Environmental magnetic record of paleoclimate change from the Eocene-Oligocene stratotype section, Massignano, Italy

Abstract

A high-resolution environmental magnetic study of the Massignano section, Italy (Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Eocene-Oligocene boundary), has been performed to test whether a clear magnetic signature associated with climatic change is recognizable in this record. Our results reveal the existence of alternating intervals with high and low magnetic mineral concentrations similar to the pattern of rock magnetic property variations observed from an environmental magnetic study of the CIROS-1 sediment core from Antarctica. These results suggest that an external forcing mechanism drove the sedimentary response to global climate change prior to the major Oi-1 cooling event at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary.