We report the discovery of an ancient forest bed near Stanley, on the Falkland Islands, the second such ancient deposit identified on the South Atlantic island archipelago that is today marked by the absence of native tree species. Fossil pollen, spores and wood fragments preserved in this buried deposit at Tussac House show that the source vegetation was characterized by a floristically diverse rainforest dominated by Nothofagus-Podocarpaceae communities, similar to cool temperate Nothofagus forests/woodlands and Magellanic evergreen Nothofagus rainforests. The age limit of the deposit is inferred from the stratigraphic distribution of fossil pollen species transported by wind, birds or ocean currents from southern Patagonia, as well as similar vegetation types observed across the broader region. The deposit is suggested to be between Late Oligocene and Early Miocene, making it slightly older than the previously analysed Neogene West Point Island forest bed (200 km west of Tussac House). The combined evidence adds to our current knowledge of the role of climate change and transoceanic dispersal of plant propagules in shaping high-latitude ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere during the late Palaeogene and Neogene.

Wireline log correlation panels of palynologically analysed boreholes illustrate lateral facies transitions within Rupelian age strata of the Dutch Rupel Formation across the southeastern North Sea Basin. The middle to upper part of the Rupel Formation consists of clays and silts of the Boom Member and the overlying sandier Steensel Member. In the Mill and Goirle boreholes in the Dutch Province of North Brabant, the Boom Member is thickly developed and represents the middle to upper Rupelian (biozones NSO3 to NSO5a), while the Steensel Member is rather thinly developed and only comprises the uppermost Rupelian (biozone NSO5a). Borehole log correlations show that towards the south (or more proximal to the palaeo-continent) the Rupel Formation becomes sandier and the clayey Boom Member thins in favour of the sandy superjacent Steensel Member. Palynological analyses confirm that the Boom Member is restricted to the middle Rupelian (biozone NSO3) age here, and that the superjacent Steensel Member is of middle to upper Rupelian age (biozones NSO3 to NSO5a). Geological models constructed for northern Belgium propose that this facies transition occurs rather sharply, along a WSW-ENE oriented zone parallel to the presumed shoreline at that time. The results of this study support this interpretation and extend the trend towards the Netherlands.

Hydrogen- (δD = −106 to −97‰) and oxygen-(δ18O = +14.0 to +16.6‰) isotope compositions of kaolinite from late Cretaceous and Oligocene deposits at Iwaizumi, northeastern Japan, indicate that these clays formed by weathering of volcanic parent rocks, rather than during hydrothermal (>100 °C) alteration. The Iwaizumi kaolinites also are depleted of D and 18O relative to kaolinite formed during modern, tropical weathering, suggesting that the kaolinite developed under cool or cool-temperate conditions. The oxygen-isotope compositions of the kaolinite increase slightly upward through the deposits, perhaps implying a modest increase in temperature from late Cretaceous to Oligocene time. The δD and δ18O results for kaolinite from the Oligocene deposits closely follow the kaolinite weathering line. However, a small but systematic deviation from this line for the Cretaceous kaolinites is most simply explained by post-formational, hydrogen-isotope exchange between these clays and downward percolating meteoric water.

The clay mineral content of the Oligocene sediments in the Linxia Basin has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The clay mineral assemblages are mainly mixed-layer illite-smectite (I-S), illite, kaolinite and minor palygorskite in the early-Middle Oligocene deposits, mixed-layer I-S, illite and kaolinite in the Middle Oligocene deposits, mainly illite and chlorite (usually >50–70 vol.%), mixed-layer I-S, and trace to minor palygorskite in the late Oligocene sediments, respectively. The mineral assemblage indicates a warm and seasonally humid climate in the Middle Oligocene, with an episode of warm and dry conditions in the early stage of the Middle Oligocene, and a trend of temperature decrease and more arid conditions in the late Oligocene. Climate evolution in the Oligocene corresponds with the significant elevation change in central Tibet since late Oligocene, and therefore, suggests that tectonic-forced cooling of climate took place in Linxia in the northeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The ubiquitous mixed-layer I-S and carbonates throughout the Oligocene sediments reflect relatively small fluctuations in climate conditions during the epoch. The changes in clay mineral components and feldspars in the late Oligocene suggest a variation in the source of clastic materials, which probably reflects an increase in erosion of soils and poorly weathered parent rock in more elevated or high-relief source areas during this period of tectonic uplift.

