Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
07:57
Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis
Published on: August 15, 2018
14.3K
Paleotemperature record of the Middle Devonian Kačák Episode
Thomas J Suttner1, Erika Kido2, Michael M Joachimski3
1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 28608-2006, USA. suttnertj@appstate.edu.
Scientific Reports
|August 17, 2021
Summary
Middle Devonian coral reefs experienced warming during the Kačák Episode. New paleotemperature data reveal surprisingly high sea surface temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere low latitudes during this period.
Area of Science:
- Paleoclimatology
- Paleoceanography
- Devonian Geology
Background:
- The Middle Devonian (393-383 million years ago) saw peak coral and stromatoporoid reef diversity and distribution.
- The Kačák Episode (~388 million years ago) caused a brief but significant disruption with marine dys-/anoxia and climate warming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct seawater temperatures during the Kačák Episode.
- To improve understanding of climate conditions impacting marine life during this event.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of oxygen isotope ratios in conodont apatite (δ18Oapatite).
- Application of a latitude-dependent correction for Middle Devonian seawater δ18O.
- Focus on open marine settings (22-34° S paleolatitude) to minimize salinity variations.
Main Results:
- New δ18Oapatite data were generated from the Carnic Alps (Austria, Italy) and the Prague Synform (Czech Republic).
- Calculated mean sea surface temperatures (SST) reached ~34°C in the Prague Synform and ~33°C in the Carnic Alps.
- These findings suggest Southern Hemisphere low-latitude SSTs were approximately 6°C higher than previously estimated for this interval.
Conclusions:
- Middle Devonian sea surface temperatures, particularly in low latitudes, were warmer than previously thought.
- The Kačák Episode's warming significantly impacted marine ecosystems during the late Eifelian and early Givetian.
- This study provides crucial paleotemperature data for understanding Devonian climate dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
02:56The Fossil Record
26.3K
The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...
26.3K
01:50Global Climate Change
26.2K
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
26.2K
01:12Temperature Dependent Deformation
237
In a nonhomogeneous rod made up of steel and brass, restrained at both ends and subjected to a temperature change, several steps are involved in calculating the stress and compressive load. Due to the problem's static indeterminacy, one end support is disconnected, allowing the rod to experience the temperature change freely. Next, an unknown force is applied at the free end, triggering deformations in the rod's steel and brass portions. These deformations are then calculated and added...
237
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
2.4K
A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
2.4K
01:21Isothermal Processes
4.2K
A thermodynamic process that occurs at constant temperature is called an isothermal process. Heat slowly flows into the system or out of the system to maintain thermal equilibrium. Processes involving phase changes like water evaporation into steam or freezing water into ice at a constant temperature are examples of Isothermal Processes.
An ideal gas can also undergo isothermal expansion or compression.
For example, consider 1 mole of an ideal gas inside an isolated cylinder at initial volume V...
An ideal gas can also undergo isothermal expansion or compression.
For example, consider 1 mole of an ideal gas inside an isolated cylinder at initial volume V...
4.2K
01:07Body Temperature
704
Body temperature reflects the equilibrium between heat production and heat loss within the body. Most heat is generated by metabolically active tissues, particularly the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and endocrine organs. At rest, skeletal muscles contribute 20–30% of total heat production, but during vigorous exercise, this can increase up to 30–40 times.
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C...
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C...
704