Advancing into Eternal Silence

2020 ◽  
pp. 571-580
Author(s):  
Hans Blumenberg
Keyword(s):  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Media Archaeology ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter discusses Hans Blumenberg's essay “Advancing into Eternal Silence: A Century after the Sailing of the Fram” (1993). This essay was written three years before his death. It offers not just the philosophical reading of an episode in the history of polar expeditions ripe with significance, but draws on an anecdote to muse on the relationship between media-archaeology and nihilism. Blumenberg explains that humans are risky beings, and not just because they seek frontier-pushing adventures like the voyage adrift of the Fram. They are risky for the very reason that their biological origins lie in the narrow span of the last interglacial period, when they learned the ability to cope with life caught between the advancing and receding glaciers; the natural being was now pitted against nature.

scholarly journals Sediment core fossils in ancient Lake Ohrid: testing for faunal change in molluscs since the Last Interglacial period

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 3969-3999 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Albrecht ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
T. Hauffe ◽  
T. Wilke
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Core ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Ancient Lake ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Extinction Events ◽  
Mollusc Shells

Abstract. Ancient Lake Ohrid is probably of early Pleistocene or Pliocene origin and amongst the few lakes in the world harboring an outstanding degree of endemic biodiversity. Although there is a long history of evolutionary research in Lake Ohrid, particularly on molluscs, a mollusc fossil record has been missing up to date. For the first time, gastropod and bivalve fossils are reported from the basal, calcareous part of a 2.6 m long sediment succession (core Co1200) from the north-eastern part of Lake Ohrid. Electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of mollusc shells from the same stratigraphic level yielded an age of 130±28 ka. Lithofacies III sediments, i.e. a subdivision of the stratigraphic unit comprising the basal succession of core Co1200 between 181.5–263 cm appeared solid, grayish-white, and consisted almost entirely of silt-sized endogenic calcite (CaCO3>70%) and intact and broken mollusc shells. Here we compare the faunal composition of the thanatocoenosis with recent mollusc associations in Lake Ohrid. A total of 13 mollusc species (9 gastropod and 4 bivalve species) could be identified within Lithofacies III sediments. The value of sediment core fossils for reconstructing palaeoenvironmental settings was evaluated. The agreement between sediment and palaeontological proxies was tested. The combined findings of the ecological study and the sediment characteristics suggest deposition in a shallow water environment during the Last Interglacial period. We tested for major faunal changes since the Last Interglacial period and searched for signs of extinction events. The fossil fauna exclusively included species also found in the present fauna, i.e. no extinction events are evident for this site since the Last Interglacial. The thanatocoenosis showed the highest similarity with recent Intermediate Layer (5–25 m) mollusc assemblages. The demonstrated existence of a mollusc fossil record in Lake Ohrid sediment cores also has great significance for future deep drilling projects. It can be hoped that a more far reaching mollusc fossil record will then be obtained, enabling insight into the early evolutionary history of Lake Ohrid.

scholarly journals Detection and Characterisation of Eemian Marine Tephra Layers within the Sapropel S5 Sediments of the Aegean and Levantine Seas

Quaternary ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Christopher Satow ◽  
Katharine M. Grant ◽  
Sabine Wulf ◽  
Hartmut Schulz ◽  
Addison Mallon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Element ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Proxy Records ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
Levantine Basin ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tephra Layers

The Eemian was the last interglacial period (~130 to 115 ka BP) to precede the current interglacial. In Eastern Mediterranean marine sediments, it is marked by a well-developed and organic-rich “sapropel” layer (S5), which is thought to reflect an intensification and northward migration of the African monsoon rain belt over orbital timescales. However, despite the importance of these sediments, very little proxy-independent stratigraphic information is available to enable rigorous correlation of these sediments across the region. This paper presents the first detailed study of visible and non-visible (cryptotephra) layers found within these sediments at three marine coring sites: ODP Site 967B (Levantine Basin), KL51 (South East of Crete) and LC21 (Southern Aegean Sea). Major element analyses of the glass component were used to distinguish four distinct tephra events of Santorini (e.g., Vourvoulos eruption) and possible Anatolian provenance occurring during the formation of S5. Interpolation of core chronologies provides provisional eruption ages for the uppermost tephra (unknown Santorini, 121.8 ± 2.9 ka) and lowermost tephra (Anatolia or Kos/Yali/Nisyros, 126.4 ± 2.9 ka). These newly characterised tephra deposits have also been set into the regional tephrostratigraphy to illustrate the potential to precisely synchronise marine proxy records with their terrestrial counterparts, and also contribute to the establishment of a more detailed volcanic history of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Loess record of the evolution history of severe sandstorms in the Tengger Desert during the Last Interglacial Period (MIS5)

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyu Guan ◽  
Baotian Pan ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Qiong Li ◽  
Jundi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Tengger Desert ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Tengger Desert

Sea-level history of past interglacial periods from uranium-series dating of corals, Curaçao, Leeward Antilles islands

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Muhs ◽  
John M. Pandolfi ◽  
Kathleen R. Simmons ◽  
R. Randall Schumann
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Lower Terrace ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
Uranium Series Dating ◽  
Uplift Rates ◽  
History Of

AbstractCuraçao has reef terraces with the potential to provide sea-level histories of interglacial periods. Ages of the Hato (upper) unit of the “Lower Terrace” indicate that this reef dates to the last interglacial period, Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5.5. On Curaçao, this high sea stand lasted at least 8000 yr (~ 126 to ~ 118 ka). Elevations and age of this reef show that late Quaternary uplift rates on Curaçao are low, 0.026–0.054 m/ka, consistent with its tectonic setting. Ages of ~ 200 ka for corals from the older Cortalein unit of the Lower Terrace correlate this reef to MIS 7, with paleo-sea level estimates ranging from − 3.3 m to + 2.3 m. The estimates are in agreement with those for MIS 7 made from other localities and indicate that the penultimate interglacial period was a time of significant warmth, on a par with the present interglacial period. The ~ 400 ka (MIS 11) Middle Terrace I on Curaçao, dated by others, may have formed from a paleo-sea level of + 8.3 to + 10.0 m, or (less likely) + 17 m to + 20 m. The lower estimates are conservative compared to previous studies, but still require major ice sheet loss from Greenland and Antarctica.

