Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group
Cambridge Quaternary
Welcome to the last 2.6 million years!
Knowledge of the palaeoenvironment and palaeogeography of the recent geological past is fundamental to our understanding of modern physical, biological and human environments. Understanding this period, the Quaternary, is the central focus of research in the Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group (QPG).
The Quaternary, the last 2.6 million years of geological time, saw major climatic changes which caused ice sheets to advance into temperate latitudes. Repeated glacial episodes caused significant fluctuations in sea level, major geographical changes and major plant and animal population migrations. Sedimentary sequences record these changes in great detail and are central to unravelling past events.
We use a multidisciplinary approach which embraces wide ranging litho-, bio- and chronostratigraphical methods to unravel events during Quaternary and later Neogene time. Current research of the QPG includes:
- Quaternary stratigraphy (of glacial, terrestrial, fluvial and marine sediments)
- Palynology and palaeontology (of interglacial, cold period and post-glacial sequences)
- Vegetational and environmental development (throughout Europe and beyond)
- Biostratigraphy of Neogene/Quaternary deep sea and shallow marine sequences
- Sedimentation and landform evolution (throughout Europe and beyond)
- Historical human impact on natural environments (throughout the world)
- Global continental drainage systems of the late Quaternary and the Quaternary as a whole
Featured pages
This site contains information about:
- Who we are, what we do and where to find us ,
- The group's research and publications
- The group's Quaternary (Post-) Graduate studies for 2015.
- Relevant seminars: QPG, Quaternary Discussion Group , Specials, Department of Geography, other Cambridge departments.
- News and photograph gallery.
And web publications on:
- the history and role of the QPG
- Drawings of the Quaternary of the North-east coast of Norfolk.a series of downloadable images by G.Slater, C.Green and others.
- History of major rivers through the Quaternary and the Tertiary
- Controls on interglacial sedimentation in lowland British rivers.
- the Quaternary geology of the Cambridge region
- Protocol for AMS radiocarbon dating of plant macrofossil material
- Sediment Archive Store
- CUPOD - Cambridge University Palynological Online Database
The QPG is part of the Cambridge Quaternary (CQ - formerly the Godwin Institute of Quaternary Research - GIQR) ,
within the Department of Geography , University of Cambridge .
News
Phil Gibbard awarded the James Croll Medal 2014
Professor Phil Gibbard was awarded the prestigious James Croll Medal 2014 by Quaternary Research Association at the QRA's 2015 Annual Discussion Meeting in Edinburgh on 6 January 2015 by the President, Professor Peter Coxon. (photograph by Kim Cohen).
Roy Switsur
It is with deep sadness that we note that former SDQR staff member V. Roy Switsur died peacefully in Cambridge on 5 November 2014. Roy was a pioneer in the field of Radiocarbon Dating and the father of stable isotope dendroclimatology in Britain. His wisdom, and his wit, will be missed across the research community where he had many good friends.
Yulia Iossifova
It is with sadness that we report the death, on 14 October 2014, of our friend and colleague Yulia I. Iossifova, Doctor of Sciences and a Leading Geologist of the Unitary State Association 'Geosynthes-Centre', Moscow, Russia. She is a great loss to Russian Quaternary and Neogene science.
Anthropocene
Anthropocene: a new geological epoch? Ian Sample (Guardian 16.10.14).
'Reading the Anthropocene'
Phil participated in an open-panel discussion entitled 'Reading the Anthropocene' on 30.10.14 in the Festival of Ideas in the University's Department of English.
The history of the Subdepartment of Quaternary Research 1948-1994 - by Richard West
The age of Anthropocene: was 1950 the year human activity began to leave an indelible mark on the geology of Earth?
Scientists mull a new epoch defined by mankind's dominance of the planet. The Independent newspaper 5.5.14
The David Mayhew Memorial Meeting
Participants at the David Mayhew Memorial Meeting held at the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge on 17 April 2004.
Phil Gibbard awarded the André Dumont Medal 2014
Professor Phil Gibbard has been awarded the prestigious André Dumont Medal by Geologica Belgica, the Belgian national geological society. The medal was presented to Phil at the society's 2014 meeting in Ghent on 1 April 2014 by the President, Professor Sara Vandycke.
Applications for the MPhil by research open for October 2015 admission
Applications for the 1 year MPhil by Research are open for October 2015 admission. The deadline for applications is 28 March 2015. Details are available here.
Brave New Epoch: a search for humankind's mark on the Earth
Paul Crutzen, an atmospheric chemist began popularising the idea of the Anthropocene in 2001, citing evidence such as humanity's alterations of biodiversity and our changing of the climate through the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Scientists agree that evidence of these and other global changes will leave a lasting impression in the geological record. However, the Anthropocene is not recognised by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), the body which safeguards the geological time scale. Jan Zalasiewicz's efforts may change that—his ICS working group wishes to formalise the Anthropocene time division.
Other geologists argue that the Anthropocene may not be suitable for the geological timescale at all. One critic, Philip Gibbard, a member of the ICS working group, says the time in which we now live should be called the Late Holocene, because it is consistent with this most recent official Epoch. "For the Anthropocene to merit formal definition, a global signature distinct from that of the Holocene is required that is marked by novel biotic, sedimentary and geochemical change," Gibbard wrote in a paper published last year. (article by Billings, in Nautilus 2014).
