Evidence of volcanic ash at a K-T boundary section: Ocean drilling program hole 690 C, Maud Rise, Weddell Sea off East Antarctica

• Main Authors: Bryant, W. R., Burckle, L. H., Futterer, D. K., Kennett, James P., Pospichal, J., Barker, P. F., Oconnell, S., Wise, S. W., Egeberg, P. K., Hamilton, N.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1988
• Subjects: OCEANOGRAPHY; Southern Ocean; Weddell Sea; East Antarctica; Indian; Weddell; Maud Rise; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/19890012039

Rare vitric volcanogenic ash but more abundant clay minerals considered volcanogenic in origin are associated with an expanded and essentially complete K-T boundary sequence from Ocean Drilling Project (ODP) Hole 690 C on Maud Rise in the Weddell Sea off East Antarctica. Results at this writing are preliminary and are still based to some extent on shipboard descriptions. Further shore-based studies are in progress. It would appear, however, that the presence of volcanic ash and altered ash in the Danian section beginning at the biostratigraphically and paleomagnetically determined K-T boundary on Maud Rise can be cited as evidence of significant volcanic activity within the South Atlantic-Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean coincident with the time of biotic crises at the end of the Maestrichtian. This is a postulated time of tectonic and volcanic activity within this Southern Hemisphere region, including possible initiation of the Reunion hot spot and a peak in explosive volcanism on Walvis Ridge (1) among other events. A causal relationship with the biotic crisis is possible and volcanism should be given serious consideration as a testable working hypothesis to explain these extinctions.