Evidence from Nd isotopes for complex paleogeography and paleocirculation patterns of the Late Triassic Panthalassa.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Triassic Panthalassa Ocean, a pivotal component of the Earth's paleoceanographic system, has long been understudied due to the scarcity of preserved samples from the open ocean. The previous attempts in reconstructing the Panthalassa paleocirculation from Nd isotopic data were solely based on localities from the eastern continental margins, leaving a significant knowledge gap. This study presents unique Nd isotopic data from the Panthalassa Open realm. The data reveal a heterogeneous Nd isotopic composition of the Triassic Panthalassa Ocean, with significant differences between the margins and the open ocean. We find that the εNd signature of the eastern Panthalassa margin is most likely influenced by the continental sources which are shown to vary throughout the Triassic. Conversely, the Panthalassa open ocean is influenced by the Nd isotopic composition of the mantle-derived mid-ocean ridge basalts and seems to have a rather stable signature between -4 to -1 ε-units since the Late Triassic to the modern Pacific. We hypothesize the possible existence of two oceanic cells in the northern hemisphere geographically separated by emerged continental island arcs. Such an oceanic configuration will preclude strong influence of the Panthalassa eastern margin on the open ocean which therefore will remain with a rather homogeneous and stable Nd isotopic signature.
Source: Journal of Palaeogeography
Institution: University of Geneva
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
OpenAlex ID: W4407096310