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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Global Plate Reconstructions During the Cretaceous Normal Superchron

Objective

Marine magnetic anomalies constitute the backbone of plate tectonic studies. Together with the known time scale of past polarity reversals of the geomagnetic field, these anomalies can be used to date the oceanic crust. However, periods of several tens of million years (Myr), when the polarity of the geomagnetic field remained stable (i.e. superchrons), lack prominent magnetic anomalies and therefore prohibit the construction of plate kinematic models. Thus far, internal anomalies formed by past fluctuations in the strength of the geomagnetic field have never been used to create plate reconstruction models. To understand how tectonic motions evolved during the Cretaceous normal superchron (CNS, between ~121 and 83 Myr ago) and their coupling nature with mantle convection processes, there is a growing need for cross-disciplinary and innovative quantitative studies. I plan to investigate the behavior of the geomagnetic field during the CNS and to use its past fluctuations to construct the first plate kinematic models for the Cretaceous superchron. I will use marine magnetic records to create age models and to calculate past plate motions for the South and Central Atlantic, the southeast Indian, and the North Pacific Oceans. This, in turn, will improve our understanding of both the oceanic and continental realms. The new insights from the proposed project will enable better modeling of continental marginal basins, the breakup of Gondwana. The results of the proposed research will provide the first direct constraints on plate motions during this long interval and will advance our understanding of the interplay between surface tectonic plates, mantle convection, and geomagnetic field processes. Finally, the new kinematic models will be used to investigate crustal production rates and spreading rates that controlled the abnormally high sea levels that prevailed during the mid-Cretaceous.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
See other projects for this call

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.

MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)

Coordinator

BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV
EU contribution
€ 100 000,00
Total cost

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.

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