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Project 1: Earth-Moon parameters and Solar System fundamental frequencies, Precambrian to present
Brief project summary: This project will investigate Solar System and Earth-Moon evolution from 0 to >2.5 Ga, along three research lines: (1) estimate Solar System fundamental frequencies and Earth precession frequency from selected cyclostratigraphy; (2) analyze and model rare cyclostratigraphy and bioarchive/tidalite coeval pairs for Earth-Moon dynamics (Earth precession frequency, Earth rotation rate, Earth-Moon distance); and (3) enhance Bayesian methodology for estimating gj, sj, and k from cyclostratigraphy, and develop a parallel methodology for diurnal to yearly scale tidalites and bioarchives.
*Watch the recording of Project 1 during our Virtual Open House https://bit.ly/OpenHouseVideos1
Project description: Generations of scientists have aimed their telescopes towards the skies to peer into the deep history of our universe, seeking an understanding of our origins, and searching for exoplanets and the workings of distant stars and planetary systems. Notwithstanding the tremendous progress that has been made in these endeavors, the long-term evolution of our “home” Solar System remains poorly constrained in many regards. While a range of conceptual and quantitative models exist, the lack of adequate data to test these models has served as a major impediment towards progress. Here, we propose to utilize cyclic climatic changes recorded in sedimentary rocks, growth patterns in fossil bioarchives (e.g., clam shells), and cycles in ancient tidal deposits to address this research problem. Our approach leverages a new Bayesian inversion method to quantitatively link astronomical and geophysical theory with geological observations, allowing a new reconstruction of the fundamental frequencies of the Solar System and the Earth’s precession frequency over billions of years. Simultaneously, the inversion approach constrains Earth’s astronomical cycles—due to Earth’s axial precession, axial tilt, and orbital eccentricity—whose prediction is presently limited to ~50 million years ago by chaotic dynamics. Application of the method will also: illuminate the timing of chaotic resonance transitions in planetary orbits, reconstruct the history of Earth’s spin and Earth-Moon distance, test whether Solar System frequencies indicate mass loss in the Sun over the past several billion years, and evaluate the plausibility of a proposed 21 hour, resonance-stabilized day during the Precambrian. Finally, a byproduct of the new work will be an improvement in the accuracy of astronomically forced climatic variations for the development of the geological time scale, facilitating the reconstruction of Earth history (biological extinction and evolution, major environmental changes, etc.) across a wide range of boundary conditions and climate states. In summary, the proposed research provides a new observational window into the deep history of our Solar System, planet Earth, and the Moon.
Principal investigators:
Stephen R. Meyers, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Linda A. Hinnov, George Mason University
Alberto Malinverno, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Project 1a has an emphasis on statistical algorithm development, software creation, and geologic data analysis. This project shares objectives with, and is in close collaboration with, Project 1b (PI Hinnov, GMU) and Project 1c (PI Malinverno, Lamont).
About the institution: The University of Wisconsin–Madison occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land, a place their nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial. A major research university, internationally renowned for its academic excellence, UW-Madison has a proud tradition of thinking and acting globally.
The Department of Geoscience explores fundamental questions about the Earth, life and the environment through a strong culture of collaboration, at every level. This collaborative spirit is truly a hallmark and signature strength of our Geoscience community – whether addressing scientific questions, teaching, engaging in outreach, or working towards building a more just, equitable and healthy department. These collaborations benefit from a wide range of scientific instrumentation and equipment, and substantial financial support from departmental endowments and the university, made available to students, staff and faculty.
My research program is a part of this collaborative network and focuses on generating paleoclimate proxy data, and developing statistical/quantitative approaches to evaluate the ancient Earth System, especially with regards to astronomical influences.
Top core values in Dr. Meyers' team: As an educator and researcher, I have a deep interest in how we ‘do science’ as a community, and how we grow our community in a way that allows each-and-every one of us to thrive, build on each other’s successes, and grow together – to address major societal challenges such as climate change and social justice.
Project 1a – Meyers
Project 1a – Meyers
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Stephen R. Meyers, University of Wisconsin-Madison
To learn more about Dr. Meyers:
Go to "Our team" on this website.
Visit http://tadada.net
Project 1b will characterize Earth-Moon dynamics for key geologic times by analyzing and modeling coeval cyclostratigraphy and bioarchive/tidalite pairs. Project 1b shares objectives with, and is in close collaboration with Project 1a (PI Meyers, UW-Madison) and Project 1c (PI Malinverno, Lamont).
About the institution: George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research (R1) university. Mason provides bold, progressive education for its students, and is widely recognized for its commitment to diversity and freedom of thought and expression. The Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences has a faculty and student body pursuing research in geology and climate science. Numerous projects bridge both science perspectives, especially paleoclimatology and paleoceanography. My lab focuses on quantitative analysis and modeling of paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic time series data across a broad range of time scales, from Precambrian to present.
Top core values in Dr. Hinnov's team: Multiple working hypotheses. Lab ambiance is exploratory, free-form, disruptive, collaborative, hands-on, one-on-one, trial-and-error … and in the end, traditional scientific research reporting (Introduction; Methods; Results; Discussion; Conclusions).
Project 1b – Hinnov
Project 1b – Hinnov
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Linda A. Hinnov, George Mason University
To learn more about Dr. Hinnov:
Go to "Our team" on this website.
Project 1c is focused on geologic data analysis, algorithm development, and on the connection between astronomical frequencies and Earth-Moon parameters (length of day, Earth-Moon distance). Project 1c shares objectives with, and is in close collaboration with, Project 1a (PI Meyers, UW-Madison) and Project 1b (PI Hinnov, GMU).
About the institution: The Lamont Geological Observatory was established in 1949 on a high bluff overlooking the Hudson River, about fifteen miles north of Manhattan. Under the leadership of Maurice “Doc” Ewing, Lamont became a leading center in marine geoscience, collecting much of the data that supported the development of plate tectonic theory. Today the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory operates an oceangoing research vessel, the Marcus G. Langseth, and runs a number of seismic networks and experimental and analytic laboratories. Lamont houses the world's largest collection of ocean sediment cores and is making widely available some of the world's most comprehensive databases in marine geosciences, geochemistry, and seismology.
Top core values in Dr. Malinverno's team: I have long been impressed by the motto of the Royal Society, “Nullius in verba:” never take claims for granted without understanding their basis. This includes our own conclusions; we always need to recognize their limitations, honestly account for their uncertainties, and keep an open mind.
Project 1c – Malinverno
Project 1c – Malinverno
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Alberto Malinverno, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
To learn more about Dr. Malinverno:
Go to "Our team" on this website.
For questions more information, please email: CycloAstro2021@gmail.com
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