East Antarctic Ice Sheet fluctuations during the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition inferred from faunal and biogeochemical data on planktonic foraminifera (ODP Hole 747A, Kerguelen Plateau)
Open-File Report
2007-1047-SRP-037
By: M. Verducci, L.M. Foresi, G.H. Scott, Tiepolo, M. Sprovieri, and F. Lirer
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Abstract
This research focuses on a detailed study of faunal and biogeochemical changes that occurred at ODP Hole
747A in the Kerguelen Plateau region of the Southern Ocean during the middle Miocene (14.8-11.8 Ma). Abundance
fluctuations of several planktonic foraminiferal taxa, stable oxygen isotope and Mg/Ca ratios have been integrated as a
multi-proxy approach to reach a better understanding of the growth modality and fluctuations of the East Antarctic Ice
Sheet (EAIS) during this period. A 7°C decrease in Sea Surface Temperature (SST), an abrupt turnover in the planktonic
foraminiferal assemblage, a 1.5‰ shift towards heavier δ18O values (Mi3 event) and a related shift towards heavier
seawater δ118O values between 13.9 and 13.7 Ma, are interpreted to reflect rapid surface water cooling and EAIS
expansion. Hole 747A data suggest a major change in the variability of the climate system fostered by EAIS expansion
between 13.9 and 13.7 Ma. Ice sheet fluctuations were greater during the interval 14.8-13.9 Ma compared with those
from 13.7 to 11.8 Ma, whereas the latter interval was characterized by a more stable EAIS. In our opinion, the middle
Miocene ice sheet expansion in Antarctica represents a first step towards the development of the modern permanent ice
sheet
Suggested Citation
Verducci, M., Foresi, L., Scott, G., Tiepolo, Sprovieri, M., and Lirer, F., 2007, East Antarctic Ice Sheet fluctuations during the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition inferred from faunal and biogeochemical data on planktonic foraminifera (ODP Hole 747A, Kerguelen Plateau): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1047-SRP-037, 5 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071047SRP037.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | East Antarctic Ice Sheet fluctuations during the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition inferred from faunal and biogeochemical data on planktonic foraminifera (ODP Hole 747A, Kerguelen Plateau) |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2007-1047-SRP-037 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20071047SRP037 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Description | 5 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Larger Work Title | Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World--Online Proceedings for the Tenth International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences. Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.--August 26 to September 1, 2007 |
| Other Geospatial | Antarctica |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |