S H T

DRILLING DISTURB.#
O Y

REPRESENTATION#
LEG U SITE CORE
B L P SEC
E E

STRUCTURE#
VISUAL CORE DESCRIPTION

SAMPLES#
GRAPHIC

COLOR#
PIECE #

SEDIMENTS / SEDIMENTARY ROCKS OBSERVER

SECTION DESCRIPTION
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150
FM7000 These data are to be processed into a computerized data base along with existing standardized data from other legs and will be accessible
to the scientific community at large. RECORD ALL MEASUREMENTS CAREFULLY, COMPLETELY, AND LEGIBLY.
 Interval (cm)
SEDIMENT SMEAR SLIDE/THIN SECTION Leg Site Hole Core Type Sec
Top Bottom
WORKSHEET

Sediment/Rock Observer
Name

Percent Texture
Smear Slide Thin Section Coarse Fraction Grain Mount Dominant Lithology Minor Lithology
Sand Silt Clay

Comments:

Percent Component Percent Component

MINERAL BIOGENIC
Accessory Minerals Algae
Carbonate Bioclasts
calcite Coral
dolomite Diatoms
inorganic calcite Dinoflagellate
organic calcite Ebridians

Clay Fish Remains

Feldspar Foraminifers
plagioclase benthic foraminifers
Fe-oxide planktonic foraminifers

Glauconite Nannofossils
Mica Coccolith
biotite Discoasters
muscovite Organic Debris

Opaque Minerals plant debris

Quartz Pollen
Volcanic Glass Pteropod
Zeolite Radiolarians
clinoptilolite Silicoflagellates
phillipsite Sponge Spicules
siliceous sponge spicule
Spores

ROCK
Bioclasts
Carbonate Grains
Cement
Clasts
Micrite
Ooids
Rock Fragments
Shell Debris
Volcanic Ash
Example graphic symbols used by sedimentologists for core description.

From: http://ship-web.ship.iodp.tamu.edu/publications/201_IR/chap_05/chap_05.htm
SS1

SMEAR SLIDES, SITE 1256

CORE DESCRIPTIONS
Sample Grainsize (vol%) Non-biogenic Biogenic (no%)
(vol%)

Silicoflagellates

Sponge Spicules
Depth (mbsf)

Foraminifers

Radiolarians
Nannofossils
Top (cm)

Diatoms
Section

Others
Glass
Sand
Type
Core

Clay
Silt
Comments
Hole A
1 H 1 65 0.65 1 49 50 2 98 10 0 85 3 2 0 Nannofossil-rich silty clay
1 H 2 50 2.00 2 40 58 2 98 40 3 45 8 4 0 Nannofossil-diatom-bearing silty clay
Hole B
1 H 4 60 5.10 5 25 70 1 99 23 1 68 6 2 0 Nannofossil-rich silty clay
2 H 2 113 8.70 20 16 64 0 100 9 0 89 1 0 1 Nannofossil-rich silty clay
3 H 2 35 17.45 90 8 2 96 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Clear glass shards, quartz, feldspar, opaque minerals
3 H 5 83 22.43 20 16 64 2 98 5 1 90 2 0 2 Nannofossil-rich sandy clay
4 H 4 100 30.60 20 20 40 2 85 0 0 10 5 0 Diatom-bearing silty clay
5 H 1 122 35.82 30 55 15 2 98 6 0 89 2 2 1 Nannofossil-rich sandy silt
5 H 6 93 43.03 30 60 10 1 99 9 0 86 10 2 2 Nannofossil-rich sandy silt
6 H 3 60 47.70 40 40 20 1 99 10 0 88 1 0.5 0.5 Nannofossil-rich sandy silt
7 H 3 55 57.15 20 60 20 2 98 32 1 62 1 6 0 Nannofossil-rich sandy silt
8 H 2 67 65.27 15 60 25 2 98 12 0 83 1 3 1 Nannofossil-rich clayey clay, including pumice, platy and cusfate glass shards
9 H 2 80 74.90 10 25 65 1 99 4 0 91 0 2 3 Nannofossil-rich silty clay
10 H 4 100 87.60 40 35 25 1 99 52 0 40 1 5 2 Nannofossil-rich sandy clay
12 H 5 52 107.62 0 0 0 100 0 20 0 75 0 0 5 Pebble of vesicular brown glass
13 H 2 102 112.42 85 0 15 0 0 0 Diatomite
13 H 2 106 112.46 78 0 20 0 2 0 Diatomite
14 H 4 80 125.40 5 0 95 0 0 0 Nannofossil ooze
15 H 3 40 133.00 Diatom-nannofossil ooze. (Not examined)
15 H 4 57 134.67 1 60 39 1 99 12 0 86 0 1 1 Diatom-nannofossil-filled burrows. Nannofossil ooze
15 H 5 129 136.89 1 39 60 0 100 17 0 77 1 2 3 Contain 1-5% plagioclase crystals. Nannofossil ooze
16 H 3 141 143.51 0 15 85 0 100 Opaque minerals (sulfide or pyrite?). Eustress-black at binocular
16 H 3 142 143.52 Nannofossil silty clay. (Not examined)
17 H 3 112 152.72 5 50 49 tr 100 10 0 87 0 2 1 Phyllosie. Nannofossil ooze
19 X 2 53 162.13 5 30 65 0 100 20 0 78 0 1 1 ca. 1% plagioclase. Nannofossil-rich silty clay
20 X 5 102 172.22 5 20 75 7 0 92 0 1 0 Nannofossil-bearing clay
21 X 2 96 177.26 1 19 80 13 0 83 0 2 2 Nannofossil ooze
22 X 2 46 185.96 20 40 40 4 0 96 0 0 0 ca. 1% plagioclase. Nannofossil ooze
23 X 3 97 197.67 8 10 82 0 100 Clay
24 X 3 80 207.20 Silty clay

