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Abstract submission

 

Deadline for submission: April 29th, 2025

Important notes on submission:

• Please assign your abstract(s) to one of our CONFERENCE SESSIONS. (see below)
• A maximum of 1 talk and 2 posters may be submitted per main author.
• Fill into the forms provided by the online system the following information: name(s), first name(s) & institution(s), country and e-mail(s) of all authors (co-authors) of your abstract(s);
• Please note: Your abstract can have max. 250 WORDS without authors and title.
• Please state whether your contribution is a TALK or POSTER.
• Whether you are interested in taking part in our BEST POSTER AWARD:  Three best posters of (PhD) students will be selected by a jury and awarded. The selected posters will be awarded during the Closing Session.

 

​Submit your abstract

 

1. Cretaceous Stratigraphy

​1a – Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval(Grabowski, Price, Szives)The session aims to gather contributions covering the broad Tithonian –Berriasian interval focusing on high resolution bio-, magneto- , chemostratigraphy, orbital and sequence stratigraphy, as well as radiometric dating. Special attention will be paid to global correlations and topics going beyond the best studied Tethyan area: Sub-Boreal, Arctic, Russian – Siberian and Pacific domains. Interdisciplinary palaeoenvironmental studies contributing to understanding of climatic fluctuations, palaeowethering, record of sea-level change, volcanism, palaeoceanographic issues (redox conditions, palaeoproductivity,  carbon budget etc.), are  most welcome, since their chronostratigraphic integration might help to overcome the well-known faunal provincialism which has hitherto prevented a consensus on the global definition of the J/K boundary.The session aims to promote dialogue and it is organized under auspices of the ICS Berriasian Working Group. 1b – Non-marine Cretaceous stratigraphy and terrestrial ecosystem(Xi, Wang, Sames, Dermeval, Zhang)As part of the hydrologically-climatically interacting ocean and land systems, non-marine strata are very important for understanding the Cretaceous system and period. In addition, the Cretaceous represents an important period for the origin and early evolution of modern terrestrial ecosystems. Non-marine Cretaceous strata are widely distributed in the world. However, compared to marine Cretaceous strata, non-marine deposits are still far less studied. In recent years, serious progress has been made in non-marine Cretaceous stratigraphy and terrestrial ecosystems, such as the Jehol Biota or the continental scientific drilling of the Songliao Basin.This session mainly focusses on non-marine Cretaceous strata and terrestrial ecosystems during this period, providing new insights into the non-marine Cretaceous system. The session will help us to better understand the non-marine Cretaceous strata, its biota, and ecosystems from across the world. We believe that this session will further promote our understanding of the Cretaceous system. 1c – Integrated stratigraphy and refining the Cretaceous timescale(Jarvis, Petrizzo, Falzoni, Dubicka)Major advances have been made over the last 8 years in refining the Cretaceous time scale, with the definition and ratification of GSSPs for 5 stages. These studies have incorporated an increasingly diverse range of stratigraphic tools that integrate biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and geochronology with sequence stratigraphy, cyclostratigraphy and orbital tuning of time series. Contributions are sought on the integrated stratigraphy of established, recent and candidate GSSPs and Standard Auxiliary Boundary Stratotypes (SABs). General submissions on the use of integrated stratigraphy for regional to global correlation, and its application to constraining the timing and rate of Cretaceous climate and other palaeoenvironmental change are also welcome. Further advances in these areas will require the development of a robust high-resolution time framework. This will necessitate calibration using more closely spaced tie points than can be achieved at stage level - some Cretaceous stages exceed 10 Myr in duration. Proposals for the formal definition of substages with associated reference sections are sought from the community to address this issue. 