Anthracotheres are generalised artiodactyls that have an extensive record in the Cenozoic of Eurasia and Africa. In North America they have been collected in middle Eocene to early Miocene localities from the California Coast, the Great Plains and the Gulf Coast of the United States, with a single record from the early Miocene of Panama. Here we report few specimens from the early Oligocene (Ar1) Iniyoo Local Fauna of north-western Oaxaca, and the earliest Miocene of Simojovel de Allende, in northern Chiapas. This material has diverse features that indicate they belonged to the bothriodontine Arretotherium, such as selenodont cristids associated with the protoconid and hypoconid, the absence of a premetacristid, and the crenulated enamel. They share with Arretotherium acridens and Arretotherium meridionale the absence of a mesiolingual metacristid, but their general morphology and size indicate a close relationship to Ar. meridionale. Nevertheless, in absence of better-preserved specimens, we decided not to assign the fossil material to this species. Specimens from Oaxaca and Chiapas are the first records of anthracotheres in Mexico. These new records link the previous ones from temperate North America and tropical Central America and indicate that Anthracotheriidae had a very wide geographical distribution in North America during the Palaeogene and the Neogene. Additionally, they represent the southern-most records of Arretotherium in North America during the Oligocene and the early Miocene.

The evolution and resulting morphology of a contourite drift system in the SE Pacific oceanic basin is investigated in detail using seismic imaging and an age-calibrated borehole section. The Nazca Drift System covers an area of 204 500 km2 and stands above the abyssal basins of Peru and Chile. The drift is spread along the Nazca Ridge in water depths between 2090 and 5330 m. The Nazca Drift System was drilled at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1237. This deep-water drift overlies faulted oceanic crust and onlaps associated volcanic highs. Its thickness ranges from 104 to 375 m. The seismic sheet facies observed are associated with bottom current processes. The main lithologies are pelagic carbonates reflecting the distal position relative to South America and water depth above the carbonate compensation depth during Oligocene time. The Nazca Drift System developed under the influence of bottom currents sourced from the Circumpolar Deep Water and Pacific Central Water, and is the largest yet identified abyssal drift system of the Pacific Ocean, ranking third in all abyssal contourite drift systems globally. Subduction since late Miocene time and the excess of sediments and water associated with the Nazca Drift System may have contributed to the Andean orogeny and associated metallogenesis. The Nazca Drift System records the evolution in interactions between deep-sea currents and the eastward motion of the Nazca Plate through erosive surfaces and sediment remobilization.

