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Title: Ice-crystal traces imply ephemeral freezing in early Permian equatorial Pangea
Abstract Delicate impressions in lacustrine strata of the lower Permian (lower Cisuralian) Usclas Formation record ephemeral freezing in equatorial Pangea. These sediments accumulated in the paleoequatorial and intramontane Lodève Basin (southern Massif Central, France) during peak icehouse conditions of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age. Experimental replication of these features supports the interpretation that they are ice-crystal molds. Evidence for films of ice in marginal-lacustrine sediment at such low latitudes and inferred low to moderate altitudes (1–2 km) calls for a reevaluation of climate conditions in eastern equatorial Pangea. Ephemeral freezing implies either cold tropical temperatures (~5 °C cooler than the Last Glacial Maximum) and/or lapse rates that exceeded those of the Last Glacial Maximum. Extreme continentality of the Lodève Basin would have amplified seasonality, albeit the climatic forcing(s) necessary to have promoted cold temperatures in equatorial Pangea remain enigmatic.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1658614
PAR ID:
10386339
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Geology
Volume:
49
Issue:
11
ISSN:
0091-7613
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1397 to 1401
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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