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Late Pleistocene Paleoclimatology of the Central Equatorial Pacific: A Quantitative Record of Eolian and Carbonate Deposition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

John M. Chuey ,
David K. Rea  and
Nicklas G. Pisias
John M. Chuey
Affiliation:
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
David K. Rea*
Affiliation:
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Nicklas G. Pisias
Affiliation:
College of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
*
1To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
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Abstract

Detailed records of δ18O, δ13C, percentage and mass accumulation rate of CaCO3, and eolian percentage, mass accumulation rate, and grainsize generated for core RC11-210 from the equatorial Pacific reveal the timing of paleoclimatic events over the past 950,000 yr. The CaCO3 percentage record shows the standard Pacific correlation of high CaCO3 content with glacial periods, but displays a marked change of character about 490,000 yr ago with older stages showing much less variability. The carbonate mass flux record, however, does not show such a noticeable change. Sedimentation rates vary from about 0.5 to 3.0 cm/1000 yr and, during the past 490,000 yr, sections with enhanced sedimentation rates correspond to periods of high CaCO3 percentage. Eolian mass accumulation rates, an indication of the aridity of the source region, are usually higher during glacial times. Eolian grainsize, an indication of the intensity of atmospheric circulation, generally fluctuates at a higher frequency than the 100,000-yr glacial cycle. The mid-Brunhes climatic event centered at 300,000 yr ago appears as a 50,000-yr interval of low intensity and reduced variability of atmospheric circulation. Furthermore, the nature of this entire record changes then, with the younger portion indicating less variation in wind intensity than the older part of the record. The late Matuyama increase in amplitude of paleoclimatic signals begins 875,000 yr ago in the eolian record, 25,000 yr before the δ18O and CaCO3 percentage amplitude increases about 850,000 yr ago.

Type
Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , November 1987 , pp. 323 - 339
Copyright
University of Washington

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