A review of the faunistic composition of the coleopterous taphocenoses from Bembridge Marls is given. Only two families (Cupedidae and Carabidae) have been recorded from this site before. A total of 31 families have been revealed and determined in the course of the recent study, and 42 species have been described: Agabus latissimus Ponomarenko, sp. nov. and Ilybius gratshevi Ponomarenko, sp. nov. from Dytiscidae; Neothanes europaeus Ponomarenko, sp. nov. from Carabidae; Spercheus punctatus Ponomarenko, sp. nov., Spercheus wightensis Ponomarenko, sp. nov. from Spercheidae, Hydrochara woodwardi Ponomarenko & Soriano, sp. nov. and Berosus barclayi Ponomarenko & Soriano, sp. nov. from Hydrophilidae; Ochthebius rossi Kirejtshuk, sp. nov., Eolimnebius fossilis Kirejtshuk, sp. nov., Hydraenites gracilimmus Kirejtshuk, sp. nov., Metacoxites ventritalis Kirejtshuk, sp. nov., Davidraenites gratshevi Kirejtshuk, sp. nov., D. interruptus Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. and D. spurcus Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Hydraenidae; Aphodius vectis Krell, sp. nov. and Pentodon dorcus Krell, sp. nov. from Scarabaeidae; Scirtes calcariferens Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov., Scirtes khnzoryani Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov., Scirtes metepisternalis Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov., Scirtes wightensis Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov., Contacyphon insularis Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov., Contacyphon involutus Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov. and Contacyphon kozlovi Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov. from Scirtidae; Eucinetes nikolaevae Kirejtshuk & Ponomarenko, sp. nov. from Eucinetidae; Macropunctum rossi Alexeev, sp. nov. from Elateridae; Byrrhites bembridgensis Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Byrrhidae; Paralichas striatopunctatus Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Ptilodactylidae; Trixagus barclayi Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Throscidae; Themus (?Telephorops) polyaki Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Cantharidae; Attalus flexus Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Malachiidae; Epuraea (Epuraea) kozlovi Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov., Phenolia (Lasiodites) vanescens Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov., Prometopia europaea Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov., Cyllodes argutus Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov. and Coxollodes palaeogenicus Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov. from Nitidulidae; Telmatophilus britannicus Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov. from Cryptophagidae; Corticariites kozlovi Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Latridiidae; Orthoperites antiquus Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, sp. nov. from Corylophidae; Octotemnites sepultus Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Ciidae; Cyclodinus efficax Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Anthicidae; and Plateumaris robustus Kurochkin & Kirejtshuk, sp. nov., Plateumaris rubiconis Kurochkin & Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. and Plateumaris wightensis Kurochkin & Kirejtshuk, sp. nov. from Chrysomelidae. Byrrhites Kirejtshuk, gen. nov., Corticariites Kirejtshuk, gen. nov., Davidraenites Kirejtshuk, gen. nov., Eolimnebius Kirejtshuk, gen. nov., Hydraenites Kirejtshuk, gen. nov., Metacoxites Kirejtshuk, gen. nov., Octotemnites Kirejtshuk, gen. nov. and Orthoperites Kirejtshuk & Kurochkin, gen. nov. are proposed as taxa, partly as formal ones with generic rank and include species described herein. For Plateumaris rubiconis sp. nov., a new subgenus Necrodexis Kurochkin & Kirejtshuk, subgen. nov. is proposed. A brief review of the published fossil records for the groups considered in the paper is made. The probable ecological circumstances of the lives of the groups and species considered are discussed in the paper, and comparison with other Palaeogene sites and some conclusions on probable climatic circumstances have been elaborated. The taxonomic interpretation of three fossil species from the Caenozoic is reconsidered. It is shown that the genus Miocyphon Wickham, 1914 can be scarcely regarded as a close relative of representatives of either Dascillidae or Scirtidae. ‘Phenolia' incapax Scudder, 1890 and Lithomacratria Wickham, 1914 are regarded here without family attribution, the first as a member of Cucujiformia (i.e., out of Nitidulidae) and the latter as a member of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea (i.e., out of both Anthicidae and Pyrochroidae).

Eight latest Eocene to earliest Miocene stratigraphic surfaces have been identified in petroleum well data from the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. These surfaces define seven regional sedimentary packages, of variable thickness and lithofacies, forming a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate system. The evolving tectonic setting, particularly the initial development of the Australian–Pacific convergent margin, controlled geographic, stratigraphic and facies variability. This tectonic signal overprinted a regional transgressive trend that culminated in latest Oligocene times. The earliest influence of active compressional tectonics is reflected in the preservation of latest Eocene – Early Oligocene deepwater sediments in the northern Taranaki Basin. Thickness patterns for all mid Oligocene units onwards show a shift in sedimentation to the eastern Taranaki Basin, controlled by reverse movement on the Taranaki Fault System. This resulted in the deposition of a thick sedimentary wedge, initially of coarse clastic sediments, later carbonate dominated, in the foredeep close to the fault. In contrast, Oligocene active normal faulting in a small sub-basin in the south may represent the most northerly evidence for rifting in southern Zealandia, related to Emerald Basin formation. The Early Miocene period saw a return to clastic-dominated deposition, the onset of regional regression and the southward propagation of compressional tectonics.

