Our research focuses on Earth History, mainly the most recent 2.6 million years. This period of time is defined as the Quaternary Period and it links the present to the geological past. It covers the time span of glaciations (Pleistocene) and includes the present post-glacial period (Holocene). The Quaternary Period represents a time of dramatic climate, environmental and evolutionary change that includes the emergence of modern humankind. Quaternary aged sedimentary and volcanic deposits are important because they provide a record through which we can (i) research human origins (ii) compare and evaluate present day climate and environmental change, and (iii) assess the scale and frequency of volcanic, earthquake and other natural hazards. The past provides an essential guide to quantifying future risks associated with natural hazards and human-driven environmental change, knowledge that is particularly relevant to planners and policy makers.

The research currently carried out by our group falls under the following four inter-related themes:

Paleo-climate and paleo-environment

• Paleo-climate, sea-level variations, ocean acidification
• Paleo-groundwater systems
• Landscape evolution

Natural Hazards

• Volcanic eruptions
• Earthquakes and tsunamis
• Landslides
• Flooding, Hurricanes

Human Origins

• Hominin migration during the Pleistocene

Quaternary time scale calibration

• Astronomical-based calibration of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age standards
• ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar calibration of Greenland annual layer ice core chronology
• Age of geomagnetic reversals

Some of the tools we use

• Pollen and other paleontological studies as a proxy to past environmental conditions
• ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar, astronomical and OSL dating techniques
• Micro XRF compositional analysis
• Remote Sensing
• Computer modelling 

The group consists of: