Astronomical forcing and geochronological application of sedimentary cycles in the Mediterranean Pliocene-Pleistocene

A new, astronomically calibrated time scale is presented for the Mediterranean Pliocene based on the correlation of sedimentary cycles to astronomical curves which describe the quasi-periodic variations in the Earth's orbit during the last 5.5 Ma. These sedimentary cycles are found in a continuous deep-sea marl sequence emerged above present sea-level due to tectonic uplift. For this sequence, an integrated high-resolution magnetostratigraphy, (planktonic foraminiferal) biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy is established which underlies the new time scale. This time scale differs substantially from more conventional time scales which rely entirely on K/Ar radiometric dating.