Reconstructing paleoclimate in the Late Cretaceous
Course Credit?
Yes - GEO 399/499Paid Position?
NoDescription
One of my field areas is in the Hell Creek are of central-eastern Montana which contains rocks that preserve the Cretaceous - Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, which is the interval where dinosaurs (and many other organisms) went extinct. I have two projects related to samples I've collected from the area: 1. I'm trying to reconstruct climatic conditions in the latest Cretaceous using geochemical tests of fossil mussel shells and descriptions of rock types. This work will help us understand what environments fossils are preserved in, and the hydrology of the area during the Cretaceous. 2. I've also collected samples at high resolution across the K-Pg for chemical tests of the sediment. This will help us locate the K-Pg boundary precisely, assess sampling strategies, and determine if global carbon cycling changed over this interval.
Special Directions
If you're interested in either project, just email me and we'll set up a meeting to discuss things. I may ask for some additional information at a later point. Feel free to email me with questions as well.
Special Skills
I'm happy to work with students with a variety of levels of geological experience, we can tailor a project to your level of experience. What is required is attention to detail, reliable communication, and an interest in the subject matter.