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 Master's course and Ph.D. projects for 2013.- 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
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 a group of archaeologists, lead by 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.
David Mayhew Memorial meeting September 2013
This meeting has been postponed.
PhD studentship topics
PhD studentship topics beginning in October 2013 are now available.
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 ise 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).
Dr David Mayhew
It is with great sorrow that we report the untimely death of our friend and colleague, the vertebrate palaeontologist Dr David Mayhew. He died on Wednesday 3 October at home in Den Haag, the Netherlands. His death is a great loss.
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 .'
Phil Gibbard elected President of the INQUA Commission of Stratigraphy and Geochronology (SACCOM)
Phil Gibbard was elected President of the INQUA (the International Association of Quaternary Research) Commission of Stratigraphy and Geochronology (SACCOM) at the INQUA Congress in Bern on 28 July 2011. The post is initially for four years.
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/
The Anthropocene: a new epoch of geological time?
Now published (1 February 2011) - The Anthropocene: a new epoch of geological time? Theme Issue 'compiled and edited by Mark Williams, Jan Zalasiewicz, Alan Haywood and Mike Ellis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A369, 835-1112.
The West Runton Freshwater Bed and the West Runton Mammoth
Now published (1 December 2010) - The West Runton Freshwater Bed and the West Runton Mammoth. Edited by Adrian Lister and Antony J. Stuart Quaternary International Volume 228, Issues 1-2, Pages 1-248. The detailed monograph includes 19 papers from the exhaustive study of the West Runton mammoth and the sediments of the West Runton Freshwater Bed (Cromer Forest Bed Formation), Norfolk, England - the Cromerian-Stage type locality.
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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Global chronostratigraphical correlation table for the last 2.7 million years
Global chronostratigraphical correlation table for the last 2.7 million years . Compiled by K.M.Cohen & P.L.Gibbard, published for the International Commission on Stratigraphy's Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy. New version now available.
INQUA Subcommission (Section) on European Quaternary Stratigraphy
website online.
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.