A proposal for the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Pliensbachian Stage (Lower Jurassic) by Meister, C, Blau, J, Dommergues, J, Feist-Burkhardt, S, Hart, M, Hesselbo, S, Hylton, M, Page, K, Price, G

“…Other fossils (palynomorphs, foraminiferas, ostracods, etc) give no precise biostratigraphic information or have not been studied. 4) Complementary results are: a) Strontium-isotope stratigraphy, based on analysis of belemnites which yield a calcite 87Sr/86Sr ratio for the suggested boundary level of 0.707425 and supports an interpretation of continuous sedimentation. b) Belemnite oxygen-isotope data indicate a significant temperature drop (-5 °C) across the boundary at this locality. c) A Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) initiated in the Aplanatum Subzone (uppermost Sinemurian) continues into the Lowermost Pliensbachian (Taylori Subzone): it forms part of a transgressive facies cycle sensu Graciansky et al. 5) The section is well exposed in the cliff and on the foreshore and access is straight forward. 6) Structural complexity and metamorphism are negligible. 7) The locality is the part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and thereby under statutory protection.…”