RESEARCH INTERESTS OF MICHAEL W. RASSER

MIOCENE LAKE MOLLUSCS

MIOCENE FRESHWATER MOLLUCS OF THE NORTHERN ALPINE FORELAND BASIN

This is my new research topic dealing with taxonomy, palecology, and palaeobiogeography of non-marine fresh-water molluscs in the Miocene Molasse Zone (North Alpine Foreland Basin).

Currently focusing on the Höwenegg locality.

Cooperation with Mathias Harzhauser .

MIOCENE SHALLOW-MARINE SILICICLASTIC ENVIRONMENTS

STATIGRAPHY, SEDIMENTOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF SHALLOW-MARINE SICLICICLASTICS IN THE ALPINE FORELAND BASIN

Another new main topic (see www.molasse.net)

Cooperation with James H. Nebelsick and Ulrich Bieg

PALEOGENE SHALLOW-WATER CARBONATE ENVIRONMENTS

TAXONOMY OF PALEOGENE CORALLINE RED ALGAE AND THE APPLICABILITY OF NEONTOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

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TAPHONOMY OF ALVEOLINIDS

  • Interpretation and quantification of taphonomic features biasing taxonomic, biostratigraphic, and paleoenvironmental interpretations
  • This is part of my current main topic concerning Paleocene/Eocene climate changes (see below)
  • Cooperations: Christian Scheibner, Maria Mutti

PALEOGENE CARBONATE SYSTEMS AND DYNAMICS OF BENTHIC ASSOCIATIONS

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  • Upper Paleocene to Upper Oligocene carbonate facies patterns and the influence of underground topography, sea-level changes, hydrodynamics, sediment influx, and biotic interactions.
  • Palecology (especially synecology) of benthic assemblages - physical and biological controlling factors.
  • Cooperations: Werner Piller, James H. Nebelsick,  Christian Scheibner, Maria Mutti

THE EO-/OLIGOCENE TRANSITION FROM GREENHOUSE TO ICEHOUSE CLIMATE

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  • Shallow-water biofacies of the circum-Alpine area
  • Spatial and temporal facies dynamics caused by climate changes
  • Cooperation with James H. Nebelsick

LINKING BIOCALCIFICATION TO THE GLOBAL CARBON CYCLE: CARBONATE SYSTEMS DURING THE PALEOGENE

  • Influence of the carbon cycle on biocalcification
  • Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum and Early Eocene Climate Optimum in the Pyrenees
  • Cooperations: Christian Scheibner, Maria Mutti

ACTUOPALEONTOLOGY OF PRESENT-DAY REEFAL ENVIRONMENTS

PRESENT-DAY ENCRUSTING ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR RELEVANCE FOR PALECOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS

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  • Rhodoliths, foraminiferal macroids and autochthonous encrusting associations of the Northern Red Sea
  • Palecological factors influencing the distribution and formation of rhodoliths and macroids
  • Depth distribution of autochthonous encrusting assemblages
  • Visit: www.paleoweb.net/algae
  • Cooperations: Werner Piller

SIGNIFICANCE OF PRESENT-DAY CORAL REEF RUBBLE

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  • Holocene coral reef rubble and its binding agents
  • Factors controlling the formation and rigid binding of coral reef rubble
  • Internal structure of the reef core and its implications for fossil reefs
  • Cooperation: Bernhard Riegl . 

JURASSIC

REEF DEVELOPMENT, FACIES PATTERNS, AND CARBONATE PLATFORM DYNAMICS IN THE LATE JURASSIC - EARLY CRETACEOUS OF THE NORTHERN CALCAREOUS ALPS

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  • Basin to platform transitions
  • Geometries of carbonate platforms and development from pioneer stages to "mature" platforms
  • Carbonate facies architecture and palecology
  • Reefs: taxonomic inventory, palecology, structure, position of reefs and their significance for platform geometry
  • Biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography of dasycladalean algae and benthic foraminifera
  • Cooperation: Alois Fenninger.
  • Visit: www.paleoweb.net/jura