--> Abstract: Deep Time: A Frontier for Paleoclimate Research; #90063 (2007)

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Deep Time: A Frontier for Paleoclimate Research

 

Lane, H. Richard1, Martin A. Perlmutter2, John M. Armentrout3 (1) National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA (2) Chevron, Houston, TX (3) Cascade Stratigraphics, Inc, Damascus, OR

 

Earth's climate has changed continually, well beyond limits known from the modern and near-modern world. The stratigraphic record is the only archive of the full magnitude and timescales of these climate events, allowing evaluation of these changes from onset through peak and recovery. Yet, Earth's deep time (pre-Quaternary) climate history is not commonly considered in discussions of modern climate change, nor in predicting the occurrence of petroleum systems. Neither is deep time climate research effectively supported and promoted in government, industry, or the professional societies.

 

The past decade of paleoclimate research has been one of discovery, energized by powerful new computer models and more precise climate proxies, permitting better precision and resolution. However, much of this work has focused on the last 10,000 yrs; a period not representative of Earth's range of climatic possibilities, or perhaps our near-future climate state. The full spectrum of climate possibilities must be considered in evaluating the cause-and-effect relationships between climate and civilization, and predicting future climates.

 

Paleoclimate is also a primary control on the occurrence of petroleum reservoir, seal and source rocks. Paleoclimate research continues to advance understanding and incorporate results in evaluating risk in petroleum exploration, but more can be done. A recent research summit at Statoil recognized inclusion of paleoclimate change as critical for further advances in sequence stratigraphy.

 

Industry, academia and government must work together to promote research in deep time paleoclimates to better define both primary forcing factors and environmental consequences that may be vital to societal and industry concerns.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California