284
 CORE DESCRIPTIONS
VISUAL CORE DESCRIPTIONS, SITE 1256 3
1256B-2H
Core Photo message openfile IMAGES/1256B2H.PDF
Site 1256 Hole B Core 2H Cored 6.1-15.6 mbsf

BIOTURB.

DISTURB.
GRAPHIC
SECTION
METERS

SAMPLE
ICHNO.

COLOR
LITH.

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION

..
CLAYEY NANNOFOSSIL OOZE WITH
SAND
10YR 5/4
1

ol GY IW
1 Major Lithology: Slightly to extensively
bioturbated CLAYEY NANNOFOSSIL
OOZE WITH SAND with minor volcanic
IW glass, diatoms, and radiolarians. The
BR
sediment color alternates between
2 ol GY predominantly brown (10YR 5/3) and olive
gray (5Y 5/2) with substantial mottling
2

IW due to bioturbation.

SS
General Description:
3 IW TRACE FOSSILS: Bioturbation generally
BR occurs as solid burrows, some are
tentatively identified as Planolites and
Skolithos (?).
3

IW
Concretions occur in Section 2 at 100 cm
4 and in Section 7 at 10 cm.
gy BR

IW
BR

5
4

IW

6 ol GY IW
5

IW
7

BR
IW

8
6

IW

ol GY
9 IW
7

IW
PAL
6.1-15.6 mbsf
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY
CHAPTER 3, SITE 1256 22

THE SEDIMENTARY OVERBURDEN

(HOLES 1256A, 1256B, AND 1256C)
Lithostratigraphy
Hole 1256A is a single mudline core that recovered the uppermost
2.37 m of the sedimentary section. This interval was resampled with a
second mudline core in Hole 1256B, and coring continued in sediment
in this hole down to a depth of 250.70 mbsf, where basement was con-
tacted, with roughly 1 m more penetration in and ~5 cm of recovery of
the uppermost basaltic basement. The lower portion of the sedimentary
section was resampled in the rotary-cored Hole 1256C from a depth of
220.10 mbsf down to 245 mbsf. The combination of these three holes
provides a nearly complete sampling of the entire sedimentary se-
quence above basement at Site 1256. The sediments are clay rich in the
upper 40.6 m and become increasingly calcareous with depth, with cal-
careous nannofossils being the dominant component below 40.6 mbsf,
except for some minor more siliceous and diatom-rich intervals (Fig.
F17). F17. Lithostratigraphic column,
Visual observations on the recovered core have been integrated with p. 119.
magnetic susceptibility, density, and color measurements, which are
routinely determined during core processing. These data were com- IA
Dark brown to yellowish
brown nannofossil silty clay
with diatoms and trace
foraminifers, radiolarians,

