Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Nature Communications
By: , and 

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Abstract

The chronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ~56 Ma) remains disputed, hampering complete understanding of the possible trigger mechanisms of this event. Here we present an astrochronology for the PETM carbon isotope excursion from Howards Tract, Maryland a paleoshelf environment, on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Statistical evaluation of variations in calcium content and magnetic susceptibility indicates astronomical forcing was involved and the PETM onset lasted about 6 kyr. The astrochronology and Earth system modeling suggest that the PETM onset occurred at an extreme in precession during a maximum in eccentricity, thus favoring high temperatures, indicating that astronomical forcing could have played a role in triggering the event. Ca content data on the paleo-shelf, along with other marine records, support the notion that a carbonate saturation overshoot followed global ocean acidification during the PETM.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain
Series title Nature Communications
DOI 10.1038/s41467-022-33390-x
Volume 13
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher Nature Publications
Contributing office(s) Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
Description 5618, 13 p.
Country United States
State Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia
Other Geospatial mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
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