Instructors Guide

1. Volume Approximation. Techniques vary widely in complexity and can be tailored to use algebra, multivariable calculus, probability, modeling or numerical analysis. In each case below, the surface area is determined and multiplied by the depth. The depth is determined for the Miocene Series to the present. Link to approaches to finding the volume.
2. The deposition rate is estimated using the thickness accumulated over 25 million years. This rate does not reflect modern carbon deposition rates.
3. Again, techniques vary in complexity. We could assume that emissions remain stable, at current rates. It appears that emissions in industrialized nations are leveling off, but emissions in developing countries are increasing rapidly. Long term projections of emissions depend on political policy, technology, population, fossil fuel reservoirs, etc. This provides an excellent source of discussion in the classroom. Note that this graph shows carbon dioxide emissions are we are focusing only on carbon emissions. The computational approach also provides some challenge since we are looking for the time at which a set value of total carbon emissions occurs.

Bibliography

Walker, Roger and James, Noel, Facies Models, Geological Association of Canada, 1992, pp.349 - 373.

Boggs, Sam Jr., Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Merrill Publishing Company, Columbus, Ohio, 1987, pp.470 - 485.

IPCC Sythesis Report of the Third Assessment Report Climate Change 2001, R.T. Watson, Core Writing Team (editors), Geneva, 2001.