Lower Cretaceous (AJO and AJR) and Oligocene clays (AS) from northern Tunisia were analysed to evaluate their possible use in the production of earthenware tiles by dry processing and fast double-firing. The Cretaceous clays are carbonate-rich (AJO = 20%, AJR = 12%) while the Oligocene ones are carbonate-free. This led to noticeable differences in firing behaviour (shrinkage, sintering rate and loss on ignition) and consequently in functional properties (water absorption, mechanical strength, porosity). The AJO firing shrinkage is very small, which makes this clay suitable for rapid firing. The clays are illite-kaolinite-rich but the AS sample is mostly smectitic (44%) and so is used (10 wt.% maximum) only to adjust the consistency of the powder during pressing. The average agglomerate size ranges from 100 to 350 μm and the distribution is suitable for easy pressing of powders without any special need for further adjustments. Characterization of fired products confirms the high potential of these clays since all properties fall within the ceramic International Standards (ISO). For both technical and economic reasons dry processing is recommended for production of earthenware tiles, in particular for countries in sunnier climates, where solar energy can be exploited for clay drying.

This study presents the 3-D geometry of the Oligocene Rupel Clay Member and a review of its depositional environment based on new and published data. The Rupel Clay Member (RCM) is a clay layer in the Dutch subsurface which is informally known as the Boom Clay. New depth and thickness maps show that the member is present in nearly the whole subsurface of the onshore Netherlands to a depth of about 1500 m. The thickness of the member is variable but rarely exceeds 125 m. We identified three subunits: RCM-U, with a thickness of 15–40 m; RCM-M, with a thickness of 40–90 m; and RCM-L with a thickness of 25–50 m. The Rupel Clay Member is not a homogeneous clay; both vertical and lateral grain-size trends are present. These trends match with general palaeogeographic trends which foresee near-shore facies in the south and southeast of the onshore Netherlands and a more distal setting when moving northward. The three subunits are correlated with global climatic and regional tectonic events, which have mainly affected marginal facies. Faults are known to cut through the clay layer, but have not been mapped. A mismatch of lithostratigraphic nomenclature between the Netherlands and neighbouring countries is present. Part of the solution for this mismatch lies in the proper interpretation of well data in the Netherlands, both on- and offshore.

3D seismic data and wireline logs from 17 wells in the onshore East Nile Delta were utilized to study the stratigraphic architecture and evolution of Oligocene deposits. The Oligocene is readily recognized on seismic cross-sections by a series of northward prograding clinoforms. The Oligocene sequences show lateral facies changes from fluvial to deepwater via a shelf-edge delta. Such deltaic features include distributary channels, interdistributary bay fill, and a delta plain and front, gradually changing downslope into prodelta and slope deposits. The slope deposits include three main depositional elements: a deeply incised channel, a complex of laterally switched leveed channels and lobes, and crevasses and frontal splays. These depositional elements are formed in the main western slope basin and local eastern intraslope ponded sub-basin. The reactivated E–W- and NW-trending faults as well as NE–SW inverted structures are the main controls on slope physiography that formed the main corridors for Oligocene sediment distribution. Two main globally correlated Oligocene sequences are encountered being separated by the major drop in global eustatic sea level at 28.1Ma. The lower Oligocene sequence has two main stages: (1) the formation and filling of a basal canyon; and (2) the formation and progradation of shelf deltas to form shelf-edge deltas, and then progradation with an ascending shelf-edge trajectory (clinoforms 1). The upper Oligocene sequence is characterized by accretionary shelf-edge deltas with descending and then flat trajectories (clinoforms 2–4). The frontal splay and lobe complex exhibits potentially favourable reservoir continuity and areal coverage followed by the slope channels.

Spacio-temporal distribution patterns of North Sea Basin Early Oligocene (Rupelian) pteropoda (holoplanktonic gastropods: Mollusca, Gastropoda, Euthecosomata) are studied. These patterns indicate three short term invasions of a single pteropod species during the Rupelian. These invasions are indicated here as Clio blinkae Event, Praehyalocylis laxeannulata Event and Clio jacobae Event. The conspicuously short occurrences of the species, their abundances and some lithological features of the pteropod bearing strata lead to the conclusion that these plankton events are linked to sea level high-stands allowing currents from the worlds oceans to enter into the North Sea Basin.

