High-resolution and high-precision correlation of dark and light layers in the Quaternary hemipelagic sediments of the Japan Sea recovered during IODP Expedition 346

The Quaternary hemipelagic sediments of the Japan Sea are characterized by centimeter-to decimeter-scale alternation of dark and light clay to silty clay, which are bio-siliceous and/or bio-calcareous to a various degree. Each of the dark and light layers are considered as deposited synchronously throughout the deeper (> 500 m) part of the sea. However, attempts for correlation and age estimation of individual layers are limited to the upper few tens of meters. In addition, the exact timing of the depositional onset of these dark and light layers and its synchronicity throughout the deeper part of the sea have not been explored previously, although the onset timing was roughly estimated as similar to 1.5 Ma based on the result of Ocean Drilling Program legs 127/128. Consequently, it is not certain exactly when their deposition started, whether deposition of dark and light layers was synchronous and whether they are correlatable also in the earlier part of their depositional history. The Quaternary hemipelagic sediments of the Japan Sea were drilled at seven sites during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 346 in 2013. Alternation of dark and light layers was recovered at six sites whose water depths are > similar to 900 m, and continuous composite columns were constructed at each site. Here, we report our effort to correlate individual dark layers and estimate their ages based on a newly constructed age model at Site U1424 using the best available paleomagnetic datum and marker tephras. The age model is further tuned to LR04 delta O-18 curve using gamma ray attenuation density (GRA) since it reflects diatom contents that are higher during interglacial high-stands. The constructed age model for Site U1424 is projected to other sites using correlation of dark layers to form a high-resolution and high-precision paleo-observatory network that allows to reconstruct changes in material fluxes with high spatio-temporal resolutions.

Keyword(s)

Quaternary sediments, Japan Sea, Inter-site correlation, High-resolution age model, IODP, Expedition 346, U1424, U1425, U1426, U1430

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Tada Ryuji, Irino Tomohisa, Ikehara Ken, Karasuda Akinori, Sugisaki Saiko, Xuan Chuang, Sagawa Takuya, Itaki Takuya, Kubota Yoshimi, Lu Song, Seki Arisa, Murray Richard W., Alvarez-Zarikian Carlos, Anderson William T., Jr., Bassetti Maria-Angela, Brace Bobbi J., Clemens Steven C., Da Costa Gurgel Marcio H., Dickens Gerald R., Dunlea Ann G., Gallagher Stephen J, Giosan Liviu, Henderson Andrew C. G., Holbourn Ann E., Kinsley Christopher W., Lee Gwang Soo, Lee Kyung Eun, Lofi Johanna, Lopes Christina I. C. D., Saavedra-Pellitero Mariem, Peterson Larry C., Singh Raj K., Toucanne Samuel, Wan Shiming, Zheng Hongbo, Ziegler Martin (2018). High-resolution and high-precision correlation of dark and light layers in the Quaternary hemipelagic sediments of the Japan Sea recovered during IODP Expedition 346. Progress In Earth And Planetary Science. 5 (19). 10p.. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-018-0167-8, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00437/54817/

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