Project description
Unravelling Earth’s evolution through simulations
For billions of years, Earth’s interconnected systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) have co-evolved, shaping our planet’s geology and biodiversity. However, deciphering these complex interactions is challenging due to incomplete geological records. In this context, the ERC-funded PANDORA project aims to tackle this by constructing advanced 3D spherical virtual models of Earth, simulating geological processes over 1 billion years. By analysing these simulations, researchers will investigate how mantle convection influences surface environments and biological evolution. PANDORA will explore fundamental questions about adaptive radiation and environmental stability, using machine learning to decode the interactions between geological, climatic, and biological factors. This groundbreaking work promises to unveil critical insights into Earth’s evolutionary dynamics and beyond.
Objective
The Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere have co-evolved together as a single planetary system for billions of years, resulting in a complex web of systemic interactions that have shaped the geological record and biodiversity. However, the complexity of these interactions and the incomplete geological record make it impossible to replay the tape and fully explore the profound mechanisms at play. Here I propose to uncover how mantle convection shapes with the evolution of both the surface environment and photosynthetic autotrophs. To accomplish this ambitious objective, I will construct advanced 3D spherical virtual terrestrial planetary systems operating at geological time scales. I will explore the responses of global coupled carbon-climate-surface process-eco-evolution models to cutting-edge 3D spherical geodynamic scenarios over 1 Gy time-scale. The utilization of these innovative models will resolve a series of fundamental questions such as: what planetary properties drive fast adaptive radiation? What mantle/lithosphere properties generate stable/variable environments over geological time? Throughout this groundbreaking project, I will leverage the power of in silico simulations to create self-consistent virtual terrestrial planetary interiors capable of generating conditions conducive to the evolution of geological and biological diversity. To decipher the intricate relationships between model parameters and their effects on geological, climatic, and biological changes, I will employ state-of-the-art machine learning classification methods. With Pandora, I am poised to make significant strides in understanding the systemic dynamics behind the profound planetary changes that have shaped Earth and potentially other planetary bodies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
06100 Nice
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.