Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2014
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Christopher Liu
Committee Members
Istvan Karsai, Catherine Chen, Jim I. Mead
Abstract
Though much is known of the global paleoclimate during the Neogene, little is understood about eastern North America at that time. During the Neogene the global paleoclimate was transitioning from the warm temperatures and higher levels of precipitation of the Paleogene to the cooler temperatures and lower levels of precipitation during the Pleistocene. Eleven fossil sites from Neogene eastern North America were analyzed using the Coexistence Approach: Pollack Farm, Brandon Lignite, Legler Lignite, Alum Bluff, Bryn Mawr, Big Creek on Sicily Island, Brandywine, Gray Fossil Site, Citronelle, Peace Creek, and Ohoopee River Dune Field. Analyses showed a general trend that early and middle Miocene sites were warmer than the area today, while middle and late Miocene sites were comparable to the area today, and Pliocene sites were comparable to or cooler than the area today. However, there is no clear trend of increased precipitation during the Neogene.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Baumgartner, Kyrie A., "Neogene Climate Change in Eastern North America: A Quantitative Reconstruction" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2348. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2348
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.