Paleoceanography Flashcards

1
Q

What is a supercycle?

A

Moving from an icehouce to greenhouse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the furthest back we can date our oceans?

A

600 million years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe this curve

A

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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does PETM stand for?

A

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a notable characteristic about the PETM time frame?

A
  1. Really hot
  2. In records, this is the time where you can see major excursions
  3. More C12 and O16
  4. Very short lived
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What was the main driver behind the PETM?

A

Photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the definition of Methane Hydrates?

A

frozen methane – produced through photosynthesis and decomposition of organic matter where the methane at cold temperature (bottom waters on continental shelf ) store this methane.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the Clathrate Gun Hypothesis

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly