Paleocene-Eocene Antarctic Biostratigraphy from Mac. Robertson Shelf and Prydz Bay

Geological and paleontological data from the Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay in East Antarctica, collected during seismic and coring programs in 1995 and 1997. The dataset includes information on Paleocene and Eocene sediments containing foraminifera, pollen, spores, and dinoflagellates, recovered from a prograding sequence about 200 meters thick. It was aggregated by the Australian Ocean Data Network and last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Reconstructing Paleocene-Eocene paleoenvironments based on foraminiferid faunas and pollen data.
• Analyzing sediment deposition cycles based on the described clinoform sequences and lithology.
• Studying climate indicators based on the temperate-climate water temperature evidence and Transantarctic dinocyst flora.
• Investigating sediment provenance and recycling based on evidence of Permian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous material.

Strengths

• Data is associated with a defined seismic/coring program from 1995 and 1997, providing a methodological context.
• Description specifies a prograding sediment sequence about 200 meters thick, giving scale.
• Fossil content is detailed, including Paleocene (P4), Middle Eocene Globigerinatheka, pollen, spores, and dinoflagellates.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description notes uncertainty about whether fossil material is in situ or has been reworked by later glacial activity.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seismic surveys, core sampling, and opportunistic sampling accompanied by CTD probe, bottom camera, and sediment grab deployments.

Time Range

Primarily covers the Paleocene and Eocene epochs, with evidence of recycling from Permian to Cretaceous and overlying Quaternary deposits.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 09:47:16.626898; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay on the continental shelf of East Antarctica.