scholarly journals A brief history of ice core science over the last 50 yr

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 2525-2547 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jouzel
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Scientific Results

Abstract. For about 50 yr, ice cores have provided a wealth of information about past climatic and environmental changes. Ice cores from Greenland, Antarctica and other glacier-covered regions now encompass a variety of time scales. However, the longer time scales (e.g. at least back to the Last Glacial period) are covered by deep ice cores, the number of which is still very limited: seven from Greenland, with only one providing an undisturbed record of a part of the last interglacial period, and a dozen from Antarctica, with the longest record covering the last 800 000 yr. This article aims to summarize this successful adventure initiated by a few pioneers and their teams and to review key scientific results by focusing on climate (in particular water isotopes) and climate-related (e.g. greenhouse gases) reconstructions. Future research is well taken into account by the four projects defined by IPICS. However, it remains a challenge to get an intact record of the Last Interglacial in Greenland and to extend the Antarctic record through the mid-Pleistocene transition, if possible back to 1.5 Ma.

Late Pleistocene Sea Level History of Bermuda

1978 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell S. Harmon ◽  
Henry P. Schwarcz ◽  
Derek C. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Sea Level Fluctuations ◽  
Vertical Range ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
History Of

The timing of eustatic sea level fluctuations over the vertical range + 15 to −11 m has been deduced from 230Th/234U dating of Bermudan corals and speleothems. On this tectonically stable carbonate island, interglacial periods are characterized by platform submergence, development of patch reefs, and the deposition of littoral and eolian carbonates, whereas glacial periods are times of platform emergence, carbonate diagenesis, soil development, and the deposition of speleothems in caves extending below present sea level. Interglacial periods are observed at about 200,000, 130,000 to 90,000, and 10,000 yr BP to present. The sea level history of the last interglacial period (130,000 to 90,000 yr BP) is complex, consisting of at least two short, distinct episodes of high sea stand (at 125,000 and 97,000 yr BP) superimposed on a longer period of general platform submergence. The sea level data derived from this study are compatible with those from other stable areas such as the Bahamas, but in addition suggest that eustatic sea level changes can be rapid, on the order of 5 to 10 m/1000 yr.

scholarly journals A brief history of ice core science over the last 50 yr

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 3711-3767 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jouzel
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. For about 50 yr, ice cores have provided a wealth of information about past climatic and environmental changes. Ice cores from Greenland, Antarctica and other glaciers, now emcompass a variety of timescales. However, the longer time scales (e.g. at least back to the Last Glacial period) are covered by deep ice cores the number of which is still very limited, seven from Greenland, with only one providing an undisturbed record of a part of the Last Interglacial Period, and a dozen from Antarctica with the longest record covering the last 800 000 yr. This article aims to summarize this successful adventure initiated by a few pioneers and their teams and to review key scientific results in focusing on climate (in particular water isotopes) and climate related (e.g. greenhouse gases) reconstructions. Future research is well taken into account by the four projects defined by IPICS. However it remains a challenge to get an intact record of the Last Interglacial in Greenland and to extend the Antarctic record through the mid-Pleistocene transition, if possible back to 1.5 Myr.

Variability in surface and deep water conditions in the nordic seas during the last interglacial period

1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 963-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torben Fronval ◽  
Eystein Jansen ◽  
Haflidi Haflidason ◽  
Hans Petter Sejrup
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
Water Conditions

scholarly journals How warm was Greenland during the last interglacial period?

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1933-1948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amaelle Landais ◽  
Valérie Masson-Delmotte ◽  
Emilie Capron ◽  
Petra M. Langebroek ◽  
Pepijn Bakker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Water Isotopes ◽  
Interglacial Period ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Last Interglacial Period ◽  
Ice Sheet Topography ◽  
North Greenland

Abstract. The last interglacial period (LIG, ∼ 129–116 thousand years ago) provides the most recent case study of multimillennial polar warming above the preindustrial level and a response of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to this warming, as well as a test bed for climate and ice sheet models. Past changes in Greenland ice sheet thickness and surface temperature during this period were recently derived from the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) ice core records, northwest Greenland. The NEEM paradox has emerged from an estimated large local warming above the preindustrial level (7.5 ± 1.8 °C at the deposition site 126 kyr ago without correction for any overall ice sheet altitude changes between the LIG and the preindustrial period) based on water isotopes, together with limited local ice thinning, suggesting more resilience of the real Greenland ice sheet than shown in some ice sheet models. Here, we provide an independent assessment of the average LIG Greenland surface warming using ice core air isotopic composition (δ15N) and relationships between accumulation rate and temperature. The LIG surface temperature at the upstream NEEM deposition site without ice sheet altitude correction is estimated to be warmer by +8.5 ± 2.5 °C compared to the preindustrial period. This temperature estimate is consistent with the 7.5 ± 1.8 °C warming initially determined from NEEM water isotopes but at the upper end of the preindustrial period to LIG temperature difference of +5.2 ± 2.3 °C obtained at the NGRIP (North Greenland Ice Core Project) site by the same method. Climate simulations performed with present-day ice sheet topography lead in general to a warming smaller than reconstructed, but sensitivity tests show that larger amplitudes (up to 5 °C) are produced in response to prescribed changes in sea ice extent and ice sheet topography.

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