bined with normal sedimentological criteria (smear slide analysis, sedi- and volcanic glass

mentary structures, color, bioturbation, and general appearance) and X- IB

ray diffraction (XRD) results to divide the sediment column into litho-
logic units. A composite graphical log of the complete sedimentary se- - -

quence at Site 1256 (Fig. F18) shows the relationships between sedi-
ments and the continuously measured parameters.
The primary density contrast for biogenic oozes is between biogenic
calcite and biogenic silica. The density (ρ) of calcareous nannofossil–
II

rich sediment (e.g., ρ = 1.4–1.6 g/cm3 in Cores 206-1256B-14H through

-

15H) is greater than that of sediments with a high biogenic silica con-
tent (e.g., ρ = 1.1–1.3 g/cm3 in Core 206-1256B-10H). Thus, these con-
tinuously recorded gamma ray attenuation (GRA) bulk density mea-
surements provided a first-order estimate of carbonate content, which F18. Composite summary, p. 121.
supplemented our direct observations from smear slides and chemical
Hole 1256C
Hole 1256A

Hole 1256B

Age (Ma)

Lithology

Color Susceptibility GRA density

Lith. unit

analyses (see “Inorganic Geochemistry,” p. 36). (x ~10-5 SI) (g/cm3)

Epoch

(% reflectance)
40 60 80 20 40 60 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

The sediments from Site 1256 are divided into two principal litho- IA

logic units (Fig. F17; Table T5). Unit I is a clay-rich unit with a few car-
bonate-rich intervals, and Unit II is predominantly biogenic carbonate. IB

The unit boundaries are based primarily on the relative clastic and bio-
genic component concentrations, as characterized through smear slide
analysis, visual inspection of the core, and changes in color reflectance
and physical properties. The subunit boundary within Unit I was based
on biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic constraints, particularly
II

the location of the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary, and changes in

physical properties.

Description of Units
Unit I T5. Sedimentary overburden
Interval: Core 206-1256A-1H; Sections 206-1256B-1H-1 through units, p. 338.
5H-4
Depth: Hole 1256A: 0–2.37 mbsf; Hole 1256B: 0–40.6 mbsf
Age: Pleistocene to late Miocene
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY
CHAPTER 3, SITE 1256 23

The clay-rich sediments of lithologic Unit I are divided into two sub-
units. Subunit IA consists of Pleistocene dark brown to yellow-brown
(7.5YR 3/2 to 10YR 5/4) silty clays. The dominant biogenic components
are calcareous nannofossils, which compose 10%–25% of the sediment
(Fig F19). Subunit IB comprises Pliocene to late Miocene sandy clays to F19. Smear slide data summary,
silts with calcareous nannofossil–rich intervals. Hole 1256B, p. 123.
Sand Silt Clay Nannofossils Diatoms Foraminifers Radiolarians

Subunit IA
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
0 40 0 40 0 40 0 40 80 0 40 80 0 5 10 0 5 10
0

Interval: Core 206-1256A-1H; Sections 206-1256B-1H-1 through 50

interval 206-1256B-3H-2, 38 cm 100

Depth (mbsf)
Depth: Hole 1256A: 0–2.37 mbsf; Hole 1256B: 0–17.48 mbsf 150

Age: Pleistocene 200

250

Cumulative
(%)

Subunit IA comprises ~17.5 m of nannofossil silty clay and clayey 0

0 20 40 60 80 100

nannofossil ooze. The proportions of clay, silt, and sand are variable, 50 Sand

Silt

and there is a general decrease from 60% nonbiogenic material at the top 100
Clay

Depth (mbsf)
Diatoms

of the sequence to 40% at the base of the subunit (see “Site 1256 Smear 150
Radiolarians

Nannofossils

Slides”). Few radiolarians are found in the subunit, but diatoms general- Foraminifers

Other

ly form a minor component (up to 10%). Trace volcanic glass is also ob-
200

served through the subunit. XRD analyses indicate that the clay-rich in- 250

tervals are dominated by smectite (Table T6).

