STRATIGRAPHIES FROM KEY EXPLORATION AREAS IN THE EQUATORIAL ATLANTIC OCEAN

The Paleogene encompasses arguably the most profound climatic shift of the past 65 million years of Earth history during which Earth's climate evolves from a 'greenhouse' in the early Paleogene to an 'icehouse' in the Oligocene. This transition results in significant re-organisation of ocean circulation, the cryosphere, marine communities, and biogeochemical cycles. Drilling by Petrobras and Mobil have yielded relatively thick sedimentary sequences spanning the Eocene and Oligocene in two key areas; Mossy Grove (Gulf of Mexico) and the Foz do Amazonas Basin (Brazilian margin). They are of particular value because they are also host to rare exceptionally preserved carbonate marine microfossils as well as terrestrial markers (e.g., pollen and spores). These sediments are un-studied and thus, offer a unique opportunity to accurately reconstruct ancient palaeoenvironments and ultimately develop an integrated marine-terrestrial stratigraphy. This work is also of particular value because the Gulf of Mexico and Brazilian margin are key areas of petroleum exploration and production today. Yet, gaps remain in our understanding of how these regions have evolved throughout key intervals of geological time at high temporal resolution. This is particularly true of the Foz do Amazonas Basin, offshore northern Brazil, a high priority for current exploration by a number of companies.