A new version of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart!
The International Commission on Stratigraphy's (ICS) Chronostratigraphic Chart has been adapted for Shell's headquarters in Den Haag, The Netherlands. Originally published in English the chart is now available in French, Chinese, Norwegian, Basque and Spanish language versions. For more views click on image.
Science Live webchat
Archaeologists say that the 'Anthropocene' is here - but it began long ago. Science 340 19.04.13. Professor Phil Gibbard will be joining archaeologist Bruce Smith, from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, USA, for a Science Live web chat discussion entitled Archaeologists say that the 'Anthropocene' is here - but it began long ago. The discussion can be viewed on the Science website and YouTube.
QPG joins GSI3D as a Consortium Member
7.12.12 - GSI3D (Geological surveying and investigation in three dimensions) is a methodology and associated software tool for 3D geological modelling which enables quick and intuitive construction of 3D solid models of the subsurface for a wide range of applications. The methodology and software has been developed jointly by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and INSIGHT GmbH and is being applied by the BGS, where it is the modelling tool of choice. It is now available on general release as part of the not–for–profit GSI3D Research Consortium. The QPG was invited to join the consortium as a full member to assist with the evaluation and development of the three-dimensional mapping of superficial deposits in the British Isles and beyond.
International Chronostratigraphic Charts published
The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) published a new Chronostratigraphic Chart in July 2012 at the International Geological Conference. The chart was designed and produced by S.Finney, K. Cohen and P.Gibbard. It was originally published in English but is available in French, Chinese, Norwegian, Basque and Spanish language versions (April 2013). Other language versions may be published in future.
The Geologic Time Scale 2012
Published 11.10.12 - The Geologic Time Scale 2012 - edited by F.Gradstein, J.Ogg, M.Schmitz & G.Ogg. Elsevier: Amsterdam. Chapter 30, The Quaternary Period by B.Pillans & P.Gibbard (980-1009).
Charles Turner awarded the Albrecht Penck Medal 2012
Charles Turner has been awarded the highly prestigious Albrecht Penck Medal by the Deutsche Quartärvereinigung (DEUQUA) at their 36. Hauptversammlung in Bayreuth in September 2012 to mark his contribution to Quaternary research.
The Anthropocene question
An article presenting the details of the concept of the Anthropocene and the division of geological time. (published in the August 2012 issue of the french magazine Science et Vie 2012).
Chris Jeans awarded the Collins Medal
Our own Chris Jeans will be awarded the Collins Medal for 2013 by the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. He was already made an Honorary Fellow of the Society in 2011.
'The Collins Medal is awarded annually to a scientist who, during a long and active career, has made an outstanding contribution to pure or applied aspects of Mineral Sciences and associated studies. Publications, teaching, outreach and other activities leading to the promotion of mineral sciences, in the broadest sense, will be taken into account in making the award. - Mineralogical Society .'
The recent geological history of Cudmore Grove, Mersea Island
The recent geological history of Cudmore Grove, Mersea Island, Essex was covered by BBC Countryfile on Friday 25 February 2011. The report was screened on BBC1 TV on Sunday 13th March 2011.
With BBC Countryfile presenter Matt Baker (second from left) are Dougal Urquhart (Park Ranger, Cudmore Grove, MerseaIsland, Essex), Dr Steve Boreham and Chris Rolfe (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge):
Quaternary Glaciations - Extent and Chronology, Volume 15: A closer look
Now available Quaternary Glaciations - Extent and Chronology, Volume 15: A closer look (Developments in Quaternary Science) [Hardcover]
J. Ehlers (Editor), P.L. Gibbard (Editor), P.D. Hughes (Editor). Full digital maps and data from this project are available at: http://booksite.elsevier.com/9780444534477/
Clay minerals in onshore and offshore strata of the British Isles
Clay minerals in onshore and offshore strata of the British Isles. 2006 (edited C.V.Jeans & R.J.Merriman) Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 550pp. Available from the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain & Ireland.
From Brandon to Bungay
Now published - From Brandon to Bungay by Richard G. West, an exploration of the landscape history and geology of the Little Ouse and Waveney rivers on the Suffolk - Norfolk border of East Anglia. Available from Suffolk Naturalist's Trust, Ipswich.
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Compilation maps for the Last Glacial Maximum
New compilation maps for the Last Glacial Maximum - compiled from the Quaternary glaciations - Extent and Chronology by Jürgen Ehlers & Philip Gibbard (see below). Click on the map below to see the new plot based on Google Earth projection.
Projects
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- bilingual pages Histoire Cénozoïque de la Manche/Cenozoic history of the English Channel.
- BALTEEM
- Global continental drainage systems
- TOPO-WECEP
- Land, Water and Settlement: Environmental constraints and human responses in northwest India between 2000 and 300 BC
The Glacigenic Reservoirs Analogue Programme.
The London Basin Forum
Group gallery
click photograph for gallery. Featuring some new pictures from 12 March 2013 excursion!
site archived by the British Library - UK Web Archiving Consortium.