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Stephen P Hesselbo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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orbital pacing and secular evolution of the Early Jurassic carbon cycle
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2020Co-Authors: Micha Ruhl, Hugh C Jenkyns, Stephen P Hesselbo, Marisa Storm, Clemens V Ullmann, Melanie J Leng, James B RidingAbstract:Global perturbations to the Early Jurassic environment (∼201 to ∼174 Ma), notably during the Triassic–Jurassic transition and Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, are well studied and largely associated with volcanogenic greenhouse gas emissions released by large igneous provinces. The long-term secular evolution, timing, and pacing of changes in the Early Jurassic carbon cycle that provide context for these events are thus far poorly understood due to a lack of continuous high-resolution δ13C data. Here we present a δ13CTOC record for the uppermost Rhaetian (Triassic) to Pliensbachian (Lower Jurassic), derived from a calcareous mudstone succession of the exceptionally expanded Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) borehole, Cardigan Bay Basin, Wales, United Kingdom. Combined with existing δ13CTOC data from the Toarcian, the compilation covers the entire Lower Jurassic. The dataset reproduces large-amplitude δ13CTOC excursions (>3‰) recognized elsewhere, at the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian transition and in the lower Toarcian serpentinum zone, as well as several previously identified medium-amplitude (∼0.5 to 2‰) shifts in the Hettangian to Pliensbachian interval. In addition, multiple hitherto undiscovered isotope shifts of comparable amplitude and stratigraphic extent are recorded, demonstrating that those similar features described earlier from stratigraphically more limited sections are nonunique in a long-term context. These shifts are identified as long-eccentricity (∼405-ky) orbital cycles. Orbital tuning of the δ13CTOC record provides the basis for an astrochronological duration estimate for the Pliensbachian and Sinemurian, giving implications for the duration of the Hettangian Stage. Overall the chemostratigraphy illustrates particular sensitivity of the marine carbon cycle to long-eccentricity orbital forcing.
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astronomical constraints on the duration of the Early Jurassic pliensbachian stage and global climatic fluctuations
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2016Co-Authors: Micha Ruhl, James B Riding, Hugh C Jenkyns, Stephen P Hesselbo, Linda A Hinnov, Marisa Storm, Daniel Minisini, Clemens V Ullmann, Melanie J LengAbstract:The Early Jurassic was marked by multiple periods of major global climatic and palaeoceanographic change, biotic turnover and perturbed global geochemical cycles, commonly linked to large igneous province volcanism. This epoch was also characterised by the initial break-up of the super-continent Pangaea and the opening and formation of shallow-marine basins and ocean gateways, the timing of which are poorly constrained. Here, we show that the Pliensbachian Stage and the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian global carbon-cycle perturbation (marked by a negative shift in δ13Cδ13C of 2–4‰2–4‰), have respective durations of ∼8.7 and ∼2 Myr. We astronomically tune the floating Pliensbachian time scale to the 405 Kyr eccentricity solution (La2010d), and propose a revised Early Jurassic time scale with a significantly shortened Sinemurian Stage duration of 6.9±0.4 Myr6.9±0.4 Myr. When calibrated against the new time scale, the existing Pliensbachian seawater 87Sr/86Sr record shows relatively stable values during the first ∼2 Myr of the Pliensbachian, superimposed on the long-term Early Jurassic decline in 87Sr/86Sr. This plateau in 87Sr/86Sr values coincides with the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary carbon-cycle perturbation. It is possibly linked to a late phase of Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) volcanism that induced enhanced global weathering of continental crustal materials, leading to an elevated radiogenic strontium flux to the global ocean.
