The marine conservation deposits of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland, Italy): the prototype of Triassic black shale Lagerstätten

Monte San Giorgio's marine conservation deposits, renowned for their exceptional fossil preservation, have been classified as the prototype of Triassic black shale Lagerstätten. A comparative analysis of 45 global Phanerozoic and Ediacaran black shale-type Lagerstätten, using principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses, revealed four distinct groups: Burgess type (early Palaeozoic), Monte San Giorgio type (Triassic), Holzmaden type (pyrite-rich black shales), and Solnhofen type (platy limestones). This study highlights the unique characteristics of Monte San Giorgio's deposits, including sedimentary facies, genesis, and fossil content, setting a new benchmark for understanding Triassic marine ecosystems. The findings underscore the significance of these deposits in paleobiological research.

Klug, C., Spiekman, S. N. F., Bastiaans, D., Scheffold, B., & Scheyer, T. M. (2024). The marine conservation deposits of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland, Italy): the prototype of Triassic black shale Lagerstätten. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, 143(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-024-00308-7