 

2. Cretaceous Climates

​2a – Drivers of Cretaceous climate change: Evidence from new proxies and numerical modeling(Pucéat, Voigt, Donnadieu)The Cretaceous period encountered major changes in continental and marine environments at different time scales, from orbital to multi-million year time scales. Although many advances have been made in the past decade in generating biological and geochemical records tracking these environmental changes, pending questions remains about the processes at stakes that could have driven these changes. The emergence of new geochemical proxies and the development of numerical models allow to explore further the processes that drove this climatic evolution. We invite contributions that present new paleoenvironmental records, model simulations, or combine geochemical and modelling approaches to target various processes involved in climate evolution, from ocean dynamics to changes in continental weathering.The session aims to integrate recent developments and applications of novel proxies, model implementation, and model-data comparisons emphasizing the links between climate and plate tectonics, as well as biosphere and landscape evolution. 2b – Paleoecology, paleobiogeography and biostratigraphy of Cretaceous marine fossils…(Wolfgring, Szives, Ordóñez, Petrizzo)This session focuses on marine microfossils and invertebrate macrofossils and is aimed to present innovative tools used to enlarge and improve our knowledge on the paleoecological preferences and paleobiogeographic distribution of taxa, as well as recent refinements in biostratigraphic ranges.We welcome oral and poster presentations that discuss how marine life responded and adapted to changes in the chemical and physical structures of the oceans (like changes in circulation patterns, oceanic gateways and temperature variations, as well as changes in productivity) and how they are reflected in our biostratigraphic records.Particular attention will be given to contributions that address changes in abundance, whether gradual or abrupt, and how these patterns reflect underlying paleoecological shifts. Furthermore, we encourage studies highlighting the distributional dynamics of taxa as indicators of environmental change, emphasizing their potential to unravel the drivers behind migration, disappearance and extinctions. These insights shed light on species turnover, adaptability, and ecosystem restructuring during transitional periods, bridge evolutionary trends and are, of course, reflected in biostratigraphic records. We also welcome insights into how these patterns link to broader Earth system processes, including paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic change and variability, highlighting their role in shaping biodiversity across different time scales and paleogeographic settings.We aim to publish the researches presented in this session in a Special Issue of Cretaceous Research, please contact the conveners at the time of abstract submission if interested. 2c – Land-Ocean linkage in the circum-Pacific and Asia during the Cretaceous(Hasegawa, Kuroda, Moriya)Even during the ice-free Cretaceous, Earth experienced rapid climatic changes of considerable magnitude associated with carbon cycle perturbations. Direct evidence of paleoenvironmental response to perturbations of global carbon cycling during extremely warm hothouse/greenhouse Earth will provide unique perspectives for future climate predictions. On the other hand, datasets for Cretaceous climatic events including OAEs are largely from the Northwestern Tethys and Atlantic regions. Further information from Asia, Pacific and proto-Indian Ocean is required for understanding scenarios and causal factors of the climatic changes during the Cretaceous.We welcome presentations about paleoclimate, paleoenvironment and paleoceanography based on geologic, geochemical and simulation data from Asia, Oceania, circum-Pacific, proto-Indian Ocean and surrounding areas where new data and more information are needed from. Timescales of sub-annual to tectonic scales, and climatic linkage between land, ocean and earth interior (LIP formation), are to be discussed in the session. 2d – Cretaceous Eustasy: State of the Art – contributions in honour of Peter R. Vail (1930 – 2024)(Simmons, van Buchem, Wilmsen)The session will examine how long-term and short-term eustasy can be detected from the rock record, or from geodynamic assessment, and explore the possible drivers for the trends seen, including linkage to palaeoclimate (e.g. glacio- and aquifer-eustasy). Case studies from sections with excellent temporal control (biostratigraphy, isotopes) and a clear sedimentary record will be especially welcome, as will reviews integrating evidence from multiple localities. Clarity on the magnitude, rate and timing of eustatic change will be sought as we seek to develop a eustatic curve for the system that can be agreed on by the entire Cretaceous science community. 2e – Terrestrial environments and climates in the Cretaceous(Li, Suarez, Gao, Zhang)Compared to marine systems, terrestrial environments and climates during the Cretaceous greenhouse interval were more complex and sensitive, containing valuable information that could be crucial for mitigating future climate deterioration . Terrestrial sedimentary records therefore serve as advantageous archives for studying environmental and climate changes across various scales. Significant recent advances in this field have been made, offering valuable insights. In this session, we invite contributions that explore diverse aspects of the Cretaceous terrestrial environments and climates. These advances encompass studies on terrestrial ecosystems, fauna, flora, depositional systems, and climate, utilizing one or multiple proxies such as biota, paleoecology, cyclostratigraphy, geochronology, stable isotopes, sedimentology, geochemistry, and paleomagnetism as well as simulation. Contributions focusing on paleoclimatic and environmental reconstruction using climate-sensitive proxies (e.g., biota, coals, gypsum, halite, clay minerals, paleosols/calcretes, aeolian sediments, and pCO2 estimates) are particularly encouraged. We look forward to your contributions. 