A volcanic ash layer consisting predominantly of colorless volcanic T6. XRD results, Hole 1256B, p. 339.
glass with common quartz and feldspar is present in interval 206-
1256B-3H-2, 34–36 cm (Fig. F20). This ash layer may possibly be corre-
lated with a similar ash layer identified at Site 844 in interval 138-844B- F20. Ash layer, p. 124.
cm

1H-1, 120–126 cm (Mayer, Pisias, Janecek, et al., 1992). 25

Dominant colors are shades of yellow brown and olive gray that are
mottled throughout (10YR 5/4 to 10YR 5/3 and 5Y 5/2). The uppermost 30

1.5 m of the subunit is very dark brown to dark mottled brown (7.5YR
2.5/2 to 7.5YR 3/2), which is considerably darker than the rest of the
sedimentary sequence. Subunit IA has the lowest reflectance of all of 35

the sediments at Site 1256.

Bioturbation is common to abundant throughout. The most com- 40

mon trace fossils are Planolites with tentative identification of Chon-

drites and Skolithos. Calcified burrows are present in Sections 206-
1256B-2H-2 at 100 cm, 2H-7 at 10 cm, and 3H-1 at 55 cm. 45

The base of Subunit IA is taken as the Pleistocene/Pliocene boundary

(see “Hole 1256B,” p. 27, in “Calcareous Nannofossils” in “Biostratigra-
phy”). At this subunit boundary, the observed change in the relative
concentrations of clastic and biogenic components is also apparent in
the color reflectance and magnetic susceptibility data.
Subunit IB
Interval: 206-1256B-3H-2, 38 cm, through Section 206-1256B-5H-4
Depth: 17.48–40.6 mbsf
Age: Pliocene to late Miocene

Subunit IB consists of clayey nannofossil ooze, sandy silty clay, and

sandy silty nannofossil ooze. The subunit is characterized by a coarser
clastic component than Subunit IA. Diatoms are a minor component of
the sediment. As in Subunit IA, radiolarians are sparse, although they are
more abundant at the base of Subunit IB.
Dominant colors vary with lithology. The nannofossil oozes are typi-
cally light olive gray grading to pale brown (5Y 6/2 to 10YR 6/3) at the
base of the subunit, with bioturbation resulting in significant mottling.
Intervals dominated by clastic components are darker, in particular Sec-
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY
CHAPTER 3, SITE 1256 24

tions 206-1256B-4H-2 through 4H-7. The clastic-rich sediment is olive

green to yellowish brown (5Y 5/2 to 10YR 5/4). Localized color banding
(olive; 5Y 4/3) is seen in Sections 206-1256B-4H-2 and 4H-4 through
4H-CC. The color reflectance in Subunit IB increases gradually down
through the sequence, with a sharp step increase marking the subunit
base.
Bioturbation is moderate to abundant throughout. Solid burrows,
Planolites, Skolithos, and Zoophycos (Fig. F21) are all common. The top of F21. Zoophycos burrows, p. 125.
Sections 206-1256B-5H-1 and 5H-4 contain good examples of Zoophycos cm
0

cutting other solid burrows. A large (4 cm diameter), continuous calci-

fied burrow intersects the split surface of Section 206-1256B-4H-1 at 15,
5

35, and 43 cm.

The magnetic susceptibility of Subunit IB is similar in magnitude to
that of Subunit IA, but with much less variability. A decrease in the 10

abundance of clay-hosted magnetite grains associated with an increase

in nannofossils marks the Unit I/II boundary, and this is reflected in a
sharp decrease in chromaticity (a* and b*) (see Fig. F22) at 40.6 mbsf
15

and a decrease (from 30 to 10 in raw SI values) in magnetic susceptibil-

ity in the interval 40–45 mbsf. 20

Unit II
Interval: Sections 206-1256B-5H-5 through 28X-CC; Core 206- F22. Susceptibility, magnetic
intensity, chromaticity, and car-
1256C-1R through Section 206-1256C-3R-CC
bonate, p. 126.
Depth: Hole 1256B: 40.6–250.7 mbsf; Hole 1256C: 220.1–245.0
0

mbsf More
greenish More
bluish
Lithologic
Unit I

Age: late Miocene to middle Miocene More

Unit II
50
More yellowish
reddish

100

Depth (mbsf)
Lithologic Unit II comprises calcareous nannofossil ooze with varying 150

