Ocean temperatures over time estimated from planktonic foraminifera assemblages in core BAR9403 located off the coast of Sumatra. Estimates are provided for the sea-surface, 50m, 100m, and 150m.

In recent years the term 'enhanced greenhouse effect' has become well known in modern society and yet aspects of this possible 'future climate' are poorly understood. The characteristics of the geological record provide a basis to understand this possible future climate through the examination of alternating glacial (cold) and interglacial (warm) stages. Understanding the variability of sea-surface temperature and biological processes in the water column provides insight into general circulation of present and paleo-ocean currents. The core obtained offshore from Sumatra (BAR9043, 104.0316E, 5.82S) highlights an upwelling signal at 14,000 yrs BP that disrupts the warm stratified water column, which was a feature between Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 to present. This upwelling is timed to a regional pattern of an intensified Australasian Monsoon.

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Additional Information

Field Value
Published (Metadata Record) 04/03/2026
Last updated 05/03/2026
Organisation Australian Federal Government
License cc-by-2.5
Update Frequency Unknown