Ichnofacies distribution in the Eocene-Early Miocene Petra Tou Romiou outcrop, Cyprus: sea level dynamics and palaeoenvironmental implications in a contourite environment

Ichnological analysis of the carbonate contourite drift at the Petra Tou Romiou outcrop (southern Cyprus) reveals a relationship between sea level dynamics, shoreline position, sedimentation rate, flow hydrodynamics and trace fossil assemblages. The base of the outcrop is composed of chalky deposits showing the Zoophycos ichnofacies attributes. The transition to the first contouritic interval beds is marked by the gradual disappearance of Zoophycos and dominance of horizontal traces. This change is caused by a gradual sea level fall determining an increase in proximity and energy conditions in the environment that favoured the development of distal Cruziana ichnofacies. Upper contouritic interval beds contain abundant burrow systems with vertical components. Increased ichnodiversity, particularly among vertical morphologies, coincides with the appearance of Teichichnus, Gyrolithes and rare Ophiomorpha, revealing a transition to the proximal Cruziana ichnofacies, related with the maintenance of the previous trend toward more proximal and higher energy settings. The differentiated ichnofacies in the Petra Tou Roumiou carbonate drifts are controlled by complex interactions between variable environmental factors with sea level dynamics playing a major role