The labs main research interests include the development and application of environmental modeling and quantitative palaeoenvironmental reconstruction techniques with the aim of understanding the role of earthquakes, tsunamis, storms as driving mechanisms of Quaternary relative sea-level change and coastal evolution.
This facility includes 520 sq. ft. of space dedicated to short- (storms, tsunamis, earthquakes) and long-term (glacial isotatic adjustment) changes in relative sea level. The laboratory is housed at CMS (RM 1310) and is supervised by Dr. Andrea Hawkes. The lab includes 3 research-grade (two Leica and one Olympus) binocular microscopes, one with high-resolution HD digital imaging capabilities. The lab also includes microfossil and sediment analysis preparation equipment (sieves, slides, chemicals, beakers, wet and dry splitters, etc) and small field equipment such as a laser total station, YSI, HOBO pressure sensors, Ekman grab sampler, samples bags and vials, GPS and depth sounders, and tools. An exterior cold storage facility (250 sq. ft), for sample/core preservation, is located behind CMS. Large field equipment is stored in an exterior dry storage unit behind CMS and includes a CHIRP, russian, gouge and vibracore coring equipment including: rods, vibrating motor, hoses, tripods, and core sleeves.
