Micah J. Nicolo

Multiple early Eocene hyperthermals: Their sedimentary expression on the New Zealand continental margin and in the deep sea

The Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) ca. 55.5 Ma was a geologically brief interval characterized by massive influx of isotopically light carbon, extreme changes in global climate, and profound variations in Earth system processes. An outstanding issue is whether it was an isolated event, or the most prominent example of a recurring phenomenon. Recent studies of condensed deep-sea sections support the latter, but this finding remains uncertain. Here we present and discuss lithologic and carbon isotope records across two lower Eocene outcrops on South Island, New Zealand. The PETM manifests as a marl-rich horizon with a significant negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE). Above, in sediment deposited between 54 and 53 Ma, are four horizons with similar though less pronounced expressions. Marl beds of all five horizons represent increased terrigenous sedimentation, presumably linked to an accelerated hydrological cycle. Five corresponding clay-rich horizons and CIEs are found in deep-sea records, although the lithologic variations represent carbonate dissolution rather than siliciclastic dilution. The presence of five intervals with similar systemic responses in different environments suggests a mechanism that repeatedly injected large masses of 13 C-depleted carbon during the early Eocene.

Large-amplitude variations in carbon cycling and terrestrial weathering during the latest Paleocene and earliest Eocene: The record at Mead Stream, New Zealand

The late Paleocene to early Eocene was marked by major changes in Earth surface temperature and carbon cycling. This included at least two, and probably more, geologically brief (<200-k.yr.) intervals of extreme warming, the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) and the Eocene thermal maximum-2 (ETM-2). The long-term rise in warmth and short-term “hyperthermal” events have been linked to massive injections of 13C-depleted carbon into the ocean-atmosphere system and intense global climate change. However, the causes, environmental impact, and relationships remain uncertain because detailed and coupled proxy records do not extend across the entire interval of interest; we are still recognizing the exact character of the hyperthermals and developing models to explain their occurrence. Here we present lithologic and carbon isotope records for a 200-m-thick sequence of latest Paleocene–earliest Eocene upper slope limestone exposed along Mead Stream, New Zealand. New carbon isotope and lithologic analyses combined with previous work on this expanded section shows that the PETM and ETM-2, the suspected H-2, I-1, I-2, and K/X hyperthermals, and several other horizons are marked by pronounced negative carbon isotope excursions and clay-rich horizons. Generally, the late Paleocene–early Eocene lithologic and δ13C records at Mead Stream are similar to records recovered from deep-sea sites, with an important exception: lows in δ13C and carbonate content consistently span intervals of relatively high sedimentation (terrigenous dilution) rather than intervals of relatively low sedimentation (carbonate dissolution). These findings indicate that, over ∼6 m.yr., there was a series of short-term climate perturbations, each characterized by massive input of carbon and greater continental weathering. The suspected link involves global warming, elevated greenhouse-gas concentrations, and enhanced seasonal precipitation.

Rock magnetic properties across the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum in Marlborough, New Zealand

Rock magnetic properties have been investigated across the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in three uplifted sections of Paleogene marine sedimentary rocks in Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand. The sections are exposed along Mead Stream, Dee Stream and Muzzle Stream and represent a depth transect up a continental margin from an upper slope to an outer shelf. Sampling was focused on rock beds previously examined for their biostratigraphy and stable carbon isotope (d13C) composition, and where a prominent clay-rich interval referred to as Dee Marl marks the initial 80-100 kyr of the PETM. Measured magnetic properties include bulk magnetic susceptibility, hysteresis cycles and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition and back-demagnetization curves. A strong inverse correlation between magnetic susceptibility and bulk carbonate d13C is found across the PETM such that Dee Marl has low d13C and high magnetic susceptibility. At Mead Stream this interval also contains increased saturation-IRM, and thus ferromagnetic content. Rock magnetic behaviour across PETM is best explained by an increase in terrigenous discharge. This inference has been made previously for PETM intervals in New Zealand and elsewhere, although with different proxies. Increased terrigenous discharge probably signifies an acceleration of the hydrological and weathering cycles. Some changes in magnetic phases could also reflect a drop in redox conditions, which could represent higher sedimentation rates, greater input of organic carbon, dysoxic bottom waters, or a combination of all three. A drop in redox conditions has been inferred for other marine sections spanning the PETM.