Early Pliocene Temperature Changes in the Antarctic Seas

Research Article| October 01, 1974 Early Pliocene Temperature Changes in the Antarctic Seas Paul F. Ciesielski; Paul F. Ciesielski 1Antarctic Research Facility, Department of Geology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Fred M. Weaver Fred M. Weaver 1Antarctic Research Facility, Department of Geology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1974) 2 (10): 511–515. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1974)2<511:EPTCIT>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Paul F. Ciesielski, Fred M. Weaver; Early Pliocene Temperature Changes in the Antarctic Seas. Geology 1974;; 2 (10): 511–515. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1974)2<511:EPTCIT>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Micropaleontological analyses have been completed on six piston and drill cores of early Pliocene age (Gilbert magnetic epoch; 4.30 to 3.32 m.y. B.P.) recovered from the Southern Ocean between 110° E. and 160° W. long. All cores are dated by radiolarians, diatoms, and in part by paleomagnetic methods. Stratigraphic correlations are based on paleomagnetic data and recently developed Southern Ocean diatom and silicoflagellate zonations. Silicoflagellate temperature curves constructed from the generic ratios of Dictyocha/Distephanus define seven temperature oscillations and suggest that a dramatic change in the thermal structure of the Southern Ocean occurred during the Gilbert magnetic epoch, with a fluctuating drop in surface-water temperatures from >10°C (present-day northernmost subantarctic) to <1.5°C (present-day Antarctic). Inferred surface-water temperatures between 4.30 and 3.95 m.y. B.P. suggest that conditions were then too warm for the existence of the west Antarctic ice sheet. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.