Articles | Volume 17, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-229-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-229-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Exploring a link between the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum and Neotethys continental arc flare-up
Annique van der Boon
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
now at: Geomagnetic Laboratory, Oliver Lodge Building, Department of Physics, Oxford Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZE, UK
Klaudia F. Kuiper
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Robin van der Ploeg
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
now at: Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Grasweg 31, 1031 HW Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Marlow Julius Cramwinckel
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
now at: National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
Maryam Honarmand
Department of Earth Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), P.O. Box 45195-1159, Zanjan, Iran
Appy Sluijs
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
Wout Krijgsman
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
Related authors
Annique van der Boon, Andrew J. Biggin, Greig A. Paterson, and Janine L. Kavanagh
Geosci. Commun., 5, 55–66, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-5-55-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-5-55-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present the Magnetic to the Core project, which communicated palaeomagnetism to members of the general public through hands-on experiments. The impact of the project was tested with an interactive quiz, which shows that this outreach event was successful in impacting visitors’ learning. We hope our Magnetic to the Core project can serve as an inspiration for other Earth science laboratories looking to engage a wide audience and measure the success and impact of their outreach activities.
Yannick F. Bats, Klaas G. J. Nierop, Alice Stuart-Lee, Joost Frieling, Linda van Roij, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Appy Sluijs
Biogeosciences, 22, 4689–4704, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4689-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4689-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we analyzed the molecular and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of pollen and spores (sporomorphs) that underwent chemical treatments that simulate diagenesis during fossilization. We show that the successive removal of sugars and lipids results in the depletion of 13C in the residual sporomorph, leaving rich aromatic compounds. This residual aromatic-rich structure likely represents diagenetically resistant sporopollenin, implying that diagenesis results in the depletion of 13C in pollen.
Anne L. Kruijt, Robin van Dijk, Olivier Sulpis, Luc Beaufort, Guillaume Lassus, Geert-Jan Brummer, A. Daniëlle van der Burg, Ben A. Cala, Yasmina Ourradi, Katja T. C. A. Peijnenburg, Matthew P. Humphreys, Sonia Chaabane, Appy Sluijs, and Jack J. Middelburg
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4234, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4234, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
Short summary
Short summary
We measured the three main types of plankton that produce calcium carbonate in the ocean, at the same time and location. While coccolithophores were the biggest contributors, we found that planktonic gastropods, not foraminifera, were the second largest contributor. This challenges the current view and improves our understanding of how these organisms influence oceans’ carbon cycling.
Akbar Aydin Oglu Huseynov, Jan Wijbrans, Klaudia Kuiper, and Jeroen van der Lubbe
Geochronology, 7, 173–197, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-173-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-173-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores quartz veins in Germany's Rursee area, formed during the Variscan Orogeny and later reactivated by tectonic activity in the Jurassic–Cretaceous period. Using advanced isotopic dating techniques, it examines how these veins influenced fluid flow and quartz recrystallization. By tackling the challenges of dating fluid activity, this research offers new insights into argon gas degassing in quartz minerals.
Peter K. Bijl, Kasia K. Sliwinska, Bella Duncan, Arnaud Huguet, Sebastian Naeher, Ronnakrit Rattanasriampaipong, Claudia Sosa-Montes de Oca, Alexandra Auderset, Melissa Berke, Bum Soo Kim, Nina Davtian, Tom Dunkley Jones, Desmond Eefting, Felix Elling, Lauren O'Connor, Richard D. Pancost, Francien Peterse, Pierrick Fenies, Addison Rice, Appy Sluijs, Devika Varma, Wenjie Xiao, and Yige Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1467, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1467, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Many academic laboratories worldwide process environmental samples for analysis of membrane lipid molecules of archaea, for the reconstruction of past environmental conditions. However, the sample workup scheme involves many steps, each of which has a risk of contamination or bias, affecting the results. This paper reviews steps involved in sampling, extraction and analysis of lipids, interpretation and archiving of the data. This ensures reproducable, reusable, comparable and consistent data.
Appy Sluijs and Henk Brinkhuis
J. Micropalaeontol., 43, 441–474, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-441-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-43-441-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present intrinsic details of dinocyst taxa and assemblages from the sole available central Arctic late Paleocene–early Eocene sedimentary succession recovered at the central Lomonosov Ridge by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 302. We develop a pragmatic taxonomic framework, document critical biostratigraphic events, and propose two new genera and seven new species.
