LATE EOCENE PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL RESPONSE TO AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL IMPACT AT MASSIGNANO GSSP (NORTHEASTERN APPENNINES, ITALY)

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2002 LATE EOCENE PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL RESPONSE TO AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL IMPACT AT MASSIGNANO GSSP (NORTHEASTERN APPENNINES, ITALY) Silvia Spezzaferri; Silvia Spezzaferri 4 1Institute of Paleontology, Geo-Zentrum, University of Vienna, Althan-strasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. E-mail: silvia.spezzaferri@univie.ac.at 4Correspondence author. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Daniela Basso; Daniela Basso 2Dipartimento Scienze Geologiche e Geotecnologie, University of Milano, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126 Milano. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rodolfo Coccioni Rodolfo Coccioni 3Istituto di Geologia dell’Universita’, Campus Scientifico, Localita’ Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Silvia Spezzaferri 4 1Institute of Paleontology, Geo-Zentrum, University of Vienna, Althan-strasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. E-mail: silvia.spezzaferri@univie.ac.at Daniela Basso 2Dipartimento Scienze Geologiche e Geotecnologie, University of Milano, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126 Milano. Rodolfo Coccioni 3Istituto di Geologia dell’Universita’, Campus Scientifico, Localita’ Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy. 4Correspondence author. Publisher: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Received: 27 Jul 2000 Accepted: 15 Aug 2001 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-264X Print ISSN: 0096-1191 © 2002 Journal of Foraminiferal Research Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2002) 32 (2): 188–199. https://doi.org/10.2113/0320188 Article history Received: 27 Jul 2000 Accepted: 15 Aug 2001 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Silvia Spezzaferri, Daniela Basso, Rodolfo Coccioni; LATE EOCENE PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL RESPONSE TO AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL IMPACT AT MASSIGNANO GSSP (NORTHEASTERN APPENNINES, ITALY). Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2002;; 32 (2): 188–199. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/0320188 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract The 4–8 m segment of the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Eocene-Oligocene boundary at Massignano contains a well studied and documented impactoclastic layer with anomalous concentrations of extraterrestrial iridium, shocked quartz, Ni-rich spinels, impact spherules, and a prominent 3He anomaly. This layer, located at 5.65 m and dated at 35.7 ± 0.4 Ma (Late Eocene), appears to be coeval with the Chesapeake Bay or the Popigai impact structure. We have investigated planktonic foraminifers from this interval with the aim of assessing the effects that the impact may have had on the environment and this group of organisms.Interpretation of data suggests that the impact had no abrupt, dramatic effects on planktonic foraminifers. However, since it occurred in a stressed environment characterized by gradual and progressive cooling, it enhanced climatic deterioration and variations in water mass structure. The cooling produced shallowing of the thermocline depth and drastic reduction in abundance of shallow- and warm-water species. The short-term warming episode in the lower part of Zone P16 between 5.8 m and 5.9 m may be due to a short-term-impact-induced greenhouse episode and seems to be global in extent.Finally, the relatively long duration of the environmental perturbation that followed the impact event, which culminated with the Early Oligocene sharp temperature drop, suggests that a feedback mechanism sustained the initial impact-induced changes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.