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pacing of the toarcian oceanic anoxic event Early Jurassic from astronomical correlation of marine sections
Gondwana Research, 2014Co-Authors: Chunju Huang, Stephen P HesselboAbstract:Abstract The Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) in the Early Jurassic Period is associated with a major negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE), mass extinction, marine transgression and global warming. The Toarcian OAE is thought to have been caused by flood basalt magmatism, and may have been a trigger for mass extinction. However, these proposed causes of the Toarcian OAE and associated biotic crisis are not adequately resolved by a precise chronology. The duration of the Toarcian OAE has been estimated to be anywhere from ~ 0.12 to ~ 0.9 Myr, most recently 0.74 to 3.26 Myr from U–Pb dating. The CIE associated with the Toarcian OAE has a similar pattern at numerous localities, and there is evidence that the marine carbon isotope variations recorded astronomical forcing signals. Here we estimate a duration of ~ 620 kyr for the main negative CIE, ~ 860 kyr for the polymorphum zone and > 1.58 Myr for the levisoni zone based on 405-kyr astronomical eccentricity tuning of the marine section at Peniche (Portugal). This 405-kyr tuned series provides a ~ 2.5 Myr continuous high-resolution chronology through the Early Toarcian. There are 6, or possibly 7 short eccentricity cycles in the main CIE interval at Peniche. To confirm this astronomically based estimate, we analyzed three other sections at Yorkshire (UK), Dotternhausen (Germany), and Valdorbia (Italy) from marine carbon isotopic series. These four stratigraphic sections from Early Jurassic western Tethys record the Toarcian OAE with ~ 6 prominent carbon isotope cycles in the CIE that span a 600 ± 100 kyr duration. The Peniche 405-kyr tuned series indicates that the pre- and post-CIE intervals experienced strong precession–eccentricity-forced climate change, whereas the CIE interval is marked by dominant obliquity forcing. These dramatic and abrupt changes in astronomical response in the carbon isotopes point to fundamental shifting in the Early Toarcian paleoclimate system that was directly linked to the global carbon cycle.
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isotopic and palynological evidence for a new Early Jurassic environmental perturbation
Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 2013Co-Authors: James B Riding, Stephen P Hesselbo, Melanie J Leng, Sev Kender, Susanne FeistburkhardtAbstract:The Early Jurassic Epoch was a predominantly greenhouse phase of Earth history, but a comprehensive understanding of its climate dynamics is hampered by a lack of high resolution multi-proxy environmental records. Here we report a geologically brief (approximately several hundred thousand years) negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) of 2–3‰ in both marine and terrestrial materials, recognised for the first time for the Late Sinemurian Substage (Early Jurassic, ~ 194 Ma) of eastern England. The Late Sinemurian carbon isotope excursion, which is termed the S-CIE herein, is accompanied by peaks in the abundance of the pollen grain Classopollis classoides and the dinoflagellate cyst Liasidium variabile. Classopollis classoides was thermophilic and is a reliable proxy for hot/warm climatic conditions. Liasidium variabile is interpreted as thermophilic and eutrophic using multivariate statistics, its fluorescence properties being similar to living heterotrophic dinoflagellate cysts, and its association with C. classoides. Moreover, the morphological and ecological similarities of L. variabile to the Cenozoic genus Apectodinium are noteworthy. The co-occurrence of the acmes of C. classoides and L. variabile with a negative CIE is interpreted here as having wide geographical significance due to the marine and terrestrial carbon isotope signals being precisely in phase within an open marine setting. This is consistent with an oceanic–atmospheric injection of isotopically-light carbon, coupled with global warming and increased marginal marine nutrient supply, possibly the result of increased precipitation due to an enhanced hydrological cycle or a seasonally-stratified water column. A probable sea level rise of at least regional extent has been identified at the L. variabile event in other records, which supports this putative phase of global warming. All these features are common to the Paleocene/Eocene thermal maximum (PETM, ~ 56 Ma), and there are also similarities with the Early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE, ~ 182 Ma).
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shallow marine carbon and oxygen isotope and elemental records indicate icehouse greenhouse cycles during the Early Jurassic
Paleoceanography, 2011Co-Authors: Christoph Korte, Stephen P HesselboAbstract:[1] For much of the Mesozoic record there has been an inconclusive debate on the possible global significance of isotopic proxies for environmental change and of sequence stratigraphic depositional sequences. We present a carbon and oxygen isotope and elemental record for part of the Early Jurassic based on marine benthic and nektobenthic molluscs and brachiopods from the shallow marine succession of the Cleveland Basin, UK. The invertebrate isotope record is supplemented with carbon isotope data from fossil wood, which samples atmospheric carbon. New data elucidate two major global carbon isotope events, a negative excursion of ∼2‰ at the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary, and a positive excursion of ∼2‰ in the Late Pliensbachian. The Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary event is similar to the slightly younger Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event and is characterized by deposition of relatively deepwater organic-rich shale. The Late Pliensbachian strata by contrast are characterized by shallow marine deposition. Oxygen isotope data imply cooling locally for both events. However, because deeper water conditions characterize the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary in the Cleveland Basin the temperature drop is likely of local significance; in contrast a cool Late Pliensbachian shallow seafloor agrees with previous inference of partial icehouse conditions. Both the large-scale, long-term and small-scale, short-duration isotopic cycles occurred in concert with relative sea level changes documented previously from sequence stratigraphy. Isotope events and the sea level cycles are concluded to reflect processes of global significance, supporting the idea of an Early Jurassic in which cyclic swings from icehouse to greenhouse and super greenhouse conditions occurred at timescales from 1 to 10 Ma.
