Shanan E. Peters
Dean L. Morgridge Professor
Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology, Geoinformatics
(608) 262-5987
Email: peters -at- geology dot wisc dot edu
Office: 495 Weeks Hall
For more information, C.V., and links to news and publications visit my Home Page.
ResearchI look at the geological record as a history of the world imperfectly kept, only here and there a short chapter has been preserved; and of each page, only here and there a few lines. – C. Darwin, On the Origin of Species My current research emphasis involves quantifying the rock record at continental and global scales in order to better understand Earth history and the role that the formation and destruction of rocks plays in governing the co-evolution of the Earth-life system. Specifically, I use macrostratigraphy to test hypotheses that span a range of Earth systems, including the evolution of marine and terrestrial life, the carbon cycle and global climate, and cycling rates of geologic materials via tectonic uplift and subsidence. Macrostratigraphy is cool, but I really live for and enjoy sed-paleo in the field. Some exploits include: 1) Disseminated carbonates and whole-rock geochemistry in the Bakken [html] Students interested in field-oriented paleo-strat problems and anyone who is skilled in programming and quantitative analysis of geospatial and other geological data should drop by. There’s a lot to do. DatabasesSynthesis of field-derived stratigraphic and paleobiological data is critical to addressing many fundamental questions, ranging from the global trajectory of biodiversity to long-term sediment and carbon cycling and the oxygenation of Earth’s atmosphere. I am involved in several relevant database initiatives:
I also developed and host Jack Sepkoski’s Online Genus Database. TeachingI regularly teach:
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