Vol. 11, No. 9 A Publication of the Geological Society of America September 2001

INSIDE Stream Piracy Revisited: A Groundwater-Sapping Solution, p. 4 Darryll T. Pederson

Northeastern Section Meeting, p. 22

Field Forum Scheduled, p. 43

Contents

GSA TODAY (ISSN 1052-5173) is published monthly by The Geological Vol. 11, No. 9 September 2001 Society of America, Inc., with offices at 3300 Penrose Place, Boulder, Colorado. Mailing address: P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301-9140, U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at Boulder, Colorado, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to GSA Today, Member Services, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301-9140. science article Copyright © 2001, The Geological Society of America, Inc. (GSA). All rights 4 reserved. Copyright not claimed on content prepared wholly by U.S. Stream Piracy Revisited: A Groundwater-Sapping Solution ...... government employees within scope of their employment. Individual scientists Darryll T. Pederson are hereby granted permission, without fees or further requests to GSA, to use a single figure, a single table, and/or a brief paragraph of text in other subsequent works and to make unlimited photocopies of items in 12 this journal for noncommercial use in classrooms to further education Dialogue ...... and science. For any other use, contact Copyright Permissions, GSA, P.O. Measuring Success Scientifically: Earth System Processes Meeting a Hit Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301-9140, USA, fax 303-447-1133, [email protected]; reference GSA Today, ISSN 1052-5173. Per- 13 mission is granted to authors to post the abstracts only of their articles From Loch Ness to Biomedical Research ...... on their own or their organization’s Web site providing the posting includes this reference: “The full paper was published in the Geological 14 Society of America’s journal GSA Today, [include year, month, and page Boston 2001: A Geo-Odyssey ...... numbers if known, where the article will appear].” GSA provides this and Register Online; Pardee Keynote Symposia other forums for the presentation of diverse opinions and positions by scientists worldwide, regardless of their race, citizenship, gender, religion, or political viewpoint. Opinions presented in this publication do not reflect Cole Awards for Postdoctoral Research ...... 16 official positions of the Society.

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This publication is included on GSA’s annual Field Forum Scheduled: Kinematics and Vorticity of High-Strain Zones . . . . 43 CD-ROM, GSA Journals on Compact Disc. Call GSA Member Services for details. Classified Advertising ...... 44 Printed in U.S.A. using pure soy inks. On the cover: Akaka Falls, Hawaii. The bellowing form of the plunge pool is the result of groundwater-sapping processing as well as vapor effects from the plunging 50% Total water, enhancing biological activity. See “Stream Piracy Revisited: A Groundwater- Recovered Fiber Sapping Solution,” by Darryll T. Pederson, p. 4–10. 10% Postconsumer

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 3 Darryll T. Pederson, Department of energy to the system as increased logic settings, such as in a delta, stream Geosciences, University of Nebraska, recharge causes groundwater levels to piracy is a cyclic event. The final act of Lincoln, NE 68588-0340, USA rise, accelerating stream piracy. stream piracy is likely a rapid event that should be reflected as such in the geo- INTRODUCTION logic record. Understanding the mecha- The term stream piracy brings to mind nisms for stream piracy can lead to bet- ABSTRACT an action of forcible taking, leaving the ter understanding of the geologic record. Stream piracy describes a water-diver- helpless and plundered river poorer for Recognition that stream piracy has sion event during which water from one the experience—a takeoff on stories of occurred in the past is commonly based stream is captured by another stream the pirates of old. In an ironic sense, on observations such as barbed tribu- with a lower base level. Its past occur- two schools of thought are claiming vil- taries, dry valleys, beheaded streams, rence is recognized by unusual patterns lain status. Lane (1899) thought the term and elbows of capture. A marked of drainage, changes in accumulating too violent and sudden, and he used change of composition of accumulating sediment, and cyclic patterns of sediment “stream capture” to describe a ground- sediment in deltas, sedimentary basins, deposition. Stream piracy has been re- water-sapping–driven event, which he terraces, and/or biotic distributions also ported on all time and size scales, but its envisioned to be less dramatic and to be may signify upstream piracy (Bishop, mechanisms are controversial. Some the common mechanism for stream 1995; Pissart et al., 1997; Mather et al., researchers conclude that stream piracy piracy. Crosby (1937) took issue with 2000; Johnsson, 1999). Recognition that is a rare event and happens only on Lane (1899 and later papers) and argued piracy is happening now is based on small scales; this is based on a recogni- that surface water is the principal agent observed higher erosion rates for streams tion that surface-water energy decreases of stream piracy in most settings. This with steeper gradients on one side of a near divides and the belief that ground- set up a debate on the relative roles of drainage divide relative to the other, water-sapping processes decrease in surface-water erosion and groundwater- with the steeper gradient stream captur- effectiveness near divides and are not sapping erosion that persists today. This ing the headwaters of the lower gradient effective in rock and cohesive sediment. paper contends that groundwater-flow stream (Bates, 1961; Vogt, 1991; Ries et In contrast, numerous studies show that patterns and groundwater-sapping pro- al., 1998). As variants, development of groundwater-sapping is effective in rock cesses are important in most cases of karst aquifers can lead to underground and cohesive sediment, focused by the stream piracy, and the final act of piracy capture of rivers over time, such as the intersection of the extending channel can be rapid because of the developing recognition of loss of upper Danube with the water table, and effective in geometry. There is a predictable imprint flows (Hötzl, 1996), and cyclic develop- hillslope processes. Further, destruction of groundwater flow, and groundwater ment of lobes on the Holocene Missis- of evidence by surface water is the rea- sapping is effective at all scales and in sippi River delta is modulated by stream son for the general lack of recognition all geologic material. capture (Roberts, 1997). of groundwater-sapping effects. I argue The issue of stream piracy is more While the identity of the villain (mech- that the persistence of groundwater-flow than an academic discussion because it anism) remains controversial, there are systems, coupled with the evolving geo- is an important geologic process—past common elements in stream piracy metry as a pirating stream approaches a and present. Sediment-deposition pat- regardless of the erosion process. To divide, can sustain breaching by ground- terns and mineralogy can be drastically have energy to do the work of erosion water-sapping processes. The principal altered with the event of stream piracy. and transport, the pirating stream needs determinant of the maintenance of Stream piracy can change migration pat- to be at a lower elevation or have a energy is the position of the groundwa- terns for aquatic animals and can change steeper gradient. In addition, the geologic ter divide as compared to the topo- rates of erosion in upland areas. Stream material near where the capture takes graphic divide where streams in adjacent chemistry can be changed as a conse- place must be susceptible to disaggrega- drainage basins are at different eleva- quence of stream piracy. In some geo- tion by mechanical or chemical processes tions. Wetter climatic periods can add

4 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY or to solution, or must already be disag- gregated. The process of erosion at the channel head coupled with the geologic setting and energy in the system deter- mines the rate and direction of channel extension. There must be a mechanism for transport of eroded sediment from the channel head. Bishop (1995) argued that in most settings, there is minimal energy for stream piracy and therefore little piracy. This paper will show that the evolving groundwater-flow system as a pirating stream approaches the divide can provide the threshold energy for breaching.

GROUNDWATER AND STREAM PIRACY The phenomenon of groundwater “sapping” has been identified with a number of terms. Higgins (1984) expand- ed the term “seepage erosion” to encom- Figure 1. Erosion by needle ice growth in a road bank, Boone, North Carolina, USA. pass the more complex erosion of con- Groundwater extrusion represented by ice columns several cm long. solidated rock. He included intensified chemical weathering; leaching and dis- solution within the seepage zone; and Lawler (1993) reported a similar result Groundwater Sapping Examined enhanced physical weathering by granu- from needle-ice growth on the River The effect of positive pore-water pres- lar disintegration or flaking owing to Ilston, South Wales, United Kingdom. sure in promoting erosion and increasing wetting-drying, salt-crystal wedging, root Prosser et al. (2000) found that needle- instabilities of slopes is well known. An wedging, rainbeat, congelifraction, and ice growth in winter and desiccation of expansion of the concept is needed to re- needle-ice wedging. Howard (1988a) fur- clays in the summer control erosion on late it to stream piracy. In computer ther expanded the overall concept Ripple Creek Canal, Tasmania. Surface- modeling and laboratory studies (Howard, proposing “Groundwater sapping, as water flows were unable to erode firm, 1988b), headcuts spontaneously formed distinct from piping, is a generic term for cohesive clay banks that had not been in response to groundwater seepage, weathering and erosion of soils and rock preconditioned by groundwater sapping. and they migrated up gradient because by emerging groundwater, at least par- I have found that needle-ice growth is of their intersection with the groundwa- tially involving intergranular flow (as responsible for road-bank erosion (Fig. 1) ter table where positive pore pressures opposed to the channelized throughflow and erosion of lakeshore banks (Fig. 2). occur, promoting erosion. With continued involved in piping)” (p. 3). Groundwater sapping is used in this context in this paper. The study of groundwater-sapping processes and their extension to stream piracy is complicated by the presence of surface water, which in many cases destroys evidence of groundwater sap- ping. For example, I have observed freezing groundwater in a vertical river- bank near Cook, Nebraska, that led to the dislodging of frozen bank material in meter-sized blocks during January 1999. Spring freeze-thaw cycles fragmented the blocks into transportable sediment that was carried away by a June flood. A July visitor would recognize significant bank erosion since the previous summer visit, but, because all evidence for groundwater sapping was destroyed, would attribute this to the June flood. Figure 2. Erosion by groundwater sapping (one week of freeze-thaw cycles) on shoreline bank of Lake Ashtabula, North Dakota, USA. With melting of lake ice, wave action removed the talus.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 5 headward development, groundwater water table parallels the beach face, gul- variety of groundwater-sapping processes flow was focused in the few uppermost lies advance updip without increasing and the nearly universal presence of headcuts that interfered minimally with incision. By extension, to divide areas, if groundwater, it is likely that most hillslope each other. These continued to erode the water-table slope is less than the sur- erosion and channel extension patterns headward, intercepting the groundwater face slope, increasing entrenchment carry the imprint (pattern) of groundwa- flow that would have gone to the now- would be favored where groundwater ter-flow systems. Freeze (1987) modeled inactive headcuts. As groundwater-dis- sapping is the dominant erosion process the resulting water table between parallel charge energy in the form of positive at the headcut. The development of a rivers with given conditions of recharge pore pressures is rapidly focused in the drainage network in the Finisterre and aquifer characteristics and coupled few remaining headcuts, a consequent Mountains in New Guinea (Hovius et al., the output to slope-stability calculations acceleration of headward erosion takes 1998) may be similar to Higgins’ beach to show effects of recharge from various place, and a roughly parallel drainage example. Initial gorge incision is precipitation events. His results showed network is developed. Dunne (1998) expanded by large-scale landsliding con- that hydrogeologic factors coupled with described a similar positive feedback in trolled by groundwater seeping, with the climatic variation and short-term precipi- hollow formation. On a smaller ground- resulting debris being incised by fluvial tation events exerted considerable con- water-flow scale, Collison’s (1996) simu- erosion. Montgomery and Dietrich trol on the slope of the surface topog- lations showed that even small soil cracks (1988) reported that channel initiation raphy between the rivers in terms of (enhancing recharge) just upstream from on steep slopes in the Coos Bay region stability of slopes and channel banks as gully heads resulted in positive pore of Oregon and in the southern Sierra controlled by pore pressures. His results pressures at the base of the headcut. suggest that the surface topography can Collison (1996) also found that most be a reflection of the groundwater table eroded material transported by surface as opposed to the popular concept of the water originates in the gully itself rather water table being a subdued reflection than upslope, so the controlling factor In broader terms,because of the of the surface topography. This sugges- for gully expansion should be headcut tion is supported by the consequences and wall instability. Flume experiments great variety of groundwater-sapping of hillslope processes and the nature of (Kochel et al., 1988; Baker et al., 1990) channel extension in divide areas. that modeled headcut migration under processes and the nearly universal More specifically, groundwater sapping hydrogeologic conditions found in the presence of groundwater,it is likely can be recognized by distinctive patterns Colorado Plateau yielded long valleys, of erosion occurring as a consequence short tributaries, and amphitheater that most hillslope erosion of the geologic setting and regional and heads, comparing well with the field local groundwater-flow systems. Fyodor- description of Laity and Malin (1985). and channel extension patterns ova and Sasowsky (1999) described the The ability of a river to erode, trans- dissolution of quartz cement by ground- port, and deposit sediment is in part carry the imprint (pattern) of water leading to increased porosity and determined by interaction with the reduction of the mechanical strength of groundwater system. As an example, groundwater-flow systems. a sandstone. This weakening has led to positive pore-water pressures in areas additional groundwater-sapping processes where groundwater discharges into a becoming active with development of stream can increase the erodibility of the caves along preexisting fractures and stream bed. Changes of erodibility and Nevada is associated with landsliding joints within the sandstone bedrock. transport competency with groundwater that is probably caused by seepage ero- They suggest that dissolution of silica is influx and outflux in beach and stream sion. In most settings, the actual sapping transport controlled so the process is settings can favor sediment accumula- rates should be a function of groundwa- most active where fractures have been tion or enhance erosion (Harrison and ter-flow rates. Gabbard et al. (1998) enlarged and groundwater has not Clayton, 1970; Howard, 1988b; Butt and found in laboratory studies that intro- adjusted chemically. (The bigger fractures Russell, 2000). duction of groundwater inflow caused with greater flow continue to grow.) Several case examples show the accelerated headward erosion with ero- Norris and Back (1990) described a simi- nature of the interaction of the ground- sion rates increasing by 60 times. The lar evolution where mixing of ground- water-flow system and headcut migra- importance of groundwater-sapping ero- water and seawater leads to dissolution tion in field settings of possible incipient sion in geologic processes should not be of carbonate rock along the Yucatan. It stream piracy. Higgins (1984) observed overlooked (Higgins, 1984; Dunne, 1980; should be noted that groundwater is that when the water table slopes at an Schumm, 1980; Roloff et al., 1981; Netto nearly as effective and rapid in erosion angle less than that of the beach face, et al., 1988). Dunne (1990) rated water of siliceous rocks as of limestone rocks gully heads incise deeper as they as second only to gravity in producing in terms of chemical weathering and advance updip. There is a threshold in slope instabilities. removal of dissolved substances (Young gully depth where small slumps and and Saunders, 1986). Johnsson (1999) block slides, due to deep entrenchment, The Imprint of Groundwater Flow identified two sets (based on orientation negate further advancement. Where the In broader terms, because of the great and elevation) of horizontal cave passages

