Kathrine Valdez Maxwell

Reef development in the Coral Triangle during the Plio-Pleistocene (~5 Ma)

The mid-Pliocene Warm Period (3.264-3.025 Ma) and the Last Interglacial (LIG, 129-116 ka), as well as other warmer periods in the Earth’s geologic history, provide analogues for predicted warming conditions in the near future. As future warming scenarios are similar to those that occurred in the geologic past, it is interesting to discover the responses and development of fossil shallow-water reefs during these warmer periods. Because ancient reefs have been exposed to multiple episodes of environmental change during the Earth’s geologic history, an examination of their record may provide direct evidence on how they managed to survive and adapt to environmental changes caused by warmer temperatures. My research project forms part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) program “4D-REEF” which investigates the potential of turbid reefs as refugia during ongoing environmental change using various geologic and ecologic field techniques. 

For my doctoral research, I will employ geologic, geomorphic, and geospatial techniques in my examination of Plio-Pleistocene reefs. By providing detailed stratigraphic work, I hope to shed new light on the development of fossil reefs in the Coral Triangle. Also, I aim to provide new and refined age data on the Pliocene and Pleistocene sequences in select areas and improve the interpretation of their depositional settings and reef stratigraphy. I also hope to understand relative sea-level changes by examining fossil sea-level indicators and potentially recognize facies that might indicate rapid climatic or sedimentary changes during the Plio-Pleistocene allowing correlation to regional and global climatic and sea-level events.