Variation in the sedimentation rates at the South and Central Highs of Shatsky Rise for the last 30 kyr

Abstract

The Kuroshio Extension (KE) occupies the boundary region of subtropical and subarctic gyre systems of North Pacific and its position and structure are sensitive to climatic changes. To understand the late Pleistocene history of KE, a 14 m long giant piston core, HI1715-GPC1 (36°08′N, 158°13′E 3550 m water depth), was acquired at the Central High of Shatsky Rise, located on the main axis of present-day KE pathway. The average linear sedimentation rate (LSR) for the Late Holocene is 2.9 cm/kyr, higher than that reported from the NPGP1302-1B (32°16′N, 158°13′E 2514 m water depth) at the Southern High (1.6 cm/kyr Seo et al., 2018, Palaeo-3, 496, 323-331), located at the southern edge of the KE main pathway. Such difference is possibly resulted from the high surface biological productivity and eolian ?ux along the main axis of KE. The LSRs during the last deglacial period and the glacial period are high (ca. 8 cm/kyr) in both cores, indicating that the detrital input of sediment and surface biological production have been higher during these cold periods. Meanwhile, the highest LSR of 20.1 cm/kyr for the last 30 kyr is recorded in 21.7