Dominique K. L. L. Jenny, Tammo Reichgelt, Charlotte L. O'Brien, Xiaoqing Liu, Peter K. Bijl, Matthew Huber, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 20, 1627–1657, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1627-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1627-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the Oligocene
icehouseclimate. We extend an existing marine climate proxy data compilation and present a new compilation and analysis of terrestrial plant assemblages to assess long-term climate trends and variability. Our data–climate model comparison reinforces the notion that models underestimate polar amplification of Oligocene climates, and we identify potential future research directions.
Chris D. Fokkema, Tobias Agterhuis, Danielle Gerritsma, Myrthe de Goeij, Xiaoqing Liu, Pauline de Regt, Addison Rice, Laurens Vennema, Claudia Agnini, Peter K. Bijl, Joost Frieling, Matthew Huber, Francien Peterse, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 20, 1303–1325, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1303-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1303-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Polar amplification (PA) is a key uncertainty in climate projections. The factors that dominantly control PA are difficult to separate. Here we provide an estimate for the non-ice-related PA by reconstructing tropical ocean temperature variability from the ice-free early Eocene, which we compare to deep-ocean-derived high-latitude temperature variability across short-lived warming periods. We find a PA factor of 1.7–2.3 on 20 kyr timescales, which is somewhat larger than model estimates.
Marci M. Robinson, Kenneth G. Miller, Tali L. Babila, Timothy J. Bralower, James V. Browning, Marlow J. Cramwinckel, Monika Doubrawa, Gavin L. Foster, Megan K. Fung, Sean Kinney, Maria Makarova, Peter P. McLaughlin, Paul N. Pearson, Ursula Röhl, Morgan F. Schaller, Jean M. Self-Trail, Appy Sluijs, Thomas Westerhold, James D. Wright, and James C. Zachos
Sci. Dril., 33, 47–65, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-33-47-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-33-47-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is the closest geological analog to modern anthropogenic CO2 emissions, but its causes and the responses remain enigmatic. Coastal plain sediments can resolve this uncertainty, but their discontinuous nature requires numerous sites to constrain events. Workshop participants identified 10 drill sites that target the PETM and other interesting intervals. Our post-drilling research will provide valuable insights into Earth system responses.
Michiel Baatsen, Peter Bijl, Anna von der Heydt, Appy Sluijs, and Henk Dijkstra
Clim. Past, 20, 77–90, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-77-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-77-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work introduces the possibility and consequences of monsoons on Antarctica in the warm Eocene climate. We suggest that such a monsoonal climate can be important to understand conditions in Antarctica prior to large-scale glaciation. We can explain seemingly contradictory indications of ice and vegetation on the continent through regional variability. In addition, we provide a new mechanism through which most of Antarctica remained ice-free through a wide range of global climatic changes.
Joost Frieling, Linda van Roij, Iris Kleij, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Appy Sluijs
Biogeosciences, 20, 4651–4668, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4651-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4651-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present a first species-specific evaluation of marine core-top dinoflagellate cyst carbon isotope fractionation (εp) to assess natural pCO2 dependency on εp and explore its geological deep-time paleo-pCO2 proxy potential. We find that εp differs between genera and species and that in Operculodinium centrocarpum, εp is controlled by pCO2 and nutrients. Our results highlight the added value of δ13C analyses of individual micrometer-scale sedimentary organic carbon particles.
Stephen P. Hesselbo, Aisha Al-Suwaidi, Sarah J. Baker, Giorgia Ballabio, Claire M. Belcher, Andrew Bond, Ian Boomer, Remco Bos, Christian J. Bjerrum, Kara Bogus, Richard Boyle, James V. Browning, Alan R. Butcher, Daniel J. Condon, Philip Copestake, Stuart Daines, Christopher Dalby, Magret Damaschke, Susana E. Damborenea, Jean-Francois Deconinck, Alexander J. Dickson, Isabel M. Fendley, Calum P. Fox, Angela Fraguas, Joost Frieling, Thomas A. Gibson, Tianchen He, Kat Hickey, Linda A. Hinnov, Teuntje P. Hollaar, Chunju Huang, Alexander J. L. Hudson, Hugh C. Jenkyns, Erdem Idiz, Mengjie Jiang, Wout Krijgsman, Christoph Korte, Melanie J. Leng, Timothy M. Lenton, Katharina Leu, Crispin T. S. Little, Conall MacNiocaill, Miguel O. Manceñido, Tamsin A. Mather, Emanuela Mattioli, Kenneth G. Miller, Robert J. Newton, Kevin N. Page, József Pálfy, Gregory Pieńkowski, Richard J. Porter, Simon W. Poulton, Alberto C. Riccardi, James B. Riding, Ailsa Roper, Micha Ruhl, Ricardo L. Silva, Marisa S. Storm, Guillaume Suan, Dominika Szűcs, Nicolas Thibault, Alfred Uchman, James N. Stanley, Clemens V. Ullmann, Bas van de Schootbrugge, Madeleine L. Vickers, Sonja Wadas, Jessica H. Whiteside, Paul B. Wignall, Thomas Wonik, Weimu Xu, Christian Zeeden, and Ke Zhao
Sci. Dril., 32, 1–25, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-32-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-32-1-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present initial results from a 650 m long core of Late Triasssic to Early Jurassic (190–202 Myr) sedimentary strata from the Cheshire Basin, UK, which is shown to be an exceptional record of Earth evolution for the time of break-up of the supercontinent Pangaea. Further work will determine periodic changes in depositional environments caused by solar system dynamics and used to reconstruct orbital history.