6 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY associated with different historical eleva- extending channel results in a migration tions of the water table and directions of of the groundwater divide toward the groundwater flow in the karst of Swago soon-to-be-pirated stream. More of the Creek in West Virginia. In each case, the regional recharge to the groundwater- fracture pattern of the rock and the flow system is now moving toward the direction of the groundwater gradient extending channel in stage B (Fig. 3) were contributing factors to the pattern with a likely increase in groundwater- of groundwater sapping. Nash (1996) sapping potential. At some point in time, found that the headward development the soon-to-be-pirated stream will start of valleys in the Hackness Hills in North losing flow to the groundwater system, Yorkshire, England, was in part con- which will further increase the ground- trolled by groundwater-sapping processes water-sapping potential. At this point, operating in an updip direction. the potential exists for the initiation of If groundwater-sapping location is a sediment accumulation in the pirated function of groundwater-flow systems channel. In contrast, the energy for and headcut interception, then ground- headcut erosion by surface water is water-flow models should suggest pat- decreasing because of the decreasing terns of development of stream drain- Figure 3. Cross-section sequence (A–C) of catchment size. ages. In fact, drainage patterns based on pirating channel extension and eventual In stage C (Fig. 3), the pirated stream groundwater-flow models using field divide breaching by groundwater sapping. is losing considerable flow to the ground- hydrogeologic parameters and recharge Arrows show paths of groundwater flow and water system and the potential for sedi- rates show close agreement with actual inverted triangle shows position of water ment accumulation is high. Breaching of field settings. Streams of a given order table. Sedimentation in pirated stream shown the topographic divide was possible (in the sandy Pleistocene area of the by higher density of dots. Erosion in pirating because the groundwater-flow system is Netherlands) can be explained as out- channel shown by lower density of dots. able to maintain its energy and, in fact, crops of groundwater-flow systems of a may experience an increase in energy corresponding order reflecting the spond to the surface-water divide when gradient as the pirated stream is drainage density necessary to effectively there is a difference in elevation of approached by the extending channel drain the aquifer system (DeVries, 1976, streams in the adjacent drainages (Fig. 3). of the pirating stream. An additional 1994). DeVries (1995) expanded his Because of this, the groundwater-flow increase in energy in the groundwater- work to include a model of contracting system does not lose its energy with flow system will occur with the accumu- and expanding stream networks with gully extension like the surface-water lation of sediment in the pirated stream. groundwater-level change, as related to system does with its decreasing catch- A positive-feedback situation develops seasonal rainfall characteristics. Troch et ment size. Three selected stages of chan- in which losses of water from the pirated al. (1995) applied DeVries’s (1976) model nel extension across a divide are shown stream augment the groundwater-sap- to the Zwalmbeek catchment in Belgium. in Figure 3. ping process, leading to further sediment Coupled with the observation that in In stage A, a tributary of the pirating accumulation and other outcomes. many humid lowland areas, overland stream is extending itself by headward While the basic process shown in the flow is rare and so most flow is under- erosion toward the divide. Groundwater model is the same in heterogeneous and ground, they submitted that the existing flow is focused, much like flow to a anisotropic settings, the actual flow paths drainage network developed through pumping well. The energy driving the followed by groundwater in these set- sapping erosion at the zone of ground- groundwater-flow system is reflected by tings may modify the geometric pattern water exfiltration. In a setting compara- the difference between the elevation of shown in Figure 3. Also, developing ble to that described by DeVries, the the groundwater divide and the eleva- fracture flow or development of karst drainage network in the Sand Hills of tion of the water-table outcrop at the (limestone or rock with soluble cement) Nebraska consists of roughly parallel headcut. The energy of the surface-water may cause stream piracy to occur well rivers with no tributaries. The drainage- system would be the difference between before there is an apparent surface network density corresponds to the thick- the topographic divide and the base of expression. It is only a matter of time ness of the underlying aquifer; it is less the headcut. Note, no mass considera- before the subsurface flow paths would dense where the aquifer is thicker and tions or energy conversions that occur be expressed at the surface. was likely developed by headward ero- along the flow paths are included, so It is very difficult to identify areas of sion caused by groundwater sapping this is not a measurement of the actual incipient stream piracy on a large scale (Pederson, 1995). energy available at the headcut for ero- because the process is slow compared sion. The elevation and location of the to the human time scale, and the The Groundwater-Sapping Model of groundwater divide represents a dynamic quantification of channel extension rates Stream Piracy equilibrium that will change with cli- is complicated by the nonlinearity of the The principal fact favoring stream matic changes and changing geometries erosion system. It is also very difficult piracy by groundwater sapping is that such as channel extension. to determine past rates of stream piracy the groundwater divide does not corre- Continued headward erosion of the because the evidence has usually been

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 7 destroyed. Having said that, the proposed model of stream piracy by groundwater sapping should work on all time and size scales as the mechanics should operate at all scales.

SURFACE WATER AND STREAM PIRACY The basics of a “surface water view” of stream capture (the other potential villain) were described by Crosby (1937) and are still found in many textbooks. Erosion is “gnawing back at the headwa- ters of every stream” (p. 469) with the rate of erosion dependent on the forma- tions present, slope of the land, climatic conditions, and protecting vegetation. Weathering breaks rocks into fragments, which are transported by hillslope pro- cesses—including sheetwash, landslides, and soil creep—to stream channels where they are transported. Rates of ero- sion are controlled by water velocity, Figure 4. Rainbow Falls, near Hilo, Hawaii, USA. There is a clear undercutting of the falls’ face abrasion tools, and the underlying for- well beyond the zone of plunge. The presence of adjacent springs and water flowing from the mation. Crosby acknowledged the cavelike feature suggests a complex system of knickpoint advancement in this setting. “apparently impotent little brook” (p. 471) in the headwaters, but credits weather- of channel extension “exhausts” these lumped under hillslope processes. ing between floods for wearing away factors. Because of the inertia of the system, these rocks and the floods themselves groundwater sapping is more continu- for removing sediment. STREAM PIRACY: ous and persistent over time as com- There are many complicating factors GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE pared to surface water. in determining the mechanisms and WATER AS COOPERATORS Groundwater energy is little affected rates for channel extension. Weissel and Water, the common element of surface by topographic divides as compared to Seidl (1997) found that while bedrock water and groundwater, is obviously the surface-water energies. Surface-water lithology and upstream drainage area major initiator and accelerator in erosion energy usually decreases near divides had minimal impact on knickpoint and the key element in stream piracy. because of shrinking catchment areas retreat, bedrock jointing profoundly The hardest rock can be broken down and sometimes decreased surface gradi- affected the hillslope processes that con- by freeze-thaw cycles, and a cohesive ents. With breaching of the divide, con- trol knickpoint migration rates. Whipple sediment can be fragmented by wet-dry siderable erosion would be required to et al. (2000) determined that the efficacy cycles. Fractures in an “impermeable” develop a catchment area for surface of fluvial erosion processes (plucking, rock leave them vulnerable to erosion runoff to feed the pirating stream on the abrasion, cavitation, and solution) was a and enlargement by water. Water sup- pirated stream side of the drainage strong function of substrate lithology ports living organisms that condition basin. This is unlikely because nearly all and that joint spacing, fractures, and rock and sediment for erosion, and it sediment comes from the extending bedding planes exert the most direct can dissolve interstitial cement and the channels. If there is insufficient flow in control. Montgomery and Dietrich (1989) rock itself. Where there is water move- the channel, accumulating sediment in identified thresholds of upslope catch- ment, there is an increasing probability the headcut can slow the erosion pro- ment area needed to erode a channel of a chemical disequilibrium between cess, so availability of sediment transport head. As a channel head approaches a the rock and the interstitial water. Posi- may control the rate of extension. This divide, the catchment area will decrease, tive pore-water pressure undermines fact is an argument for the occurrence of reducing runoff. Gomez and Mullen slopes, triggers landslides, and con- stream piracy being most likely during (1992) recorded more than 90% of net- tributes to debris flows. As water erodes, wetter climatic periods. Finally, exten- work growth in the first 10% of their it usually creates a preferred flow path, sion of a channel is often very rapid at experiment’s duration. An exponential further accelerating the erosion process. first, implying that a threshold has been curve for gully extension was suggested Groundwater-sapping processes are crossed. This also suggests that the final by Rutherford et al. (1997). A broader equally effective in the presence of sur- act of stream piracy should occur as the interpretation is that intrinsic and/or face water, but they are often not recog- consequence of an event rather than as extrinsic factors may provide a threshold nized because either the evidence is the continuation of an average. for initiation, and the physical effect destroyed by surface water or they are The only connection between the

8 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY pirated and incipient pirating stream is ing sediment and rock. The presence of has the potential for pre-piracy “commu- through the groundwater-flow system perennial surface water is strong evi- nication” between the pirating and (Fig. 3). The incipient pirating stream dence for groundwater intersecting the pirated stream (Fig. 3). The pirated can gain flow (sapping energy) from the surface and for effective groundwater stream can provide flow and potential pirated stream. The pirating stream can sapping. Groundwater sapping is effec- energy to the groundwater system. This cause the accumulation of sediment in tive in the absence of surface water. can further enhance groundwater sap- the incipient pirated stream. This con- Unfortunately, the evidence for ground- ping at the headcut of the extending cept should apply in the building and water sapping is usually destroyed by pirating stream. As the pirating stream breaching of river levees, delta formation, surface water. advances, the changing groundwater- alluvial fans, and hillslope processes. Headward extension of channels flow paths (Fig. 3) can cause a loss of Most stream piracy is likely the result results in a distortion of the groundwa- flow in the pirated stream, resulting in of a succession of channel extensions in ter-flow system. The head of the channel sediment accumulation in the bed as response to climatic events. One must represents a low potential energy point stream competency decreases. This can recognize that the current climatic condi- for groundwater flow, much like a pump- in turn lead to an increasing energy gra- tions may not be the same as when ing well. With concentration of flow, dient in the groundwater-flow system. stream piracy occurred. Just as short- groundwater-sapping processes are con- A heterogeneous and anisotropic geo- term precipitation events accelerate centrated at the headcut, resulting in fur- logic environment would modify the groundwater-sapping erosion and sur- ther channel extension and/or incision actual groundwater-flow paths, but the face-water erosion, longer climatic that in turn leads to increasing incision overall results would be similar to the events can add or remove energy from of the groundwater-flow system. There homogeneous and isotropic model the pirating equation, including base- is the potential for the development of shown (Fig. 3). Karst development would level changes. Higgins (1984) proposed thresholds that, on being exceeded, can occur along fractures and higher perme- that the pectinate (comb-like) drainage lead to rapid channel extension. An ability zones, reflecting the imprint of networks of the High Plains were analogous event would be the failure of the groundwater-flow system from re- formed chiefly by groundwater sapping the Teton Dam. charge to discharge areas. Fractures zones when the water tables were higher dur- Groundwater sapping should be sus- would enlarge and grow in a similar ing wetter climates of the past. Alley pected at locations where the surface manner. (2000) highlighted the relative stability of morphology suggests incision into the Because groundwater sapping is a the climate over the past 10000 yr as groundwater table and concentration of basic geologic process, and energy gra- compared to the much larger instabilities groundwater flow. A greater potential for dients can exist at all scales, the stream- of the past 100000 yr, so our historical groundwater sapping is found at the piracy model presented in this paper perceptions may be inappropriate in outside of meander bends, at the point should be applicable at all time and size interpreting stream piracy. The rates of where streams become live, where river- scales. Stream piracy is a possibility on surface processes and denudation banks feel spongy, where talus slopes the smallest streams and the largest (Young and Saunders, 1986) are such form during freeze-thaw cycles, and in intermountain drainage basins. Where that many stream-piracy events likely deeply entrenched channels. Groundwa- diversion has occurred, groundwater occur over time scales greater than the ter sapping may be found in areas where sapping should be suspected. current period of climate stability, espe- banks and slopes are wet or undercut or This model suggests that higher cially in lithified and cohesive material. have zones of vegetation growth, surface energy gradients would be expected However, of all natural variables control- evaporitic deposits, desiccation cracks, during wetter climatic periods, and as a ling surface water and groundwater flow water flow from fractures, and evidence consequence, channel extension should in general, only climate can change sig- of soil flow. If the setting appears too dry, be more rapid during these periods. The nificantly over time periods shorter than try visualizing a long-duration thunder- increased rate of channel extension under geologic time. An exception to the pre- storm and a much higher groundwater wetter climatic conditions is intuitive in vious statement may occur with disrup- table. part, but by extension, it also means that tions of drainages during earthquakes, If there is a difference in elevation of the actual stream diversion is most likely volcanic activity, and subglacial drainage streams in adjacent drainage basins, the during wetter climatic periods. events. On an even shorter time scale, topographic divide does not correspond Lane (1899) promoted the role of several years of unusually high precipita- to the groundwater divide (Fig. 3). As a groundwater sapping in stream piracy. tion can significantly increase the erosive result, the groundwater-flow system main- Unfortunately, the visibility of surface power of groundwater and surface water. tains its energy as the headcut approaches water and the lack of understanding of and crosses the topographic divide, be- groundwater-flow and groundwater-sap- SUMMARY cause its energy comes from the ground- ping processes have led to a long advo- Groundwater exists in nearly all geo- water divide. In contrast, the energy of cacy of surface water as the pirating vil- logic environments in a dynamic system surface water at the headcut decreases lain. Waterfalls (e.g., Fig. 4; cover photo) with persistent flow from recharge areas as the divide is approached because of on the Island of Hawaii demonstrate that to discharge areas where groundwater- reduced catchment area and possibly factors other than surface water alone sapping processes are focused. Ground- reduced surface gradients. must be at work in knickpoint migra- water sapping is highly effective in erod- Only the groundwater-flow system tion. There is considerable evidence for

