Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2122/5231
Authors: Warny, S.* 
Askin, R. A.* 
Hannah, M. J.* 
Mohr, B. A. R.* 
Raine, J. I.* 
Harwood, D. M.* 
Florindo, F.* 
SMS Science Team* 
Title: Palynomorphs from a sediment core reveal a sudden remarkably warm Antarctica during the middle Miocene
Journal: Geology 
Series/Report no.: 10 / 37 (2009)
Publisher: Geological Society of America
Issue Date: Oct-2009
DOI: 10.1130/G30139A.1
Keywords: Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum
ANDRILL
Antarctica
Palynomorphs
Subject Classification04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.08. Sediments: dating, processes, transport 
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.10. Stratigraphy 
Abstract: An exceptional triple palynological signal (unusually high abundance of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial palynomorphs) recovered from a core collected during the 2007 ANDRILL (Antarctic geologic drilling program) campaign in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, provides constraints for the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum. Compared to elsewhere in the core, this signal comprises a 2000-fold increase in two species of dinoflagellate cysts, a synchronous fivefold increase in freshwater algae, and up to an 80-fold increase in terrestrial pollen, including a proliferation of woody plants. Together, these shifts in the palynological assemblages ca. 15.7 Ma ago represent a relatively short period of time during which Antarctica became abruptly much warmer. Land temperatures reached 10 °C (January mean), estimated annual sea-surface temperatures ranged from 0 to 11.5 °C, and increased freshwater input lowered the salinity during a short period of sea-ice reduction.
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