Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping (PRISM4) Active
PRISM will help distinguish the USGS as a world leader in paleoclimate research, data generation and delivery for use in addressing the modern world's climate-related needs. We will be recognized for the passion of our researchers and partners in providing quality, innovative paleoclimate interpretation and data analysis to the science (climate change) community and to the public we serve.
Below are USGS publications associated with this project. For a full list of PRISM related publications, CLICK HERE.
Middle Pliocene vegetation: Reconstructions, paleoclimatic inferences, and boundary conditions for climate modeling
Middle Pliocene sea surface temperatures: A global reconstruction
Micropaleontological evidence for increased meridional heat transport in the North Atlantic Ocean during the pliocene
Below are PRISM4D collaborating institutions.
- Overview
PRISM will help distinguish the USGS as a world leader in paleoclimate research, data generation and delivery for use in addressing the modern world's climate-related needs. We will be recognized for the passion of our researchers and partners in providing quality, innovative paleoclimate interpretation and data analysis to the science (climate change) community and to the public we serve.
- Publications
Below are USGS publications associated with this project. For a full list of PRISM related publications, CLICK HERE.
Filter Total Items: 39Middle Pliocene vegetation: Reconstructions, paleoclimatic inferences, and boundary conditions for climate modeling
The general characteristics of global vegetation during the middle Pliocene warm period can be reconstructed from fossil pollen and plant megafossil data. The largest differences between Pliocene vegetation and that of today occurred at high latitudes in both hemispheres, where warming was pronounced relative to today. In the Northern Hemisphere coniferous forests lived in the modern tundra and poAuthorsR.S. Thompson, R.F. FlemingMiddle Pliocene sea surface temperatures: A global reconstruction
Identification and analyses of Pliocene marine microfossils from 64 globally distributed stratigraphic sequences have been used to produce a middle Pliocene sea surface temperature reconstruction of the Earth. This reconstruction shows little or no change from current conditions in low latitude regions and significant warming of the ocean surface at mid and higher latitudes of both hemispheres. ThAuthorsH. Dowsett, J. Barron, R. PooreMicropaleontological evidence for increased meridional heat transport in the North Atlantic Ocean during the pliocene
The Middle Pliocene (???3 million years ago) has been identified as the last time the Earth was significantly warmer than it was during the Last Interglacial and Holocene. A quantitative micropaleontological paleotemperature transect from equator to high latitudes in the North Atlantic indicates that Middle Pliocene warmth involved increased meridional oceanic heat transport.AuthorsH.J. Dowsett, T. M. Cronin, R. Z. Poore, R.S. Thompson, R.C. Whatley, A.M. Wood - Partners
Below are PRISM4D collaborating institutions.