 

3. Cretaceous Events

​3a – Cretaceous Environmental Benchmarks: Volcanism, Oceanic Anoxia and climate change(Adatte, Frijia, Bomou, Godet)The Cretaceous period was marked by significant paleoenvironmental, paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic events (e.g. oceanic anoxic events-OAEs) that were largely driven by volcanic activity, profoundly impacted Earth’s ecosystems, and contributed to mass extinctions. This session will focus on the major benchmarks of these processes, emphasizing the dynamic interactions between volcanism, ocean chemistry, and biotic crises throughout the Cretaceous.We invite contributions that examine the environmental and biological effects of Cretaceous Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs), such as the Deccan Traps, Ontong Java Plateau, Caribbean-Colombian LIP, and High Arctic LIP. These volcanic episodes are critical to understanding the mechanisms behind climate shifts, marine anoxia, and extinction events. Furthermore, research on the timing, geochemical signatures, and consequences of OAEs is particularly welcome, as these periods of major paleoenvironmental perturbations offer key insights into ancient climate and biotic changes.This session aims to integrate recent advancements in stratigraphy, geochemistry, and paleobiology to refine our understanding of how volcanic activity and OAEs were linked to mass extinction events. By identifying these crucial temporal and environmental benchmarks, we seek to improve our understanding of the factors driving the major environmental changes during the Cretaceous. 3b – Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Events(Yilmaz, Melinte-Dobrinescu, Wagreich et al.)Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs) globally recorded in many basins are characterized by widespread deposition of fine-grained sediments, such as black shales or organic rich mudstones and carbonates with different durations and areal extensions. Generally, deposits associated with OAE occurrence may present important stratigraphic and palaeoceanographic records, as well as potential energy resources in associated basins. Climatic, oceanic, tectonic and volcanic changes exerted a fundamental driver controlling OAE magnitude and duration. Heterogeneity and complexity due to regional and global controlling factors during OAEs might create different depositional styles with variable properties and geometries. Biotic and ecological changes related to OAEs reflect the impact of critical variations in the ocean-atmosphere interaction and serve as potential projection for pCO2 and other greenhouse gases implying Earth System changes. Different types of climate drivers and according changes, oceanic compositions, along with circulations and volcanic activities coinciding with or contributing during OAE can result in deposition of metalliferous black shales which potentially host trace and REE elements. High concentrations of trace and REE elements in black shales may provide important critical elements for future energy transition and their industry. This session will document the sedimentary, palaeontological, palynological, and geochemical records of Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Events and enlighten the major controlling factors, such as: palaeobathymetry, palaeogeography and climate modifications that impacted oceanic conditions, tectonics, and volcanism, allowing to decipher the economic significance of OAEs, i.e., metalliferous shale content and source rock for future needs of the industry. 3c – Cretaceous environmental perturbations: paleoecology, paleoceanography and geochemistry(Bottini, Percival, Bodin, Wagner)The Cretaceous Period was punctuated by intervals of profound environmental changes that occurred both through gradual evolution lasting millions of years (e.g.  the Late Cretaceous cooling, the mid Cretaceous thermal plateau), or as abrupt episodes of local to global scale (e.g. Oceanic Anoxic Events, the K/Pg boundary and more) and smaller scale but ‘failed’ perturbation events. These paleoenvironmental changes were triggered by multiple different factors, or combinations of factors, such as variations in oceanic circulation, paleogeography, climate, orbital parameters and volcanic events.In this regard, sedimentary rocks represent the only archive that can be investigated to understand the dynamics and the tempo and mode behind both gradual and abrupt paleoenvironmental perturbations, their effects on biota, and their recovery after perturbation. A variety of sedimentological, paleontological, geochemical, geochronological and modelling tools exist for deciphering the sedimentary records across intervals of major environmental change, with an emphasis placed upon utilizing them in combination to understand the multitude of cause–effect relationships inherent in these intervals. In this session we invite research that provides insight into Cretaceous climate perturbations and their consequences, both on short and long timescales. We welcome contributions dealing with case studies of sedimentology, paleontology, organic and inorganic geochemistry, as well as multidisciplinary and modeling studies of both marine and terrestrial environments. 

