Paleobotanical evidence for cool north polar climates in middle Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) time

Research Article| August 01, 1986 Paleobotanical evidence for cool north polar climates in middle Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) time Robert A. Spicer; Robert A. Spicer 1Life Sciences Department, Goldsmiths' College, University of London, London SE8 3BU, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Judith Totman Parrish Judith Totman Parrish 2Branch of Oil and Gas Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, M.S. 971, Denver, Colorado 80225-0046 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1986) 14 (8): 703–706. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)142.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Robert A. Spicer, Judith Totman Parrish; Paleobotanical evidence for cool north polar climates in middle Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) time. Geology 1986;; 14 (8): 703–706. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)142.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) floras are abundant and diverse on the North Slope of Alaska. The older floras consist of conifers, cycadophytes, ferns, ginkgophytes, and sphenophytes (horsetails). Angiosperms appeared in latest Albian time and rapidly diversified. The preserved floras consist entirely of deciduous plants, with the exception of a microphyllous conifer, ferns, and sphenophytes. Deciduousness is evidence for strong seasonality, which for these floras might be variations in either light or temperature or both. Cool temperatures are suggested by the prevalence of toothed leaves among the angiosperms and the presence of large-leaved conifers. The paleobotanical evidence points to a mid-Cretaceous climate that was no warmer than cool temperate on the North Slope of Alaska. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.