Sea-level changes in the upper sinemurian and pliensbachian of southern Germany

The progressive onlap of marine Lower Jurassic sediments onto the Bohemian and Vindelician Landmasses in SE-Germany indicates a major transgression, which reached its deepest phase during the Toarcian. On this overall deepening trend several minor shallowing/regressive events are superimposed. It is herein shown that correlation of these shallowing-deepening cycles over relatively large areas is possible. This indicates further that most of the shallowing and deepening events in the Upper Sinemurian and Pliensbachian were caused by eustatic changes in sea level, although locally other factors (e.g. tectonics, sediment supply, marine currents) may obliterate eustatic fluctuations.