 

4. Cretaceous Sedimentation and Tectonics

​4a – Shallow-marine Carbonate Systems(Krencker, Coimbra, Hennhoefer)The Cretaceous Period is renowned for the development of extensive shallow-marine carbonate platforms and mixed-carbonate ramps. The drivers that cause the establishment, halt, or termination of these depositional systems are manifold. Therefore, shallow-marine carbonate systems serve as valuable archives of biological, sedimentological, and geochemical records. This session aims to explore the dynamics of these distinct coastal systems, focusing on their geometries, diagenetic processes, discontinuities, reservoir potential, and the roles of biota and carbonate factories in shaping their architecture. We invite contributions employing diverse approaches, including field studies, petrography, geochemistry, stratigraphy, and modeling, to investigate the drivers of platform and ramp development, such as tectonics and eustasy. Additionally, we welcome discussions on how shallow-marine settings may record or disconnect from larger-scale global events, emphasizing their unique, localized responses. 4b – Mediterranean (Tethyan) phophogenic province(Fociro, Öztür)The formation of the major Tethyan phosphorites occurred during the Late Cretaceous to Eocene period. This relatively brief period witnessed the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean as the Afro-Arabian and Eurasian plates converged. This tectonic activity set the stage for the creation of significant phosphorite deposits in the eastern Mediterranean region and throughout the Tethys realm. Phosphorites are relatively scarce in the geological record compared to other sedimentary rocks like limestones, dolomites, sandstones, shales, and evaporites. Their distribution in space and time is limited, and they exhibit a distinct episodic nature. During phosphogenic episodes, phosphorite deposits were distributed globally, while non-phosphogenic periods saw only minor, localized deposits. Four major depositional episodes are known but this session is related to Late Cretaceous–Eocene deposits, known as the Tethyan Phosphorite Regime, represented by the deposits of the eastern Mediterranean, North and northwestern Africa and northern South America and parts of the Caribbean. Their economic importance now is even higher since phosphate rock are listed as CRM by the EU. 4c – Cretaceous Geodynamics(Krzywiec, Stachowska, Brandes)The Cretaceous period was marked by dynamic tectonic processes that profoundly influenced palaeogeographic evolution and the sedimentary record. This session will explore the geodynamics of Cretaceous sedimentary basins, with a focus on the interplay between tectonic activity and sedimentation, as well as the structural evolution of the lithosphere during the Cretaceous and the early Palaeogen. We invite contributions addressing topics such as:• Cretaceous tectonics, basin dynamics and syn-tectonic sedimentation, focusing on how tectonic deformation influenced sedimentary processes.• Salt tectonics, examining the evolution and deformation of salt structures and their impact on Cretaceous depositional patterns.• Structural geology, addressing fault reactivation, inversion tectonics, and the development of fold-and-thrust belts, supported by global case studies from the Cretaceous to early-Paleogene. Contributions that incorporate seismic data, field observations, and numerical or analogue modeling approaches, that can help illuminate the complex relationships between tectonics and sedimentation are highly welcome. This session aims to bring together the latest research and foster discussions that advance our understanding of the intricate relationships between tectonic processes and depositional systems during one of the most geodynamically active periods in Earth's history. 4d – Cretaceous sedimentation patterns in the southern Boreal Realm – regional versus global control(Mutterlose, Alsen, Stoepke)This session is focused on Cretaceous deposits in the southern part of the Boreal Realm, including the North Sea Basin, the Cleveland Basin, the northwest German Basin and adjoining areas such as Greenland. The geological evolution of the southern Boreal Realm is placed in a regional context, taking into account tectonic factors, eustatic sea level fluctuations, climate and palaeobiological aspects. The purpose of the session is to improve our understanding of the parameters controlling the sedimentation patterns of the siliciclastic dominated Lower Cretaceous and those of the carbonate enriched Upper Cretaceous. This also adresses the palaeoecological reponse of floras and faunas in a changing world. We are looking forward to contributions from all fields of geology (sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochemistry, palaeontology, etc.) that provide insights into the development of the depositional system of the southern Boreal Realm.The following topics are of specific interest:•  subsidence / uplift and the sedimentary record•  architecture of Early Cretaceous siliciclastic systems•  Late Cretaceous chalk deposition•  Cretaceous black shales and their floral / faunal signal•  floral and faunal adaptations in an epicontinental sea. 

