An informal palynologic zonation for the cretaceous system of the United States mid‐Atlantic (Baltimore canyon area) outer continental shelf

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Abstract
A biostratigraphic zonation is proposed for the Cretaceous System of the Mid‐Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf that is based on the observed stratigraphic distribution of spores, pollen, and palynomorphs Incertae Sedis in two wildcat and two Continental Offshore Stratigraphic Test (COST) wells. Ten zones are described: nine assemblage zones, and one peak zone. In descending stratigraphie order, the zones are referred to as the Holkopollenites sp. B‐"Retitricolpites”; sp. K zone (Campanian), the Dicotetradites sp. 2‐Pseudoplicapollis longiannulata zone (Santonian), the Complexiopollis funiculus‐Nevesisporites simisclaris zone (Coniacian), the Atlantopollis verrucosa‐Phyllocaladidites inchoatus zone (Turonian), the Perinopollenites elatoides‐Vitreisporites pallidus zone (Cenomanian), the Coronatispora valdensis‐Trilobosporites humilis zone (Albian), the Auritalinasporites deltaformis‐Cerebropollenites mesozoicus zone (Aptian), the Callialasporites sp. 4‐Cicatricosisporites australiensis zone (Barremian), the Trilobosporites bernissartensis‐T. domitus zone (Hauterivian‐Valanginian), and the Rogalskisporites cicatricosus zone (Berriasian). Also presented are range data and illustrations for 142 palynomorph species.