Katharina M. Boehm, Klaudia F. Kuiper, Bora Uzel, Pieter Z. Vroon, and Jan R. Wijbrans
Geochronology, 5, 391–403, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-391-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-391-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The island of Patmos is situated in the southern Aegean Sea (Greece), just north of the present locus of active volcanism. The island is almost entirely built up of volcanic rocks that are 6.6 to 5.2 million years old. We obtain these ages with 40Ar / 39Ar dating technique on sanidine and biotite minerals. Our new age data indicate a geologically brief volcanic period (lasting less than 1.5 million years) that can be divided into three volcanic intervals and correlated to tectonics.
William Rush, Jean Self-Trail, Yang Zhang, Appy Sluijs, Henk Brinkhuis, James Zachos, James G. Ogg, and Marci Robinson
Clim. Past, 19, 1677–1698, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1677-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1677-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The Eocene contains several brief warming periods referred to as hyperthermals. Studying these events and how they varied between locations can help provide insight into our future warmer world. This study provides a characterization of two of these events in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA. The records of climate that we measured demonstrate significant changes during this time period, but the type and timing of these changes highlight the complexity of climatic changes.
Yord W. Yedema, Francesca Sangiorgi, Appy Sluijs, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Francien Peterse
Biogeosciences, 20, 663–686, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-663-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-663-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Terrestrial organic matter (TerrOM) is transported to the ocean by rivers, where its burial can potentially form a long-term carbon sink. This burial is dependent on the type and characteristics of the TerrOM. We used bulk sediment properties, biomarkers, and palynology to identify the dispersal patterns of plant-derived, soil–microbial, and marine OM in the northern Gulf of Mexico and show that plant-derived OM is transported further into the coastal zone than soil and marine-produced TerrOM.
Wout Krijgsman, Iuliana Vasiliev, Anouk Beniest, Timothy Lyons, Johanna Lofi, Gabor Tari, Caroline P. Slomp, Namik Cagatay, Maria Triantaphyllou, Rachel Flecker, Dan Palcu, Cecilia McHugh, Helge Arz, Pierre Henry, Karen Lloyd, Gunay Cifci, Özgür Sipahioglu, Dimitris Sakellariou, and the BlackGate workshop participants
Sci. Dril., 31, 93–110, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-31-93-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-31-93-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
BlackGate seeks to MSP drill a transect to study the impact of dramatic hydrologic change in Mediterranean–Black Sea connectivity by recovering the Messinian to Holocene (~ 7 Myr) sedimentary sequence in the North Aegean, Marmara, and Black seas. These archives will reveal hydrographic, biotic, and climatic transitions studied by a broad scientific community spanning the stratigraphic, tectonic, biogeochemical, and microbiological evolution of Earth’s most recent saline and anoxic giant.
Carolien M. H. van der Weijst, Koen J. van der Laan, Francien Peterse, Gert-Jan Reichart, Francesca Sangiorgi, Stefan Schouten, Tjerk J. T. Veenstra, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 18, 1947–1962, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1947-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1947-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The TEX86 proxy is often used by paleoceanographers to reconstruct past sea-surface temperatures. However, the origin of the TEX86 signal in marine sediments has been debated since the proxy was first proposed. In our paper, we show that TEX86 carries a mixed sea-surface and subsurface temperature signal and should be calibrated accordingly. Using our 15-million-year record, we subsequently show how a TEX86 subsurface temperature record can be used to inform us on past sea-surface temperatures.
Karen M. Brandenburg, Björn Rost, Dedmer B. Van de Waal, Mirja Hoins, and Appy Sluijs
Biogeosciences, 19, 3305–3315, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3305-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3305-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Reconstructions of past CO2 concentrations rely on proxy estimates, with one line of proxies relying on the CO2-dependence of stable carbon isotope fractionation in marine phytoplankton. Culturing experiments provide insights into which processes may impact this. We found, however, that the methods with which these culturing experiments are performed also influence 13C fractionation. Caution should therefore be taken when extrapolating results from these experiments to proxy applications.
