
Dataset. Santa Barbara Basin marine sediments (ODP Site 893A) provide an ultra-high-resolution stratigraphic record across the enigmatic Younger Dryas (YD) climatic episode (12.8–11.7 ka BP). Numerous studies have proposed a cosmic impact as the trigger of abrupt cooling and near-simultaneous climatic, biotic, and human changes at the YD onset (~12,800 cal BP). However, the Younger Dryas Boundary (YDB) impact hypothesis remains debated. High-resolution electron-microscopic and single-particle mass-spectrometric analyses (SEM, EDS, and SP-ICP-TOF-MS) reveal distinct abundance peaks in metallic flakes, SiO₂ spherules, pyrite framboids, and framboids coated with vesicular silicate meltglass confined to the YDB layer. Nanoparticle analyses (45 elements) reveal multi-elemental species enriched in platinum-group elements (PGEs), Fe-Ni alloys, and refractory phases, with particle concentrations ≈3× above background and mass concentrations at ≈4×. In contrast, the mean mass per nanoparticle declines ≈70 %. PGE/Fe ratios are 5–10× crustal values, and Fe/Ni–Fe/Cr relationships match cometary and meteoritic dust. Principal-component analyses define four sequential nanoparticle populations: (i) a pre-YDB terrestrial assemblage; (ii) a YDB population enriched in PGEs, Ni-Fe alloys, and fine-grained particles consistent with an impact-caused atmospheric dust storm (~4–6 yr); (iii) a post-YDB fallout layer (~16–22 yr); and (iv) a return to background conditions. The coincidence of sharp microparticle peaks with PGE-rich nanoparticles indicates rapid condensation and deposition of impact-derived material followed by decadal atmospheric fallout. Alternative volcanic, solar-plasma, or diagenetic processes cannot account for these coupled morphological and geochemical signatures, and the weight of evidence favors an extraterrestrial impact origin.
Younger Dryas, marine core, Comets, Nanoparticles, platinum, iridium
Younger Dryas, marine core, Comets, Nanoparticles, platinum, iridium
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