Desert Surface Processes and Quaternary Geomorphology seminar

GLG 490C (25406) or GLG 598M (24086)

Organized by Assistant Professor Ramón Arrowsmith

Geology Department; 965-3541; ramon.arrowsmith@asu.edu

Thursdays, 12:00-1:30 pm; PSH 457

Progress in our understanding of desert surface processes and Quaternary geomorphology may be accomplished by bringing together students and faculty from diverse disciplines for consideration of current and classic research results and field sites.

This 90 minute seminar will be an informal once weekly opportunity for participants to discuss relevant literature. The requirements for this 1 unit credit (Pass/Fail) are attendance, leading a discussion, and writing a 2-5 page summary and annotated bibliography that are due the day of the discussion. Arrowsmith will assemble the summaries into a review document for all participants. We will have three Saturday field trips to highlight the issues that we discuss. Students in Geology, Geography, Zoology, Civil Engineering and other disciplines are encouraged to participate in this interdisciplinary seminar.

Schedule

Day	Topic	Facilitator(s) *
8/28	Introduction to seminar and brainstorm on key issues	Arrowsmith
9/4	Desert soils	Stefanov and Elsheik
9/11	Relative Quaternary dating methods Soil carbonate development; Rock varnish development	Hamilton
9/18	Absolute Quaternary dating methods Cosmogenic and radiocarbon dating	Fonstad and Roberge
9/25	No meeting
10/2	Geomorphic responses to climate change	Arrowsmith
10/4	White Tank Mountains field trip
10/9	Late Tertiary geologic history of central Arizona	Johnson and Frechette
10/16	Piedmont environments and processes	Robinson
10/23	No meeting
10/30	Desert fluvial landforms	Holloway and Proctor
11/6	Desert fluvial processes	Stone
11/13	Relations among urbanization and surficial processes	Gerber and Douthitt
11/16	Salt River terraces and Usery Mtns Piedmont field trip
11/20	Relations among ecological and surficial processes	Curro
12/4	Desert dust and eolian processes	Hilley and Nowicki
12/6	Cave Creek and Carefree area field trip

*Facilitation responsibilities:

1) Selection of readings (with Arrowsmith)
2) 20-30 minute presentation of key issues
3) Lead discussion
4) Writing a 2-5 page summary and annotated bibliography due the day of the discussion. Identify key concepts and issues and define pointers to important references.

Landsat Image of South Mountains area

Northern Papago Park (D. M.Burt photo )