Palynological and lithological evidence for the miocene palaeoenvironment in the Saldanha region (South Africa)
Abstract Palynological and lithological studies were carried out on a section of clays of the Elandsfontyn Formation in the Langebaanweg area. The pollen assemblages suggest a Middle Miocene age for these clays which is supported by fossil faunal evidence in the overlying gravel member of the Late Miocene “Saldanha” Formation. The pollen sequence indicates the retrogressive succession of subtropical — tropical gallery forest to dominant palm vegetation and finally to marsh. These changes are clearly related to the lithological evidence for the progressive lateral northward migration of the palaeo-Berg River. It is possible that the Middle Miocene global high sea-level cycle may have influenced these palaeoenvironmental changes.