Scholars live Earth History: Cretaceous Red Beds

The Red Beds at the Postalm section were deposited in Cretaceous times, when Dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) project Campanian Orbital Cyclostratigraphy was dealing extensively with the deposits at the Postalm section. An astrochronological framework was established and detailed information on the palaeoecology obtained. Translating the Milankovitch cycles (that play an important role in climate evolution) preserved in the sedimentary signal the exact dating of events and successions was possible. To communicate this research project to scholars we have to introduce them to the concept of deep time in Earth histiory. The participants shall get to understand geological time and thus, shall understand the significant difference in the magnitude and sheer duration of events that have an impact on the Earth. Furthermore, explaining the influence of orbital parameters on the global system, the importance and impact of plate tectonics and subsequently the events relevant for the evolution of the Alps is one of the key features of these short excursions. The genesis of reddish limestone/marl alterations at the Postalm section that is closely linked to the influence of the Milankovich signal (which is can be seen as the driver behind climate evolution) that is preserved and visible in the rock record will be explained in detail. An essential part of the short scholarly field trips is to re enact a brief sampling campaign and to process what has been collected in the field. Participants work with larger than life models of foraminifera. Various fossil species of these benthic or planktonic single celled organisms can be recovered from the Postalm section. The succession of particular taxa and evolutionary lineages of foraminifera together with an astrochnological framework is the key to understand palaeoenvironmental conditions as well as the timing and duration of events preserved in this region in the rock archive. Scholars have to act as scientists and recognise important species in their samples and deduce period and depositional environment. They will apply a similar methodology as Prof. Michael Wagreich and Mag. Erik Wolfgring have been utilising in the underlying project (of course simplified and explicable according to age group). Subsequently, participants are given the chance to work with stereo microscopes and prepare rock samples and pick fossils from washing residues and finally deal with the identification of important species. The samples are from different subsections and shall be assigned appropriately by the interpretation of their fossil content. Participants from elementary or primary schools will be offered the chance to discover and identify different species, while the programme for high-school pupils will include a broader context (discussing topics like evolution and environmental change). We are aiming at promoting a strong regional sentiment and want to direct the focus to the geological wonders in ones backyard. Scientific results from this locality were published in international peer reviewed journals but few locals have ever heard from this section. Addressing over 50 educational institutions we expect 15 to 20 excursions per annum with altogether 500 participants.

Based on a scientific research project on timing, natural climate change and greenhouse climate and the environmental changes of the Cretaceous period the science communication project "Scholars experience Earth history: Red Cretaceous" communicated the results of this project to regional school classes from the Salzburg county, Rußbach/Abtenau area.162 students from 9 classes of different grades, including a kingergarten group from Rußbach, got acquainted with the concepts of geological time, geologic strata, fossils and evolution. Field trips on 9 days were arranged with the help of NATOPIA (a private association that provides outreach activities as well as educational offers). An Excursion into Earth History visited the Randobach, a local creek at Rußbach exposing deposits of Cretaceous age. Alongside the creek climate change, the formation of the Alps, and the power of water were explained and hands-on conceived. Older and advances students was given the chance to experience the work as scientists in a lab-simulation, where microfossil samples (foraminifera) had to be evaluated using stereo microscopes. The museum at Rußbach (the Rußbacher Fossilienkabinett) provided space for the project. The museums curator, Fritz Seewald, proved irreplaceable for the project and its continuation. Scientific material, stereo-microscopes, foraminiferal game, time line, plate tectonics puzzle and other materials have been supplied to the future "geocenter" of the museum in Rußbach and presented to the interested public including tourist guides at the "Day of Earth History at Rußbach", November 17, 2017. This included also scientific presentations, project presentations by school classes, and an invited popular talk on the results of the main research project. An accompanying diploma thesis work evaluated the methods and actions.