This research used samples provided by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). ODP is sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and participating countries under management of Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI), Inc.
The authors would like to express their deep appreciation to the scientists of Leg 186 for their valuable discussions of the geological age. They also extend appreciations to Ali M. Hussain of Tohoku University and reviewers for their suggestions that improved this manuscript.
The authors are indebted and grateful to NSF and JOI for providing ODP samples and data and to ODP Japan office of Ocean Research Institute (ORI) for supplying travel funds to attend the second postcruise meeting. They also extend thanks to their families and colleagues for their support and encouragement.