Mikael Calner

News and activities

May 2016: Deep drilling through Cambrian-Ordovician at Kinnekulle with Riksriggen. Information for media in Swedish. 

February 2016: Initial field work in New Providence and Andros Island on Quaternary carbonates. Photo shows large-scale cross-bedding in Holocene carbonate sand dune in New Providence.

January 2016: Reconnaissance for deep drilling at Kinnekulle. Proposed drill site at Högkullen.

August 2015: Deep coring through Silurian strata on Gotland, in collaboration with University of Iowa, and by means of new LU infrastructure Riksriggen. More info in Swedish. The crew!

Broadcasted on Swedish Radio P4 

Coverage by Gotland Allehanda

June 2015: Completing carbon isotope sampling campaign in Oslo region. Sitting on the Ordovician-Silurian boundary.

May 2015: Reconnaissance trip to Gotland to prepare for deep drilling. Studying Silurian reef limestone at Högklint.

June 2014: Field work and experience tour to classical Silurian localities of England and Wales.

May and August 2014: Field work in the Oslo-Asker district of southern Norway. Studying the Norwegian stratotype for the Ordovician-Silurian boundary, where the stratigraphy is upside-down!

June 2013: Chair of the IGCP 591 annual meeting in Lund. Regional excursion with one at the first stops at Rövarekulan locality to discuss Silurian shale fill of the Colonus Shale Trough. Field trip guide book to Palaeozoic outcrops of southern Sweden and Norway available here.

Teaching

My teaching focuses on sedimentary processes and products on wide spatial and temporal scales – from river systems and deserts in the continental interiors to the pelagic rain in the deep ocean, and from the Precambrian to the recent. Students learn to identify ancient depositional environments through facies analysis and also to study how these systems evolved through time by means of sequence stratigraphy – in carbonate as well as clastic or mixed basins. Since my research background mainly is within carbonate rocks, palaeoecology and palaeontology is a natural and well integrated part of my teaching. Most of my exercises and field excursions are based on either the 'old' marine Cambro-Devonian Baltoscandian basin of south-eastern Scandinavia or the Swedish segment of the 'young' marine-continental Mesozoic Danish basin to the southwest. In the core laboratory in the basement of our department I have assembled a few hundreds of metres of Palaeozoic intracratonic stratigraphy. These cores are regularly used in my teaching for two reasons. It gives the students frequent opportunities to study 'the real thing', as a complement to field excursions, and a 'first-row-insight' into my research about the marine environment, climate change and extinction events during the Palaeozoic.

Research projects

I am a specialist in sedimentary geology, sequence stratigraphy, and palaeoecology, and utilise fossil sediments and geochemistry to study the interplay of global change in climate, sea-level and biodiversity (minor and mass extinctions).

Ordovician sea-level, stable isotope stratigraphy and global climate

The principal goal of the research project is to establish the first Global Sea-level Model [GSM] for the Ordovician period [488-444 Ma]. The GSM will be based on reference districts in two palaeocontinents, representing different climate settings; the tropical parts of Laurentia (Great Basin, south-eastern USA) and temperate Baltoscandia (Sweden and East Baltic area). The recent very rapid development in carbon isotope stratigraphy and a new, globally applicable chronostratigraphical classification of the Ordovician, for the first time provide foundation for such study. Detailed sea-level records will be reconstructed through study of sedimentary proxies [facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy] and tied to the twenty new chronostratigraphic stage slices for the Ordovician by means of stable isotope stratigraphy and biostratigraphy. The result will be one composite high-resolution Composite Eustasy Stratotype Section [CESS] from each continent, which together forms the basis for the global model. The usage of the stratigraphically very well defined, and internationally agreed, stage slices as basic correlative unit for the first time permit a future regular revision and update of the GSM.

Silurian extinction events and climate – impact on carbonate platform ecosystems

In this project I primarily study the coupled extinction events and carbon isotope excursions of the Silurian on a broad interdisciplinary basis by integrating studies of short-term biodiversity and ecological changes with changes in relative sea-level and perturbations in the global carbon cycle. The initial hypothesis to be tested is that these minor extinction events are in several aspects comparable to some of the 'major five' extinction events of the Phanerozoic and are more similar to them than previously believed. This hypothesis has evolved from the growing body of biological and geochemical evidence that Silurian extinction events were global and associated with changes in the global carbon cycle that were of equal or even greater magnitude than those related to the Late Cambrian SPICE event, and the end-Ordovician and Frasnian-Famennian mass extinctions. From an ecological point of view the Silurian events share unexpectedly many characters with the most devastating events of the Palaeozoic (e.g. microbial resurgence and development of anachronistic facies).

The significance of calcareous oolites

What is the oceanographic and ecological significance of Phanerozoic calcareous oolites? I have the questions but not the answers. Widespread oolite formations in the Palaeozoic clearly signals major ecosystem changes in the marine environment. See my abstracts for some of my ideas on this topic.

