Neogene changes in Southern Ocean sedimentation based on mass accumulation rates at four continental margins

Abstract

High‐resolution mass accumulation rates (MAR) were determined from lithologic logs based on downhole log and continuous core data for six sites at four continental margins around the Southern Ocean. Total MAR was calculated at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1095 on the margin of the Antarctic Peninsula and ODP Site 1165 on the margin of Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Carbonate and noncarbonate (terrigenous) MAR were calculated for ODP Sites 1123 and 1124 east of New Zealand and Sites 1168 and 1172 west and southeast of Tasmania. Shifts in carbonate MAR are seen around Tasmania and New Zealand at 23 and 14 Ma, suggesting changes in deep water circulation and surface carbonate productivity at these times. Carbonate MAR dropped at Sites 1124 and 1168 at 23 Ma and increased at 14 Ma at Sites 1123, 1168, and 1172. The overall character of total MAR at Antarctic Sites 1095 and 1165 is a continual and relatively constant decrease in total MAR during the Neogene, with periods of stepwise decrease. One such decrease is seen at 14 Ma at Site 1165, coincident with increased carbonate MAR in New Zealand and Tasmania (Sites 1123, 1124, 1168 and 1172) and likely related to mid‐Miocene expansion of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Another step drop in total MAR is seen at ∼9 Ma at Site 1165, possibly reflecting diversion of sediment to a newly formed Prydz Channel fan.