Henrik Svensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the chachil limestone pliensbachian earliest toarcian neuquen basin argentina u pb age calibration and its significance on the Early Jurassic evolution of southwestern gondwana
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2013Co-Authors: Hector A Leanza, Henrik Svensen, Adriano Mazzini, Fernando Corfu, Eduardo Jorge Llambias, Sverre Planke, Olivier GallandAbstract:Abstract New radiometric U–Pb ages obtained on zircon crystals from Early Jurassic ash layers found within beds of the Chachil Limestone at its type locality in the Chachil depocentre (southern Neuquen Basin) confirm a Pliensbachian age (186.0 ± 0.4 Ma). Additionally, two ash layers found in limestone beds in Chacay Melehue at the Cordillera del Viento depocentre (central Neuquen Basin) gave Early Pliensbachian (185.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and earliest Toarcian (182.3 ± 0.4 Ma) U–Pb zircon ages. Based on these new datings and regional geological observations, we propose that the limestones cropping out at Chacay Melehue are correlatable with the Chachil Limestone. Recent data by other authors from limestones at Serrucho creek in the upper Puesto Araya Formation (Valenciana depocentre, southern Mendoza) reveal ages of 182.16 ± 0.6 Ma. Based on these new evidences, we consider the Chachil Limestone an important Early Jurassic stratigraphic marker, representing an almost instantaneous widespread flooding episode in western Gondwana. The unit marks the initiation in the Neuquen Basin of the Cuyo Group, followed by widespread black shale deposition. Accordingly, these limestones can be regarded as the natural seal of the Late Triassic –earliest Jurassic Precuyano Cycle, which represents the infill of halfgrabens and/or grabens related to a strong extensional regime. Paleontological evidence supports that during Pliensbachian–earliest Toarcian times these limestones were deposited in western Gondwana in marine warm water environments.
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the chachil limestone pliensbachian earliest toarcian neuquen basin argentina u pb age calibration and its significance on the Early Jurassic evolution of southwestern gondwana
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2013Co-Authors: Hector A Leanza, Henrik Svensen, Adriano Mazzini, Fernando Corfu, Eduardo Jorge Llambias, Sverre Planke, Olivier GallandAbstract:Abstract New radiometric U–Pb ages obtained on zircon crystals from Early Jurassic ash layers found within beds of the Chachil Limestone at its type locality in the Chachil depocentre (southern Neuquen Basin) confirm a Pliensbachian age (186.0 ± 0.4 Ma). Additionally, two ash layers found in limestone beds in Chacay Melehue at the Cordillera del Viento depocentre (central Neuquen Basin) gave Early Pliensbachian (185.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and earliest Toarcian (182.3 ± 0.4 Ma) U–Pb zircon ages. Based on these new datings and regional geological observations, we propose that the limestones cropping out at Chacay Melehue are correlatable with the Chachil Limestone. Recent data by other authors from limestones at Serrucho creek in the upper Puesto Araya Formation (Valenciana depocentre, southern Mendoza) reveal ages of 182.16 ± 0.6 Ma. Based on these new evidences, we consider the Chachil Limestone an important Early Jurassic stratigraphic marker, representing an almost instantaneous widespread flooding episode in western Gondwana. The unit marks the initiation in the Neuquen Basin of the Cuyo Group, followed by widespread black shale deposition. Accordingly, these limestones can be regarded as the natural seal of the Late Triassic –earliest Jurassic Precuyano Cycle, which represents the infill of halfgrabens and/or grabens related to a strong extensional regime. Paleontological evidence supports that during Pliensbachian–earliest Toarcian times these limestones were deposited in western Gondwana in marine warm water environments.