amounts of clay and other microfossil groups. Diatoms are a significant 200

minor component. Foraminifers and radiolarians are rare throughout

the unit. Volcanic glass is absent, although fragmented pumice clasts
250
0 0.1 -8 -4 0 4 8 0 5 10 15 20 0 20 40 0 20 40 60 80 100
Intensity (A/m) a* b* Susceptibility Carbonate (wt%)

were identified in the smear slide taken from Section 206-1256B-8H-2 at

67 cm.
The uppermost 35 m of the unit consists predominantly of diatom-
nannofossil ooze, with the diatom component varying between 10%
and 25%. These biogenic oozes are much paler than the overlying Sub-
unit IB and are dominantly light greenish gray alternating with dark
greenish gray to dark gray (5GY 7/1 and 10Y 4/1 to 7.5YR 4/0), typically
on a meter-length scale. In some sections there is localized color band-
ing in varying shades of gray.
The diatom content of the sediment increases significantly between
43 and 85 mbsf, resulting in a siliceous biogenic ooze at 85 mbsf. This
clayey nannofossil diatom ooze is slightly darker (greenish gray to dark
greenish gray; 10Y 7/2 to 10Y 4/1) than the surrounding nannofossil
ooze and is lower in density.
With the exception of two intervals, the remainder of the sedimen-
tary section is dominated by almost pure nannofossil ooze (up to 97%
nannofossils). This ooze is light greenish gray to white (5G 7/1 to 5Y 8/
1) with some dark greenish gray (5G 7/1) intervals and rare purple or
dark bluish gray (5PB 4/1) to dark greenish gray intervals. Small dark
bluish black blebs, which were observed throughout Core 206-1256B-
21X (174.8 mbsf) and in all the deeper cores, are interpreted to be iron
sulfide, probably pyrite.
Between 111 and 115 mbsf (Sections 206-1256B-12H-6 through 13H-
5) is an unusual diatomite with nannofossils. It consists of a ~4-m-thick
diatom mat with a peculiar foliated texture resembling a pile of soggy
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY
CHAPTER 3, SITE 1256 25

telephone books (Fig. F23). The XRD analysis for this sediment con- F23. Diatom mat, p. 127.
firms it to be dominantly opaline sediment. The interval contains very cm
96

abundant tubular diatom tests, as observed in the smear slide. The diat-
98

omite is predominantly light greenish gray to green gray (10Y 8/1 to

10GY 5/1). It has a lower reflectance than the nannofossil ooze and is 100

marked by a significant step decrease in density and an increase in seis- 102

mic velocity, a reflection of the open cage–like structure of diatoms. 104

The other anomalous interval spans 140–195 mbsf. In this interval

the nannofossil ooze has significant but variable clay and diatom com- 106

ponents. There is no obvious change in the visual appearance of the

sediment in this interval, but the reflectance and density show greater
variability.
Bioturbation is common throughout Unit II. Trace fossils include
both solid and rind burrows, including Planolites and Skolithos. The ma-
jority of cores contain calcified burrows, generally at the top of Section
1, and as such their location is considered an artifact of the drilling pro-
cess.
Many of the cores also contain chert nodules, again commonly at
the top of Section 1. These chert nodules are generally dark greenish
gray (10Y 3/1). Chert was first observed in interval 206-1256B-13H-2, 0–
16 cm, at 111.40 mbsf. Distinct chert layers are identified at 111 and
158 mbsf in the wireline logs of Hole 1256C and are characterized by
increased resistivity and low porosity (see “Results,” p. 51, in “Down-
hole Logging” in “Downhole Measurements”). Only 20 cm of sediment
was recovered in Core 206-1256B-27X, and it consisted of broken bits
of chert and chert nodules with a nannofossil ooze coating, indicating
that a chert layer is present somewhere between 230 and 240 mbsf. Re-
covery of the same interval in Hole 1256C was also extremely poor. The
chert layer at this level unfortunately could not be confirmed by down-
hole logging because a constriction in the borehole prevented the de-
ployment of wireline tools to this depth.
Granular glauconitic bands were identified in Sections 206-1256B-
9H-3, 9H-7, 25X-4, and 26X-3. These bands are typically up to 5 mm
wide and are dark greenish gray with angular mineral grains up to 2
mm in diameter. In Section 206-1256B-26X-3 glauconite bands are off-
set by a small fault, possibly induced during coring (Fig. F24). F24. Glauconite bands, p. 128.
The nannofossil ooze at the base of the sedimentary section has a cm
60

turquoise hue, reminiscent of the covers of DSDP Initial Reports vol-

umes. The X-ray diffractogram of this sediment showed it to be domi-
nantly composed of mica, possibly celadonite (Table T6). It is specu- 65

lated that this may relate to the presence of metalliferous sediment,

with celadonite formed by the recrystallization of biogenic opal and hy-
drothermally derived iron oxides. 70