Carolien M. H. van der Weijst, Josse Winkelhorst, Wesley de Nooijer, Anna von der Heydt, Gert-Jan Reichart, Francesca Sangiorgi, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 18, 961–973, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-961-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-961-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A hypothesized link between Pliocene (5.3–2.5 million years ago) global climate and tropical thermocline depth is currently only backed up by data from the Pacific Ocean. In our paper, we present temperature, salinity, and thermocline records from the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Surprisingly, the Pliocene thermocline evolution was remarkably different in the Atlantic and Pacific. We need to reevaluate the mechanisms that drive thermocline depth, and how these are tied to global climate change.
Annique van der Boon, Andrew J. Biggin, Greig A. Paterson, and Janine L. Kavanagh
Geosci. Commun., 5, 55–66, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-5-55-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-5-55-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present the Magnetic to the Core project, which communicated palaeomagnetism to members of the general public through hands-on experiments. The impact of the project was tested with an interactive quiz, which shows that this outreach event was successful in impacting visitors’ learning. We hope our Magnetic to the Core project can serve as an inspiration for other Earth science laboratories looking to engage a wide audience and measure the success and impact of their outreach activities.
Peter K. Bijl, Joost Frieling, Marlow Julius Cramwinckel, Christine Boschman, Appy Sluijs, and Francien Peterse
Clim. Past, 17, 2393–2425, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2393-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2393-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Here, we use the latest insights for GDGT and dinocyst-based paleotemperature and paleoenvironmental reconstructions in late Cretaceous–early Oligocene sediments from ODP Site 1172 (East Tasman Plateau, Australia). We reconstruct strong river runoff during the Paleocene–early Eocene, a progressive decline thereafter with increased wet/dry seasonality in the northward-drifting hinterland. Our critical review leaves the anomalous warmth of the Eocene SW Pacific Ocean unexplained.
Gerrit Müller, Jack J. Middelburg, and Appy Sluijs
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3565–3575, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3565-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3565-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Rivers are major freshwater resources, connectors and transporters on Earth. As the composition of river waters and particles results from processes in their catchment, such as erosion, weathering, environmental pollution, nutrient and carbon cycling, Earth-spanning databases of river composition are needed for studies of these processes on a global scale. While extensive resources on water and nutrient composition exist, we provide a database of river particle composition.
Xiaolong Zhou, Klaudia Kuiper, Jan Wijbrans, Katharina Boehm, and Pieter Vroon
Geochronology, 3, 273–297, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-273-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-273-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
High-resolution geochronology is one of the key factors to predict volcanic eruptions. To build up a high-resolution geochronological framework, we reported 21 new high-precision eruption ages (40Ar / 39Ar) for a ~ 3.3 × 106-year-old volcanic field: Milos (Greece). In combination with geochemical information and eruption volumes from the volcanoes of Milos, the long-lived volcanic history could provide important clues for the prediction of volcanic eruptions.
Michiel Baatsen, Anna S. von der Heydt, Matthew Huber, Michael A. Kliphuis, Peter K. Bijl, Appy Sluijs, and Henk A. Dijkstra
Clim. Past, 16, 2573–2597, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2573-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2573-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Warm climates of the deep past have proven to be challenging to reconstruct with the same numerical models used for future predictions. We present results of CESM simulations for the middle to late Eocene (∼ 38 Ma), in which we managed to match the available indications of temperature well. With these results we can now look into regional features and the response to external changes to ultimately better understand the climate when it is in such a warm state.
Appy Sluijs, Joost Frieling, Gordon N. Inglis, Klaas G. J. Nierop, Francien Peterse, Francesca Sangiorgi, and Stefan Schouten
Clim. Past, 16, 2381–2400, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2381-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2381-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We revisit 15-year-old reconstructions of sea surface temperatures in the Arctic Ocean for the late Paleocene and early Eocene epochs (∼ 57–53 million years ago) based on the distribution of fossil membrane lipids of archaea preserved in Arctic Ocean sediments. We find that improvements in the methods over the past 15 years do not lead to different results. However, data quality is now higher and potential biases better characterized. Results confirm remarkable Arctic warmth during this time.
