A critical re-evaluation of the Miocene/Pliocene boundary as defined in the Mediterranean

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

18

Scientific paper

A critical re-evaluation of the Miocene/Pliocene (M/P) boundary as defined-informally-in the Mediterranean is presented. We show that ages reported earlier for this boundary (ranging from 4.81 to 4.93 Ma) do not imply any diachroneity of the basal Zanclean lithohorizon which reflects the Pliocene flooding of the Mediterranean and defines the M/P boundary. These ages most likely represent an artefact resulting from intraformational variations in sedimentation rate and inconsistent interpretation of coluor variations in terms of sedimentary cycles. The best estimate for the age of this boundary arrives at 4.86 Ma if the conventional geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) of Berggren et al. [1] is used, and at 5.16 Ma if the new GPTS of Cande and Kent [2] is used. An age of 5.32 Ma is obtained if the astronomically calibrated time scale of Hilgen [3] is adhered to.
Because of its presumably global paleoclimatological significance, the M/P boundary as currently defined in the Mediterranean is preferred to a redefinition of this boundary at the Gilbert/Chron 5 boundary in a continous open-marine sequence outside the Mediterranean. In addition, this redefinition would lead to unnecessary confusion in global chronostratigraphy.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

A critical re-evaluation of the Miocene/Pliocene boundary as defined in the Mediterranean does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A critical re-evaluation of the Miocene/Pliocene boundary as defined in the Mediterranean, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A critical re-evaluation of the Miocene/Pliocene boundary as defined in the Mediterranean will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1070622

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.