

The upper Paleocene to lower Eocene Margaret Formation exposed at Stenkul Fiord on southern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, represents a nearly continuous terrestrial succession of microfossil-rich clastic sediments and coal. These strata were deposited time extensive tectonic activity associated with Eurekan deformation. precise chronology the deformation is poorly known. Prior studies provided stratigraphic overview relative age estimates for but lack absolute control required investigate timing events. Strata preserve evidence Arctic forests that may have grown during hyperthermal events characterized Paleogene, namely, Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) 2 (ETM2). A quantitative palynological approach herein used define new higher-resolution biostratigraphic framework Fiord. This resulting improved integrated 53.7 ± 0.06 Ma by U-Pb ID-TIMS zircon preserved in an ash bed within studied succession. Nine pollen zones are defined based cluster analysis, NMDS ordination, first- last occurrences taxa, angiosperm taxa diversity (H′). presence thermophilic provides climates related globally warm early Paleogene.