 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dwyer, G.S., and M.A. Chandler, 2009: Mid-Pliocene sea level and continental ice volume based on coupled benthic Mg/Ca palaeotemperatures and oxygen isotopes. Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. A, 367, 157-168, doi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0222.
Ostracode magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca)-based bottom-water temperatures were combined with benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotopes in order to quantify the oxygen Q1 isotopic composition of seawater, and estimate continental ice volume and sea-level variability during the Mid-Pliocene warm period, ca 3.3-3.0 Ma. Results indicate that, following a low stand of approximately 65 m below present at marine isotope stage (MIS) M2 (ca 3.3 Ma), sea level generally fluctuated by 20-30 m above and below a mean value similar to present-day sea level. In addition to the low-stand event at MIS M2, significant low stands occurred at MIS KM2, (-40 m), G22 (-40 m) and G16 (-60 m). Six high stands of +10 m or more above present day were also observed; four events (+10, +25, +15 and +30 m) from MIS M1 to KM3, a high stand of +15 m at MIS K1, and a high stand of +25 m at MIS G17. These results indicate that continental ice volume varied significantly during the Mid-Pliocene warm period and that at times there were considerable reductions of Antarctic ice.
|
|
|