Gordon N. Inglis, Fran Bragg, Natalie J. Burls, Marlow Julius Cramwinckel, David Evans, Gavin L. Foster, Matthew Huber, Daniel J. Lunt, Nicholas Siler, Sebastian Steinig, Jessica E. Tierney, Richard Wilkinson, Eleni Anagnostou, Agatha M. de Boer, Tom Dunkley Jones, Kirsty M. Edgar, Christopher J. Hollis, David K. Hutchinson, and Richard D. Pancost
Clim. Past, 16, 1953–1968, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-1953-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-1953-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents estimates of global mean surface temperatures and climate sensitivity during the early Paleogene (∼57–48 Ma). We employ a multi-method experimental approach and show that i) global mean surface temperatures range between 27 and 32°C and that ii) estimates of
bulkequilibrium climate sensitivity (∼3 to 4.5°C) fall within the range predicted by the IPCC AR5 Report. This work improves our understanding of two key climate metrics during the early Paleogene.
Cited articles
Allen, M. B. and Armstrong, H. A.: Arabia – Eurasia collision and the forcing of mid-Cenozoic global cooling, Palaeogeogr. Palaeocl., 265, 52–58, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2008.04.021, 2008.
Amini, B. and Amini Chehragh, M. R.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 2555 – Kajan, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 2001.
Amini Chehragh, M. R. and Ghalamghash, J.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 7162 – Meyamey, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, available at: https://shop.geospatial.com/product/03-IRAB-367, last access: 11 January 2021.
Arvin, M., Pan, Y., Dargahi, S., Malekizadeh, A., and Babaei, A.: Petrochemistry of the Siah-Kuh granitoid stock southwest of Kerman, Iran: Implications for initiation of Neotethys subduction, J. Asian Earth Sci., 30, 474–489, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2007.01.001, 2007.
Asiabanha, A. and Foden, J.: Post-collisional transition from an extensional volcano-sedimentary basin to a continental arc in the Alborz Ranges, N-Iran, Lithos, 148, 98–111, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2012.05.014, 2012.
Babakhani, A. R., Nazer, N. H., and Amidi, M.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 5567 – Lahrud, (5567), Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1991.
Ballato, P., Uba, C. E., Landgraf, A., Strecker, M. R., Sudo, M., Stockli, D. F., Friedrich, A., and Tabatabaei, S. H.: Arabia-Eurasia continental collision: Insights from late Tertiary foreland-basin evolution in the Alborz Mountains, northern Iran, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 123, 106–131, https://doi.org/10.1130/B30091.1, 2011.
Beniamovski, V. N., Alekseev, A. S., Ovechkina, M. N., and Oberhänsli, H.: Middle to upper Eocene dysoxic-anoxic Kuma Formation (northeast Peri-Tethys): Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironments, Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Pap., 369, 95–112, 2003.
Berberian, M. and King, G. C. P. C. P.: Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran, Can. J. Earth Sci., 18, 1764–1766, https://doi.org/10.1139/e81-163, 1981.
Bijl, P. K., Houben, A. J. P. P., Schouten, S., Bohaty, S. M., Sluijs, A., Reichart, G.-J. J., Sinninghe Damsté, J. S., Brinkhuis, H., Damsté, J. S. S., and Brinkhuis, H.: Transient middle eocene atmospheric CO2 and temperature variations, Science, 330, 819–821, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1193654, 2010.
Bohaty, S. M. and Zachos, J. C.: Significant Southern Ocean warming event in the late middle Eocene, Geology, 31, 1017–1020, 2003.
Bohaty, S. M., Zachos, J. C., Florindo, F., and Delaney, M. L.: Coupled greenhouse warming and deep-sea acidification in the middle Eocene, Paleoceanography, 24, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008PA001676, 2009.
Boscolo Galazzo, F., Giusberti, L., Luciani, V., and Thomas, E.: Paleoenvironmental changes during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) and its aftermath: The benthic foraminiferal record from the Alano section (NE Italy), Palaeogeogr. Palaeocl., 378, 22–35, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.03.018, 2013.
Boscolo Galazzo, F., Thomas, E., Pagani, M., Warren, C., Luciani, V., and Giusberti, L.: The middle Eocene climatic optimum (MECO): A multiproxy record of paleoceanographic changes in the southeast Atlantic (ODP Site 1263, Walvis Ridge), Paleoceanography, 29, 1143–1161, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014PA002670, 2014.
Cramwinckel, M. J., Huber, M., Kocken, I. J., Agnini, C., Bijl, P. K., Bohaty, S. M., Frieling, J., Goldner, A., Hilgen, F. J., Kip, E. L., Peterse, F., Van Der Ploeg, R., Röhl, U., Schouten, S., and Sluijs, A.: Synchronous tropical and polar temperature evolution in the Eocene, Nature, 559, 382–386, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0272-2, 2018.
