The Lower - Middle Miocene transition (Karpatian – Badenian) in the Krems Embayment (Central Paratethys, Lower Austria): a multistrati-graphic approach and the role of the Diendorf-Boskovice Fault System.

Abstract The Krems Embayment contains the westernmost fully marine depositional environments of Karpatian and Bade-nian transgressions in Central Paratethys. Four drill cores were investigated to analyse bio- lithostratigraphic, tectonic relations. core sections cover Laa Formation (bio-zones M4, NN4) Badenian Gaindorf (M5b-M6, NN4-NN5). Important biostratigraphic indicators identified are Praeorbulina glomerosa glomerosa, circularis Orbulina suturalis for Formation. is indicated by absence , Globigerina falconensis low numbers Globorotalia bykovae a prominent peak Helicosphaera ampliaperta abundance at end Karpatian. Cibicidoides lopjanicus Cassigerinella spp. occur with high percentages samples show much longer stratigraphic ranges than known from literature data. gap Karpatian-Badenian boundary has minimum duration 0.41 My Embayment. combination lithostratigraphic data allows correlation across major faults. Diendorf-Boskovice Fault System played an important role during basin formation was as very active early middle Stage. results this study complex interaction sedimentation, activity paleobiological developments peripheral part marginal sea.