Reconstruction of European palaeoenvironments and palaeoclimates by analysis of macrobiological remains within quaternary pyroclastics

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Project objective

Tephrobiology is a new method to analyse palaeolandscapes using palaeobiocoenoses covered by pyroclastics. These fossil volcanogenic thanatocoenoses are usually located within the initial layer of volcanic sediments as imprints. It is possible to identify fossils like plant leaves, fruit & seeds, inflorescences, charred wood up to a level of the species. This unique source of biological and ecological information has been used only sparingly as a way of reconstruction of the palaeoecology and-climate of a region so far worldwide. A successful way of sampling tephras is to cut plates by chainsaw from the outcrop in the field. It is possible to rearrange in detail the original local scenery minutes before its destruction in the laboratory. Quaternary eruptions in Europe have happened at various places, i.e. in the Eastern Eifel Field in Germany and in Iceland. They all produced macrofossil remains, which are not analysed, because their existence has been recognised only recently. The study areas yield outcrops which rich fossil material. A close interdisciplinary exchange will benefit the project.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• Coventry University · CoventryCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
• Not availableCity levelGermany

Links

• View on CORDIS