A Cretaceous (Aptian) to Cenozoic composite oxygen isotope curve is presented and correlated to eustatic records and to global tectonic events. The curve was built using deep water benthonic foraminifera from DSDP/ODP sites. In addition, well-dated outcrop and subsurface whole rock samples were used. This composite record provides insight about the evolution of deep-water temperatures and/or ice volume changes from the Aptian to the present. Two important observations can be made from the isotope record. First, three low-frequency isotope cycles are recognized, encompassing most of the Upper Cretaceous (named Uki), most of the Paleogene (named Pi) and most of...