US Geological Survey
Date of this Version
1987
Abstract
Stable isotope compositions have been determined for modem mullusks and fossil mollusks collected from uplied marine terraces at three l d t i e s in southern California. By using a paleocliatic model that decouples the temperature and ice-volume signals in ocean water, ocean-water temperatures off southern California are estimated to have been -3.8 °C at ~85 ka, -3.0 °C at ~107 ka, and -2.2 °C at ~125 ka relative to present temperature. These results indicate rather cool conditions during the peak of the last interglacial stage at 125 ka and conflict with results from terrace faunal studies that suggest water temperatures were warm or warmer than at present.
Comments
Published in GEOLOGY, v. 15, p. 119-122, February 1987.