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hydrothermal venting of greenhouse gases triggering Early Jurassic global warming
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2007Co-Authors: Henrik Svensen, Fernando Corfu, Sverre Planke, Luc Chevallier, Anders Malthesorenssen, Bjørn JamtveitAbstract:Abstract The climate change in the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) was characterized by a major perturbation of the global carbon cycle. The event lasted for approximately 200,000 years and was manifested by a global warming of ∼ 6 °C, anoxic conditions in the oceans, and extinction of marine species. The triggering mechanisms for the perturbation and environmental change are however strongly debated. Here, we present evidence for a rapid formation and transport of greenhouse gases from the deep sedimentary reservoirs in the Karoo Basin, South Africa. Magmatic sills were emplaced during the initial stages of formation of the Early Jurassic Karoo Large Igneous Province, and had a profound influence on the fate of light elements in the organic-rich sedimentary host rocks. Total organic carbon contents and vitrinite reflectivity data from contact aureoles around the sills show that organic carbon was lost from the country rocks during heating. We present data from a new type of geological structures, termed breccia pipes, rooted in the aureoles within the shale of the Western Karoo Basin. The breccia pipes are cylindrical structures up to 150 meters in diameter and are mainly comprised of brecciated and baked black shale. Thousands of breccia pipes were formed due to gas pressure build-up during metamorphism of the shales, resulting in venting of greenhouse gases to the Toarcian atmosphere. Mass balance calculations constrained by new aureole data show that up to 1800 Gt of CO2 was formed from organic material in the western Karoo Basin. About 15 times this amount of CO2 (27,400 Gt) may have formed in the entire basin during the intrusive event. U–Pb dating of zircons from a sill related to many of the pipes demonstrates that the magma was emplaced 182.5 ± 0.4 million years ago. This supports a causal relationship between the intrusive volcanism, the gas venting, and the Toarcian global warming.
Sverre Planke - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the chachil limestone pliensbachian earliest toarcian neuquen basin argentina u pb age calibration and its significance on the Early Jurassic evolution of southwestern gondwana
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2013Co-Authors: Hector A Leanza, Henrik Svensen, Adriano Mazzini, Fernando Corfu, Eduardo Jorge Llambias, Sverre Planke, Olivier GallandAbstract:Abstract New radiometric U–Pb ages obtained on zircon crystals from Early Jurassic ash layers found within beds of the Chachil Limestone at its type locality in the Chachil depocentre (southern Neuquen Basin) confirm a Pliensbachian age (186.0 ± 0.4 Ma). Additionally, two ash layers found in limestone beds in Chacay Melehue at the Cordillera del Viento depocentre (central Neuquen Basin) gave Early Pliensbachian (185.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and earliest Toarcian (182.3 ± 0.4 Ma) U–Pb zircon ages. Based on these new datings and regional geological observations, we propose that the limestones cropping out at Chacay Melehue are correlatable with the Chachil Limestone. Recent data by other authors from limestones at Serrucho creek in the upper Puesto Araya Formation (Valenciana depocentre, southern Mendoza) reveal ages of 182.16 ± 0.6 Ma. Based on these new evidences, we consider the Chachil Limestone an important Early Jurassic stratigraphic marker, representing an almost instantaneous widespread flooding episode in western Gondwana. The unit marks the initiation in the Neuquen Basin of the Cuyo Group, followed by widespread black shale deposition. Accordingly, these limestones can be regarded as the natural seal of the Late Triassic –earliest Jurassic Precuyano Cycle, which represents the infill of halfgrabens and/or grabens related to a strong extensional regime. Paleontological evidence supports that during Pliensbachian–earliest Toarcian times these limestones were deposited in western Gondwana in marine warm water environments.