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 9 groundwater sapping in these two locali- erosion processes: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Prosser, I., Hughes, A., and Rutherford, I., 2000, Bank ero- v. 23, p. 83–93. sion of an incised upland channel by subaerial processes: ties using criteria discussed in this paper. Tasmania, Australia: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Gomez, B., and Mullen, V., 1992, An experimental study of v. 25, p. 1085–1101. a sapped drainage network: Earth Surface Processes and ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Landforms, v. 17, p. 465–476. Ries, J., Merritts, D., Harbor, D., Gardner, T., Erickson, P., and Carlson, M., 1998, Increased rates of fluvial bedrock I thank Ralph Davis, James Pizzuto, Harrison, S., and Clayton, L., 1970, Effects of groundwater incision in the Central Appalachian Mountains, Virginia: seepage on fluvial processes: Geological Society of America Ira Sasowsky, and my daughter, Deborah Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Bulletin, v. 81, p. 1217–1226. White, for reading drafts of this paper v. 30, no. 7, p. A140. Higgins, C., 1984, Piping and sapping: Development of Roberts, H., 1997, Dynamic changes of the Holocene Mis- and for their suggestions. I thank Molly landforms by groundwater outflow, in LaFleur, R.G., ed., sissippi River delta plain: The delta cycle: Journal of Coastal Groundwater as a geomorphic agent: The Binghamton Sym- Miller for her encouragement in preparing Research, v. 13, p. 605–627. posia in Geomorphology, International Series 13: Boston, this paper. Julie Bawcom, Victor Baker, Massachusetts, Allen & Unwin, p. 18–58. Roloff, G., Bradford, J., and Scrivner, C., 1981, Gully devel- opment in the deep loess hills of central Missouri: Soil and an anonymous reviewer provided Hötzl, H., 1996, Origin of the Danube-Aach systems: Envi- Science of America Journal, v. 45, p. 119–123. many helpful suggestions in revising the ronmental Geology, v. 27, p. 87–96. Rutherford, I., Prosser, I., and Davis, J., 1997, Simple Hovius, N., Stark, C., Tutton, M., and Abbot, L., 1998, Land- manuscript, and their efforts are appreci- approaches to predicting rates and extent of gully develop- slide-driven drainage network evolution in a pre-steady-state ment, in Wang, S.S.Y., et al., eds., Proceedings of the ated. Finally, Karl Karlstrom was of mountain belt: Finisterre Mountains, Papua, New Guinea: Conference on Management of Landscapes Disturbed by Geology, v. 26, p. 1071–1074. immense help in revising the paper. Channel Incision, p. 1125–1130. Howard, A., 1988a, Groundwater sapping on Mars and Schumm, S., 1980, Some applications of the concept of Earth, in Howard, A., et al., eds., Sapping features of the geomorphic thresholds, in Coates, D.R., et al., eds., Thresh- REFERENCES CITED Colorado Plateau: A comparative planetary geology field olds in Geomorphology: London, George Allen & Unwin, guide: Washington, D.C., National Aeronautics and Space Alley, R., 2000, The two-mile time machine: Ice cores, p. 473–485. abrupt climate change, and our future: Princeton, New Administration, p. 1–5. Jersey, Princeton University Press, 229 p. Troch, P., DeTroch, F., Mancini, M., and Wood, E., 1995, Howard, A., 1988b, Groundwater sapping experiments and Stream network morphology and storm response in humid modeling, in Howard, A., et al., eds., Sapping features of Baker, V., Kochel, R., Laity, J., and Howard, A., 1990, catchments: Hydrological Processes, v. 9, p. 575–587. Spring sapping and valley network development, in Higgins, the Colorado Plateau: A comparative planetary geology field C.G., and Coates, D.R., eds., Groundwater geomorphology: guide: Washington, D.C., National Aeronautics and Space Vogt, P., 1991, Estuarine stream piracy: Calvert County, U.S. The role of subsurface water in earth-surface processes and Administration, p. 71–83. Atlantic Coastal Plain: Geology, v. 19, p. 754–757. landforms: Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of Amer- Johnsson, M., 1999, Speleogenesis, stream capture, and Weissel, J., and Seidl, M., 1997, Influence of rock strength ica Special Paper 252, p. 235–265. geomorphic development as recorded in cave sediments: properties on escarpment retreat across passive continental Bates, R., 1961, Drainage development, southern Sacra- Preliminary observations from the Swago Creek area, West margins: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 25, mento Mountains, New Mexico: The Ohio Journal of Virginia: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Pro- p. 631–634. Science, v. 61, no. 2, p. 113–134. grams, v. 31, no. 7, p. A155. Whipple, K., Hancock, G., and Anderson, R., 2000, River Bishop, P., 1995, Drainage rearrangement by river capture, Kochel, R., Simmons, D., and Piper, J., 1988, Groundwater incision into bedrock: Mechanics and relative efficacy of beheading, and diversion: Progress in Physical Geography, sapping experiments in weakly consolidated layered sedi- plucking, abrasion and cavitation: Geological Society of v. 19, p. 449–473. ments: A qualitative summary, in Howard, A., et al., eds., America Bulletin, v. 112, p. 490–503. Sapping features of the Colorado Plateau: A comparative Young, A., and Saunders, I., 1986, Rates of surface pro- Butt, T., and Russell, P., 2000, Hydrodynamics and cross- planetary geology field guide: Washington, D.C., National cesses and denudation, in Abrahams, A.D., ed., Hillslope shore sediment transport in the swash zone of natural Aeronautics and Space Administration, p. 84–93. beaches: A review: Journal of Coastal Research, v. 16, processes: The Binghamton Symposia in Geomorphology, p. 255–268. Laity, J., and Malin, A., 1985, Sapping processes and the International Series 16: Boston, Massachusetts, Allen & development of theater-headed valley networks on the Unwin, p. 3–27. Collison, A., 1996, Unsaturated strength and preferential Colorado Plateau: Geological Society of America Bulletin, flow as controls on gully head development, in Anderson, v. 96, p. 203–217. Manuscript received March 26, 2001; M., and Brooks, S., eds., Advances in Hillslope Processes: New York, John Wiley & Sons, p. 753–769. Lane, A., 1899, A note on a method of stream capture: Geo- accepted July 6, 2001. logical Society of America Bulletin, v. 10, p. 12–14. Crosby, I., 1937, Methods of stream piracy: Journal of Geology, v. 45, p. 465–486. Lawler, D., 1993, Needle ice processes and sediment mobi- lization on riverbanks: The River Ilston, West Glamorgan, DeVries, J., 1976, The groundwater outcrop-erosion model: United Kingdom: Journal of Hydrology, v. 150, no. 1, Evolution of the stream network in the Netherlands: Journal p. 81–114. of Hydrology, v. 29, no. 1-2, p. 43–50. Mather, A., Harvey, A., and Stokes, M., 2000, Quantifying DeVries, J., 1994, Dynamics of the interface between stream long-term changes of alluvial fan systems: Geological Society GSA is looking for a co-editor for GSA Today, to and groundwater systems in lowland areas, with reference of America Bulletin, v. 112, p. 1825–1833. to stream net evolution: Journal of Hydrology, v. 155, no. 1-2, serve a three-year term beginning in January p. 39–56. Montgomery, D., and Dietrich, W., 1988, Where do channels begin?: Nature, v. 336, p. 232–234. 2002, as one of a two-editor team. Desirable DeVries, J., 1995, Seasonal expansion and contraction of stream networks in shallow groundwater systems: Journal Montgomery, D., and Dietrich, W., 1989, Source areas, characteristics for the successful candidate of Hydrology, v. 170, no. 1-4, p. 15–26. drainage density, and channel initiation: Water Resources Research, v. 25, p. 1907–1918. include: broad interest and experience in geology; Dunne, T., 1980, Formation and controls of channel net- works: Progress in Physical Geography, v. 4, p. 211–239. Nash, D., 1996, Groundwater sapping and valley develop- familiarity with many earth scientists and with ment in the Hackness Hills, North Yorkshire, England: Earth new trends in science; and expertise which Dunne, T., 1990, Relation of subsurface water to downslope Surface Processes and Landforms, v. 21, p. 781–795. movement and failure, in Higgins, C.G., and Coates, D.R., complements rather than duplicates that of eds., Groundwater geomorphology: The role of subsurface Netto, A., Fernandes, N., and de-Deus, C., 1988, Gullying water in earth-surface processes and landforms: Boulder, in the southeastern Brazilian Plateau, Bananal, SP: Interna- co-editor Karl Karlstrom (structure and tectonics). Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 252, tional Association of Hydrological Sciences Publication p. 51–76. 174, p. 35–42. GSA provides a small stipend and expenses for Dunne, T., 1998, Critical data requirements for prediction of Norris, R., and Back, W., 1990, Erosion of sea cliffs by mail and telephone. erosion and sedimentation in mountain drainage basins: groundwater, in Higgins, C.G., and Coates, D.R., eds., Journal of the American Water Resources Association, v. 34, Groundwater geomorphology: The role of subsurface water Submit a c.v. and a letter describing why you’d p. 795–808. in earth-surface processes and landforms: Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 252, like to be co-editor (or, if nominating another, Freeze, R.A., 1987, Modeling interrelationships between cli- p. 283–290. mate, hydrology, and hydrogeology and the development submit a letter of nomination and the person’s of slopes, in Anderson, M.G., and Richards, K.S., eds., Slope Pederson, D.T., 1995, Pattern of stream development in the written permission) to Jon Olsen, Director of stability: New York, John Wiley & Sons, p. 381–403. Nebraska Sand Hills and controlling processes [abs.]: EOS (Transactions, American Geophysical Union), v. 76, p. 267. Fyodorova, A., and Sasowsky, I., 1999, Silica dissolution Publications, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO and the development of sandstone caves: Geological Society Pissart, A., Krook, L., and Harmand, D., 1997, The capture 80301-9140, or [email protected], by of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 31, no. 7, p. A51. of the Aisne and heavy minerals in the alluvium of the Meuse in the Ardennes: Comptes Rendus de l’Academie des October 31, 2001. Gabbard, D., Huang, C., Norton, L., and Steinhardt, G., Sciences, Serie II, Sciences de la Terre et des Planetes, 1998, Landscape position, surface hydraulic gradients, and v. 325, p. 411–417.

10 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY U NEARTH N EW T ERRAIN

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Call toll-free 800-872-7423 Available in bookstores or from Web site: www.cambridge.org Princeton Measuring Success Scientifically: Earth System Processes dialogue Meeting in Edinburgh is a Hit

Sharon Mosher, GSA President

“This is one of the best meetings for science I have been to in years!” “This meeting was really good for science.” Comments like these are music to a pro- gram organizer’s ears. This meeting was a Poster session, Earth System Processes. risky venture for GSA. Co-convened with the Geological Society of London, the hydrothermal vents and terrestrial hot meeting focused on an interdisciplinary springs. Such topics spun into sessions look at earth systems, and it was GSA’s first exploring the role of the fluid’s mineral global meeting. Based on the comments of chemistry on life, the effect of changes in participants and the quality of the sessions, mantle chemistry with time, the physical this meeting was extremely successful sci- processes of mineralization around such entifically. Quite frankly, it has been years vents, the origin of life, the effect of life since I have attended a meeting that had and other factors on early atmosphere evo- such scientific enthusiasm. lution, and the possibilities for extraterres- Hubbert’s Peak The sessions were clearly interdisci- trial life. The Impending World Oil Shortage plinary and designed so that the linkages Another major theme was the carbon cy- among biological, chemical, physical, and Kenneth S. Deffeyes cle, its evolution through time, the effects geological processes were emphasized. I, of trees and other plants, and the anthro- Is the present chaos in oil prices the lead- along with many attendees, purposely pogenic effects today. Climate change from ing edge of a more serious crisis that will went to sessions where we knew little, just “snowball Earth” to modern day, causes rock national economies around the to learn. I know my appreciation of Earth’s and effects of extinctions, and other scien- world? According to Kenneth Deffeyes, a system and how much we know about tific controversies abounded. The over- geologist with extensive personal experi- how it works has been broadened tremen- whelming theme, however, was the incred- ence in the oil industry, the answer is yes. dously. People from different disciplines ible interplay between various processes World oil production is peaking and will and from all over the world attended the and the feedback effects within all earth start a long fall sometime during this meeting. It wasn’t unusual for someone to systems. decade. preface a question or comment by saying, In 1956, geophysicist M. King Hubbert “I’m a biologist, and….” Media coverage was excellent, highlight- predicted that U.S. oil production would ing everything from topics that caught the Each day started with a plenary address. reach its highest level in the early 1970s. public’s imagination to technical articles on These speakers set the stage for most of Hubbert’s prediction came true in 1971. fundamental advances in our understand- the subsequent sessions with stimulating Using the same methods that Hubbert ing of various earth processes. talks ranging from the geological conse- used to make his stunningly accurate quence of evolution to the connection be- prediction, Deffeyes finds that a peak in By Thursday, the question being asked tween Earth’s deep interior and the evolu- world oil production is less than five years of me was whether GSA will do this again. tion of its surface. A few concurrent oral away. And he argues that new technolo- I hope so. I can’t wait to see the scientific sessions with plenty of discussion followed, gies can’t save us. progress that is made in the next few years. and lively poster sessions at the end of This expanding and important field of This book documents why a global energy each day provided great opportunities for earth system science is one that GSA crisis is just around the corner. And, further discussion and mixing. As one per- should promote and foster. In addition to though the near-term scenario is ugly, son commented, it took a little over a day advancing the integration of science related Deffeyes tells us what we can do as to learn how to attend this meeting because to earth processes, this meeting served as a countries and individuals to thrive after the structure was so different. But the jux- valuable educational experience for all and Hubbert’s peak has passed. taposition of topics and expertise was con- provided new perspectives on exploration Cloth $24.95 ISBN 0-691-09086-6 ducive to integrating discoveries of differ- of Earth. I wish all of you could have been Due September ent branches of science. there; it was a great experience. Sessions had interweaving themes— Princeton University Press some concentrated on the complex biolog- ical and biochemical processes associated 800-777-4726 with microorganisms around ridge-related WWW.PUP.PRINCETON.EDU

12 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY From Loch Ness to Biomedical Research: Communicating the Science from “Earth System Processes”

Ann Cairns, GSA Director of quake can trigger another on a different pointed out that “like most large,well-es- Communications fault line, and the evolution of trees and tablished scientific societies of our stature,” their impact on Earth’s lithosphere, hydro- GSA needs to “educate the public, the me- sphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. dia, public policy makers, educators, and Media coverage of the Earth System One of the greatest media successes was students about the geosciences.” She em- Processes meeting, held June 24–28 in coverage of a paper by microbial ecologist phasized that this in no way diminishes Edinburgh, Scotland, was the most exten- Anna-Louise Reysenbach of Portland State GSA’s emphasis on science; it simply expands sive ever associated with a GSA meeting. titled “Gourmet Geochemical ‘Primordial the audience. Earth System Processes, with It was also perhaps the most effective in Soups’ at Hydrothermal Vents Support its wide-ranging scientific content, gave us reaching different audiences with a wide Novel Thermophilic Chemolithotrophs: a wonderful opportunity to do just that. range of topics. Implications for the Evolution of Life on Contrary to conventional wisdom, in Early Earth.” She made the point that de- GSA-GSL Meeting media relations we work with more than termining what life exists in hot springs Is the Talk of the Wire “dinos and disasters.” Guided by GSA’s today is essential in defining what early Here are some of the media outlets that Strategic Plan, and especially by GSA’s vi- life on a hot planet was like. This story reported on the GSA–Geological Society sion of a broad, unifying scientific society, made its way onto a Web site for biomedi- of London Earth System Processes meet- ing, held June 24–28 in Edinburgh, we look for leading-edge science with a cal researchers, among other places. particular eye for integrative science. We Scotland. ABC.com also look for topics that appeal to the sci- The Loch Ness Media Frenzy ABC News (London) ence-reading public, public policy makers, I haven’t encountered a GSA member Associated Press and other scientists. yet—or anyone else, for that matter—who BioMedNet Working with Ted Nield, my counterpart didn’t hear about Italian geologist Luigi BBC News Online BBC Radio Leeds at the Geological Society of London, the Piccardi’s suggestion of a possible relation- technical program chairs, numerous ses- BBC Radio 4 ship between Nessie sightings and the BBC Radio 5 sion chairs and presenters, and GSA staff Great Glen fault. BBC World News Service writer Kara LeBeau, two comprehensive This fun and engaging topic reached a Boston Globe media advisories and 14 press releases on wide, general audience, but it was more Capital Press News Agency individual papers were generated. than “infotainment.” In his front-page arti- Cosmiverse Daily Telegraph cle in the Boston Globe, Gareth Cook Deutschlandfunk A Broad Spectrum of Coverage briefly explained tectonics, fault lines, and Diario El Correro (Bilbao, Spain) One subject that received considerable seismic activity, and gave examples of ge- Discovery.com attention was a mathematical model esti- ology’s relationship to other legends and Estado (Sao Paolo, Brazil) mating the effect of human-driven defor- myths. He followed up with an online chat Folha de Sao Paolo estation on the Amazon rainforest. session. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Laboratory Network.com According to Bud Alcock of Penn State— Perhaps the most amusing example of Abington, without immediate intervention La Nazione (Firenze, Italia) the story’s impact is an incident that took London Evening Standard the rainforest could pass “the point of no place the afternoon of Luigi’s poster pre- Nature News Service return” in 10–15 yr and essentially disap- sentation. He’d been giving nonstop inter- New Scientist pear within 40–50 yr. That’s considerably views for two days, so I volunteered to Newsflash Scotland different from the widely held view that hold down the fort in the Newsroom while Noticias Reuters (Edinburgh) the forest is still 75–100 yr away from total Ted took Luigi out for a break before the deterioration. Science 4 p.m. poster session. Science Daily Bruce Runnegar, Center for As Ted tells it, “He and I approached the Science News Astrobiology, University of California, Los bar of a nearby drinking den in mid-after- Scientific American Angeles, and his colleagues modeled 250 noon. The barman stopped polishing his Scot FM m.y. of solar system dynamics, looking at glass. After a quick glance to a paper lying Space.com Spacedaily.com how gravitational resonance can cause nearby he said, ‘Hey pal, are you the feller chaos among planets and asteroids. Their The Times (London) who thinks Nessie’s all sump’n tae dae wi’ The Guardian (London) suggestion that possible changes in plane- earthquakes?’ And so instead of resting, The Scotsman (Edinburgh) tary orbits 65 Ma could have destabilized Luigi gamely explained it all again to the Time the asteroid belt and sent one plummeting interested drinkers of Edinburgh, using the UniSci to Earth, causing the K-T boundary event, excellent graphics in the Daily Mail to was widely reported. show them how earthquakes might cause Among the many other subjects re- monsters.” ported were links between volcanic erup- tions and mass extinctions, subglacial vol- Why This Is a Good Thing canoes and the search for water on Mars, In last month’s “Dialogue,” Earth’s greenhouse gases in the Archean, GSA president Sharon Mosher a possible explanation for how one earth-

