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What is the context of this research?

The interaction between volcanism and marine communities has received little attention in scientific literature, and thus requires further research. High sea level coupled with prolific volcanism during the Miocene epoch of Patagonia makes it a prime location to study this phenomenon. Marine communities became established in seas which flooded the continent, while the input of large volumes of volcanic ash had potentially catastrophic effects on sea life.

Based on reports of abundant marine fossils, and volcanic ash, I chose the Estancia 25 de Mayo rock Formation in southern Patagonia for this study. Here, the dramatic history of the interaction between large-scale Andean volcanism, and marine life situated in the shallow Miocene seas of southern South America can be studied.

What is the significance of this project?

This study will be used learn how both modern and fossil ecosystems react to episodes of rapid and catastrophic environmental change. The fossil record provides a unique opportunity to study not only the immediate effects of such a catastrophe, but also documents recovery from such events that may occur on timescales longer than the life of an average researcher.

Information loss due to the ravages of geologic time is an ongoing problem in paleontological studies. Volcanic ash provides a means by which exceptional fossil preservation can occur, preserving a strong biological signal which we can study. This research will provide the most comprehensive view of direct physiological, biological, and geological signals from marine death assemblages affected by volcanic ash.

What are the goals of the project?

The result of this project will be a comprehensive model explaining the effects of volcanic ash on marine communities. I will also develop a model for fossil preservation processes associated with volcanic ash. Finally, I will provide biological evidence from marine invertebrates for catastrophic ash fall events in the fossil record.



Field work for this project will occur during the austral Summer of 2017 (Jan-Feb). When in Patagonia, we will collect fossils and rock samples, and create detailed maps of fossil occurrences and rock sequences. We will return to Ohio and perform detailed chemical and physical analyses of the rocks and fossils, after which we will be able to reconstruct the past environment, climate, cause of death, and mode of preservation of the fossils.