Evolution of Earth's large-scale topography in the Cenozoic
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Earth Sciences
Abstract
The scoping study will bring together experts in geophysical observations of topography, geological proxies
of subsidence, uplift and paleoaltimetry, lithospheric mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, seismology
and mineral physics, to produce an action plan for a directed expenditure that will allow us to determine
Earth's topography and bathymetry for the last 60 My - and set the boundary conditions for understanding
the long-term carbon cycle, changes in sea-level and large past climatic extremes.
A strategic program is necessary in order to weave these threads together in the form of a comprehensive
model of long-wavelength topography and its driving forces over the Cenozoic. Ties between communities
that do not normally interact strongly must be forged: between those with expertise in the shallowest crust
and the deepest mantle, and between those with expertise in observational data and dynamical modeling. In
order to make progress sustained effort must be devoted to bringing together observational constraints on
paleotopography from the geologic record and models of whole mantle structure and circulation. Among the
fundamental challenges to be overcome are the large range of length scales involved, from that of sedimentary
basins to that of tectonic plates, and the large range of time scales, from that of river incision to plate
rearrangements.
of subsidence, uplift and paleoaltimetry, lithospheric mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, seismology
and mineral physics, to produce an action plan for a directed expenditure that will allow us to determine
Earth's topography and bathymetry for the last 60 My - and set the boundary conditions for understanding
the long-term carbon cycle, changes in sea-level and large past climatic extremes.
A strategic program is necessary in order to weave these threads together in the form of a comprehensive
model of long-wavelength topography and its driving forces over the Cenozoic. Ties between communities
that do not normally interact strongly must be forged: between those with expertise in the shallowest crust
and the deepest mantle, and between those with expertise in observational data and dynamical modeling. In
order to make progress sustained effort must be devoted to bringing together observational constraints on
paleotopography from the geologic record and models of whole mantle structure and circulation. Among the
fundamental challenges to be overcome are the large range of length scales involved, from that of sedimentary
basins to that of tectonic plates, and the large range of time scales, from that of river incision to plate
rearrangements.
Planned Impact
Discussions of wider technical applications of code development and materials modeling and activities for public dissemination.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Eakin C
(2014)
Influence of Peruvian flat-subduction dynamics on the evolution of western Amazonia
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
| Description | Workshop for Theme Action Plan: Large-scale topographic change in the Cainozoic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I organized a workshop at the Oxford Conference Centre for the geophysics community to come together and present ideas to submit a proposal to Sisb for a Theme Action Plan for directed research in Geophysics. The outcome was a directive to write a proposal, which was submitted in May 2012. It was not selected by the Theme Action Leader. Proposal writing |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |