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Snowball Earth: Equatorial glaciations in the Neoproterozoic

Obiettivo

Evidence from the Neoproterozoic geological period suggests that at least three times in the Earth's history, there were extreme variations in global climate which resulted in marine glaciers forming in equatorial latitudes, which in turn may have provided the trigger for the Cambrian explosion of multi-cellular life forms.

The most popular model to explain this climatic phenomenon is the Snowball Earth hypothesis which necessitates dramatic and catastrophic changes in global climatic, hydrological and biological systems. Counter models involve either major changes in the Earths orbital axis, possibly as the result of a gigantic meteorite impact, or refutation that the sedimentary sequences are truly glaciomarine or that they were deposited at the equator. Pivotal to all models is the position of the continents prior to and during glaciation. Thus palaeomagnetism, being the most reliable technique available for positioning Proterozoic continents, is crucial to our understanding of the processes involved. Unfortunately only very few reliable data are available and the position of most of the continents remains unconstrained for the time in question. In a multidisciplinary approach, the aims of this project are to use palaeomagnetism in conjunction with sedimentology, geochemistry and isotope geology to determine Proterozoic geography, and the sedimentological and chemostratigraphic characteristics of the sequences deposited during these controversial periods.

Suitable sequences have been selected in a number of different cratons. The proposed high profile international research group will form one of the main European focal points for collaborative and interdisciplinary research into one of the most exiting and provocative research areas to have developed within the Earth Sciences in recent years, with implications extending beyond the Geosciences and to our understanding of Earth systems as a whole.

Campo scientifico (EuroSciVoc)

Parole chiave

Argomento(i)

Invito a presentare proposte

FP6-2005-MOBILITY-8
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Meccanismo di finanziamento

EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships

Coordinatore

THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contributo UE
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Costo totale
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