In Core 206-1256C-4R, the first core in which igneous basement was

recovered, two pieces of red-brown chert were cored. The cherts are si-
licified recrystallized siliceous sediments with iron oxides, and they
may be recrystallized metalliferous sediments.
The color reflectance of Unit II is much less variable than that of Sub-
unit IB, due to the much more homogeneous composition of the sedi-
ments and the dominance of calcareous nannofossils. Variations in
density are attributed to variable relative concentrations of diatoms and
nannofossils. The magnetic susceptibility throughout Unit II is low be-
cause of the very low concentrations of magnetic minerals in calcareous
oozes. Point-susceptibility meter measurements were discontinued be-
low Core 206-1256B-18H (160.1 mbsf) because the readings were clearly
at the noise level of the meter, which has lower sensitivity than the
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY
CHAPTER 3, SITE 1256 26

whole-core loop meter. Whole-core susceptibility measurements on the

multisensor track (MST) were continued down to basement, with read-
ings commonly at the noise level of the meter. The presence of greenish
black (10G 2.5/1) blebs throughout Cores 206-1256-21X through 28X,
identified as pyrite spots or other iron sulfides, suggests that any mag-
netite has been converted to pyrite, which would explain the very low
susceptibility and magnetic intensity of this lithologic unit (see “Sus-
ceptibility,” p. 30, in “Paleomagnetism”).

Trace Fossils
The trace fossils encountered in the sediments are recorded in detail
on individual barrel sheets. Bioturbation is common to abundant
throughout the majority of the sediments retrieved from Site 1256. The
trace fossils typical of Unit I are solid burrows, commonly Planolites
with minor Zoophycos and rare Chondrites. The carbonate-rich litholo-
gies of Unit II contain common Planolites with Chondrites and Skolithos.
Carbonate concretions up to 2 cm in diameter in Unit II are identified
as calcified burrows.

Biostratigraphy
Sediments recovered above basaltic basement at Site 1256 during Leg
206 provide a continuous sedimentary record from the Quaternary
through the middle Miocene. Calcareous nannofossils were used for de-
veloping the biostratigraphic framework using the zonation schemes of
Martini and Müller (1986) and Okada and Bukry (1980). Biostrati-
graphic assignments were made to core catcher samples and additional
samples selected to refine the biostratigraphy. The interval (core and
section) and depth (mbsf) constraints for calcareous nannofossil events
recognized at Site 1256 are reported in Table T7. The depths of epoch T7. Calcareous nannofossils, p. 340.
boundaries are given in Table T8, along with the same boundaries from
Sites 844 and 845. Nannofossil ranges from all core catcher samples are
given in Table T9. T8. Epoch boundaries, p. 341.

Calcareous Nannofossils T9. Calcareous nannofossil distri-

bution chart, p. 342.
Calcareous nannofossils are generally abundant and moderately to
well preserved at Site 1256. Nannofossil assemblages, however, are af-
fected to different degrees by alteration, mainly by etching above Sam-
ple 206-1256B-3H-CC, by dissolution and overgrowth below Sample
206-1256B-13H-CC, and by fragmentation throughout the sequence.
No significant reworking of nannofossils was apparent, and all nanno-
fossil events are recognized in normal stratigraphic sequence in these
sediments. More than a dozen nannofossil datums were determined
based on examination of core catcher samples and other selected sam-
ples, providing modest biostratigraphic resolution for the Pleistocene
through middle Miocene.
Hole 1256A
Hole 1256A consists of a mudline core only (0–2.17 mbsf) and con-
tains uppermost Quaternary nannofossil assemblages assigned to Zone
NN21. Calcareous nannofossils are common throughout the sequence
and are moderately preserved. The main assemblage is composed of pla-
coliths (Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa spp.) with a highly diverse
subordinate assemblage. Reworked specimens, mainly discoasterids of