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High-latitude platform carbonate deposition constitutes a climate conundrum at the terminal Mesoproterozoic

Author

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  • Michiel O. Kock

    (University of Johannesburg)

  • Ingrit Malatji

    (University of Johannesburg)

  • Herve Wabo

    (University of Johannesburg)

  • Joydip Mukhopadhyay

    (University of Johannesburg
    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research)

  • Amlan Banerjee

    (Indian Statistical Institute)

  • L. P. Maré

    (Council for Geoscience)

Abstract

During the Mesoproterozoic Era, 1600 to 1000 million years ago, global climate was warm with very little evidence of glaciation. Substantial greenhouse warming would have been required to sustain this ice-free state given 5-18% lower solar luminosity. Paleomagnetic data reported here place voluminous ca. 1.2 Ga shallow marine carbonate deposits from India at an unexpectedly high latitude of around 70° from the equator. Previous studies noted high latitudes, but their implication was never considered. Here, we evaluate the temporal-latitudinal distribution of neritic carbonate deposits across the Proterozoic and identify similar deposits from North China that together with those from India are seemingly unique to the late Mesoproterozoic. A uniformitarian interpretation implies that this is cold-water carbonate deposition, but facies similarity with low-latitude neritic deposits rather suggests a hotter climate and elevated polar ocean temperatures of 15–20° or higher. This interpretation represents a climate conundrum that would require much greater greenhouse warming than documented for the Mesoproterozoic.

Suggested Citation

  • Michiel O. Kock & Ingrit Malatji & Herve Wabo & Joydip Mukhopadhyay & Amlan Banerjee & L. P. Maré, 2024. "High-latitude platform carbonate deposition constitutes a climate conundrum at the terminal Mesoproterozoic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-46390-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46390-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alan J. Kaufman & Shuhai Xiao, 2003. "High CO2 levels in the Proterozoic atmosphere estimated from analyses of individual microfossils," Nature, Nature, vol. 425(6955), pages 279-282, September.
    2. Hugh C. Jenkyns & Astrid Forster & Stefan Schouten & Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, 2004. "High temperatures in the Late Cretaceous Arctic Ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 432(7019), pages 888-892, December.
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