The Avalonian Research Group
Prof. M. D. Brasier, Dr. Duncan McIlroy, Dr. J. B. Antcliffe, Dr. R. Callow, Mr. Alex Liu, Ms Latha Menon
The Avalonian Research Group is a collaboration between Oxford University and the Memorial University of Newfoundland, set up to study the Proterozoic through to the Ordovician. Rocks of Ediacaran and Cambrian age in both the UK and in Newfoundland, Canada shared a common geological history until separated by the opening of the Atlantic during the Mesozoic. Strata of this common geological terrain are referred to as 'Avalonian'. Rocks of the Avalonian terrain are critical for understanding the origin and early evolution of animal life.
One of the main goals of the Avalonian Research Group is to aid transatlantic work on these important rocks and fossils. Prof Martin D. Brasier (Oxford) is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University. Dr. Duncan McIlroy is Canada Research Professor of Petroleum Geoscience.
Image: E Surface, Mistaken Point, Newfoundland, Canada. For information on the Mistaken Point fossils and how to visit them, please refer to the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve website.