Cramwinckel, M. J., van der Ploeg, R., Bijl, P. K., Peterse, F., Bohaty, S. M., Röhl, U., Schouten, S., Middelburg, J. J., and Sluijs, A.: Harmful algae and export production collapse in the equatorial Atlantic during the zenith of Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum warmth, Geology, 47, 247–250, 2019.
Davoudzadeh, M., Lammerer, B., and Weber-Diefenbach, K.: Paleogeography, Stratigraphy and tectonics of the Tertiary of Iran, Neues Jahrb. fur Geol. und Palaontologie, Abhandlungen 205, 33–67, 1997.
De Silva, S. L., Riggs, N. R., and Barth, A. P.: Quickening the pulse: Fractal tempos in continental arc magmatism, Elements, 11, 113–118, https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.11.2.113, 2015.
Ducea, M. N. and Barton, M. D.: Igniting flare-up events in Cordilleran arcs, Geology, 35, 1047–1050, https://doi.org/10.1130/G23898A.1, 2007.
Ducea, M. N., Paterson, S. R., and DeCelles, P. G.: High-volume magmatic events in subduction systems, Elements, 11, 99–104, https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.11.2.99, 2015.
Edgar, K. M., Bohaty, S. M., Gibbs, S. J., Sexton, P. F., Norris, R. D., and Wilson, P. A.: Symbiont “bleaching” in planktic foraminifera during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum, Geology, 41, 15–18, https://doi.org/10.1130/G33388.1, 2013.
Emami, M. H.: Geological Quadrangle Map of Iran, 1:250.000 scale, Sheet E6, Qom, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1981.
Ganino, C. and Arndt, N. T.: Climate changes caused by degassing of sediments during the emplacement of large igneous provinces, Geology, 37, 323–326, https://doi.org/10.1130/G25325A.1, 2009.
Ghalamghash, J., Fonoudi, M., and Mehrpartou, M.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 6060 – Saveh, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1998a.
Ghalamghash, J., Babakhani, A. R., Bahroudi, A., and Fonoudi, M.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 6158 – Kahak, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1998b.
Glaus, M.: Die Geologie des Gebietes nordlich des Kandevan-Passes (Zentral-Elburz), Iran, PhD thesis, Nr. 3768, ETH, Zurich, 1965.
Hadjian, J., Amini, B., and Amini Chehragh, M. R.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 6059 – Tafreshm, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1999.
Henehan, M. J., Edgar, K. M., Foster, G. L., Penman, D. E., Hull, P. M., Greenop, R., Anagnostou, E., and Pearson, P. N.: Revisiting the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum “Carbon Cycle Conundrum” with new estimates of atmospheric pCO2 from boron isotopes, Paleoceanogr. Paleocl., 35: e2019PA003713, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019PA003713, 2020.
Hirayama, K., Samimi, M., Zahedi, M., and Hushmand-Zadeh, A.: Geology of the Tarom district, western part (Zanjan area, northwest Iran), Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1966.
Iwao, S. and Hushmand-Zadeh, A.: Stratigraphy and Petrology of the Low-Grade Regionally Metamorphosed rocks of the Eocene Formation in the Alborz Range, North of Tehran, Iran, J. Japanese Assoc. Mineral. Petrol. Econ. Geol., 65, 265–285, 1971.
Jafarian, M. B.: Geological Map of Iran Series Sheet 6860 – Kalateh, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, avalable at: https://shop.geospatial.com/product/03-IRAB-354, last access: 11 January 2021.
Jay, A. E. and Widdowson, M.: Stratigraphy, structure and volcanology of the SE Deccan continental flood basalt province: implications for eruptive extent and volumes, J. Geol. Soc. London., 165, 177–188, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492006-062, 2008.
Kargaranbafghi, F. and Neubauer, F.: Tectonic forcing to global cooling and aridification at the Eocene-Oligocene transition in the Iranian plateau, Global Planet. Change, 171, 248–254, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2017.12.012, 2018.
Kholghi Khasraghi, M. H.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 5365, Saein Qaleh, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1994.
Kuiper, K. F., Deino, A., Hilgen, F. J., Krijgsman, W., Renne, P. R., and Wijbrans, J. R.: Synchronizing rock clocks of earth history, Science, 320, 500–504, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1154339, 2008.
Lee, C. A. and Lackey, J. S.: Global Continental Arc Flare-ups and Their Relation to Long-Term Greenhouse Conditions, Elements, 11, 125–130, https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.11.2.125, 2015.
