Recent and Active Research Topics
- Influence of soils on the geomorphic expression of active folds in Southern California.
- Soil Geomorphology, tectonic geomorphology and fluvial stratigraphy of the Reno River Valley, Italy
- Physical weathering due to directional solar heating.
- Records of Holocene climate derived from cores in high alpine lake sediments, northern NM and CO.
- Marble grus and corestones: insights into the granular disentigration of rocks.
- Soil Chronosequences of the piedmont of the Carolinas
- Influence of Soils on Fall Leaf Color (with Emily Habinck, NC State)
- Soil geomorphology of Mafic Bogs in the piedmont of North Carolina
Soil Geomorphology
I am a soil geomorphologist. What is that? Well, soil geomorphology consists of a relatively small community of geologists who study soils in the context of landscapes, geology and surface processes. We use soils to determine the age of different geologic deposits. Good descriptions and understanding of soil morphology are also critical to the correct interpretation of deposit ages that are derived from cosmogenic radionuclide profile dating. We use soils to evaluate the erosion history or stability of a hillslope. We examine how soils affect hydrologic propoerties of the sediment or rock in which they form. We use soils to determine the last time that a fault trace ruptured.
Physical Weathering
Of late, I have also held an interest in physical weathering processes. With Dr. Les McFadden, I have been evaluating a new hypothesis for how rocks crack. We have collected data that show that the directional heating and cooling of rocks that occurs as the sun crosses the sky causes rock cracks to initiate. In addition, I have recently been documenting the granular disentigration of marbles and formation of marble grus. Most recently, I have been examining if these processes are viable on Mars as is evidenced by photos from the recent Spirit and Opportunity missions.
I am a geologist, a geomorphologist as well as a soil scientist. I use the tools and methods of all of these disciplines to explore the past and modern processes affecting the surface of the Earth.
Prospective Students
My graduate and undergraduate students primarily execute field-based research that involves one or more of the following basic components: field mapping of Quaternary deposits and landforms, field soil analysis, lab soil analysis, GIS analysis of topography. Data collected serve to answer questions related to active tectonics, landscape evolution, Quaternary paleoclimate or ecology. Please call or email for more information. I would love to talk to you about my active research projects or about your own research interests.