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 13 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts

Register Online—Now It’s Easier Than Ever The deadline to preregister for the meeting and for lodging is Friday, to Make All Your Meeting Reservations September 28. Be sure to register by this date to save money and Go to www.geosociety.org to register online for: assure your spot at this year’s meeting. ❶ Meeting ❷ Lodging ❸ Travel

14 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Boston 2001: processes of the seafloor, crust, and mantle. Our recent discoveries of the role of water in Studies of ophiolites have both reflected and the solar system and our expanding under- A Geo-Odyssey advanced the methods and theories of geology standing of environmental ranges conducive to Pardee Keynote Symposia for more than 200 years. This symposium will life on Earth promise to drive planetary explo- provide a forum to discuss the history and ration and research in the coming decades. Invited Papers development of ideas, principles, and theories This session explores our current understand- This series of keynote symposia, established in the geological sciences as a ing of solar system water, recent solar system result of the investigations of ophiolites and discoveries revolutionizing our understanding established in 1998, is supported by ophiolitic rocks through time. of the role of water, their implications for envi- the Joseph T. Pardee Memorial Fund. ronments amenable to life, and our capabilities Tuesday, Nov. 6 and motivations for continued exploration. Take a look at this year’s lineup of Pardee 8 a.m.–noon—Melt in the Crust and Upper Symposia. We think you’ll agree there’s some- 1:30–5:30 p.m—The Watershed Mantle: How Much, Where, for How Long, thing for everyone. From the micro-world of geo- Within: Scientific and Moral and What Significance for Geodynamics? (K2) biology and the ultra-small devices used in Reflections on Water in the 21st Century (K7) nanogeology to the sweeping issues of global GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Divi- Critical Issues Subcommittee of Geology and policies on water and world health and the sion; Geochemical Society; Mineralogical Soci- Public Policy; GSA Quaternary Geology and mind-expanding theories about our planet’s ety of America. Tracy Rushmer, University of Geomorphology Division; Institute for Earth seafloor and crust, topics for these Pardee Vermont, Burlington, Vt.; Michael Brown, Uni- Science and the Environment. George W. Symposia continue the tradition of presenting versity of Maryland, College Park, Md.; George Fisher, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. leading-edge science. Bergantz, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.; Greg Hirth, Woods Hole Oceano- Monday, Nov. 5 Water use and allocation are critical global pol- graphic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass. icy issues. One-third of the world lives in areas 8 a.m.–noon—The Emerging subject to water stress. Discussions of water This symposium brings together innovative sci- Discipline of Medical Geology (K5) use must consider availability, human equity, entists with backgrounds in petrology, geo- and the needs of both ecosystems and future Institute for Earth Science and the Environ- chemistry, rock properties, and tectonics to generations. They require both a scientific ment; Armed Forces Institute of Pathology; consider melt-related processes in the litho- understanding of water resources and a moral International Union of Geological Sciences; sphere. Speakers will address these processes sense of how stakeholders value water and U.S. Geological Survey; COGENENVIRON- at a variety of length scales, involving estab- understand equity. This symposium will explore MENT; IGCP #454; Swedish Geological Sur- lished and new techniques to give new insights both the scientific and moral dimensions of vey; Institute for Metal Biology. Dennis Gold- into the role of melt during orogenesis. man, Geological Society of America, Boulder, global water issues. 1:30–5:30 p.m.—The Future of Colo.; José A. Centeno, Armed Forces Institute Thursday, Nov. 8 of Pathology, Washington, D.C.; Peter T. Biogeochemistry: A Symposium Bobrowsky, International Union of Geological in Honor of Harold C. Helgeson (K6) 8 a.m.–noon—Geobiology: Applications to Sedimentary Geology (K1) Sciences, Victoria, B.C.; H. Catherine W. Skin- Geochemical Society. Dimitri A. Sverjensky, ner, Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.; Jan Nora Noffke and Andrew H. Knoll, Harvard Uni- The emerging discipline of medical geology Amend and Everett L. Shock, Washington Uni- versity, Cambridge, Mass. assesses the effects of static and dynamic versity, St. Louis, Mo.; Eric H. Oelkers, Univer- sity of Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Microorganisms influence sedimentary pro- earth science factors—natural and anthro- cesses, and the geobiological signatures they pogenic—on ecological and human health. We wish to honor and celebrate Hal Helge- impart provide potentially useful tools in recon- Health issues related to earth science factors son’s achievements in theoretical geochem- structions of paleoclimate and paleoenviron- will likely affect each of us within our lifetime. istry, and particularly his current goals and pro- ment. This session explores microbial pro- More geoscientists need to become aware of jects bearing on the origin of petroleum, the cesses in recent sediments and the distribution the field and involved in research. This sympo- biogeochemistry of proteins, and enzymes at of geobiological signatures in time and space. sium will bring together geoscientists and med- high temperatures with this symposium. We ical professionals to increase the awareness of hope to draw as many researchers as possible 1:30–5:30 p.m.—Nanogeology: The Applica- these impacts and the need/potential for to the exciting research possibilities in areas tion of Nanotechnology in Earth Sciences (K3) research. that cross the boundaries of the geochemical Jaakko K. Putkonen, University of Washington, 1:30–5:30 p.m.—Ophiolites and geological sciences. Seattle, Wash. as Problem and Solution in the Wednesday, Nov. 7 Emerging nanotechnology allows manufactur- Evolution of Geological Thinking (K4) 8 a.m.–noon—Water’s Many ing of miniature devices that compute, move, GSA History of Geology Division; GSA Struc- Forms in the Solar System: Implications sense their environment, and repair them- tural Geology and Tectonics Division; Interna- for Geology, Exploration, and Life (K8) selves. Potential applications for nanogeology tional Geology Division; Society of Economic include: ultra-small sensors and devices, Geologists; History of Earth Sciences Society. GSA Planetary Geology Division. Susan E.H. including transducers for force, pressure, and Sally Newcomb, retired, Silver Spring, Md.; Sakimoto, University of Maryland, Baltimore chemical compounds; and molecular gears, Yildirim Dilek, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. County, Goddard Earth Science and Technol- motors, and actuators. Now is the time to plan ogy Center, Greenbelt, Md.; Tracy K.P. Gregg, for applications and shape the future with Ophiolites are an important and controversial The University at Buffalo, State University of groundbreaking innovations. topic in geology, strongly linked to many earth New York, Buffalo, N.Y. Join us Monday through Thursday for two Pardee sessions each day.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 15 GSA Employment Service Cole Awards for Postdoctoral Employers: Rent interview space Reminder: GSA’s at GSA’s Annual Meeting, and our Research Employment staff will schedule all your interviews. Dorothy Sack of Ohio University was Plus, you’ll have access to the entire awarded the 2001 Gladys W. Cole Memorial Interview Service applicant list and résumés, a message Research Award in the amount of $11,500 center, ongoing posting of job open- to support her project, “The Middle Trans- to be in Boston ings, on-site applicant registration and gressive Phase of Lake Bonneville—A résumé updating, and photocopying Comprehensive Basinwide Analysis.” This Sign up by September 30 to get services. Space is rented in half-day award is restricted to support research for the most out of the service! increments. Or, forego the the investigation of the geomorphology of GSA’s Employment Interview interview booth, but use all the other semiarid and arid terrains in the United Service will be conducted in conjunc- services with the Message Center States and Mexico. tion with the GSA Annual Meeting in Only option. We offer flexibility and The W. Storrs Cole Memorial Research Boston. service—it’s your choice! Award, which is restricted to support Applicants: If we receive your ma- research in invertebrate micropaleontology, terials by Sept. 30, your file will be in- Employment Interview Service November 4–7 in Boston was not awarded in 2001 due to the lack of cluded in the information employers qualified applications. receive prior to the meeting. Indicate See the July issue of GSA Today for on your application that you’d like to forms or visit the Professional Eligibility for both Cole awards is restricted interview in Boston. If you sign up af- Development section of the GSA Web to GSA Members and Fellows between 30 ter Sept. 30 or at the meeting, em- site at www.geosociety.org. Or, con- and 65 years of age. The deadline for 2002 ployers will have on-site access to tact Nancy Williams, Director of awards is February 1, 2002. Watch for more your information and résumé. Member Services, (303) 447-2020, information in GSA Today later this year. [email protected].

Student Volunteer Program Helps Pay Your Bills

New this year: No up-front meeting registration fee required

As a Student Volunteer during the 2001 GSA Annual Meeting in Boston, you can offset some of your cost of attending the meeting.

• Volunteer just 12 hours and your meeting registration is FREE. • Volunteer 15 or more hours and receive a FREE Abstracts with Program volume in addition to FREE meeting registration. • PLUS, GSA will award volunteers a stipend of $20 for each half day volunteered at the meeting. (A half day equals 4 hours of volunteer time.) For more information and to apply, visit www.geosociety.org. Go to Boston 2001, then Student Programs.

Boston 2001: A Geo-Odyssey November 1–10, 2001 GSA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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E LSEVIER G EO A BSTRACTS

The Old Bakery Tel: +44 1603 626327 Visit us at Booths 912 & 914 111 Queens Road Fax: +44 1603 667934 GSA Annual Meeting Norwich NRI 3PL UK E-mail: [email protected] November 4-7, Boston www.elsevier.nl/locate/geobase GSA Foundation Update Focus on a Foundation Fund: The John C. Frye Environmental Award Donna L. Russell John C. Frye served as executive director of GSA from Director of Operations 1974 to 1982. Before coming to GSA, the majority of Frye’s career was spent with state surveys in Kansas and Illinois. Ken Ciriacks Frye received a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and Joins the Board worked with the Ground Water Division of the U.S. Geolog- ical Survey until 1942. He then joined the Kansas State Geo- of Trustees logical Survey, where he spent the next 12 years, the last The GSA Foundation is pleased to nine as director. He was appointed chief of the Illinois State announce that Kenneth W. Ciriacks Geological Survey in 1954, a position he held for the next has joined the Board of Trustees. 20 years. Upon retirement from the survey in 1974, he began a second career as executive director of GSA. He Ciriacks retired from Amoco Cor- died shortly after his retirement from GSA. poration in 1994, where he served Kenneth W. Ciriacks as vice-president of technology in During Frye’s tenure at the Illinois Survey, the term envi- the Chicago office. His career with Amoco spanned 32 ronmental geology had its origin. Environmental geology years, and he held a mix of research and managerial posi- provided a means of focusing public and professional inter- tions both in the United States and in international offices. est on the application of geology to society. He was one During his years as an exploration manager, he was in of the early proponents of this sector of geology, and the charge of the exploration operations in Egypt, in the award, supported by the income from this fund, is appro- African–Middle Eastern region, and in Houston, Texas. priately entitled the John C. Frye Environmental Geology Award. Born in West Bend, Wisconsin, Ciriacks received his bachelor’s degree in geology in 1958 from the University of The Association of American State Geologists and GSA Wisconsin and his Ph.D. in geology in 1962 from Columbia select an awardee annually for a paper on environmental University. geology published by a state survey or printed in a GSA publication. Since retiring, he has continued to be active in profes- sional societies such as the American Geological Institute. Established in 1983 with contributions from family and He has served on the alumni board for the University of friends, the net assets as of May 2001 were $54,263. Wisconsin—Madison’s Department of Geology and Geo- physics, and he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the department in 1999. Currently a GSA Fellow, Ciriacks joined the Society in 1962. He served as chairman of the Rocky Mountain Section portion of the Second Century Fund Campaign and is a cur- rent member of the Foundation’s Development Committee. Ciriacks and his wife, Linda, have four children. Their hobbies include traveling, hiking, skiing, and activities with the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Foundation President Lee Suttner commented, “We are Most memorable early geologic experience delighted to have Ken join the Board. He was one of the most effective fund-raisers for the Second Century Cam- At the age 18, a freshman at Mesa Junior College, I paign. His record of volunteer service for the geosciences helped excavate a brontosaurus in eastern Utah that is community is exemplary. The wisdom and insight he will now displayed at the Field Museum. bring to the Board, based on his long and distinguished —Leonard W. Heiny career in industry, will be invaluable.” We are very glad to have Ken on board.

18 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of $______.

Please credit my contribution to the: Unrestricted Fund Other: ______Fund

I have named GSA Foundation in my will. GSA Foundation PLEASE PRINT Name ______3300 Penrose Place, P.O. Box 9140 Address ______Boulder, CO 80301-9140 City/State/ZIP______(303) 447-2020 [email protected] Phone ______

A John F. Mann Mentor Program in Applied Hydrogeology Environmental Consulting: GSA Foundation What to Expect and How to Succeed Fund Backs Program The John F. Mann Mentor Program in Applied Michael B. Portnoy, P.G.,President and CEO of Portnoy Environmental, Inc., Hydrogeology, supported by the John F. Mann Houston, Texas Fund for Applied Hydrogeology, provides opportunities for geoscientists to share their professional and personal experiences in This past spring, Michelle Olive, impact such a facility, including applied hydrogeology with undergraduate and an independent consultant in those related to air quality, solid graduate students and faculty. Designed to Houston, and I presented a Mann waste, mercury, storm water, spills, Mentor Program in Applied and general issues related to bridge the gap between academic studies and Hydrogeology. Andreas Lüttge, an groundwater, as well as state-spe- the application of hydrogeology in the service associate professor of earth science cific requirements (e.g., the Texas of society, the program’s goals are to: at Rice University, hosted the pro- Risk Reduction program). • inform students about, and generate enthusi- gram, held on the Rice campus. The Attendees enthusiastically praised asm for, the exciting and challenging career workshop included discussions the fun and informative presenta- opportunities in applied hydrogeology; about qualifications that prospective tion. One student remarked that she employers require; job hunting; ac- had come to the workshop to find • foster relationships between the professional tivities performed by geologists in out more about the environmental community and local colleges and universi- the environmental field; working for field because she wants to work as ties in order to increase student exposure to industry vs. consulting vs. regulatory an environmental geochemist. She applied geosciences via course work and/or agencies; the business aspects of commended both the workshop’s through research projects; and consulting (administration, market- content and the personalized coun- ing, and “billability” expectations); seling offered that enabled her to in- • provide guidance for students to help them and career advancement. teract with those in the profession prepare for careers in applied hydrogeology Students from Rice University, and “hear an insider’s account of and create opportunities for students to net- Texas A&M University, and the what it’s like in the real world.” work with professionals. University of Texas at Austin at- If programs of this type inspire tended the workshop and luncheon. For information on contributing to the John you to volunteer to serve as a Mann F. Mann Fund for Applied Hydrogeology, please It concluded with a field trip to a mentor, please contact program officer natural gas compressor station lo- contact the GSA Foundation, gsaf@geosociety. Karlon Blythe at kblythe@geosociety. org, or (303) 447-2020. cated near Houston. Olive and I dis- org for more information. cussed issues that could potentially

