Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from northeast Atlantic DSDP Sites 609, 610, and 611 have been interpreted with reference to modern assemblages known to be linked with the overlying bottom-water masses. It is shown that the water masses in the late Miocene to Pleistocene were similar to those of today. The distribution of the water masses changed with time, however. Antarctic Bottom Water ("AABW"), which at present is restricted to the area south of the Azores, reached as far north as the Gibbs Fracture Zone in the early Pliocene. Increased production of North Atlantic Deep Water in the late Pliocene displaced the AABW to the south
Supplement to: Murray, John W (1987): Benthic foraminifers and Neogene bottom-water masses at Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 94 North Atlantic Sites. In: Ruddiman, WF; Kidd, RB; Thomas, E; et al. (eds.), Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, Washington (U.S. Govt. Printing Office), 94, 965-979, doi:10.2973/dsdp.proc.94.131.1987
