An integrated stratigraphic record of the Palaeocene–lower Eocene at Gubbio (Italy): new insights into the early Palaeogene hyperthermals and carbon isotope excursions

Abstract

Terra Nova, 24, 380–386, 2012 Abstract A high‐resolution, integrated stratigraphic framework (stable isotope stratigraphy, standard calcareous nannofossil and foraminiferal biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy) together with geochemical and rock magnetic properties’ analyses of a complete and well‐preserved succession at Contessa Valley (Gubbio, central Italy) have offered an excellent opportunity to identify and constrain the Palaeocene to early Eocene hyperthermals and carbon isotope excursions (CIEs). In addition, we provide the first evidence in the Tethys Ocean of CIEs, previously identified in the Pacific, Atlantic and Southern Oceans, highlighting their global significance and of some unknown CIEs. Their characteristics are compared with those reported for deep‐sea cores and other land‐based sections to test whether the signature associated with CIEs documented in our composite section might give evidence for tracing them over wider areas. The Contessa composite section thus represents a reference succession also for insight into the magnetobiochronostratigraphy and the magnitude of early Palaeogene hyperthermals and CIEs.

Early Eocene climatic optimum: Environmental impact on the North Iberian continental margin

“…The top of interval 2 practically coincides with the NP12/13 and E6/7a boundaries. In accordance with other studies that have dealt with the end of the early Eocene climatic optimum (Schneider et al, 2011;Coccioni et al, 2012;Shamrock et al, 2012), the end of interval 2 coincides with the first occurrence of the cool-water calcareous nannofossil Reticulofenestra dictyoda (Bernaola et al, 2006a).…”

“…The predominance of tropical planktic foraminiferal taxa (64%) suggests that sea-surface temperatures were warm during earliest Eocene times. According to available chronostratigraphic data, the two isolated occurrences of increased tropical planktic foraminifera (~70%) could well be attributed to the earliest Eocene hyperthermal events ETM2 and ETM3 (Zachos et al, 2008;Coccioni et al, 2012;Slotnick et al, 2012;Kirtland-Turner et al, 2014); however, the further analysis of these events is beyond the scope of the present study.…”

“…Several short-lived (tens to hundreds of thousands of years) extreme warming events, commonly referred to as hyperthermals, punctuated this climatic evolution. The most prominent hyperthermal events occurred before the early Eocene climatic optimum, but other less intense events occurred both during and after (Zachos et al, 2008;Sexton et al, 2011;Coccioni et al, 2012;Slotnick et al, 2012;Kirtland-Turner et al, 2014).…”

“…Previous studies found that the onset of the long-term early Eocene climatic optimum coincided with abrupt, short-term hyperthermal events (e.g., Coccioni et al, 2012;Slotnick et al, 2012;Fig. 6).…”

Seismostratigraphy of the Ceará Plateau: Clues to Decipher the Cenozoic Evolution of Brazilian Equatorial Margin

“…The Plateau has, therefore, the potential to disclose an archive showing the "equatorial perspective" of the major cooling events of the Pliocene, middle Miocene, and Oligocene, which formed of permanent ice sheets at high latitudes at about 3, 14, and 33 Ma (Zachos et al, 2008). Moreover, this location is key to analyze the climate warming events of the Early/Middle Miocene, middle Eocene, and early Eocene/Paleocene hypertermals (Zachos et al, 2008;Coccioni et al, 2012), which can lead to a better understanding of the climatic consequences of today global warming. Ongoing studies characterizing the 3D extension of seismostratigraphical packages, defined by the reflectors and horizons recognized, aims to recognize regional paleoceanographic signatures and global paleoclimatic changes.…”