 

5. Cretaceous Biota

​5a – Cretaceous Larger Benthic Foraminifera(Simmons, Consorti, Frijia)The session will review how larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) provide insight into the correlation and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of Cretaceous carbonate platforms, including their chronostratigraphic calibration. Case studies that are integrated with other fossil groups or temporal proxies (e.g. isotopes) will be welcome, as will reviews from multiple data points. Because interpretation of LBF is founded on good taxonomy and understanding of palaeobiology and biogeography, studies that review these aspects will be welcome too. The session will highlight that the importance of studying this fossil group remains undiminished. 5b – Ammonites – what else?(Wiese)Ammonites have always been an important aspect during symposia on the Cretaceous system. As taxonomy and biostratigraphy are apparently understood by now, the number of contributions on ammonites both in the literature and on international meetings decreased remarkably in the past. However, a symposium on the Cretaceous system without a session on possibly the most iconic fossil group is unthinkable, why we call for contributions to the session “Ammonites – what else?”. All aspects on Cretaceous ammonites are highly appreciated such as: Cretaceous ammonite biostratigraphy, critical intervals in ammonite evolution, computing the ammonite shell, new aspects of ammonite phylogeny, palaeobiogeography, palaeobiology, taxonomy and in any way related topics. We particularly encourage young scientists to contribute to the session. 5c – Unravelling the biogeographic, biostratigraphic, palaeoecologic, and taxonomic significance of inoceramid bivalves(Walaszczyk, Todes)The Inoceramidae are a dominant macrofaunal group during Cretaceous, and constitute a powerful tool for Cretaceous biostratigraphy, palaeoecology, and palaeobiogeography. While there is a preliminary understanding of their biogeographic distribution throughout the Cretaceous, and their species-level taxonomy has started to stabilize, many fundamental questions regarding their macroevolutionary patterns, palaeobiology and palaeobiogeography remain. The present session welcomes original contributions and reviews on all aspects of inoceramid palaeontology. These contributions may include – but are not limited to – fundamental stratigraphy and taxonomy, taphonomy, biostratigraphy, functional morphology, palaeoecology, community-level studies, palaeobiogeography, biostratigraphy, and macroevolutionary contributions. We encourage the submission of contributions using novel approaches (microscale and geochemical analyses) to probe details of inoceramid palaeontology. 5d – Cretaceous Invertebrates(Wiese, Jagt)For the session “Cretaceous Invertebrates” any aspects on Cretaceous invertebrate groups may be submitted, although micropalaeontological contributions are better directed at their respective sessions. 5e – Cretaceous tetrapods from Europe(Buffetaut, Csiki-Sava)Cretaceous rocks in Europe have yielded a vast array of fossil tetrapods, from marine reptiles to dinosaurs, from turtles and mammals to birds and pterosaurs. Recent field work in various European countries has resulted in significant discoveries of new tetrapod assemblages which have changed our understanding of the evolution of these groups. A striking feature of the Cretaceous tetrapod record in Europe is the diversity of the palaeoenvironments in which the fossils occur, from continental to marginal to fully marine. This diversity largely reflects the  extremely dynamic palaeogeography of the European area during the Cretaceous, a period when Europe was more an archipelago than a real continent. Together with changing and ephemeral biogeographical links with other landmasses, which resulted in occasional dispersal events, this