Integrated stratigraphy of the Upper Burdigalian-Lower Langhian section at Moria (Marche region, Italy)

Introduction. The 100 m thick Moria section (coordinates: 43°30'13.9"N: 12°35'39.1"E of Greenwich) is exposed along a mountain road between the villages of Palcano and Moria (Pontedazzo exit of the State Highway No. 3, near Cantiano), on the west side of Monte Petrano, in the Marche region of Italy (Fig. 1). This section exposes in continuity the transition between the Bisciaro Formation and the overlying Schlier Formation, as well as the stratigraphic interval containing the Burdigalian/Langhian boundary. Moreover, several intercalations of volcaniclastic horizons permit direct radioisotopic age calibration of relevant biostratigraphic, magneto-stratigraphic, and chemostratigraphic events. Thus, the Moria section represents an advantageous circumstance for the Comprehensive definition of the Lower/Upper Miocene boundary in a representative Tethyan pelagic facies.