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the chachil limestone pliensbachian earliest toarcian neuquen basin argentina u pb age calibration and its significance on the Early Jurassic evolution of southwestern gondwana
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2013Co-Authors: Hector A Leanza, Henrik Svensen, Adriano Mazzini, Fernando Corfu, Eduardo Jorge Llambias, Sverre Planke, Olivier GallandAbstract:Abstract New radiometric U–Pb ages obtained on zircon crystals from Early Jurassic ash layers found within beds of the Chachil Limestone at its type locality in the Chachil depocentre (southern Neuquen Basin) confirm a Pliensbachian age (186.0 ± 0.4 Ma). Additionally, two ash layers found in limestone beds in Chacay Melehue at the Cordillera del Viento depocentre (central Neuquen Basin) gave Early Pliensbachian (185.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and earliest Toarcian (182.3 ± 0.4 Ma) U–Pb zircon ages. Based on these new datings and regional geological observations, we propose that the limestones cropping out at Chacay Melehue are correlatable with the Chachil Limestone. Recent data by other authors from limestones at Serrucho creek in the upper Puesto Araya Formation (Valenciana depocentre, southern Mendoza) reveal ages of 182.16 ± 0.6 Ma. Based on these new evidences, we consider the Chachil Limestone an important Early Jurassic stratigraphic marker, representing an almost instantaneous widespread flooding episode in western Gondwana. The unit marks the initiation in the Neuquen Basin of the Cuyo Group, followed by widespread black shale deposition. Accordingly, these limestones can be regarded as the natural seal of the Late Triassic –earliest Jurassic Precuyano Cycle, which represents the infill of halfgrabens and/or grabens related to a strong extensional regime. Paleontological evidence supports that during Pliensbachian–earliest Toarcian times these limestones were deposited in western Gondwana in marine warm water environments.
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hydrothermal venting of greenhouse gases triggering Early Jurassic global warming
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2007Co-Authors: Henrik Svensen, Fernando Corfu, Sverre Planke, Luc Chevallier, Anders Malthesorenssen, Bjørn JamtveitAbstract:Abstract The climate change in the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) was characterized by a major perturbation of the global carbon cycle. The event lasted for approximately 200,000 years and was manifested by a global warming of ∼ 6 °C, anoxic conditions in the oceans, and extinction of marine species. The triggering mechanisms for the perturbation and environmental change are however strongly debated. Here, we present evidence for a rapid formation and transport of greenhouse gases from the deep sedimentary reservoirs in the Karoo Basin, South Africa. Magmatic sills were emplaced during the initial stages of formation of the Early Jurassic Karoo Large Igneous Province, and had a profound influence on the fate of light elements in the organic-rich sedimentary host rocks. Total organic carbon contents and vitrinite reflectivity data from contact aureoles around the sills show that organic carbon was lost from the country rocks during heating. We present data from a new type of geological structures, termed breccia pipes, rooted in the aureoles within the shale of the Western Karoo Basin. The breccia pipes are cylindrical structures up to 150 meters in diameter and are mainly comprised of brecciated and baked black shale. Thousands of breccia pipes were formed due to gas pressure build-up during metamorphism of the shales, resulting in venting of greenhouse gases to the Toarcian atmosphere. Mass balance calculations constrained by new aureole data show that up to 1800 Gt of CO2 was formed from organic material in the western Karoo Basin. About 15 times this amount of CO2 (27,400 Gt) may have formed in the entire basin during the intrusive event. U–Pb dating of zircons from a sill related to many of the pipes demonstrates that the magma was emplaced 182.5 ± 0.4 million years ago. This supports a causal relationship between the intrusive volcanism, the gas venting, and the Toarcian global warming.
Fernando Corfu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the chachil limestone pliensbachian earliest toarcian neuquen basin argentina u pb age calibration and its significance on the Early Jurassic evolution of southwestern gondwana
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2013Co-Authors: Hector A Leanza, Henrik Svensen, Adriano Mazzini, Fernando Corfu, Eduardo Jorge Llambias, Sverre Planke, Olivier GallandAbstract:Abstract New radiometric U–Pb ages obtained on zircon crystals from Early Jurassic ash layers found within beds of the Chachil Limestone at its type locality in the Chachil depocentre (southern Neuquen Basin) confirm a Pliensbachian age (186.0 ± 0.4 Ma). Additionally, two ash layers found in limestone beds in Chacay Melehue at the Cordillera del Viento depocentre (central Neuquen Basin) gave Early Pliensbachian (185.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and earliest Toarcian (182.3 ± 0.4 Ma) U–Pb zircon ages. Based on these new datings and regional geological observations, we propose that the limestones cropping out at Chacay Melehue are correlatable with the Chachil Limestone. Recent data by other authors from limestones at Serrucho creek in the upper Puesto Araya Formation (Valenciana depocentre, southern Mendoza) reveal ages of 182.16 ± 0.6 Ma. Based on these new evidences, we consider the Chachil Limestone an important Early Jurassic stratigraphic marker, representing an almost instantaneous widespread flooding episode in western Gondwana. The unit marks the initiation in the Neuquen Basin of the Cuyo Group, followed by widespread black shale deposition. Accordingly, these limestones can be regarded as the natural seal of the Late Triassic –earliest Jurassic Precuyano Cycle, which represents the infill of halfgrabens and/or grabens related to a strong extensional regime. Paleontological evidence supports that during Pliensbachian–earliest Toarcian times these limestones were deposited in western Gondwana in marine warm water environments.