geographical fragmentation resulted in widespread endemism and complex evolutionary histories for most of the tetrapod groups. The purpose of this session is to explore the diversity and evolutionary history of tetrapod assemblages from the Cretaceous of Europe, and their links with palaeoenvironments, palaeoclimates and palaeogeography. All groups of tetrapods, whether marine or continental, all parts of Europe and all subdivisions of the Cretaceous will be considered. Contributions dealing with palaeobiogeography, stratigraphic distribution, palaeobiology, evolutionary events and extinctions, taphonomy etc. are welcome. It is expected that papers presented at this session may be 5f – Cretaceous vertebrates – open session(Schwermann, Theda)The Cretaceous period is associated with a differentiation of the Earth's surface. The development of isolated land masses led, among other things, to the diversification of terrestrial vertebrates. The evolution of marine vertebrates also underwent significant changes, such as the extinction of the ichthyosaurs and the emergence of the mosasaurs.The fossil sources of the Cretaceous are also diverse. These include rare fossil sites that provide unique insights into Cretaceous ecosystems. 5g – Terrestrial flora evolution during the Cretaceous(Zhang, Du, Heimhofer)The terrestrial flora underwent significant succession during the Cretaceous period, which is characterized by a remarkable diversification of gymnosperms and ferns, the origination and rapid radiation of angiosperms, occupying a significant impaction to the ecosystems. The process and magnitude of these flora replacements, however, may vary across different regions of the world due to variations in the response of distinct paleogeographic units to environmental changes during the Cretaceous period. Therefore, the investigation of Cretaceous plants and their diversification can provide valuable insights into the transition of terrestrial vegetation and ecosystems. And the multidisciplinary investigation of paleogeography, paleoclimate, and paleoecology serves as a crucial foundation for gaining an in-depth comprehension of the evolutionary processes of terrestrial flora during the Cretaceous period. In this session, we send our sincerest request to fellow scientists who are committed to the Cretaceous palynology and macrofossil around the world to discuss this topic together. 

 

6. Workshop

​6a – Cretaceous Earth dynamics and climate in Asia – IGCP 679(Li, Hasegawa) The proposed special session would be a joint session of the IGCP 679 project (Cretaceous Earth Dynamics and Climate in Asia) with the 12th International Cretaceous Symposium. The main goal of the project IGCP 679 is to carry out a research on the Cretaceous in Asia, to reveal the Cretaceous 'Greenhouse' Earth's oceanic and terrestrial climates and environmental conditions and their evolution processes based on the evidence from Asian Cretaceous records. During this international workshop we would like to discuss and communicate the latest research results in Cretaceous palaeontology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, palaeoenvironment, palaeogeography and palaeoclimate in Asia. This will lead to an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of Cretaceous rapid climate and environmental changes, the processes and mechanisms, and further to reveal the feedback of the Cretaceous ecosystems on land and in the oceans during the Cretaceous climate change in Asia. These researches would be helpful for us to understand the experiencing global warming, and how to face the challenges ahead. This proposed workshop is not only planned for the IGCP 679 project members, we also welcome scientists all over the world, who are interested in the research on the Asian Cretaceous to join this special session in promoting geoscience communication on the Cretaceous world.