Multiple early Eocene hyperthermals: Their sedimentary expression on the New Zealand continental margin and in the deep sea

Research Article| August 01, 2007 Multiple early Eocene hyperthermals: Their sedimentary expression on the New Zealand continental margin and in the deep sea Micah J. Nicolo; Micah J. Nicolo 1Department of Earth Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerald R. Dickens; Gerald R. Dickens 1Department of Earth Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christopher J. Hollis; Christopher J. Hollis 2Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, PO Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar James C. Zachos James C. Zachos 3Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Micah J. Nicolo 1Department of Earth Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA Gerald R. Dickens 1Department of Earth Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA Christopher J. Hollis 2Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, PO Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand James C. Zachos 3Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 14 Jan 2007 Revision Received: 19 Mar 2007 Accepted: 20 Mar 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2007) 35 (8): 699–702. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23648A.1 Article history Received: 14 Jan 2007 Revision Received: 19 Mar 2007 Accepted: 20 Mar 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Micah J. Nicolo, Gerald R. Dickens, Christopher J. Hollis, James C. Zachos; Multiple early Eocene hyperthermals: Their sedimentary expression on the New Zealand continental margin and in the deep sea. Geology 2007;; 35 (8): 699–702. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G23648A.1 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 The Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) ca. 55.5 Ma was a geologically brief interval characterized by massive influx of isotopically light carbon, extreme changes in global climate, and profound variations in Earth system processes. An outstanding issue is whether it was an isolated event, or the most prominent example of a recurring phenomenon. Recent studies of condensed deep-sea sections support the latter, but this finding remains uncertain. Here we present and discuss lithologic and carbon isotope records across two lower Eocene outcrops on South Island, New Zealand. The PETM manifests as a marl-rich horizon with a significant negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE). Above, in sediment deposited between 54 and 53 Ma, are four horizons with similar though less pronounced expressions. Marl beds of all five horizons represent increased terrigenous sedimentation, presumably linked to an accelerated hydrological cycle. Five corresponding clay-rich horizons and CIEs are found in deep-sea records, although the lithologic variations represent carbonate dissolution rather than siliciclastic dilution. The presence of five intervals with similar systemic responses in different environments suggests a mechanism that repeatedly injected large masses of 13 C-depleted carbon during the early Eocene. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.