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 19 The Evolution of GSA: Part 1 available at www.geosociety.org/pubs/ increase the vitality of publications; to Our Story so Far gsatoday/gsatoday.htm.) identify and implement new and more effective ways to communicate science; GSA’s Strategic Plan, proposed by an Field Forums and to promote innovative research. 11-member task force convened by Eldridge Moores during his presidency Started in 2000, Field Forums are Goal 2: To catalyze cooperative inter- in 1995–1996 and adopted by Council in designed after Penrose Conferences but actions among earth, life, planetary, 1998, set goals and objectives for the take place in the field. They are charac- and social scientists who investigate organization, defining GSA’s mission terized by frank, open discussions that natural systems over varying scales and vision for the first time. are more likely to emerge in informal of time and space. Objectives: to build field settings, and proposals that capture a focus on integrative science into the The plan guides decisions and puts new discoveries or controversial topics infrastructure and culture of GSA; to GSA’s mission and vision into action. Its are welcomed. To date, three forums have generate cooperative interactions with goals and objectives assure the quality been held with a total of 98 participants. other organizations; to promote GSA mem- and value of GSA’s service to its mem- (A new forum is announced on p. 43.) bership participation in integrated bers, to the geosciences, and to society. research; and to publish and dissemi- They address both existing programs Subaru Distinguished nate the results of integrative natural and embarking on new activities. Earth Science Educator systems investigations. Following are examples of projects The Subaru Distinguished Earth Sci- Goal 3: To promote geoscience in that stemmed from the plan. ence Educator is selected by GSA and the service of society. Objectives: to supported by Subaru of America, Inc. actively foster dialogue with the public Earth System Processes Meeting This master educator works to strengthen and decision-makers on relevant geo- Co-convened with the Geological the role of geoscience in education. The science issues; to encourage and support Society of London (GSL), Earth System first educator, Diana Stordeur, arrived at member participation in education and Processes in Edinburgh, Scotland, GSA in the fall of 2000 and spent the year societal outreach; and to strengthen the proved a great success. Coverage of the launching the program and creating role of geoscience in formal and infor- meeting by scientific publications and resources for teachers on the Web. (Go mal science education. mainstream media alike was extensive, to Education at www.geosociety.org.) Goal 4: To attract and sustain a and meeting-goers were enthusiastic dynamic and viable membership. about the science presented. (See “Dia- GSA Mission Objectives: to increase and ensure the logue,” p. 12, and “From Loch Ness to The mission of GSA is to advance value of GSA to its members; to Biomedical Research,” p. 13.) the geosciences, to enhance the pro- increase and retain the membership The meeting advanced more than fessional growth of its members, and to base of the Society; and to increase the one of GSA’s goals. It came about promote the geosciences in the service cultural, disciplinary, professional, and of humankind. through a cooperative effort with GSL, international diversity of the member- was supported in part by the NASA GSA Vision ship. Astrobiology Institute, focused on inte- GSA will be a broad unifying scientific Goal 5: To maintain GSA and GSA grative science, and injected vitality into society Foundation as financially viable GSA’s meetings program. • fostering the human quest for under- entities. Objectives: to exercise due “The prestige of GSA went up consid- standing Earth, planets and life; diligence in management and expendi- erably as a result of this meeting,” noted ture of Society assets; to maintain an Dave Stephenson, GSA’s acting executive • catalyzing new scientific ways of active development program ensuring director and a member of the Strategic thinking about natural systems; and supplemental financial support for GSA Plan task force. “All in all, it was a great • applying geoscience knowledge programs and activities; and to exercise start for GSA’s global initiative.” and insight to human needs, aspi- due diligence in management and rations, and stewardship of Earth. expenditure of Foundation assets. GeoCorps America™ Goal 6: To optimize GSA’s governance Launched in 2000, GeoCorps Amer- and organizational structure in ful- ica™ brought GSA’s internship pro- Goals and Objectives fillment of GSA’s mission. Objectives: grams into a stronger, larger system to Details of the objectives listed are to assess and enhance the effectiveness increase the presence of geoscientists posted at www.geosociety.org. Go to of GSA governance, committees, and on public lands and raise awareness of About Us, then to Goals and Objectives. headquarters organization; to evaluate and strengthen relations among GSA the geosciences among land managers Goal 1: To advance the discovery, Divisions, Sections, Associated Societies, and the public. This year, the program development, dissemination, and and Council; and to promote interna- sent 32 interns to national parks, monu- stewardship of geoscience knowl- tionalization of the Society. ments, and forests. (Read more about edge. Objectives: to maintain the quality GeoCorps America in the December 2000 and increase the vitality of meetings and Next month: and August 2001 issues of GSA Today, conferences; to maintain the quality and Part II—Who Are Our Members?

20 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.meijitechno.com

GSA Members: Considering Buying or Leasing a New Car?

Read This First! “We bought a Subaru Outback in Fort Collins, and the experience was Both you and GSA can benefit from this an extremely pleasant one. No haggle. No hassle. And buying a car at dealer Subaru of America program. If you’re a current GSA member and have been for at least six months, you invoice was especially nice. The entire process was remarkably smooth. I can may purchase or lease a new Subaru at dealer invoice cost. Before visiting a Sub- only conclude that the Subaru-GSA cooperative effort is a win-win-win situa- aru dealer, contact the VIP Partners Program Administrator at GSA and request a Dealer Visit Authorization form and letter of introduction. Present the letter to the tion for everyone involved—Subaru makes a new sale, GSA receives a dona- participating dealer sales manager upon entry to your preferred Subaru dealer- tion, and the GSA member buys a car at a decent price without the usual ship, and before pricing negotiations are initiated. It’s that simple! The savings vary by vehicle, but may range from approximately $1,300 to more than head-to-head ‘negotiations.’” $3,000. Darwin For every car sale recognized under this program, Subaru of America will Estes Park, Colorado donate $150 to the GSA Foundation to further support the Subaru Distinguished Earth Science Educator program and the Doris Curtis Women in Science Fund. Subaru of America and GSA are very pleased to extend their partnership by providing this benefit to GSA members. For more information or to request a letter of introduction, contact the VIP Partners Program Administrator, Nancy Williams, [email protected], 1-800-472-1988.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 21 Preliminary Announcement and Call for Papers NORTHEASTERN SECTION, GSA 37th Annual Meeting • Springfield, Massachusetts • March 25–27, 2002

REGISTRATION 1. Paleozoic Tectonics of the Northern Applications. Michael J. Jercinovic, Preregistration deadline: Appalachian Mountains: New [email protected], and Michael L. February 15, 2002 Insights and Persistent Problems: Williams, [email protected]. Cancellation deadline: First Annual NETectonics 5. Fractures, Lineaments, and February 22, 2002 Symposium. Michael L. Williams, Implications for Fluid Flow. Michele GSA Headquarters will handle preregis- [email protected], and Scott E. Cooke, [email protected], Bob tration. Registration details will be in the Johnson, [email protected]. Jacobi, [email protected], Ken December 2001 issue of GSA Today and at 2. Geochemistry of Sedimentary Hardcastle, [email protected], and www.geosociety.org. You’ll be able to Systems. Bosiljka Glumac, bglumac@ Steve Mabee, [email protected]. preregister online at www.geosociety.org science.smith.edu, and Stephen Burns, beginning in the first part of December. 6. Watershed and Wetland Hydrology [email protected]. Cosponsored of the Adirondacks. Christopher P. CALL FOR PAPERS with SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Cirmo, [email protected], and Edwin Papers are invited from students and Geology). Romanowicz, [email protected]. professionals for presentation in oral and 3. New Perspectives on the Grenville 7. Environmental Isotopes as Tracers poster general sessions and for presenta- Orogeny in the United States and in Water Resources Investigations. tions that may fit into the symposia and Canada: A Symposium in Honor Doug Burns, [email protected], theme sessions listed below. Additional of Jim McLelland. Art Goldstein, and Bob Newton, rnewton@science. general discipline sessions will be sched- [email protected], Bruce smith.edu. uled on the basis of submitted abstracts. Selleck, [email protected], and 8. Assessment of Anthropogenic Oral technical sessions and symposia pro- William Peck, [email protected]. Impact on Ground- and Surface- vide 15 minutes for presentation and five 4. Tectonostratigraphy of Ophiolites. minutes for questions and discussion. All Water Quality. Anna Veeger, veeger@ Lirim Hoxha, Geological Research slides must fit a standard 35-mm carousel uri.edu, Tom Boving, University of Institute, Albania, lirimhoxha@ tray. Two projectors will be provided in Rhode Island, and Lois K. Ongley, yahoo.com. each of the technical sessions. Speakers [email protected]. are encouraged to bring their own loaded 5. Fracture Hydrogeology in New 9. K–16 Education: Earth and trays to the meeting. Poster sessions will England: Can it be Deciphered? Environmental Science. Richard allow at least three hours of display time. Challenges, Approaches, and Needs. Little, Greenfield Community College, Gary Robbins, gary.robbins@ [email protected], and Mark ABSTRACTS uconn.edu. McMenamin, mmcmenam@mhc. Abstracts deadline: December 18, 2001 mtholyoke.edu. Abstracts for all sessions must be sub- THEME SESSIONS mitted online at the GSA Web site, Theme sessions will include only volun- POSTER SESSION www.geosociety.org. If you have ques- teered papers. Prospective authors are en- Undergraduate Research in the tions, contact technical program commit- couraged to contact individual conveners Geological Sciences. tee chairs, Mark Leckie, mleckie@geo. directly. Address requests for general infor- umass.edu, and Michele Cooke, cooke@ mation regarding theme sessions to Mark SHORT COURSES geo.umass.edu. Leckie, [email protected], or Michele For more information on short courses, Only one volunteered paper may be Cooke, [email protected]. contact the short course organizer, Chris presented by an individual; however, a 1. Holocene Climate and Lakes. Mark Condit, [email protected]. person may be a co-author on other pa- Abbott, [email protected], and 1. Microprobe Monazite pers. Also, those invited for symposia Andrea Lini, [email protected]. Geochronology; Methods, may present additional papers. 2. New Advances in Sedimentary Applications, and Challenges for Processes and Accumulation Forms: the Future. Sun., March 24. Michael L. SYMPOSIA From the Shelf to the Estuaries. Williams, [email protected], and Symposia will include invited papers Duncan Fitzgerald, [email protected]. Michael J. Jercinovic, [email protected]. and selected volunteered papers. edu, University of Massachusetts. Prospective authors are encouraged to 3. Rift Basins of the Northeast. John contact individual conveners directly. Hubert, [email protected]. 2. The Construction of Dynamic Address requests for general information Cosponsored with SEPM (Society for Digital Maps and Virtual Field Trips. regarding symposia to Mark Leckie, Sedimentary Geology). Sun.,March24.ChrisCondit,ccondit@geo. [email protected], or Michele 4. Microbeam Analysis in Geologic umass.edu, University of Massachusetts. Cooke, [email protected]. Studies: New Techniques and Recent

22 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY 3. Geophysical Methods of Prospecting. 2. Dynamic Events and Processes in Section who are juniors in the 2001–2002 Sun., March 24. Frank Revetta, revettfa@ the Devonian Catskill Front, academic year are eligible to apply for a potsdam.edu, State University of New Eastern New York. Sun., March 24. research grant. For an application, e-mail York, Potsdam. Chuck Ver Straeten, cverstra@mail. Stephen Pollock, [email protected]. 4. Using CARIS: GIS Software with nysed.gov, New York State Museum. The deadline for completed applications is Focus on Producing Geologic Cosponsored by SEPM (Society for January 25, 2002. Digital Maps. Sat. and Sun., March 23 Sedimentary Geology). and 24 (tentative). Maria L. Crawford, 3. A Tectonic-Stratigraphic EXHIBITS Exhibits will be located in the Sheraton [email protected], Bryn Mawr Examination of the New England Convention Center in Springfield, Mass. College, and Walter van de Poll, Caledonides in West-Central Snacks and refreshments will be available University of New Brunswick. Massachusetts. Sun., March 24. Peter for exhibitor visitors. For information on Robinson, [email protected], exhibit rates and space reservations, con- FIELD TRIPS University of Massachusetts and tact Sheila Seaman, Department of Trips planned at this time are listed be- Geological Survey of Norway. Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, low and are contingent on the weather. Amherst, MA 01003-9297, [email protected]. For more information on field trips, con- STUDENT TRAVEL AND tact either of the field trip committee chairs, RESEARCH GRANTS DETAILED INFORMATION Michael Williams, [email protected], The Northeastern Section is giving travel For further information, see www. and John Hubert, [email protected]. grants to students who are presenting papers geosociety.org, contact General Chair Sheila 1. Mesozoic Deerfield Basin, at the Springfield meeting. The awards are Seaman, Department of Geosciences, Massachusetts. Sun., March 24. John open to both graduate and undergraduate University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA F. Hubert, [email protected]; students. To apply, please contact Stephen 01003-9297, [email protected], or contact Peter T. Panish; and James A. Dutcher, Pollock, Secretary-Treasurer, GSA North- one of the technical program chairs, also University of Massachusetts. Cosponsored eastern Section, [email protected]. at the University of Massachusetts: Mark by SEPM (Society for Sedimentary The Northeastern Section also announces Leckie, [email protected], or Geology). the availability of undergraduate research Michele Cooke, [email protected]. grants. Students in the Northeastern

2002 GSA Section Meetings NORTHEASTERN SECTION Kenneth N. Weaver Student Grant Program CALL FOR PAPERS Student Travel Grants for Boston 2001 The GSA Northeastern Section’s student NORTHEASTERN SECTION travel grants program is available for See page 22 for Call for Papers graduate and undergraduate students. SOUTHEASTERN AND NORTH-CENTRAL SECTIONS April 3–5, 2002, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Lexington Civic Center, Lexington, KY. Information: John D. Kiefer, [email protected], or James C. Cobb, [email protected], Kentucky Geological Survey. Abstract deadline: December 19, 2001 To be considered for a travel grant: SOUTH-CENTRAL SECTION • The student must be a student associate or member of GSA. April 11–12, 2002, Sul Ross State University Center, Alpine, TX. • The student must be enrolled at an institution in the Information: Kevin Urbanczyk, Sul Ross State University, Northeastern Section. [email protected]. • The student must be presenting at the Boston meeting, November 5–8, 2001. Abstract deadline: December 27, 2001 • The grant must be used for travel expenses to the Boston meeting. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SECTION • APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M., SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. May 7–8, 2002, Southern Utah University Campus, Cedar City, UT. • Awardees will be notified by October 5, 2001. Information: Robert Eves, Southern Utah University, [email protected]. Please visit www.geosociety.org to download the application form. Abstract deadline: February 4, 2002 For further information, please contact: CORDILLERAN SECTION Stephen G. Pollock, Secretary, NEGSA, Department of Geosciences, May 13–15, 2002, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME 04038-1091 Information: Robert S. Yeats, [email protected]. (207) 780-5353, TTY (207) 780-5646, Fax 207-228-8361 [email protected] Abstract deadline: February 7, 2002