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the chachil limestone pliensbachian earliest toarcian neuquen basin argentina u pb age calibration and its significance on the Early Jurassic evolution of southwestern gondwana
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2013Co-Authors: Hector A Leanza, Henrik Svensen, Adriano Mazzini, Fernando Corfu, Eduardo Jorge Llambias, Sverre Planke, Olivier GallandAbstract:Abstract New radiometric U–Pb ages obtained on zircon crystals from Early Jurassic ash layers found within beds of the Chachil Limestone at its type locality in the Chachil depocentre (southern Neuquen Basin) confirm a Pliensbachian age (186.0 ± 0.4 Ma). Additionally, two ash layers found in limestone beds in Chacay Melehue at the Cordillera del Viento depocentre (central Neuquen Basin) gave Early Pliensbachian (185.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and earliest Toarcian (182.3 ± 0.4 Ma) U–Pb zircon ages. Based on these new datings and regional geological observations, we propose that the limestones cropping out at Chacay Melehue are correlatable with the Chachil Limestone. Recent data by other authors from limestones at Serrucho creek in the upper Puesto Araya Formation (Valenciana depocentre, southern Mendoza) reveal ages of 182.16 ± 0.6 Ma. Based on these new evidences, we consider the Chachil Limestone an important Early Jurassic stratigraphic marker, representing an almost instantaneous widespread flooding episode in western Gondwana. The unit marks the initiation in the Neuquen Basin of the Cuyo Group, followed by widespread black shale deposition. Accordingly, these limestones can be regarded as the natural seal of the Late Triassic –earliest Jurassic Precuyano Cycle, which represents the infill of halfgrabens and/or grabens related to a strong extensional regime. Paleontological evidence supports that during Pliensbachian–earliest Toarcian times these limestones were deposited in western Gondwana in marine warm water environments.
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hydrothermal venting of greenhouse gases triggering Early Jurassic global warming
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2007Co-Authors: Henrik Svensen, Fernando Corfu, Sverre Planke, Luc Chevallier, Anders Malthesorenssen, Bjørn JamtveitAbstract:Abstract The climate change in the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) was characterized by a major perturbation of the global carbon cycle. The event lasted for approximately 200,000 years and was manifested by a global warming of ∼ 6 °C, anoxic conditions in the oceans, and extinction of marine species. The triggering mechanisms for the perturbation and environmental change are however strongly debated. Here, we present evidence for a rapid formation and transport of greenhouse gases from the deep sedimentary reservoirs in the Karoo Basin, South Africa. Magmatic sills were emplaced during the initial stages of formation of the Early Jurassic Karoo Large Igneous Province, and had a profound influence on the fate of light elements in the organic-rich sedimentary host rocks. Total organic carbon contents and vitrinite reflectivity data from contact aureoles around the sills show that organic carbon was lost from the country rocks during heating. We present data from a new type of geological structures, termed breccia pipes, rooted in the aureoles within the shale of the Western Karoo Basin. The breccia pipes are cylindrical structures up to 150 meters in diameter and are mainly comprised of brecciated and baked black shale. Thousands of breccia pipes were formed due to gas pressure build-up during metamorphism of the shales, resulting in venting of greenhouse gases to the Toarcian atmosphere. Mass balance calculations constrained by new aureole data show that up to 1800 Gt of CO2 was formed from organic material in the western Karoo Basin. About 15 times this amount of CO2 (27,400 Gt) may have formed in the entire basin during the intrusive event. U–Pb dating of zircons from a sill related to many of the pipes demonstrates that the magma was emplaced 182.5 ± 0.4 million years ago. This supports a causal relationship between the intrusive volcanism, the gas venting, and the Toarcian global warming.
