Chinese University of Geosciences, China

A total of 46 sediment samples were collected for microtektite analysis from a 51 cm-thick section between 115.58 and 116.09 mcd at ODP Hole 1146 on the northern slope of the South China Sea. Paleomagnetic, oxygen isotope and biostatigraphic events were used to estimate the age of the microtektite layer located at 115.90 mcd. Dating of the impact event at 792.6 ka BP was more precise using magnetostratigraphic events as age-controlling points. Our research also indicates that microtektite deposition occurred 12.6 ka prior to the magnetic reversal at the B/M boundary and -7 ka prior to MIS 19.1, but -5 ka after MIS 20.2, indicating no causal relationship between the mid-Pleistocene impact event and the formation of global glaciation and interglaciation, or the magnetic reversal at the B/M boundary.