The Timescales and Virtual Centre of Economic Micropalaeontology and Palynology (VCEMP) project maintains and develops geological timescales and microfossil biozonations. It places particular emphasis on those parts of the stratigraphic column where economic resources are important.
VCEMP allows Geoscience Australia to leverage both internal and external expertise in microfossil taxonomy and biostratigraphy to document and define biozonations and improve the correlation between biozonations and geologic timescale. Experts from institutions such as the School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, University of Western Australia and the British Geological Survey, work with Geoscience Australia staff on focussed research projects that deliver improved biozonations and timescales to industry.
Improved resolution of biostratigraphic zonations, with improved correlation to ‘best practise’ international geologic timescales. Emphasis is placed on those parts of the stratigraphic column where economic resources are important.
Through VCEMP, assist in addressing the rapidly shrinking skills base in the field of micropalaeontology in Australia by support young researchers.
Establish business processes for future planning and decision making for VCEMP and provide a forward program.
A revision of the Middle to Late Cretaceous foraminiferal and nannofossil biozones used by industry on the North West Shelf.
Correlation of Australian microfossil zonations to the new Geological Timescale 2004 (published by the International Commission on Stratigraphy) so the new timescale can be adopted as a standard by industry and state geological surveys.
Provision of biostratigraphic expertise to other Geoscience Australia projects.