Publications

Selected papers

• Calner, M. and Eriksson, M.E. 2012. Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) from the Palaeozoic of Sweden. Society of Economic Paleontologist and Mineralogist, special volume. In press. (PDF) J29
• Eriksson, M.E., Lindskog, A., Calner, M., Mellgren, J.I.S., Bergström, S.M., Terfelt, F. & Schmitz, B. 2012. Biotic dynamics and microfacies of the conspicuous Darriwilian (Middle Ordovician) 'Täljsten' interval, south-central Sweden. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Published online 16 February 2012. (PDF) J28
• Calner, M., Lehnert, O. & Jeppsson, L. 2012. New chemostratigraphic data through the Mulde Event interval (Silurian, Wenlock), Gotland, Sweden. GFF 134 (1), 65-67. (PDF) J27
• Bergström, S.M., Lehnert, O., Calner, M. and Joachimski, M. 2012. A new Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian drillcore standard succession from Borenshult in Östergötland, southern Sweden: 2. Significance of δ13C chemostratigraphy. GFF 134, 39-63. (PDF) J26
• Bergström, S.M., Calner, M., Lehnert, O. and Noor, A. 2011. A new Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian drillcore standard succession from Borenshult in Östergötland, southern Sweden: 1. Stratigraphical review with regional comparisons. GFF 133, 149-171. (PDF) J25
• Calner, M., and Ahlberg, P. 2011. Guide till de västgötska platåbergens geologi. Geologiskt forum 70, p. 17-28. [Translated title: A guide to the geology of the table mountains in Västergötland]. Popular science. (PDF) J24
• Munnecke, A., Calner, M., Harper, D.A.T. and Servais, T. 2010. Ordovician and Silurian sea-water geochemistry, sea level, and climate: a synopsis. In: Harper, D.A.T., Calner, M. and Munnecke, A. (eds), Early Palaeozoic Sea Level and Climate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 296, 389-413. (PDF) J23
• Lehnert, O., Männik, P., Joachimski, M., Calner, M. and Buggisch, W. (2010) Palaeoclimate perturbations before the Sheinwoodian glaciation: a trigger for extinctions during the 'Ireviken Event'. In: Harper, D.A.T., Calner, M. and Munnecke, A. (eds), Early Palaeozoic Sea Level and Climate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 296, 320-331. (PDF) J22
• Calner, M., Lehnert, O. and Nõlvak, J. (2010) Palaeokarst evidence for widespread regression and subaerial exposure in the middle Katian (Upper Ordovician) of Baltoscandia: significance for global climate. In: Harper, D.A.T., Calner, M. and Munnecke, A. (eds), Early Palaeozoic Sea Level and Climate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 296, 235-247. (PDF) J21
• Calner, M., Lehnert, O., Joachimski, M. 2010. Carbonate mud mounds, conglomerates and sea-level history in the middle Katian (Upper Ordovician) of central Sweden. FACIES 56, 157-172. (PDF) J20
• Calner, M. 2008. Silurian global events – at the tipping point of climate change. In: Ashraf M.T. Elewa (ed.): Mass extinctions, pp. 21-58. Springer-Verlag. Berlin and Heidelberg. (PDF) J19
• Eriksson, M.J. and Calner, M. 2008. A sequence stratigraphical model for the late Ludfordian (Silurian) of Gotland, Sweden – implications for timing between changes in sea-level, palaeoecology, and the global carbon cycle. Facies 54, 253-276. (PDF) J18
• Calner, M., Eriksson, M.E., Clarkson, E.N.K. and Jeppsson, L. 2008. An atypical intra-platform environment and biota from the Silurian of Gotland, Sweden. GFF 130, 79-86. (PDF) J17
• Lehnert, O., Eriksson, M.J., Calner, M., Joachimski, M. and Buggisch, W. 2007. Concurrent sedimentary and isotopic indications for global climatic cooling in the Late Silurian. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica 46, 249-255. (PDF) J16
• Calner, M., Kozłowska, A., Masiak, M. & Schmitz, B. 2006. A shoreline to deep basin correlation chart for the middle Silurian coupled extinction-stable isotopic event . GFF 128 , 79-84. (PDF Article) (PDF Chart 1) J14 J15
• Calner, M., Ahlberg, P., Axheimer, N. and Gustavsson, L., 2006: The first record of Odontopleura ovata (Trilobita) from Scandinavia: part of a middle Silurian intercontinental shelly benthos mass occurrence. GFF 128, 37-41. (PDF) J13
• Jeppsson, L., Eriksson, M.E. and Calner, M. 2006. A latest Llandovery to latest Ludlow high-resolution biostratigraphy based on the Silurian of Gotland – a summary. GFF 128, 109-114. (PDF) J12
• Calner, M. 2005a. A Late Silurian extinction event and anachronistic period. Geology 33 , 305-308. (PDF) J11
• Calner, M. 2005c. A Late Silurian extinction event and anachronistic period: Comment and Reply. Geology Online forum e92. (PDF) J10
• Calner, M. 2005b. Silurian carbonate platforms and extinction events – ecosystem changes exemplified from Gotland, Sweden. Facies 51 , 603-610. (PDF) J9
• Dahlqvist, P. and Calner, M. 2004. Late Ordovician palaeoceanographic changes as reflected in the Hirnantian-early Llandovery succession of Jämtland, Sweden. In: M.C. Pope & M.T. Harris (eds.): New insights into Late Ordovician Climate, Oceanography, and Tectonics.Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 210, 149-164. (PDF) J8
• Calner, M., Jeppsson, L. & Eriksson, M.J. 2004. Ytterholmen revisited - implications for the Late Wenlock stratigraphy of Gotland and coeval extinctions. GFF 126, 231-241. (PDF) J7
• Calner, M. and Jeppsson, L. 2003. Carbonate platform evolution and conodont stratigraphy during the middle Silurian Mulde Event, Gotland, Sweden. Geological Magazine 140, 173-203. (PDF) J6
• Jeppsson, L. and Calner, M. 2003. The Silurian Mulde Event and a scenario for secundo-secundo events. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences 93, 135-154. (PDF) J5
• Calner, M. 2002. A lowstand epikarstic intertidal flat from the middle Silurian of Gotland, Sweden. Sedimentary Geology 148 (3-4), p. 389-403. (PDF) J4
• Calner, M., Sandström, O. and Mõtus, A.-M. 2000. Significance of a halysitid-heliolitid mud-facies autobiostrome from the Middle Silurian of Gotland, Sweden. Palaios 15, 509-521. (PDF) J3
• Calner, M. and Säll, E. 1999. Transgressive oolites onlapping a Silurian rocky shoreline unconformity, Gotland, Sweden. GFF 121, 91-100. (PDF) J2
• Calner, M. 1999. Stratigraphy, facies development, and depositional dynamics of the Late Wenlock Fröjel Formation, Gotland, Sweden. GFF 121, 13-24. (PDF) J1

