Grossplots: a Method for Estimating the Temperature State of the Earth and of Australia, Cretaceous to Middle Miocene

L. A. Frakes

Abstract

Grossplots are compilations of globally distributed palaeotemperature data onto latitude versus age plots, which are then contoured. The results specifically show the distribution of temperature over the globe and its variations over the Cretaceous to Middle Miocene interval. Data for continents and oceans are plotted separately in this investigation, and each such grossplot is in accord with the known climate changes of this time. The general scarcity of quantitative palaeotemperature information for Australia can be rectified by deriving, from the global continental grossplot, the relationship between mean annual temperature and latitude. When these are applied to the latitude band progressively occupied by Australia, the following observations can be made: (1) during the Early Cretaceous, the south-east of the continent was subjected to freezing wintertime temperatures; (2) peak warming of northern Australia was attained in the Turonian–Santonian, but this was followed by cooling later in the Cretaceous; (3) Early Tertiary warming until the Late Eocene particularly affected the northern half of the continent, but this region then underwent the most severe cooling in the Early Oligocene; (4) subsequently, the whole of the continent cooled uniformly from conditions only slightly warmer than at present. Despite Australia’s equatorward march, the Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene climates of the continent have been influenced more effectively by changes in the global climate state. However, global cooling since the Eocene has been less effective than drift in controlling the warming climate of Australia. The time–space distribution of precipitation over Australia is estimated from the global relationship between terrestrial temperature and rainfall. The Eocene experienced the heaviest rainfall (> 1560 mm year^-1, in the north only), and the Eocene to Middle Miocene experienced moderately high rates (> 500 mm year^-1 in the northern three-quarters of the continent). Tertiary brown coals in southern regions were formed in proximity to areas of high rainfall. Continentwide low rates (< 500 mm year^-1; semi-arid) are suggested for the Cretaceous, except for wet conditions in the north during the Albian–Santonian and the Late Maastrichtian. Estimates of precipitation are subject to factors such as continentality and location of moisture sources, which cannot be evaluated at present.

Australian Journal of Botany 45(3) 359 - 372 (1997) doi:10.1071/BT96032