NAI
2002 Annual Science Report
University of Washington
Reporting | JUL 2001 – JUN 2002
Causes of Mass Extinction: Isotopic and Paleontological Constraints
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Institutions
3
Teams
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Publications
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Field Sites
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.
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
David Ward
Project Investigator
Roger Buick
Co-Investigator
Ken Farley
Co-Investigator
David Kring
Co-Investigator
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 5.0
Describe the sequences of causes and effects associated with the development of Earth's early biosphere and the global environment.
Objective 14.0
Determine the resilience of local and global ecosystems through their response to natural and human-induced disturbances.
Objective 15.0
Model the future habitability of Earth by examining the interactions between the biosphere and the chemistry and radiation balance of the atmosphere.
Objective 17.0
Refine planetary protection guidelines and develop protection technology for human and robotic missions.