Advanced Search »
Newsletter
Unsubscribe »
National Science Foundation Award #9119194

Quaternary Marine Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of Chilean Fiords and Continental Shelf, Western Patagonia

 
Investigator(s): Jay Stravers (PI)
Sponsor: Northern Illinois University, IL 60115 8157531581
Start Date/Expiration Date 1992-05-01 to 1997-04-30 (amended 1995-04-10)
Awarded Amount to Date: $188,786
Abstract: This award supports two marine geological cruises to the fjords and continental shelf of southern Chile. Research will concentrate on the collection and analysis of single channel seismic reflection data, 3.5 KHz profiler data, and piston cores. This work will examine fundamental questions concerning the dynamics of the Patagonian ice sheet during the late Wisconsin glaciation and how it responded to changing marine and terrestrial climate during the last glacial/interglacial transition. This project represents an extension of current investigations into the marine geology of the Antarctic Peninsula to include glacial marine environments from a wider latitudinal range. In order to enhance the applicability of litho and seismo- stratigraphic studies to a broader range of Quaternary science, this research will be conducted in cooperation with other researchers investigating marine and terrestrial paleoclimate. Down core changes in micro-flora (diatoms) and micro-fauna will be examined in conjunction with geochemical and isotopic analyses. Palynological studies of some cores will be undertaken in an attempt to refine our misunderstanding of the relationship between terrestrial and marine paleoclimates. The project will also be undertaken in cooperation with Chilean researchers who are interested in the sedimentary and tectonic history of the region. By extending the marine studies of the Antarctic Peninsula to Patagonia, and by broadening their scope to include land-sea correlations, valuable insight will be gained into spatial and temporal changes on climate along a broad range of latitudes.
NSF Org: OPP - Office of Polar Programs
Award Number: 9119194
Award Instrument: Continuing grant
Program Manager: Scott Borg
OPP Office of Polar Programs
O/D OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
NSF Program(s): ANTARCTIC GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS, ANTARCTIC GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS
Field Application(s): Geological Sciences, Polar Programs-Related
Program Reference Code(s): EARTH SYSTEM HISTORY, 1304
UNASSIGNED, 0000
Program Element Code(s): 5112
, 5112