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Project Reports:
University of Washington
Reporting Period: 2002 (7/01-6/02)

University of Washington Project Index for 2002 (7/01-6/02):


Causes of Mass Extinction: Isotopic and paleontological constraints

Project Investigator:

Project Progress

During the grant period three data gathering trips were conducted: to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Triassic-Jurassic boundary site, with David Kring and others; to the Permian Triassic boundary in South Africa, with Roger Buick; and to the Newark Basin Triassic-Jurassic boundary site. Paleontological, isotopic, and chemical studies of all three sites are either under way in our labs or now completed. In the Queen Charlotte Islands we established that ammonites disappear at the T/J boundary as defined by Radiolaria and a major carbon isotope excursion. In the Karoo we have preliminary evidence that the P/T extinction occurred at different times on land and in the sea. No results have yet been obtained for the Newark site.

Roadmap Objectives
  • Objective No. 5: Describe the sequences of causes and effects associated with the development of Earth's early biosphere and the global environment.
  • Objective No. 14: Determine the resilience of local and global ecosystems through their response to natural and human-induced disturbances.
  • Objective No. 15: Model the future habitability of Earth by examining the interactions between the biosphere and the chemistry and radiation balance of the atmosphere.
  • Objective No. 17: Refine planetary protection guidelines and develop protection technology for human and robotic missions.
Field Expeditions

Field Trip Name: Queen Charlotte Islands
Start Date: 7/4/02 End Date: 7/15/02
Continent: North America Country: Canada
State/Province: British Columbia Nearest City/Town: Sandspit
Latitude: 53N Longitude:
Name of site(cave, mine, e.g.): outcrop Keywords:
Description of Work: Collection of fossils and rock samples from a Triassic/Jurassic boundary site

Members Involved:

Field Trip Name: Karoo, South Africa
Start Date: 11/04/02 End Date: 11/16/02
Continent: Africa Country: South Africa
State/Province: Orange Free State Nearest City/Town: Blomfontein
Latitude: 30S Longitude:
Name of site(cave, mine, e.g.): outcrop Keywords:
Description of Work: Collection of fossils and rock samples from a Permian/Triassic boundary site

Members Involved:


 

University of Washington Project Index for 2002 (7/01-6/02):

 
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