The investigation of foraminiferal assemblages from a series of Oligocene borehole sections allowed paleoenvironment and paleoclimate reconstructions for the Rupelian and Chattian (Lower and Upper Oligocene) Stages in their type region, the southern North Sea Basin. A striking feature coinciding with the Rupelian-Chattian (R-C) unconformity is the major change in paleotemperature and paleobathymetry. The shallow marine to restricted marine subtropical fauna at the base of the Chattian is in strong contrast with the deeper marine and cooler upper Rupelian assemblages. This study suggests that the early Chattian transgression is genetically related to a widespread major warming pulse, known as the Late Oligocene Warming Event.

The present publication deals with recent palynological results of a relatively small interval of Muschelkalk and exposures of the overlying clay deposits in the Winterswijk quarries. For the first time the Lower Muschelkalk Member in the Netherlands could be independently dated as Bithynian (Anisian, Middle Triassic). Contrary to widely accepted opinions the overlying almost black clay deposit is not Liassic but Rhaetian in age and it is assigned to the Sleen Shale Formation. This marginal marine clay which pinches out to the south, is in turn overlain by a light gray, full-marine Lower-Oligocene clay of the Rupel Formation. An anomalous occurrence of Liassic clay is now attributed to subrosion of Röt salt followed by collapse of the overlying Muschelkalk, Rhaetian and Lias strata.

The stratigraphic succession exposed in the Karaburun area (southern Black Sea coast, NW Turkey) records multiple changes in depositional and tectonic settings during Cenozoic times. It starts with the Middle–Upper Eocene Soğucak Formation of reef limestone that across a normal fault, omitting the lower part of the Lower Oligocene Ceylan Formation (deep-marine shale unit), abuts the upper part of the Ceylan Formation that is made up of two facies: (1) shallow-marine sandstone and (2) shallow-marine limestone units containing horizons of submarine slumps. Both facies are unconformably overlain by the fluvial Upper Miocene Çukurçeşme Formation. The tectonic record includes: (1) latest Eocene – Early Oligocene NE–SW extension, (2) Early Oligocene NE–SW shortening and (3) Late Miocene NW–NE extension. The earliest normal faults cutting the Soğucak and the lower part of the Ceylan formations are associated with clastic dykes injected into the deep-marine shale. These structures suggest a disruption of the Eocene carbonate platform and are also known in the neighbouring Thrace Basin. The following NE–SW shortening created the NE-vergent Karaburun Thrust that is synchronous with the shallowing and inversion of the Ceylan Basin. Rotation of the stress field is recorded by changes in clastic dyke orientation and their deformation. Compression caused multiple westerly directed submarines slides from uplifts in easterly located regions. This event is not recorded in the Thrace Basin. Finally, the Miocene tectonic activity formed NW- and NE-striking normal faults. The outlined tectonic history includes Early Oligocene extensional and compressional episodes recorded in the southern margin of the Black Sea that had hitherto not been known.

The genus Diplocynodon is widely recorded in Europe from Early Eocene up to Middle Miocene times. A fragmented but almost complete skull of a new species of Diplocynodon is reported from the Late Eocene locality of Domérat, northern border of the Massif Central (Allier), France. The present skull provides an important basis for comparison with other members of the genus and complements a fossil record full of gaps despite the large number of vertebrate localities spanning the Cenozoic. The new taxon occurs at a key period for climate evolution with conditions marking the transition from a greenhouse to an icehouse world. The response of crocodylian assemblages to this climatic shift is discussed in light of evidence for their decline in diversity from the Eocene period onward.

M. S. Pole comments: In a recent paper Landis et al. (2008) propose that New Zealand was completely submerged in the Late Oligocene–earliest Miocene and therefore, its distinctive terrestrial biota must date from after that time. They propose this based on an analysis of the sedimentological, geomorphological and palaeontological record.