Selected abstracts

• Lehnert, O., Meinhold, G., Bergström, S.M., Calner, M., Ebbestad, J.O.R., Egenhoff, S., Frisk, Å.M., Högström, A.E.S. and Maletz, J. 2012. The Siljan Ring in central Sweden - a window into the Palaeozoic history of Baltoscandia. Geophysical Research Abstracts 14, EGU General Assembly 2012, Vienna. (PDF) A8
• Lehnert, O., Calner, M., Ahlberg, P., Harper, D.A.T. 2012. Multiple palaeokarst horizons in the Lower Palaeozoic of Baltoscandia challenging the dogma of a deep epicontinental sea. Geophysical Research Abstracts 14, EGU General Assembly 2012, Vienna. (PDF) A7
• Calner, M., Lehnert, O. 2009. The Hirnantian oolites in Baltoscandia – part of the terminal Ordovician anachronistic period. In: D.A.T. Harper and M. McCorry (eds), Absolutely final meeting of IGCP 503: Ordovician palaeogeography and palaeoclimate, Copenhagen. Abstracts, p. 5. (PDF) A6
• Calner, M. 2008. Silurian Global Events: A review of the associated changes in shallow-marine benthic ecosystems. Palaeozoic Climates – International Congress (IGCP 503), Lille, France, August 22-31, Abstract Volume, p. 19. (PDF) A5
• Calner, M., Lehnert, O. and Nõlvak, J. 2008. The significance of middle Katian palaeokarst in Baltoscandia for Upper Ordovician global climate. Palaeozoic Climates – International Congress (IGCP 503), Lille, France, August 22-31, Abstract Volume, p. 20. (PDF) A4
• Lehnert, O., Joachimski, M., Frýda, J., Buggisch, W., Calner, M., Jeppsson, L. & Eriksson, M.J. 2006. The Ludlow Lau Event - another glaciation in the Silurian Greenhouse? Geological Society of America, annual meeting, Philadelphia, 22-25 Oct. 2006, Abstracts with Programs 38, p. 183. (PDF) A3
• Cramer, B.D., Saltzman, M.R., Bergström, S.M., Kleffner, M.A., Munnecke, A., Loydell, D.K., Brett, C.E., Jeppsson, L., Calner, M., Day, J.E., Witzke, B.J., Kershaw, S., Díaz-Martínez, E. & Young, S.A. 2006. Chronostratigraphic Significance of High-Resolution δ 13 C carb Stratigraphy: The Role of Carbon Isotopes and the Future of Paleozoic Stratigraphy . IGCP 503 Meeting, Glasgow 2006.
• Groves, J.R. and Calner, M. 2004. Lower Triassic oolites in Tethys: a sedimentologic response to the end-Permian mass extinction. Geological Society of America, annual meeting, Denver, 7-10 Nov. 2004, Abstracts with Programs 36 (5), p. 336. (PDF) A2
• Calner, M. 2002b. Lithoevents - oolites in event stratigraphy. North-Central Section and Southeastern Section, Geological Society of America Joint Annual Meeting, Lexington, KY, USA. Abstract volume 34(2), A-26. (PDF) A1

 Publication list from Google scholar