Precise chitinozoan dating of Ordovician impact events in Baltoscandia

Abstract. The chitinozoan biostratigraphy of four Ordovician impact craters has been investigated. Three of these (Tvären, Kärdla and Lockne) contain complete sequences of early Caradoc age, while the Granby crater contains rocks of late Arenig age yielding two bentonitic horizons at their top. Chitinozoans, together with graptolites and other planktic organisms, were the first to invade the craters after the impact event. It has therefore been possible to date the impact events with a precision of less than one million years. An immigration of graptolites from Australia during the late Arenig corresponds to an immigration of chitinozoans from Gondwana at this time. Two stratigraphically important taxa, not previously described or discussed, Lagenochitina sp. A aff. capax and Laufeldochitina sp. A aff. striata are commented upon. Three species. Cyathochitina hunderumensis, Spinachitina tvaerenensis and Tartuchitina granbyensis, are described as new.