Clumped-isotope-derived climate trends leading up to the end-Cretaceous mass extinction in northwestern Europe

Abstract. Paleotemperature reconstructions of the end-Cretaceous interval document local and global climate trends, some driven by greenhouse gas emissions from Deccan Traps volcanism associated feedbacks. Here, we present a new clumped-isotope-based paleotemperature record derived fossil bivalves Maastrichtian type region in southeastern Netherlands northeastern Belgium. Clumped isotope data mean temperature 20.4±3.8 ∘C, consistent with other estimates, an average seawater δ18O value 0.2±0.8 ‰ VSMOW for during latest Cretaceous (67.1–66.0 Ma). A notable increase at ∼66.4 Ma is interpreted to be regional manifestation globally defined Late Warming Event, linking volcanic CO2 change Maastricht region. Fluctuating values coinciding changes suggest alternating influences warm, salty southern-sourced waters cooler, fresher northern-sourced Arctic Ocean. This contributes understanding response large-scale ocean circulation leading up catastrophic mass extinction.