Oxygen isotope calibration of the onset of ice-rafting and history of glaciation in the North Atlantic region ...

• Main Authors: Shackleton, N. J., Backman, J., Zimmerman, H., Kent, Dennis V., Hall, M. A., Roberts, D. G., Schnitker, D., Baldauf, J. G., Desprairies, A., Homrighausen, R., Huddleston, P., Keene, J. B., Kaltenback, A. J., Krumsiek, K. A. O., Morton, A. C., Murray, J. W., Westberg-Smith, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Columbia University 1984
• Subjects: Geology; FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences; North Atlantic Deep Water; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d80g3vnv; https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/D80G3VNV

We report here that DSDP Site SS2A, cored with the hydraulic piston corer on the west flank of RockaU Bank, recovered an undisturbed sequence of alternating white deep-sea carbonate oozes and dark-coloured layers that are rich in glacial debris. Oxygen isotope analysis of the sequence together with detailed nannofossil and palaeomagnetic stratigraphy shows that the first major horizon of ice-rafting occurred at about 2.4 Myr, and was preceded by a minor pulse of ice-rafting at about 2.5 Myr. The carbon isotope record shows that the site has been bathed by a water mass of similar characteristics to present-day North Atlantic deep water at least since 3.5 Myr. ...