Stratigraphy, geochemistry, and paleoceanography of organic carbon- rich Cretaceous sequences

The Cretaceous is characterized by unusually widespread distribution of "black shales', and the Cretaceous record offers a unique opportunity to develop a better understanding of the factors that led to such episodes of enhanced organic matter preservation in marine strata in the past, particularly during periods characterized by warm, more equable climate, maximum extent of shelf seas and pronounced volcanism. The effort to elucidate this record will require collaboration of a broad spectrum of earth scientists. A global perspective on Cretaceous black shale deposition should be developed. -after Authors