In contrast, the shallower site seems to have thicker interglacial episodes. Stratigraphic correlation based on MST records from all holes suggests that we have recovered a complete stratigraphic sequence. This unit correlates to Unit I at Site 1056. At Site 1057, however, the darker clay intervals are considerably thicker than the light nannofossil-rich layers, which is the opposite of what was observed at Site 1056, despite the short distance between the two sites. Site 1057 contains abundant and well preserved calcareous nannofossils and common to few planktonic and benthic foraminifers with good to moderate preservation.
Diatoms are few and often fragmented.
The magnetic polarity assessment is difficult because of the effects of overprints, reduction diagenesis, and core disturbance due to gas expansion. These initial magnetic polarity data agree very well with biochronological results based on calcareous plankton. Results of Rock-Eval analysis indicate that organic matter is thermally immature with respect to petroleum generation. As at Site 1056, pore-water profiles from Site 1057 are typical of sediments in which sulfate reduction and methanogenesis occur. The top of the sulfate reduction zone is close to the seafloor.