A Transient Rise in Tropical Sea Surface Temperature During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Pennsylvania State University · +2 more institutions
Abstract
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) has been attributed to a rapid rise in greenhouse gas levels. If so, warming should have occurred at all latitudes, although amplified toward the poles. Existing records reveal an increase in high-latitude sea surface temperatures (SSTs) (8 degrees to 10 degrees C) and in bottom water temperatures (4 degrees to 5 degrees C). To date, however, the character of the tropical SST response during this event remains unconstrained. Here we address this deficiency by using paired oxygen isotope and minor element (magnesium/calcium) ratios of planktonic foraminifera from a tropical Pacific core to estimate changes in SST. Using mixed-layer foraminifera, we found that the…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 22.10
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 38
Authors
8- JCJames C. ZachosCorresponding
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Milan
- MWMichael W. Wara
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Milan
- SMSteven M. Bohaty
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Milan
- MLMargaret Lois Delaney
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Milan
- MRMaria Rose Petrizzo
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Milan
Topics & keywords
- Foraminifera
- Sea surface temperature
- Latitude
- Geology
- Oceanography
- Climatology
- Tropics
- Tropical climate
- Life below water