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An approach to quantifying Pliocene ice sheet dynamics via slope failure frequencies recorded in Antarctic Peninsula rise sediments

Abstract Understanding of glacially driven sedimentary transport systems across the shelf to the slope and subsequently to deep sea sediment bodies along the Pacific continental margin of Antarctic Peninsula is crucial for interpreting ice sheet dynamics. Here we quantify slope-failure frequencies recorded in Pliocene core intervals of ODP Site 1095. We used the relationship between long-term sedimentation rate and marine carbon burial efficiency to calculate glacial or interglacial specific sedimentation rates. Using the decompacted average length of glacial-interglacial cycles it was possible to solve a set of linear equations to derive average half-periods of 61.59 and 59.77 kyr respectively for the time interval 5.8–3.2 Ma. The resulting frequency distribution of slope failures reflects short and rapid but cyclic ice advances every ∼375 years. Short retention times between slope loading and slope failure are supported by biogenic silica dissolution analyses. This study demonstrates the potential of the rise record to improve models of orbitally controlled size variations of the West Antarctic ice sheet and confirms the hypothesis of a highly dynamic ice sheet during the early Pliocene warm period.