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Project
SCATTER - Investigating a potential systematic link between the flux of cosmic material and Earth’s orbital eccentricity throughout the Phanerozoic. (FWOAL1130)
Cyclostratigraphy has been a highly valuable tool for creating precise age-depth models and
understanding paleoclimate dynamics for several decades now. More recently, cyclostratigraphic
research has been increasingly used for a range of applications beyond these traditional uses. Here,
we evaluate a potential link between Milankovitch cycles and cosmic dust throughout the
Phanerozoic. Numerical modelling of Earth’s orbital motion suggests that, on 100,000-year
timescales, Earth’s capture rate of cosmic dust varies by a factor of 2 to 3 and anti-correlates with
Earth’s orbital eccentricity. To date, reconstructions of the extraterrestrial flux to Earth during the
Phanerozoic are hindered as each of the chemical and physical tracers currently used, is riddled by
its own set of limitations. By comparing well-studied Phanerozoic and Cenozoic sections and adding a
novel proxy (fossil micrometeorites), this project aims to clarify the relation between cosmic dust and
changes in the orbital eccentricity of the Earth, both in the recent and deep geological past. If
periods of enhancement can systematically be identified, specific dust source regions may be defined
based on oxygen isotope systematics, after which shorter-term, stochastic effects will be filtered out
of the obtained data sets, and the potential relationship between extraterrestrial flux and eccentricity
tested.
understanding paleoclimate dynamics for several decades now. More recently, cyclostratigraphic
research has been increasingly used for a range of applications beyond these traditional uses. Here,
we evaluate a potential link between Milankovitch cycles and cosmic dust throughout the
Phanerozoic. Numerical modelling of Earth’s orbital motion suggests that, on 100,000-year
timescales, Earth’s capture rate of cosmic dust varies by a factor of 2 to 3 and anti-correlates with
Earth’s orbital eccentricity. To date, reconstructions of the extraterrestrial flux to Earth during the
Phanerozoic are hindered as each of the chemical and physical tracers currently used, is riddled by
its own set of limitations. By comparing well-studied Phanerozoic and Cenozoic sections and adding a
novel proxy (fossil micrometeorites), this project aims to clarify the relation between cosmic dust and
changes in the orbital eccentricity of the Earth, both in the recent and deep geological past. If
periods of enhancement can systematically be identified, specific dust source regions may be defined
based on oxygen isotope systematics, after which shorter-term, stochastic effects will be filtered out
of the obtained data sets, and the potential relationship between extraterrestrial flux and eccentricity
tested.
Date:1 Jan 2024 → Today
Keywords:Cyclostratigraphy, Cosmic dust, Orbital eccentricity
Disciplines:Stratigraphy