Cracking Up: A Field Study of the Role of the Sun in the Physical Weathering of Desert Rocks
Cracking Up: A Field Study of the Role of the Sun in the Physical Weathering of Desert Rocks
An NSF Rsearch Experience for Undergraduates sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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  • the research
  • the field site
  • the logistics
  • the application
  • the contacts
  • updates

Some Background Reading

McFadden et al., 2005
This research published in 2005 forms the basis of the overarching hypotheses that we will address in this REU
Adelsberger et al., 2009
This research provides follow-up data to the 2005 paper.
Moores et al, 2008
This research offers an alternative hypothesis to explain the field relationships described in the above papers.

the logistics

the logistics

  • Application Deadline is February 15.
  • Four to five students will be chosen for the REU and notified by March 1.
  • Student participants will recieve a $1300 stipend, airfare and travel to and from the field site, room and board during the project, and travel money to present their research at the 2010 GSA meeting in Denver. Travel arrangements will be made by Dr. Eppes in conjunction with each student.
  • Students will commit to: participating in the entire field season (May 30-June 20), writing and submitting a GSA abstract for the 2010 GSA annual meeting covering their research, working with an advisor at their own university for data analysis, and presenting their research as a poster-presentation at GSA in 2010.
  • Students will arrive and meet Dr. Eppes in Las Vegas, NV on May 30th. We will drive as a group to the field site and will be returning to Las Vegas on June 20th. Students may make arrangements to stay in the area longer if they so choose.
  • Dr. Eppes will be the main contact and faculty member mentoring students throughout the project. Dr. Warren and other guests such as Dr. Leslie McFadden of the University of New Mexcio will likely join us for 2-3 days at a time.
  • We will be staying at the Sweeny Granite Mountains Desert Research Centernear Kelso, California. Accomodations will be relatively primitive dorm-setting with electricity and plumbing, but no air conditioning.
  • We will share a kitchen with other researchers that may be on site and, with the help of an assistant, we will all participate in our own cleaning and food preparation which will occur in cook- and clean-up groups. Accomodations can be made for food allergies, vegetarians etc as long as we are informed before the field season begins.
  • We will work long days in potentially extreme, dry and hot desert conditions, typically working 5-6 days with a day or two off for laundry, re-supply and rest. On days off, we may take group field trips to local attractions such as Kelso Dunes and Death Valley.

Links to More Info

The Mojave Desert 

The Sweeny Granite Mountains Desert Research Center where we will be staying. 

The Providence Mountains where we will be working.

The Cima Volcanic Field where we will be working.

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