Age and Correlation of the Ulatisian and Narizian Stages, California: Reply
Phillips questions the scientific value of data presented in Steineck and Gibson (1971) with regard to the intercontinental correlation and time-transgressive nature of California Paleogene benthonic foraminiferal stages. The intent of our note was to present a working hypothesis based on preliminary data which would be testable by future biostratigraphic investigation. It must be emphasized that the conclusions drawn by Steineck and Gibson were based on the analysis of more than 50 samples, along with a summary of pertinent literature, and are consistent with the available evidence. The Refugian Stage is of late Eocene age, the Narizian Stage is late middle Eocene, and the Ulatisian Stage is of early middle Eocene age when viewed in the context of planktonic microfossil correlations. Similarly, in the light of planktonic correlations, the Narizian Bulimina corrugata Zone of the Santa Barbara Embayment is equivalent in part to the Amphimorphina californica Zone of the San Diego Basin. Time-transgression of the California Paleogene benthonic foraminiferal stages is a reality. Furthermore, the views expressed in Steineck and Gibson (1971) are supported in the studies of Bukry and Kennedy (1969), Schmidt (1970 Schmidt (1971), and Brabb and others (1971).