Hugh C Jenkyns - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Early Jurassic long term oceanic sulfur cycle perturbations in the tibetan himalaya
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2021Co-Authors: Robert J Newton, Hugh C Jenkyns, Zhong Han, Robert A Jamieson, Marco FranceschiAbstract:Abstract The Early Jurassic is an important interval characterized by several global carbon-isotope ( δ 13 C) perturbations. Although the δ 13 C records are becoming better documented during this time interval, we have a relatively poor understanding of the associated long-term environmental and climatic changes. In order to decipher these events, we here present new stable sulfur-isotope data of carbonate-associated sulfate ( δ 34 SCAS) for the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian interval from the Wolong section in the Tibetan Himalaya that was located palaeogeographically in the southern hemisphere. An overall positive shift in δ 34 SCAS coincides with the negative δ 13 C excursion around the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary, suggesting an increased 34S-depleted pyrite burial rate. The ensuing overarching negative δ 34 SCAS shift coincides with the upper Pliensbachian positive δ 13 C excursion. The initial falling limb of the δ 34 SCAS shift suggests a transient δ 34 S-depleted sulfate input, but this trend was soon reversed to become positive, likely caused by a persistently enhanced 32S-rich pyrite burial flux in the latest Pliensbachian. Modeling results show that maximum oceanic sulfate concentration likely decreased during the Sinemurian–Toarcian interval, probably due to large-scale evaporite deposition in the western Tethys and proto-Atlantic and enhanced pyrite burial in a number of marine settings. The concentration of seawater sulfate could have been high enough to maintain a homogeneous sulfur-isotope ocean in the late Sinemurian, but its persistent decrease may have initiated a spatially heterogeneous ocean after the Pliensbachian: an oceanic geochemical state that was amplified during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event.
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orbital pacing and secular evolution of the Early Jurassic carbon cycle
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2020Co-Authors: Micha Ruhl, Hugh C Jenkyns, Stephen P Hesselbo, Marisa Storm, Clemens V Ullmann, Melanie J Leng, James B RidingAbstract:Global perturbations to the Early Jurassic environment (∼201 to ∼174 Ma), notably during the Triassic–Jurassic transition and Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, are well studied and largely associated with volcanogenic greenhouse gas emissions released by large igneous provinces. The long-term secular evolution, timing, and pacing of changes in the Early Jurassic carbon cycle that provide context for these events are thus far poorly understood due to a lack of continuous high-resolution δ13C data. Here we present a δ13CTOC record for the uppermost Rhaetian (Triassic) to Pliensbachian (Lower Jurassic), derived from a calcareous mudstone succession of the exceptionally expanded Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) borehole, Cardigan Bay Basin, Wales, United Kingdom. Combined with existing δ13CTOC data from the Toarcian, the compilation covers the entire Lower Jurassic. The dataset reproduces large-amplitude δ13CTOC excursions (>3‰) recognized elsewhere, at the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian transition and in the lower Toarcian serpentinum zone, as well as several previously identified medium-amplitude (∼0.5 to 2‰) shifts in the Hettangian to Pliensbachian interval. In addition, multiple hitherto undiscovered isotope shifts of comparable amplitude and stratigraphic extent are recorded, demonstrating that those similar features described earlier from stratigraphically more limited sections are nonunique in a long-term context. These shifts are identified as long-eccentricity (∼405-ky) orbital cycles. Orbital tuning of the δ13CTOC record provides the basis for an astrochronological duration estimate for the Pliensbachian and Sinemurian, giving implications for the duration of the Hettangian Stage. Overall the chemostratigraphy illustrates particular sensitivity of the marine carbon cycle to long-eccentricity orbital forcing.
