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Analysis of a previously unexplored marine section spanning the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska: Implications for paleogeographic and paleoclimate conditions during a global mass extinction event. John Witmer This project proposes the first detailed stratigraphic analysis of the McCarthy Formation within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska. This project will generate an improved understanding of the stratigraphy of Wrangellia, one of the largest accreted terranes comprising western North America. The collection of detailed stratigraphic and sedimentologic data from the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic McCarthy Formation will build upon previous depositional interpretations from underlying strata to infer the long-term depositional and subsidence history of Wrangellia. This study will include the first high-resolution stratigraphic data with precise fossil distributions and stable isotope data from one of the most complete sections of strata spanning the entire Triassic-Jurassic boundary. Documenting locations of age-diagnostic fossils within the context of the lithostratigraphy will identify the stratigraphic position of the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. Stable isotope analyses will permit investigations of temporal shifts and environmental conditions, contributing to an improved understanding of biodiversity loss during the end-Triassic mass extinction event. ©2006 - 2001 Evolving Earth Foundation. All rights reserved |
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