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 23 take a Ph.D. in geology at a leading uni- scale thinking had prepared him to take versity in the United States. Tuzo was geology forward in a dramatic fashion. Rock Stars accepted at Harvard and MIT but chose to Tuzo’s mind had a fascinating way of enroll at Princeton because “it offered the solving problems. Unlike most physicists, most money, and because Professor R.M. who find their solutions via mathematics, J. Tuzo Wilson Field said that he hoped to start teaching Tuzo solved problems almost entirely with geophysics there.” At Princeton, Tuzo met visual images and then presented the solu- future giants Harry Hess, Maurice Ewing tions in extremely clear prose. He had a Derek York, Physics Department, Univer- (visiting from Lehigh), and George Wool- remarkable ability to look into the heart of sity of Toronto lard, but Field “failed to bring anyone to extreme complexity and see simplicity itself. Princeton to teach us geophysics.” So the The nearest mind that I can think of to young Canadian completed his Ph.D. at compare with Tuzo’s was that of Michael Tuzo Wilson lived for ideas, and those Princeton by carrying out geological map- Faraday who, instead of integrating differ- he created were weird and wonderful. ping in the Beartooth Mountains under the ential equations to calculate the electric Many were wrong, but some were mar- nominal supervision of Professor Taylor field, imagined a charged particle to be an velously right. And, until his death in Thom. During this thesis work, he made octopus with tentacle-like lines of force 1993, he never stopped creating ideas. the first recorded climb of Mount Hague, reaching out into the space around it. The Early Years shining as his mother had in the mountains. To solve the problem of the origin of With the outbreak of World War II, the Hawaiian Islands, for example, Tuzo He was the first child, born on October Tuzo left the job he’d had at the GSC imagined someone lying on his back on 24, 1908, in Ottawa, to the former Henri- since graduating from Princeton and the bottom of a shallow stream, blowing etta Tuzo and John Armistead Wilson. His joined the Canadian Army as an engineer. bubbles to the surface through a straw. mother’s name, Tuzo, came from her He spent four years overseas before return- The bursting bubbles were the Hawaiian father’s distant Angevin Huguenot ances- ing to Canada as a colonel and director of Islands, and they lay in a line because they tors, who landed in Virginia in the seven- operational research. In this capacity, he were swept along the surface by the mov- teenth century. Henrietta was a remark- organized Exercise Musk Ox, which he ing stream. Thirty years later, leading geo- able and adventurous woman who loved described in 1982 as “the first and still the physical theorists use supercomputers to mountaineering. Mount Tuzo in western most extensive motorized expedition ever solve horrendousequations thatTuzo”solved” Canada was named after her because she to cross the Canadian Arctic.” in the visualizing region of his brain. and Christian Bohre were the first to scale Following his demobilization, Tuzo was Tuzo’s great paper describing this, “A its peak. She had met her future husband, appointed professor of geophysics at the Possible Origin of the Hawaiian Islands,” John Wilson, while attending the camp of University of Toronto in 1946. In the next the Alpine Club of Canada near Banff in 14 years, he built a considerable reputa- Alberta. John, a Scottish engineer, was to tion, clarifying the structures of the Cana- play an important role in the development dian Shield with the help of the newly of civil aviation in Canada. Thus, a love of flowering field of geochronology. Here, the outdoor life and world travel was in- he applied ideas initially derived locally, stilled in their son, John Tuzo Wilson. perhaps, to Earth at large. He pointed out When Tuzo was 17, he had the good that the age divisions he could see in the fortune to become field assistant to the Canadian Shield were probably features of famous Everest mountaineer Noell Odell all the major shields of Earth. He wrote who, recalled Tuzo, “showed me the won- about continental growth, and not merely ders of field geology.” Tuzo enrolled in for the North American continent. He physics at the University of Toronto, but adopted Jeffreys’ theory of mountain he soon switched to a double major in building on a contracting Earth and rejected physics and geology, and in 1930, he con- the idea of continental drift. By the late sidered himself to be Canada’s first-ever 1950s, Tuzo was famous but also contro- graduate in geophysics. versial—something of a maverick and a A scholarship then took Tuzo to Cam- promoter of ideas, some said, that made bridge University, ostensibly for graduate them uncomfortable. Not only that, the work in geophysics. However, he quickly contraction hypothesis he promoted so found that the university had no clearly strongly was turning out to be inadequate. organized department, and, after being baffled by Harold Jeffreys’ high-powered mathematical lectures, he decided to take The Climactic Years It was at the University of Toronto that an assortment of lectures in geology and Tuzo reacted brilliantly by admitting to physics that appealed to him, and he com- himself that he was wrong about a con- pleted a second B.A. degree. tracting Earth and by wondering if Dietz, This was followed by a stint at the Geo- Hess, Irving, and others might be right logical Survey of Canada (GSC), where about continental drift. And remarkably Tuzo worked on Sudbury rocks with the quickly, at an age (about 50) when very GSC’s director, W.H. Collins. Collins, pre- few scientists have come up with great sumably responding to Tuzo’s tremendous ideas, Tuzo recognized that Earth was a drive and ability, recommended that he J. Tuzo Wilson in his 80s. highly mobile place. Years of global, large- Photo courtesy of Delroy Curling.

24 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY was rejected by the leading American geo- ocean ridges and found Tuzo’s predictions Derek! Tuzo. Nearly done now!” Four physical journal in 1963 on the grounds were correct in every case. His announce- months later, I received in Capetown a that it was completely at variance with the ment of this went a long way in convincing message that on April 15, 1993, he had latest seismic studies of the region. Unde- people that continental drift had not only died of a heart attack. terred, he sent it to the Canadian Journal of occurred in the past 200 m.y., but was Extraordinarily powerful—mentally and Physics, where it was immediately published going on under our feet today, at the rate physically—to the end, Tuzo had in later because, I suspect, the editors didn’t know at which our toenails are growing. years been happy and successful as princi- what else to do with anything so devoid Interestingly, in his very last paper, pal of Erindale College at the University of of mathematics. which appears not to have been pub- Toronto, where he and his wife, Isabel, His second great, yet simple, idea was lished, he merges his beautiful Hawaiian entertained thousands of students and visi- that of transform faults. Again, Tuzo’s plume idea with geophysical exploration. tors. After stepping down from this posi- approach was visual and non-numerical. He gave the preprint to me in late 1992, tion, he was, at 65, appointed director- And yet it was devastatingly definitive in just before I was to leave Toronto for six general of the internationally renowned what it predicted. It did not give us an months. In his irrepressible style, Tuzo Ontario Science Centre, a position in equation, such as E=mc2, or say that the entitled it, “On Migrating Mountains and a which he reveled, with his magnetic per- magnetic field near a wire is proportional Revolution in Earth Sciences.” sonality and gift for popularization. to the current flowing through it. Tuzo’s Among many other ideas, he pointed transform fault concept said to earth scien- out in the paper an association between Further Reading tists that they were living in a looking- bonanza gold deposits in the United States Garland, G.D., 1995, John Tuzo Wilson: Biographical glass world. For earthquakes occurring and rising plumes, which he claimed memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, v. 41, p. 535–552. underwater and in the middles of oceans, underlay the continent. The manuscript I Wilson, J. T., 1982, Early days in university physics: Annual he predicted that the rocks everybody have is incomplete, but in the very sen- Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, v. 10, p. 1–14. believed had moved right to left during tence where it halts is contained the Wilson, J.T., 1963, A possible origin of the Hawaiian Islands: Canadian Journal of Physics, v. 41, p. 863–870. the earthquake had moved left to right, quintessence of Tuzo Wilson: the word Wilson, J.T., 1965, A new class of faults and their bearing and vice versa. This was a wonderful geo- “ideas.” Said he, “These great faults may on continental drift: Nature, v. 207, p. 343–347. metric test for the existence of continental or may not have plumes associated with Wilson, J.T., 1966, Did the Atlantic close and then re-open?: drift and plate tectonics. If the rocks moved them, but the ideas gained in Nevada sug- Nature, v. 211, p. 676–681. as Tuzo said, continental drift was a racing gest that even without plumes, large faults “Rock Stars” is produced by the GSA certainty. If they didn’t, Earth was a far more may provide channels bringing ores from History of Geology Division. Editorial static place. Wilson capped his transform far greater depths of origin than has been Committee: Michelle Aldrich, Robert Dott, fault paper (1965) with a stunning synthesis previously considered.” He had stamped Robert Ginsburg, Gerald Middleton (editor of what we now know as plate tectonics. December 4, 1992, on the manuscript, and of this profile). In 1967, Lynn Sykes of the Lamont Geo- in his familiar script had written “Thanks, logical Observatory examined the motion of rocks in 10 earthquakes on two mid-

J. Tuzo Wilson in his early 60s, sailing his J. Tuzo Wilson in preparation for the International Geophysical Year in 1957, examining a Chinese junk on Georgian Bay. Photo gravimeter with Jack Jacobs and Ron Farquhar. Photo by MacLeod-Gilbert A. Milne & Co. courtesy of Susan Wilson.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 25 of Intrabasinal Extensional Folds in he GSA Committee on Grasshopper Basin, Southwest Montana.” Research Grants met in GSA Names Boulder, Colorado, on Terri Lacourse, Simon Fraser Univer- April 20,2001, and awarded sity, for “Late Quaternary Paleoecology $421,460 to 224 graduate of the Queen Charlotte Islands, Vancou- students. Committee mem- 2001 Research ver Island, and the Adjacent Continental Tbers for 2001 are James G. Schmitt (chair), Shelf, British Columbia, and its Archaeo- Dennis R. Kolata, Daniel K. Holm, Rodney logical Implications.” V. Metcalf, John F.Bratton,Ward E.Sanford, Grant Recipients Janna Melissa Levin, University of Vir- Marith Cady Reheis, Barbara E. John, ginia, for “The Mobilization and Trans- John A. Breyer, Bruce E. Broster, Janet S. port of Colloids and Contaminants.” Herman, Aiyun Zhang, Wanda J. Taylor, Claudia C. Johnson, Carol M. Tang, and Award Fund, the Geophysics Division, Dave Lewis, University of Alberta, for Anne Raymond. the Sedimentary Geology Division, and “Field Studies in Support of Mass Bal- the Structural Geology and Tectonics ance Modeling for High Arctic Glaciers In 2001, the evaluation committee Division. and Ice Caps.” was doubled from eight to 16 members because of the number of applications Recipients of student research grants Ted Lewis, University of Massachusetts, received in 2000. While only eight com- awarded by GSA Divisions and Sections Amherst, for “Spatial and Temporal mittee members traveled to the meeting will be announced in the October issue Changes in Processes of Sediment Deliv- in Boulder, each was paired with another of GSA Today. ery and Distribution at Lake Tuborg, member and the teams reviewed appli- Ellesmere Island.” cations together. Another change for Outstanding Mention 2001 was the requirement that grant appli- Joanne M. Livingston, University of cants be GSA members. The response The committee especially recognized Calgary, for “Reconstructing the Late was consistent with that of previous the following 23 students for submitting Holocene (Last 5000 Yr) Ice-Jam Flood years, even with this new requirement. proposals of exceptionally high merit in History of the Upper Yukon River.” conception and presentation. As in previous years, the committee was Carrie Morrill, University of Arizona, pleased with the high quality of the Eric Leland Bilderback, Western for “Lake Level Fluctuations of Ahung research proposals submitted to the GSA Washington University, for “Chronology, Co, Tibet, and Implications for Century- Research Grants Program. Paleoclimatic Significance, and Erosive Scale Variability of the Asian Monsoon.” Behavior of Small Cirque Paleoglaciers, Stephen A. Nathan, University of Mas- Student Awards Enchantments Lakes Basin, Washington.” sachusetts, for “Ontong Java Plateau: A GSA received 583 student proposals, Jason P. Briner, University of Colorado, Key to the Development of the Western and 224 (39%) were awarded grants. Of for “Ice Limits or Subglacial Processes— Pacific Warm Pool During the Late these recipients, 133 were doctoral can- Towards Solving a Long-Standing Con- Miocene.” didates and 91 were master’s degree troversy using Cosmogenic Nuclides.” candidates. Proposal requests totaled Philip M. Novack-Gottshall, Duke $1,432,367 with an average of $2,457 Monica Carroll, Virginia Polytechnic University, for “Ecological Structure and per proposal. The average award was Institute and State University, for “Ana- Evolution of Middle Paleozoic (Silurian- $1,882. lyzing the Environmental Record Con- Devonian), Offshore, Soft Substrate tained in Freshwater Mussels: Applying Assemblages.” Seventeen alternate candidates were Paleontology to Conservation Biology.” selected by the committee in the event Daniel Obrist, University of Nevada, that any grantees return all or part of Jason A. Crosswhite, University of Reno, for “Influence of Fire and Subse- their funds due to a change in their Oregon, for “Seismic and Gravity Analy- quent Cheatgrass Invasion on the Spa- research project or receipt of funds from ses in the Vicinity of the Cheyenne Belt: tial and Temporal Distribution of Soil another source. Seeking the Origin for a Long-Lived Root.” Water in the Rooting Zone of a Sage- brush Ecosystem.” The committee’s total budget was Sarah B. Das, Pennsylvania State Uni- $421,460. The National Science Founda- versity, for “Towards Improved Paleocli- Jeff Pigati, University of Arizona, Tuc- tion’s portion of the budget was mate Reconstructions from Ice Cores: son, for “Evaluation of 14C Inventory of $130,000, and the GSA Foundation’s Analyses of Stable Oxygen and Hydro- Small, Living Land Snails from Southern portion was $121,360, which included gen Isotope Ratios of Snow and Firn Nevada.” Samples from West Antarctic Automatic $43,000 from the Research Fund, Geoffrey S. Pignotta, University of Weather Station Sites.” $55,385 from the GEOSTAR and Unre- Southern California, for “Testing Emplace- stricted Funds, $3,900 from the Lipman Katrina E. Gobetz, University of ment Models and Magma Chamber Evo- Research Fund, and $2,600 from the Kansas, for “Evolution and Ecology of lution in the Jackass Lakes Pluton, Cen- Hydrogeology Division. The budget also Extinct, Horned Rodents.” tral Sierra Nevada.” included $132,550 from the Penrose Endowment and the Pardee Memorial, Julie C. Kickham, Utah State University, Veronica Stouffer, University of Georgia, and $7,550 from the Harold T. Stearns for “Temporal and Kinematic Evolution for “Pluton Emplacement Processes and

26 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Syn-Plutonic Wall-Rock Deformation in the Committee, who died as an indirect re- Investigation of the Role of Recycled Bloody Run Hills, Northern Nevada.” sult of service on the committee. The Oceanic Crust in Hawaiian Magmatism,” grant is awarded for the best proposal in and Stephen A. Nathan, University of Kenton Trubee, The University of sediment transport or related aspects of Massachusetts, for “Ontong Java Plateau: Akron, for “Ostracodes as Paleoenviron- fluvial geomorphology, Fahnestock’s A Key to the Development of the mental Proxy Indicators: Characterizing field. The 2001 recipient is Martin W. Western Pacific Warm Pool During the the Variability of Nonmarine Ostracode Doyle, Purdue University, for “Mech- Late Miocene.” Faunas on San Salvador Island, anisms, Rates, and Magnitudes of Channel Bahamas.” Adjustment Following Catastrophic The John Montagne Fund was established in 2000 to support one Nathaniel Warner, Miami University, Disturbances.” recipient’s research in the field of Qua- for “Groundwater Contamination in Nepal: The Lipman Research Fund, estab- ternary geology and/or geomorphology. A Regional Comparison and Assessment lished in 1993 and supported by gifts The 2001 recipient is Jason P. Briner, of Controlling Site Characteristics.” from the Howard and Jean Lipman University of Colorado, for “Ice Limits or Foundation, promotes and supports stu- Christopher M. Wurster, Syracuse Uni- Subglacial Processes—Towards Solving dent research grants in volcanology and versity, for “Can Stable Carbon Isotope a Long-Standing Controversy using Cos- petrology. The president of the Lipman Values from Bat Guano Be Used in the mogenic Nuclides.” Foundation, Peter W. Lipman, was the Examination of Precipitation and Vege- recipient of a GSA research grant in 1965. tation Changes in Arid Mexico?” This year, the committee presented the Other Applicants Recommended Christopher K. Zahm, Colorado School award to two candidates: Darin Snyder, for Funding of Mines, for “Predicting Deformation Miami University, for “Magma Chamber from 3-Dimensional Geometry of Duc- Processes and Time Scales: An Isotopic Markus Albertz tile Lithofacies, Thermopolis Anticline, Investigation of the Agua de Pao Volcano, Matthew Allen Wyoming.” Sao Miguel, Azores,” and Jose Luis Arce, Helge Alsleben Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Lisa Amati Student Recipients of Special Awards México, for “Eruptive Dynamics and Matthew Anders in 2001 Possible Triggering Mechanisms During Michael Apfelbaum The Gretchen Louise Blechschmidt the Last Major Plinian Eruption at Nevada Irene Arango Award Fund was established for de Toluca Volcano, Central Mexico.” Charles Ardoin women in the geological sciences who James Ashby have an interest in achieving a Ph.D. in The Bruce L. “Biff” Reed Scholarship Rich Barclay the fields of biostratigraphy and/or pale- Fund was established to provide research German Bayona oceanography, sequence stratigraphy grants to graduate students pursuing Aiguo Bian analysis, particularly in conjunction with studies primarily in the tectonic and mag- Sarah Boon research in deep-sea sedimentology, and matic evolution of Alaska, but it also Jeremy Boyce a career in academic research. The 2001 can fund other geologic research. The Matthew Brueseke recipient is Terri Lacourse, Simon Fraser 2001 recipient is Andrew R. Greene, Robert Buchwaldt University, for “Late Quaternary Paleo- Western Washington University, for Jason Burt ecology of the Queen Charlotte Islands, “Evolution of the Mid-Crustal Level of Eric Cannon Vancouver Island, and the Adjacent an Intraoceanic Island Arc: Talkeetna Eric Carson Continental Shelf, British Columbia, and Island Arc, South Central Alaska.” Alexandre Castrounis Joyia Chakungal its Archaeological Implications.” Family members of Alexander Sisson Alice Chang The John T. Dillon Alaska Research established the Alexander Sisson Re- Krista Chomicki Award honors the memory of Dillon, search Award in his memory to pro- Cory Clechenko who was particularly noted for his radio- mote and support research for students Mary Cooke metric age-dating work in the Brooks pursuing studies in Alaska and the Howard Cyre Range, Alaska. Two areas that serve as Caribbean. The recipient of the award this Kevin Davis guidelines for selection of the awardee year is Carolyn E. Garrison-Laney, Vir- Maya Del Margo are field-based studies dealing with the ginia Polytechnic Institute and State Uni- Weiquan Dong structural and tectonic development of versity, for “Diatom Evidence for Earth- Daniel Douglass Alaska, and studies which include some quake-Induced Relative Sea-Level Amy Draut aspect of geochronology (either paleon- Change, Copper River Delta, Southeast- Scott Dufrane tologic or radiometric) to provide new ern Alaska.” age control for significant rock units in Mirela Dumitrescu Alaska. The recipient is David Frederick Harold T. Stearns established the Gita Dunhill Sunderlin, University of Chicago, for Harold T. Stearns Fellowship Award Michael Dunn “Permian Tectonics and Paleobotany of in 1973 for student research on aspects Tina Edwards the Farewell Terrane in Denali National of the geology of the Pacific Islands and Joe Elkins Park, Alaska.” the circum-pacific region. This year, the William Elliott The Robert K. Fahnestock Award committee presented the award to two Julie Esdale honors the memory of Fahnestock, a for- candidates: Amy M. Gaffney, University Thomas Fenstemaker mer member of the Research Grants of Washington, for “A Geochemical Research Grant Recipients continued on p. 28