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molybdenum isotope chemostratigraphy and paleoceanography of the toarcian oceanic anoxic event Early Jurassic
Paleoceanography, 2017Co-Authors: Alexander J Dickson, Benjamin C Gill, Micha Ruhl, Hugh C Jenkyns, D Porcelli, Erdem Idiz, Timothy W Lyons, Sander Van Den BoornAbstract:Molybdenum (Mo)-isotope chemostratigraphy of organic-rich mudrocks has been a valuable tool for testing the hypothesis that the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, Early Jurassic, ~183 Ma) was characterized by the spread of marine euxinia (and organic-matter burial) at a global scale. However, the interpretation of existing Mo-isotope data for the T-OAE (from Yorkshire, Cleveland Basin, U.K.) is equivocal. In this study, three new Mo-isotope profiles are presented: from Dotternhausen Quarry (South German Basin, Germany), the Rijswijk core (West Netherlands Basin, Netherlands) and the Dogna core (Belluno Basin, northern Italy). Precise bio- and chemo-stratigraphic correlation between the three sites allows a direct comparison of the data, enabling some key conclusions to be reached: (i) The Mo-isotope composition of seawater during the peak of the T-OAE was probably close to ~1.45 ‰, implicating a greater removal flux of sulphides from seawater, and a larger extent of global seafloor euxinia compared to the present day; (ii) Mo-isotope cycles previously identified in the Yorkshire sedimentary succession are attributed to changes in the degree of local Mo drawdown from overlying Cleveland Basin seawater; (iii) The consistency of the new multi-site Mo-isotope dataset indicates a secular reduction in the burial of sulphides globally in the late stages of the T-OAE, implying a contraction in the extent of global marine euxinia; (iv) Subtle differences in the Mo-isotope composition of deposits formed in different euxinic sub-basins of the European epicontinental shelf were probably governed by local variations in basin hydrography and rates of water renewal.
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astronomical constraints on the duration of the Early Jurassic pliensbachian stage and global climatic fluctuations
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2016Co-Authors: Micha Ruhl, James B Riding, Hugh C Jenkyns, Stephen P Hesselbo, Linda A Hinnov, Marisa Storm, Daniel Minisini, Clemens V Ullmann, Melanie J LengAbstract:The Early Jurassic was marked by multiple periods of major global climatic and palaeoceanographic change, biotic turnover and perturbed global geochemical cycles, commonly linked to large igneous province volcanism. This epoch was also characterised by the initial break-up of the super-continent Pangaea and the opening and formation of shallow-marine basins and ocean gateways, the timing of which are poorly constrained. Here, we show that the Pliensbachian Stage and the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian global carbon-cycle perturbation (marked by a negative shift in δ13Cδ13C of 2–4‰2–4‰), have respective durations of ∼8.7 and ∼2 Myr. We astronomically tune the floating Pliensbachian time scale to the 405 Kyr eccentricity solution (La2010d), and propose a revised Early Jurassic time scale with a significantly shortened Sinemurian Stage duration of 6.9±0.4 Myr6.9±0.4 Myr. When calibrated against the new time scale, the existing Pliensbachian seawater 87Sr/86Sr record shows relatively stable values during the first ∼2 Myr of the Pliensbachian, superimposed on the long-term Early Jurassic decline in 87Sr/86Sr. This plateau in 87Sr/86Sr values coincides with the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary carbon-cycle perturbation. It is possibly linked to a late phase of Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) volcanism that induced enhanced global weathering of continental crustal materials, leading to an elevated radiogenic strontium flux to the global ocean.
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Strontium isotopes in Early Jurassic seawater
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1994Co-Authors: Charles E Jones, Hugh C Jenkyns, Stephen P HesselboAbstract:Abstract The analysis of well-preserved, well-dated belemnites and oysters from the Jurassic of Great Britain has resulted in a well-constrained, detailed seawater strontium isotope curve for the Early Jurassic. The preservation of fossil low-Mg calcite was monitored using Mn, Fe, δ 13 C , and δ 18 O . Iron was the most useful indicator, with about 75% of the samples containing more than 150 ppm Fe showing 87 Sr 86 Sr ratios elevated relative to adjacent points on the curve. High Mn concentrations less often correlated with elevated 87 Sr 86 Sr ratios; however, low Mn concentrations ( 87 Sr 86 Sr . δ 13 C and δ 18 O proved to be insensitive to diagenesis as it affects 87 Sr 86 Sr . The principal features of the strontium isotope curve include a rise to about 0.70772 in the latest Triassic and earliest Jurassic (Hettangian). From the Hettangian, the curve begins a roughly linear descent through the Sinemurian and Pliensbachian. Following a small levelling off and increase in the late Pliensbachian, the curve falls rapidly to its Early Jurassic minimum of 0.70706. It then gently increases through the Toarcian until the falciferum zone, where it shows an apparently abrupt increase to 0.70719 before continuing its slow increase to 0.70728 in the Aalenian-Bajocian (Middle Jurassic). This reversal of the downwards trend established in the Sinemurian and Pliensbachian had not been previously identified. The Sinemurian and Pliensbachian section of the curve potentially allows correlation and dating to within 1 or 2 ammonite subzones (±0.5 to 1 Ma).
