Application of quantitative micropaleontologic methods of sea-surface temperature (SST) estimation to the planktic foraminiferal faunas at Hole 548 in the northeast Atlantic between 3.5 and 2.0 Ma provide a detailed record of Pliocene surface temperature changes during the onset of major Northern Hemisphere glaciation. SST estimates indicate a relatively warm interval of "enhanced interglacials (warm peaks)" between 3.2 and 2.8 Ma followed by steady cooling with a significant step-like change toward colder temperatures occurring about 2.4 Ma. This record compares well with faunal and SST records from other North Atlantic sites.

Factor analysis (varimax) of planktic foraminiferal counts generated by Loubere and Moss (1986)

Supplement to: Dowsett, Harry J; Loubere, Paul (1992): High resolution late Pliocene sea-surface temperature record from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Marine Micropaleontology, 20(2), 91-105