Objective
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.
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 earth and related environmental sciences geology sedimentology
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences physical geography glaciology glacial geology
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences meteorites
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geochemistry isotope geochemistry
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology petrology sedimentary petrology
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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.
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.
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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-8
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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.
Coordinator
EDINBURGH
United Kingdom
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.