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 27 Jonathan Marcot Michael Rygel Aaron Martin Derek Ryter James McCaughey Morgan Salisbury Jennifer McClung Rajeev Sasidharan Nair Michelle McGee Katherine Scharer Alistair McGowan Jeffrey Schroeder Lindsay McHenry Patrick Schuneman Patrick McLaughlin Suanna Selby Karen Michelsen Jocelyn Sessa Alexei Milkov Timothy Shanahan Drew Mirante Mingjuan Shi Brandi Molitor Todd Shipman Kelley Moore Renee-Luce Simard Kyle Murray Christopher Simpson Research Grant Recipients continued from p. 27 Roshni Narayan Jacqueline Smith Seth Newsome Krister Smith Colin Ferguson Emily Himmelstoss Chris Okubo Kurt Steffen Manuel Filgueira-Rivera Heidi Hoffower Cornel Olariu Matthew Strine Richard Fink Kimberly Hoke Gordon Osinski Caroline Stromberg Mara Finkelstein John Hora Eungyu Park Christy Suh Barbara Fletcher Jennifer Horwath Jonathan Payne Mark Sweeney Mike Formolo Christopher Houck Janna Peevler Neil Tabor Michael Fortwengler Brenda Hunda Elizabeth Pendleton Jing Tao Karen Frey Tran Huynh Rebecca Perlroth Andrew Taylor Benjamin Fruchey Adrienne Johnson Gary Petro Tatia Taylor Joel Gagnon Benjamin Johnson Michael Petronis Kathryn Thomas William Garcia Priyanka Johri Julie Pett-Ridge Douglas Tinkham Stephanie Gaswirth Patricia Jones Jennifer Pierce Eric Tohver Christopher Gerbi James Kaste Pratigya Polissar Alexandru Tomescu Jean-Philippe Gobeil Young-Woo Kil Michael Potter Livio Tornabene Allen Gontz Kelly Knudson Steven Quane Amanda Tyson David Goodwin John Kollmeier Mark Quigley Dorothy Vesper Mark Goodwin Andrew Kozlowski Jeffrey Rahl Brigitte Vlaswinkel Karen Gran Joseph Krieg David Ray Marilyn Vogel James Grant Sanghoon Kwon Scott Rayburg Kristi Wallace Robert Graves Daniel Lao Davila Joanna Redwine Steve Wathen Seth Haines Thomas Lapen Sergio Restrepo Cynthia Werner Jenney Hall Joanna Latham Brook Riley Karah Wertz Brian Hampton Jerome-Etienne Lesemann Bethany Rinard Gina Wesley François Hardy Amy Lesen Mark Rits Paul White Melanie Hartman Mark Lesh Michelle Roberts Mary Kate Wimberly Trent Hayden Elizabeth Leslie Elizabeth Robertson Timothy Wineland Wayne Henderson Viktoras Liogys Alexander Robinson Thomas Wynn Rebecca Heumann James MacDonald David Rodland Grant Yip Nancy Hilbun Daniel Mackie Joseph Rogers Aubrey Zerkle Emma Hill Risa Madoff Chrysten Root Susan Zimmerman Tessa Hill Jacqueline Mann

28 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Archaeological Geology Division are using a broad array of techniques to Paul Goldberg, Chair assess Quaternary landscapes and envi- Envision ronments. The list is endless, but the [email protected] Division members’ activities illustrate the point that there are no technical or geo- Yourself The Archaeological Geology Division graphic limits on the ways in which ge- fosters research along the suture between ology can be applied to the study of ar- archaeology and geology. Geological ap- chaeological sites. proaches from a wide spectrum of special- Our Division’s increasing membership in a GSA ties (e.g., sedimentology, geomorphology, reflects a clear rise in interest in archaeo- geophysics, geochemistry) are fair game logical geology. We enthusiastically in- in order to solve problems of interest to vite you to become our newest member. DivisionPART 1 either or both communities. The Division membership is geographi- Coal Geology Division Archaeological Geology, Coal Geology, cally and topically diverse, as a recent Thomas D. Demchuk, Secretary poll of our membership, with about 10% Engineering Geology, Geobiology [email protected] of members responding, indicated. and Geomicrobiology, Geophysics, Most members are faculty or students, Geoscience Education, History of although about a quarter of the re- The members of the Coal Geology Geology, Hydrogeology, International, spondents are independent consultants. Division are a diverse group, specializing in fields such as petrology, sedimentol- Planetary Geology, Quaternary Geology Most people work in North America, ogy and stratigraphy, structural geology, and Geomorphology, Sedimentary although many carry out projects in hydrogeology, geochemistry, paleontol- Europe, Central America, South Geology, and Structural Geology and ogy, and environmental geology. The America, West Asia, and Africa. Tectonics—the 13 GSA Divisions Division traces its origins to 1945, when provide a forum for communication The majority of members are occu- it was created as a special subcommittee pied with late Pleistocene and among scientists with linked of the Society of Economic Geologists. Holocene time, but late Tertiary and In 1948, the group sponsored its first for- interests by: early and middle Pleistocene time mal meeting at the New York GSA sponsoring symposia, field trips, short slices are also well represented. In Annual Meeting, and in 1955, it became courses, teacher workshops, and North America, Paleo-Indian and a formal division of GSA. The Coal other events at GSA Annual Meetings Archaic periods are studied most Geology Division has been an integral and in other venues; often, although later periods are part of GSA’s program ever since. supporting student research and par- prominent as well. In the Old World, Over the past few years, the Coal ticipation in professional meetings; Paleolithic through Historic (e.g., Geology Division has concentrated much recognizing scientific achievement Iron Age) periods are about equally of its attention on coalbed methane explo- and service in their various disci- represented. ration, mining and extraction, resource plines; and Most of the research appears to in- evaluation, and the advancement of clean coal utilization. The year 2001 may communicating through newsletters volve the study of landscapes and mark a significant change for the and Web sites that share information paleoenvironmental conditions, Division as we debate a change in name. and provide a forum for discussion including geomorphology, stratigra- In order to recognize the Division’s recent of interests and issues. phy, soils, and site formation. Less scientific emphases, a change to Energy When you join a GSA Division, you widespread, but still prominent, are Geology Division has been proposed. enter a community of scientists and edu- the applications of geophysics (e.g., The new name continues to recognize cators who represent a wide range of ex- exploration, archaeomagnetism, the importance of coal to the energy perience and thought, and who share magnetic susceptibility) and chrono- needs of our countries but also welcomes many of your professional and scientific metric dating. The analysis of materi- GSA members who are employed in interests, concerns, and priorities. Through als (e.g., metals and ceramics) by other sectors of the energy industry. sponsorship of meeting events and their microscopy and chemical analyses With the addition of new members and facilitation of dialogue among members, constitutes a distinct, although less their diverse research interests, the GSA Divisions are helping to shape policy numerous, group of research specialties. Division would grow not only in size but and practice within GSA and beyond. Statistics aside, archaeological geology in breadth, and it would eventually in- Consider becoming a member of a is just plain exciting. Working out the ge- clude a wide range of geological topics GSA Division. This issue features six of ological context and paleoenvironments linked by the central theme of energy. the Divisions, and a future issue will fea- of early hominids in the Georgian This change must be approved by a ma- ture the remaining seven, including the Republic, as C. Reid Ferring is doing, is jority of the Division’s membership, and new Geobiology and Geomicrobiology both challenging and exhilarating. The early polls indicate that the membership Division. For more information, please same is true of my own research into the is evenly split on the issue. visit the Division Web sites through www. use of fire at Zhoukoudian Cave, China, Another significant change within the geosociety.org/sectdiv/divisions.htm or the home of Peking Man. In the United Division is in the expanded scope of the at the individual sites in the following States, researchers such as Vance descriptions. Holliday, Art Bettis, and Rolfe Mandel continued on p. 30

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 29 continued from p. 29 author in a peer-reviewed scientific special theme and technical sessions, as journal (a joint award with the Mete- well as at our annual Division awards Antoinette Lierman Medlin Scholarship. oritical Society); ceremony and reception—and you The scholarship provides support to un- workshops at GSA Annual Meetings are invited. dergraduate and graduate students in- for K–12 educators, bringing current The Division’s award program pro- volved in coal science research. Two planetary topics to those who can motes research and recognizes excel- scholarships are available: One supports lence in Quaternary geology and geo- laboratory study and the other supports best energize the youngest genera- tion of planetary explorers; morphology. Through our generous field research. The scholarship will be endowment, we offer significant awards expanded to support students attending theme sessions and symposia on for research, writing, and career achieve- Coal Geology Division–sponsored field planetary topics, including the ment each year and honor students with trips and short courses held at GSA upcoming Pardee Keynote Sympo- awards to help further their graduate Annual Meetings. In addition, the sium, "Water’s Many Forms in the school aspirations. Two awards assist Division will continue to present the Solar System: Implications for Geol- our students: the J. Hoover Mackin Gilbert H. Cady Award to members who ogy, Exploration, and Life," at the Research Grant for Ph.D. research and have made outstanding contributions to 2001 GSA Annual Meeting; the Arthur D. Howard Grant for M.S. coal science during their careers. promoting field trips to sites of inter- research. The Distinguished Career Finally, the Division’s Web site has a est to Planetary Geology Division Award recognizes demonstrated excel- new home, www.isgs.uiuc.edu/coalsec/ members, often in association with lence and contributions to Quaternary GSA, where you can check out the past, the GSA Annual Meeting; and geology and geomorphology. present, and future activities of our excit- The Quaternary Geology and ing Division. Please visit us there; we invite distribution of recent, relevant plane- tary educational materials, as well as Geomorphology Division also selects re- you to join us as a member of the Coal cipients for two GSA awards: The Kirk other planetary goodies, at the Divi- Geology Division. Bryan Award recognizes a recently pub- sion booth in the Exhibit Hall of the lished paper of distinction that advances GSA Annual Meeting. Planetary Geology Division the science of geomorphology, and the For more information, please see the Eric B. Grosfils, Secretary-Treasurer Gladys W. Cole Memorial Research Division’s Web site. We encourage and [email protected] Award, which supports research on invite you to become a member of the semiarid and arid terrains. Our newest far-reaching Planetary Geology Division. Geology is more than just earth sci- awards are the Farouk El-Baz Award for Desert Research and the Don J. ence to the members of GSA’s Planetary Quaternary Geology Easterbrook Distinguished Scientist Geology Division. The Division’s goals and Geomorphology Division are: to stimulate communication, facili- Award. The El-Baz Award, now in its R. Craig Kochel, Chair third year, recognizes outstanding re- tate learning, and promote student re- [email protected] search across the full range of planetary- search contributions in the study of geology topics; to recognize outstanding desert regions. The Easterbrook Award contributions to the field; and to advise The Quaternary Geology and honors an unusually excellent body of and assist the members of GSA in mat- Geomorphology Division is GSA’s sec- published research in Quaternary geol- ters pertaining to planetary geology. A ond largest division. Remarkable in ogy and geomorphology and includes series of yearly activities helps meet its rich diversity and new directions of an opportunity for the winner to apply these goals. These activities include: research, the Division encompasses for a grant to further their work. Watch for special, highlighted addresses from the Stephen T. Dwornik awards, a spectrum of scientists who specialize given annually to the best student in the study of Earth’s surface processes each of the Division’s winners at the presentations—both oral and poster— and the Quaternary record. Inter- GSA Annual Meeting. given by U.S. citizens at the Lunar disciplinary studies, within geology and You are cordially invited to join the excitement as a member of the Quater- and Planetary Science Conference; beyond, are the norm in this field in such research areas as: paleoclimate; the nary Geology and Geomorphology the G.K. Gilbert Award, given annu- physics of sediment, ice, and water Division. We are always eager for new ally to an individual who has made movement; glacial deposits and erosion; members, and we extend a special exceptional contributions to the solu- rivers and hillslopes; geologic hazards; invitation to students. Learn more about tion of fundamental problems in hydrology; and tectonics, weathering, the Division at www.geog.ukans.edu/ planetary geology; and even processes and landforms on Quatgeo/. providing support for student the surfaces of other planets. Quaternary research related to craters, cratering, scientists are also uniquely suited to Sedimentary Geology Division and related phenomena through make enormous contributions toward Raymond V. Ingersoll, Chair the Eugene M. Shoemaker Impact the success of charting the future envi- [email protected] Cratering Award; ronmental quality of Earth and to help influence policies concerning landscape awarding the Best Student Paper in Our members’ enthusiastic participa- Planetary Sciences annually in recog- use, design, engineering, and water-re- tion and creativity are responsible for the nition of an outstanding paper pub- lated issues of sustainability. vitality and energy of the Sedimentary lished in English by a student first Much of our exciting work is high- Geology Division, the fourth largest of lighted at the GSA Annual Meeting in GSA’s 13 divisions. The Sedimentary

