Calcareous nannofossils from ODP Leg 178

The occurrences were sporadic and observed to be confined to fine-grained intervals. These intervals were interpreted on board to be interglacial and often contained foraminifers as well.

Calcareous nannofossils exhibited a reliable stratigraphy during an interval when other fossils groups were absent, quite rare, or reworked. In total, nine events and three zones were recognized in this study. The base of the Pleistocene was not recorded with calcareous nannofossils, the oldest datum being the first occurrence of medium Gephyrocapsa spp. at 1.69 Ma.