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Revised Onset Age of Magnetochron M0r: Chronostratigraphic and Geologic Implications
Geology
  • Youjuan Li, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Huafeng Qin, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Brian R. Jicha, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Magdalena H. Huyskens, University of California
  • Corey J. Wall, Boise State University
  • Robin B. Trayler, Boise State University
  • Qing-Zhu Yin, University of California
  • Mark Schmitz, Boise State University
  • Yongxin Pan, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Chenglong Deng, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Brad S. Singer, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Huaiyu He, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Rixiang Zhu, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2023
Abstract

The timing of the onset of magnetochron M0r and its duration are disputed, reflecting both a limited set of radioisotopic dates and uncertain magnetostratigraphic correlations. We present a chronostratigraphic framework for a reversed polarity interval based on two chronometers (40Ar/39Ar, U-Pb) and newly published paleomagnetic data from the Qingshan Group, Jiaolai Basin, China. Bayesian modeling of U-Pb zircon and 40Ar/39Ar sanidine dates suggests a minimum duration of 540 ± 37 k.y. (95% credible interval) for the reversed polarity interval. These findings are compatible with an astrochronologic age model for M-sequence seafloor magnetic anomalies, indicating that the reversely magnetized sediments correspond to magnetochron M0r rather than the shorter chron “M-1r.” Integration of U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar ages constrains the onset of M0r to 120.29 ± 0.09 Ma, which is ~1 m.y. younger than that inferred in the current geologic time scale (GTS 2020). This finding also implies that the Cretaceous normal superchron (CNS) began at 119.70 ± 0.12 Ma and that the average seafloor spreading rate during the CNS was ~3.5% higher than that inferred from GTS 2020. It also suggests that oceanic anoxic event 1a began at 119.40 ± 0.12 Ma, thereby providing an updated chronologic basis for exploring the primary trigger of this carbon cycle perturbation.

Citation Information
Youjuan Li, Huafeng Qin, Brian R. Jicha, Magdalena H. Huyskens, et al.. "Revised Onset Age of Magnetochron M0r: Chronostratigraphic and Geologic Implications" Geology (2023)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mark_schmitz/146/