I am a geomorphologist, one who studies the surface of the planet and how it has evolved. I have studied most aspects of the landscape, from the weathering of rock to generate soil, to the transport of soil down hillslopes, to the transport of sediment by rivers to the sea, to the evolution of coastlines that define the edge of the ocean. I have worked on tectonically alive and tectonically dead landscapes. My recent focus has been on alpine and Arctic landscapes in which ice figures prominently, as glaciers in alpine settings, and as permafrost and sea ice in the Arctic. I focus on the processes involved, working them as physics and chemistry problems. My research may be broken into three tasks: field monitoring, modeling, and establishment of timing in the landscape. Modeling involves numerical simulations meant both to interpret data and to generate generic landscapes, often resulting in animations. In dating landscapes, I employ cosmogenic radionuclides in a variety of ways.
GEOG 4241 - Earth Surface Processes
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Earth�s surface is constantly reshaped by water, ice, wind, and life. This class investigates the earth's landscapes and the processes that modify them, both gradually by slow weathering and erosion, and abruptly through the action of floods, landslides, and other geologic events. We cover surface processes in hillslope, glacial, riverine, desert, and coastal environments. Upon completion of the course, students will have mastered knowledge about diverse surface processes and landforms and applied core geomorphic principles to a variety of landscapes. Students will also learn that understanding surface processes is important for managing natural hazards (e.g., landslides and floods). This course will draw from many disciplines, including geology, geography, physics, chemistry, and biology. The laboratory portion of the course will include quantitative problem solving and field trips to collect and analyze geomorphic data. Same as ERTH 4241.
GEOL 1040 - Geology of Colorado
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2023
Reviews the geologic evolution and history of Colorado. It first develops the basic concepts needed to interpret the geology and then systematically shows how the state evolved through geologic time. Designed for those who enjoy understanding the beauty and splendor of the state. Formerly GEOL 1040.
GEOL 2001 - Planet Earth
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018
Explores the dynamics of planet Earth with particular emphasis on the factors that make the planet habitable. Includes examination of heat balance, hydrology, geomorphology, biogeochemistry and climate history through both lecture and lab-based activities. Required for the Earth Science major, introduces students to the major concepts in contemporary Earth system science. Formerly GEOL 2001.
GEOL 4241 - Earth Surface Processes
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Earth�s surface is constantly reshaped by water, ice, wind, and life. This class investigates the earth's landscapes and the processes that modify them, both gradually by slow weathering and erosion, and abruptly through the action of floods, landslides, and other geologic events. We cover surface processes in hillslope, glacial, riverine, desert, and coastal environments. Upon completion of the course, students will have mastered knowledge about diverse surface processes and landforms and applied core geomorphic principles to a variety of landscapes. Students will also learn that understanding surface processes is important for managing natural hazards (e.g., landslides and floods). This course will draw from many disciplines, including geology, geography, physics, chemistry, and biology. The laboratory portion of the course will include quantitative problem solving and field trips to collect and analyze geomorphic data. Same as GEOG 4241.
GEOL 5101 - Introduction to Earth Science Faculty I
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
Welcomes and introduces all new graduate students to the Department of Earth Science. Faculty discuss their research and their academic trajectories. The week�s geology colloquium is discussed. Tutorials from staff introduce how the university works, what funding opportunities exist, and how and when to apply for such funding. Formerly GEOL 5101.
GEOL 5102 - Introduction to Earth Science Faculty II
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Continues to introduce all new graduate students to the Department of Earth Science. Faculty discuss their research and their academic trajectories. The week�s geology colloquium is discussed. In addition, students craft reports on their intended research. Formerly GEOL 5102.
GEOL 5110 - Geomechanics
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2025
Introduces fundamental physical processes important to the transport of heat and mass in the Earth and on Earth's surface. Provides practice with quantitative treatment of geological problems. Solutions for each problem are derived from first principles, including conservation and flux laws. Emphasizes heat conduction and viscous fluid flow. Formerly GEOL 5110. Recommended prerequisite: course in calculus.
GEOL 5702 - Geomorphology Seminar
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2026
Explores the dynamics and forms of the earth's surface through critical reading and discussion of both classical and modern literature. May be repeated up to 10 total credit hours. Formerly GEOL 5702.
GEOL 5775 - Introduction to Numerical Modeling in Geoscience
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2025
Numerical models play an essential role across the geosciences, with applications that include hypothesis exploration, data interpretation, and prediction. This course provides a hands-on introduction to numerical modeling. Students learn scientific programming and modeling concepts by iterating through a series of model-development assignments in Python and Matlab. Applications span a range of topics in the geosciences, with emphasis on physical processes that involve mass, energy, and/or momentum transport.
