@article{CosentinoBuchwaldtSampalmierietal.2013,
  author    = {Cosentino, Domenico and Buchwaldt, Robert and Sampalmieri, Gianluca and Iadanza, Annalisa and Cipollari, Paola and Schildgen, Taylor F. and Hinnov, Linda A. and Ramezani, Jahandar and Bowring, Samuel A.},
  title     = {Refining the mediterranean "Messinian gap" with high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology, central and northern Italy},
  series = {Geology},
  volume    = {41},
  journal   = {Geology},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {American Institute of Physics},
  address   = {Boulder},
  issn      = {0091-7613},
  doi       = {10.1130/G33820.1},
  pages     = {323 -- 326},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Astronomically tuned cyclic sedimentary successions provide unprecedented insight into the temporal evolution of depositional systems and major geologic events. However, placing astronomically calibrated records into an absolute time frame with confidence requires independent and precise geochronologic constraints. Astronomical tuning of the precessionally modulated sedimentary cycles of the Mediterranean Basin deposited during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.96-5.33 Ma) has indicated an similar to 90 k.y. "Messinian gap", corresponding to the evaporative drawdown of the Mediterranean following the closure of the Mediterranean-Atlantic gateway. In the Messinian deposits, a volcanic ash dated by Ar-40/Ar-39 geochronology was used to anchor the sedimentary cycles to the insolation curve. However, the uncertainty of the Ar-40/Ar-39 date introduces a potential two-cycle (similar to 40 k.y.) uncertainty in the tuning. Using high-precision chemical abrasion-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-TIMS) U-Pb geochronology on single zircon grains from two Messinian ash layers in Italy, we obtained dates of 5.5320 +/- 0.0046 Ma and 5.5320 +/- 0.0074 Ma with sub-precessional resolution. Combined with our astronomical tuning of the Messinian Lower Evaporites, the results refine the duration of the "Messinian gap" to at most 28 or 58 +/- 9.6 k.y., which correlates with either the TG12 glacial interval alone, or both TG12 and TG14 glacial intervals, supporting the hypothesis of a glacio-eustatic contribution in fully isolating the Mediterranean from the Atlantic Ocean. Our new U-Pb dates also allow us to infer a precessionally modulated cyclicity for the post-evaporitic deposits, and hence enable us to tune those successions to the insolation curve.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchildgenCosentinoCarusoetal.2012,
  author    = {Schildgen, Taylor F. and Cosentino, D. and Caruso, A. and Buchwaldt, Robert and Yildirim, C. and Bowring, S. A. and Rojay, B. and Echtler, Helmut Peter and Strecker, Manfred},
  title     = {Surface expression of eastern Mediterranean slab dynamics: Neogene topographic and structural evolution of the southwest margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau, Turkey},
  series = {TECTONICS},
  volume    = {31},
  journal   = {TECTONICS},
  publisher = {AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION},
  address   = {WASHINGTON},
  issn      = {0278-7407},
  doi       = {10.1029/2011TC003021},
  pages     = {21},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {The southwest margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau has experienced multiple phases of topographic growth, including the formation of localized highs prior to the Late Miocene that were later affected by wholesale uplift of the plateau margin. Our new biostratigraphic data limit the age of uplifted marine sediments at the southwest plateau margin at 1.5 km elevation to <7.17 Ma, and regional lithostratigraphic correlations imply that the age is <6.7 Ma. Single-grain CA-TIMS U-Pb zircon analyses from a reworked ash within the marine sediments yield dates as young as 10.6 Ma, indicating a maximum age that is consistent with the biostratigraphy. Our structural measurements within the uplifted region and fault inversion modeling agree with previous findings in surrounding regions, with early contraction followed by strike-slip and extensional deformation during uplift. Focal mechanisms from shallow earthquakes show that the extensional phase has continued to the present. Broad similarities in the change in the tectonic stress regime (after 8 Ma) and the onset of surface uplift (after 7 Ma) imply that deep-seated process(es) caused post-7 Ma uplift. The geometry of lithospheric slabs beneath the plateau margin, Pliocene to recent alkaline volcanism, and the uplift pattern with accompanying normal faulting point toward slab tearing and localized heating at the base of the lithosphere as a probable mechanism for post-7 Ma uplift of the southwest margin. Considering previous work in the region, there appears to be an important link between slab dynamics and surface uplift throughout the Anatolian Plateau\&rsquo;s southern margin.},
  language  = {en}
}