Lee, C.-T. A., Shen, B., Slotnick, B. S., Liao, K., Dickens, G. R., Yokoyama, Y., Lenardic, A., Dasgupta, R., Jellinek, M., Lackey, J. S., Schneider, T., and Tice, M. M.: Continental arc – island arc fluctuations, growth of crustal carbonates, and long-term climate change, Geosphere, 9, 21–36, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES00822.1, 2013.
Marty, B. and Tolstikhin, I. N.: CO2 fluxes from mid-ocean ridges, arcs and plumes, Chem. Geol., 145, 233–248, 1998.
McKenzie, N. R., Horton, B. K., Loomis, S. E., Stockli, D. F., Planavsky, N. J., and Lee, C. A. C.-T. A. C. A. C.-T. A. C. A.: Continental arc volcanism as the principal driver of icehouse-greenhouse variability, Science, 352, 444–447, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aad5787, 2016.
Min, K., Mundil, R., Renne, P. R., and Ludwig, K. R.: A test for systematic errors in 40Ar Ar geochronology through comparison with U/Pb analysis of a 1.1-Ga rhyolite, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 64, 73–98, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(99)00204-5, 2000.
Moghadam, H. S., Li, X.-H., Ling, X.-X., Santos, J. F., Stern, R. J., Li, Q.-L., and Ghorbani, G.: Eocene Kashmar granitoids (NE Iran): Petrogenetic constraints from U-Pb zircon geochronology and isotope geochemistry, Lithos, 216–217, 118–135, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2014.12.012, 2015.
Moghadam, H. S., Rossetti, F., Lucci, F., Chiaradia, M., Gerdes, A., Martinez, M. L., Ghorbani, G., and Nasrabady, M.: The calc-alkaline and adakitic volcanism of the Sabzevar structural zone (NE Iran): Implications for the Eocene magmatic flare-up in Central Iran, Lithos, 248–251, 517–535, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2016.01.019, 2016.
Mohajjel Kafshdouz, M. and Khodabandeh, A. A.: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 7335 – Bardsir, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 1992.
Monster, M.: Multi-method palaeointensity data of the geomagnetic field during the past 500 kyrs from European volcanoes, UU Dept. of Earth Sciences, Utrecht, 2016.
Moritz, R., Rezeau, H., Ovtcharova, M., Tayan, R., Melkonyan, R., Hovakimyan, S., Ramazanov, V., Selby, D., Ulianov, A., Chiaradia, M., and Putlitz, B.: Long-lived, stationary magmatism and pulsed porphyry systems during Tethyan subduction to post-collision evolution in the southernmost Lesser Caucasus, Armenia and Nakhitchevan, Gondwana Res., 37, 465–503, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2015.10.009, 2016.
Morley, C. K., Kongwung, B., Julapour, A. A. A., Abdolghafourian, M., Hajian, M., Waples, D., Warren, J., Otterdoom, H., Srisuriyon, K., and Kazemi, H.: Structural development of a major late Cenozoic basin and transpressional belt in central Iran: The Central Basin in the Qom-Saveh area, Geosphere, 5, 325–362, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES00223.1, 2009.
Pang, K.-N., Chung, S.-L., Zarrinkoub, M. H., Khatib, M. M., Mohammadi, S. S., Chiu, H.-Y., Chu, C.-H., Lee, H.-Y., and Lo, C.-H.: Eocene–Oligocene post-collisional magmatism in the Lut–Sistan region, eastern Iran: Magma genesis and tectonic implications, Lithos, 180–181, 234–251, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2013.05.009, 2013.
Radfar, J., Kohansal, R., and S. Zolfagh: Geological Map of Iran 1:100.000 Series Sheet 6455 – Kuhpayeh, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, 2002.
Sahakyan, L., Bosch, D., Sosson, M., Avagyan, A., Galoyan, G. H., Rolland, Y., Bruguier, O., Stepanyan, Z. H., Galland, B., Vardanyan, S., and Bataillon, P. E.: Geochemistry of the Eocene magmatic rocks from the Lesser Caucasus area (Armenia): evidence of a subduction geodynamic environment, Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 428, 73–98, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP428.12, 2016.
Sahandi, R., Soheili, M., Sadeghi, M., Delavar, T., and Jafari Rad, A.: Compiled geological map of Iran, scale 1:1 000 000, digitally published by the Geological Survey of Iran, 2014.
Seidov, A. G. and Alizade, K. A.: The formation and mineralogy of bentonites in Azerbaijan, Clay Miner., 6, 157–166, 1966.
Shafaii Moghadam, H., Li, X.-H., Ling, X.-X., Santos, J. F., Stern, R. J., Li, Q.-L., and Ghorbani, G.: Eocene Kashmar granitoids (NE Iran): Petrogenetic constraints from U−Pb zircon geochronology and isotope geochemistry, Lithos, 216–217, 118–135, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2014.12.012, 2015.
