Paleoceanography Flashcards
What is a supercycle?
Moving from an icehouce to greenhouse
What is the furthest back we can date our oceans?
600 million years
Describe this curve
Curve is based on O18 (oceans get a little heavier during cold periods because O16 is stored in ice sheets)
- If you have more 18 O in the sample then you will end up with a positive number
- If you have less 18 O in the sample then you will end up with a negative number
What does PETM stand for?
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
What is a notable characteristic about the PETM time frame?
- Really hot
- In records, this is the time where you can see major excursions
- More C12 and O16
- Very short lived
What was the main driver behind the PETM?
Photosynthesis
What is the definition of Methane Hydrates?
frozen methane – produced through photosynthesis and decomposition of organic matter where the methane at cold temperature (bottom waters on continental shelf ) store this methane.
Describe the Clathrate Gun Hypothesis
- Water temperatures rise -> warm water reaches down to the bottom -> penetrates the shallow sediments -> warms them up and then they bubble -> converts to gracious methane