Eocene calibration of geomagnetic polarity time scale reevaluated: Evidence from the Green River Formation of Wyoming

Abstract

We reevaluate the Eocene geomagnetic polarity time scale on the basis of single-crystal 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for air-fall tuffs from the Wilkins Peak Member of the Green River For- mation of Wyoming. Tuff 6 is dated as 49.1 6 0.2 Ma, and tuff 3 is dated as 50.4 6 0.3 Ma (maximum estimate). When combined with published magnetostratigraphic con- straints, these age determinations suggest that the currently accepted age of chron C22r is 1.5-2.5 m.y. too old, which supports a significantly longer duration for the early Eocene, for the early Eocene climatic optimum, and the Wasatchian North American Land Mam- mal Age.