Shafaii Moghadam, H., Li, Q. L., Li, X. H., Stern, R. J., Levresse, G., Santos, J. F., Lopez Martinez, M., Ducea, M. N., Ghorbani, G., and Hassannezhad, A.: Neotethyan Subduction Ignited the Iran Arc and Backarc Differently, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea., 125, 1–30, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018460, 2020.
Sieber, N.: Zur Geologie des Gebietes südlich des Taleghan-Tales Zentral-Elburz (Iran), PhD thesis, Nr. 4482, ETH Zurich, https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-000085644, 1970.
Simon, J. I., Renne, P. R., and Mundil, R.: Implications of pre-eruptive magmatic histories of zircons for U−Pb geochronology of silicic extrusions, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 266, 182–194, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.11.014, 2008.
Sluijs, A., Zeebe, R. E., Bijl, P. K., and Bohaty, S. M.: A middle Eocene carbon cycle conundrum, Nat. Geosci., 6, 429–434, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1807, 2013.
Stöcklin, J.: Northern Iran: Alborz Mountains, Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 4, 213–234, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2005.004.01.12, 1974.
Tobin, T. S., Bitz, C. M., and Archer, D.: Modeling climatic effects of carbon dioxide emissions from Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions around the Cretaceous – Paleogene boundary, Palaeogeogr. Palaeocl., 478, 139–148, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.05.028, 2017.
van der Boon, A.: From Peri-Tethys to Paratethys: Basin restriction and anoxia in central Eurasia linked to volcanic belts in Iran, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, 2017.
van der Boon, A., Kuiper, K. F., Villa, G., Renema, W., Meijers, M. J. M. M., Langereis, C. G., Aliyeva, E., and Krijgsman, W.: Onset of Maikop sedimentation and cessation of Eocene arc volcanism in the Talysh Mountains, Azerbaijan, Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 428, 145–169, https://doi.org/10.1144/sp428.3, 2017.
van der Ploeg, R., Selby, D., Cramwinckel, M. J., Li, Y., Bohaty, S. M., Middelburg, J. J., and Sluijs, A.: Middle Eocene greenhouse warming facilitated by diminished weathering feedback, Nat. Commun., 9, 2877, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05104-9, 2018.
Verdel, C.: I. Cenozoic geology of Iran: an integrated study of extensional tectonics and related volcanism II. Ediacaran stratigraphy of the North American Cordillera: new observations from Eastern California and Northern Utah, Dissertation (PhD), California Institute of Technology, https://doi.org/10.7907/4KPY-X114, 2009.
Verdel, C., Wernicke, B. P., Hassanzadeh, J., and Guest, B.: A Paleogene extensional arc flare-up in Iran, Tectonics, 30, 1–20, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010TC002809, 2011.
Vermeesch, P.: On the visualisation of detrital age distributions, Chem. Geol., 312–313, 190–194, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.04.021, 2012.
Vincent, S. J., Allen, M. B., Ismail-Zadeh, A. D., Flecker, R., Foland, K. A., and Simmons, M. D.: Insights from the Talysh of Azerbaijan into the Paleogene evolution of the South Caspian region, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 117, 1513–1533, https://doi.org/10.1130/B25690.1, 2005.
Wignall, P. B., Sun, Y., Bond, D. P. G. G., Izon, G., Newton, R. J., Védrine, S., Widdowson, M., Ali, J. R., Lai, X., Jiang, H., Cope, H., and Bottrell, S. H.: Volcanism, Mass Extinction, and Carbon Isotope Fluctuations in the Middle Permian of China, Science, 324, 1179–1182, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1171956, 2009.
Witkowski, J., Bohaty, S. M., McCartney, K., and Harwood, D. M.: Enhanced siliceous plankton productivity in response to middle Eocene warming at Southern Ocean ODP Sites 748 and 749, Palaeogeogr. Palaeocl., 326–328, 78–94, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.02.006, 2012.
Short summary
40.5 million years ago, Earth's climate warmed, but it is unknown why. Enhanced volcanism has been suggested, but this has not yet been tied to a specific region. We explore an increase in volcanism in Iran. We dated igneous rocks and compiled ages from the literature. We estimated the volume of igneous rocks in Iran in order to calculate the amount of CO2 that could have been released due to enhanced volcanism. We conclude that an increase in volcanism in Iran is a plausible cause of warming.
40.5 million years ago, Earth's climate warmed, but it is unknown why. Enhanced volcanism has...