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Eustatic variations during the Paleocene-Eocene greenhouse world

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Luke Handley

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Abstract

We reconstruct eustatic variations during the latest Paleocene and earliest Eocene (similar to 58-52 Ma). Dinoflagellate cysts, grain size fractions, and organic biomarkers in marine sections at four sites from three continents indicate an increased distance to the coast during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). The same trend is recognized in published records from other sites around the world. Together, the data indicate a eustatic rise during the PETM, beginning 20 to 200 ka before the globally recorded negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) at similar to 55.5 Ma. Although correlations are tentative, we recognize other global transgressions during Chrons C25n and C24n. The latter may be associated with Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (similar to 53.5 Ma) or the "X''-event (similar to 52 Ma). These results suggest a link between global sea level and "hyperthermal'' intervals, potentially because of the melting of small alpine ice sheets on Antarctica, thermal expansion of seawater, or both. However, the early onset of sea level rise relative to the CIE of the PETM suggests contributions from other mechanisms, perhaps decreasing ocean basin volume, on sea level rise.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Sluijs A, Brinkhuis H, Crouch EM, John CM, Handley L, Munsterman D, Bohaty SM, Zachos JC, Reichart G-J, Schouten S, Pancost RD, Sinninghe Damsté JS, Welters NLD, Lotter AF, Dickens GR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Paleoceanography

Year: 2008

Volume: 23

Issue: 4

Pages: PA4216

Print publication date: 01/12/2008

ISSN (print): 0883-8305

ISSN (electronic): 1944-9186

Publisher: American Geophysical Union

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2008PA001615

DOI: 10.1029/2008PA001615

Notes: ISI Document Delivery No.: 386MV Times Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 119 Article number: PA4216


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