30 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Geology Division exists to bring together Geology Division will strive to support ports students through subsidies for the diverse group of GSA members who the efforts of all its members, especially attending Division-sponsored field trips are interested in the broad field of sedi- students. We invite you to visit us on our and short courses. Twice a year, the mentary geology. It does this by spon- Web site and to become a member of Division publishes a newsletter that in- soring events at the GSA Annual Meeting our exciting Division. cludes information on members, awards, as well as by building a sense of com- and upcoming meetings and activities, as munity through a gathering at the meet- Structural Geology well as updates on opportunities for re- ing, a newsletter, and a Web site. and Tectonics Division search sponsorship through the National Students enter this community through Peter Vrolijk, Secretary-Treasurer Science Foundation. The Division’s Web the workshop subsidies, field trips, and [email protected] site, www.geology.uiuc.edu/SGTDiv/, an annual Student Research Award of- also outlines Division activities and an- fered by the Division. nounces upcoming meetings. The Division instituted the Laurence L. The Structural Geology and Tectonics Every year, several awards are given Sloss Award for Sedimentary Geology in Division is the largest of GSA’s 13 topical to recognize individuals who have made 1999. Our first three awardees, Bill Divisions. Its members are students and notable contributions to the field. The Dickinson, George Klein, and Bob Dott, professionals in industry, government, Division gives the Career Contribution represent years of scientific achievement consulting, academia, and K–12 teach- Award to a distinguished geologist who and service to GSA. The 2001 Sloss ing. The Division’s purpose is to provide has had a major impact in structural ge- Award and the Student Research Award an environment where scientists with in- ology and/or tectonics over many years. will be presented at the Division terests in structural geology and tecton- We also offer a Best Paper Award to Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony ics can find discussions, news, and infor- highlight recent contributions in print at the GSA Annual Meeting in Boston. mation related to their fields. To further and two student research awards to rec- The most important development for this goal, the Division sponsors profes- ognize exciting research in progress by the Division last year and continuing this sional activities that foster interest in graduate students. year is the merging of interests and activ- structural geology and tectonics; works The Division strives to provide an arena ities of the Division with GSA’s to improve communication among re- in which its members can raise issues, Associated Society, SEPM (Society for searchers, teachers, and students within both technical and political, discuss solu- Sedimentary Geology). The Division and the discipline; and takes action to sup- tions, and take action if appropriate. SEPM have agreed to invite each other’s port the interests and concerns of its At www.geology.uiuc.edu/SGTDiv/ officers to attend their governing board members. The Division is strengthening SGTwhitepaper98.html, you can read a meetings and to encourage cooperation its links with our European colleagues copy of a 1998 policy paper sponsored wherever possible. The most obvious by contributing to the International by the Division to counteract decreasing modes of cooperation are to cosponsor Association of Structural Geologists and federal funding for the discipline. More sessions, short courses, and field trips at by cosponsoring meetings with the recently, the Division has promoted dis- meetings, and to encourage members Tectonic Specialist Group in the United cussion about the consolidation of tech- (especially students) to join both soci- Kingdom. nical publishers and its impact on the high eties. A large percentage of Division At the GSA Annual Meeting, in addi- cost of technical journals. This discussion members are already SEPM members, so tion to holding business and award continues as solutions, some of which working together is a win-win situation. meetings and a reception, we sponsor may involve Division action, are sought. Sedimentary geology has always been theme sessions, symposia, field trips, We cordially invite you to become a an integral part of GSA. As the field and short courses on subjects of interest member of our dynamic Division. changes and grows, the Sedimentary to Division members. The Division sup-

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 31 Conference to re-examine the birth, life, and death of this ancient ocean basin in the Wilson Cycle type. Scotland was part of Laurentia until the opening of the pre- sent North Atlantic in early Cenozoic times separated it from North America. It was located at the tip of a major Laurentian Penrose Conference Report promontory between the proto-Appalachian and proto-Caledonian margins and hence in a paleogeographically critical position at the time of Iapetus’ opening. Therefore, paleogeography and the global paleoenvi- Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, was THE IAPETUS OCEAN ronment of the critical Precambrian- chosen as the venue for the meeting, held at the new Dynamic Earth exhibition and Conveners Cambrian transition in Earth history as well as the early Paleozoic times. conference facility directly below Salisbury Crags, which are formed of a Carbon- Ian W. D. Dalziel, University of Texas Wilson (1966) specifically proposed that iferous teschenite sill. It was the contact Institute for Geophysics, Austin, Texas, USA the proto-Atlantic or Iapetus Ocean opened within a supercontinent and closed to jux- relations of the Salisbury Crag sill that tapose the proto–Appalachian-Caledonian James Hutton used to demonstrate the in- Ricardo Astini, Estratigrafía y Geologia margin of Laurentia with Baltica and pre- trusive nature of basaltic magma. The 64 Historic, Universidad Nacionál de Córdoba, sent-day northern Africa as the late Paleo- participants traveled to Edinburgh from Córdoba, Argentina zoic–earliest Mesozoic Pangea superconti- 10 countries, including not only the tradi- nent. Thus, from the late 1960s to the tional borderlands of Iapetus such as 1990s, all paleogeographic maps for latest Europe and America, but also Argentina, Douglas J. Fettes, British Geological Survey, Precambrian to earliest Paleozoic times Mexico, and Australia. The meeting at Edinburgh, Scotland show these margins directly opposed. This Dynamic Earth was preceded by a field requires a wide (~5000 km) Iapetus Ocean trip across the Scottish promontory, from between Laurentia and northwest Africa in the outcrops in northwest Scotland of the Anthony L. Harris, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Ordovician times when the area of the Hebridean shield, a fragment of Laurentia University of Liverpool, Liverpool, U.K. present Sahara Desert was undergoing left behind in northwest Europe when glaciation in high southern latitudes. Over the North Atlantic Ocean Basin opened in the past decade, however, attempts to re- early Cenozoic times, and through the September 16–21, 2000 Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Moine and Edinburgh, Scotland construct the late Precambrian superconti- nent Rodinia (from the interior of which Dalradian successions (possible rift-related Laurentia appears to have “broken-out” sequences on the Laurentian margin). John In the earliest application of plate tec- Mendum, British Geological Survey, Edin- tonics to the pre-Pangea Earth, J. Tuzo with the development of ~14 000 km of rifted margins [Bond et al., 1984]), have burgh, led the field trip. Wilson proposed in 1966 that a “proto- In the first session of the conference, Atlantic” ocean opened between the pre- resulted in suggestions that the present Pacific and Atlantic margins of Laurentia Ian Dalziel, University of Texas at Austin, sent eastern margin of Laurentia and the welcomed participants, outlined the scien- present western margins of Baltica and were respectively juxtaposed with the Pacific margin of East Antarctica–Australia tific background to the conference, and in- northern Africa. Posing the question “Did troduced Brian Harland, Cambridge the Atlantic Ocean open, close, and re- and the Pacific margin of the Amazonia and Rio del la Plata cratons of South University. Harland, as “father of Iapetus,” open?” he proposed that the Paleozoic presented the topic of the meeting from Appalachian and Caledonian mountain America. This has led to an alternative, paleogeologically acceptable paleogeogra- the perspective of his unique knowledge chains formed when this ocean closed, in of the critical Svalbard Archipelago in the much the same way as the Himalayas re- phy for the Iapetus Ocean: namely, that it was a narrow ocean between the Laurentian far north Atlantic Ocean Basin. sulted from the India-Asia collision in the The second session was on the cratonic Cenozoic (Wilson, 1966). This process of and the proto-Andean margin of South America until Silurian times (for review, setting of the Iapetus Ocean basin. It was ocean opening and closing has become moderated by Rob van der Voo, University known as the Wilson Cycle. Harland and see Dalziel, 1997). The strongest evidence for some form of tectonic interaction be- of Michigan, and introduced by Dalziel, Gayer (1972) proposed that the name who pointed out the difference between Iapetus Ocean be used rather than proto- tween Laurentia and the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana in early Paleozoic the traditional Wilsonian view of the pale- Atlantic because the early Paleozoic ocean ogeographic setting of Iapetus opening is distinct from the present Atlantic Ocean times is the presence of the Precordilleran terrane in northern Argentina. This is now and the alternative view as set out above. although is in part bordered by the same It appeared that most participants were continental masses. Iapetus was the mytho- widely accepted as a Laurentian fragment, most likely derived from the area of the ready to accept the non-Wilsonian views logical father of Atlantis. Because Laurentia, that the Grenvillian margin of Laurentia Baltica, and the Gondwana supercontinent southern Appalachians-Ouachita embay- ment (for review, see Dalziel et al., 1996). was opposed to the Andean margin of (the latter newly amalgamated in the latest South America prior to the opening of Precambrian–Early Cambrian) constituted These new ideas significantly widened the list of possible Iapetus-facing cratonic Iapetus. However, Staci Loewy, University a large proportion of the cratonic entities of Texas at Austin, presented new geo- of early Paleozoic time, the Iapetus Ocean margins in the early Paleozoic, and it was therefore proposed to convene a Penrose chronologic and stable isotopic data that plays a dominant role in understanding strongly refute the suggestion of Dalziel

32 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY (1997) that the Arequipa Massif of southern Early Cambrian Dalradian Supergroup in along the Laurentian margin. However, Peru is a displaced fragment of Laurentia Scotland. Extension has also been sug- very little is known from suggested conju- left behind by the opening of Iapetus in gested as having given rise to mafic and gate margin(s) in any reconstruction. much the same way as Scotland was sepa- acid magmatism and pre-Caledonian Late Brasiliano amalgamation of south- rated from North America by the much (ca. 750 Ma) orogenesis in the Moine ern South America (ca. 540 Ma) precludes later opening of the North Atlantic. While Supergroup, while extensional syndeposi- the possibility that this continent had been the concepts of a late Precambrian super- tional faults are thought to have been the completely amalgamated before the sug- continent of Rodinia (ca. 1 000–800 Ma), or precursor of ductile thrusts in the Dalradian. gested breakup of the Vendian (Pannotia) Rodinia plus Panotia (ca. 550 Ma) are still A broad subsidence signature like that supercontinent. Moreover, unequivocal attractive, their exact configuration is likely previously recognized by Bond et al. (1984), paleomagnetic constraints on the different to remain the subject of debate for some slightly modified to cope with the present- masses involved in South America are not time. day time-scale refinements, clearly shows available and the timing of rift-drift transi- The next session was devoted to discus- that slightly diachronous thermotectonic tion for South American margins cannot sions about the rift-to-drift transition of subsidence was driving accommodation be determined because of the scarcity of the Iapetus Ocean. It was moderated by along the eastern Laurentian platforms proven passive margin successions. In this Ricardo Astini, Universidad Nacionál de from north to south. Time variations in rift- context, the Puncoviscana Formation Córdoba, and introduced by van der Voo. related magmatism and synrift facies de- from northwest Argentina is a critical unit Here, a real enigma became apparent in velopment seem to reflect some irregulari- because it is possibly a rift-related clastic that the sheetlike shelf-carbonate sequence ties on the margin, which may be related wedge. However, strong deformation, preserved all along the Appalachian mar- to the nature and asymmetries of the rift- metamorphism, and poor age constraints gin of Laurentia was initiated in the late ing process in different segments. As it is inhibit confident inferences as to its subsi- Early Cambrian and is thereby inferred to dence and tectonic significance. date the beginning of drift, whereas paleo- Unfortunately, drifting paths are very magnetic results for the Early Cambrian difficult to prove from paleomagnetism seem to indicate that drift was well under Recent work in the southern and paleoclimatological viewpoints, unless way and had started in the latest Vendian Appalachians suggests, evidently crossing paleolatitudes. This was at ca. 550 Ma. While the ages and loca- the case for most of the Iapetus traffic jam tions of the paleomagnetic data are not al- however, that carbonate of terranes. A very promising approach ways precise, they indicate that the separa- sedimentation obscures the real was, however, outlined by Chris Barnes, tion between South American (as part of stage of development of a University of Victoria, based on the con- Gondwana) and North American seems to odont record. have been quite advanced by late Early margin by strongly reflecting Stig Bergström, Ohio State University, Cambrian time. the direct climatic influence. moderated the session on Iapetus’ pale- The rift-drift session was rather complex oenvironment and biota. In his introduc- and lengthy, covering various aspects of tory presentation, Bergström reviewed pit- the Laurentian margin from present north falls and possibilities in using fossils for to south and then moving around western known for the Atlantic opening, rifting of paleogeographic reconstructions. The Gondwana and Baltica counterclockwise. an ocean does not need to be syn- short larval stages of many shallow-water The extensive passive-margin–sedimentary chronous. However, it has been suggested benthic marine organisms such as bra- sequences that developed along eastern that the Iapetus opened in a very short chiopods, corals, trilobites, ostracods, and Laurentia have no clear counterpart in any time span in a rather simplistic way. bryozoans preclude normal distribution other present day continental mass. It Apparently, a major eustatic event associ- across water bodies of oceanic dimen- seems quite clear that two superimposed ated with the triggering of carbonate depo- sions. Hence, faunal distribution patterns effects were involved in the stratigraphic sition along the Laurentian margin is the can be used for broad estimates of the development of most of the platform sec- main reason for arguing in favor of the changing width of such oceans and provide tions along eastern Laurentia, including passive-margin development. Recent work constraints on the longitudinal positions of the Scottish promontory and the Argentine in the southern Appalachians suggests, plates, which are not available from paleo- Precordillera, now attached to different however, that carbonate sedimentation ob- magnetism. Bergström also discussed the continental masses. Even today, this is the scures the real stage of development of a changing early Paleozoic biogeography in only clear—indeed defining—side of margin by strongly reflecting the direct cli- the Iapetus region and its relation to the Iapetus. The suggested Gondwanan as matic influence. While Laurentia moved evolution of Iapetus and various paleoen- well as the Baltic conjugate margins have into low latitudes soon after breakup, trig- vironments and oceanic circulation pat- unfortunately been obscured during their gering carbonate sedimentation, the conju- terns, and he reviewed the significance of more recent histories. Some of these mar- gate margins were out of the carbonate exciting new Nd and 13C studies on the in- gins have been disrupted from originally depositional environment. Thus, the effect terpretation of the missing of water masses. rifted terranes and are now situated on the of any real variations along the Laurentian Using paleoecologic, biogeographic, and Laurentian side as Gondwanan suspect ter- passive margin, as suggested by different geochemical indications, mainly from con- ranes in North America, or as terranes of timing of magmatism and variable thick- odonts, Barnes gave a multifaceted review uncertain provenance but exotic to Laurentia. ness of synrift facies, may have been ob- of Ordovician and early Silurian paleoenvi- Neoproterozoic extension and associated scured. It is quite clear that a major feed- ronments along the eastern margin of east-facing rifting is thought to have con- back between plate tectonics, climate Laurentia. In the final presentation of the trolled the deposition of the Torridonian, changes, and biogeochemical evolution session, Astini discussed the Cambrian Moine, and at least the earliest stages of have existed and have probably resulted and Ordovician depositional environments the deposition of the Neoproterozoic– in the striking similarities observed all in the Argentine Precordillera and noted

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 33 similarities to—and differences from— complex and diachronous than previously and some may have directly fed Late those in the southern United States, pre- thought and that the elements caught Silurian–Early Devonian extrusives. sumably the original home of the up in the orogen between Avalon and The final session of the conference in- Precordilleran Terrane. The session was Laurentia are the products of local geomet- volved, appropriately, the “final closure” of wrapped up by Barnes, who stressed the ric and kinematic variations along the oro- Iapetus. The discussion was moderated by necessity of integrating all geologic and gen. Dalziel argued that the near syn- Jack Soper, University of Sheffield, and in- geophysical data—including those from chroneity of arc collision times from the troduced by Dewey. Critical evidence on paleoenvironments and biota—to reach re- British Isles to the Famatinian arc in the timing of orogenic death appears to liable results in our attempts to clarify the Gondwana would be more likely in a come from northeast Greenland, where evolution of Iapetus. narrow Iapetus Ocean basin. Jane Gilotti, University of Iowa, has deter- The arc-terrane collision session was the Evidence for the collision of an island mined that eclogites range from 440 to 400 longest of the conference, and was as di- arc with the Laurentian margin in the Ma, though younger eclogites may have verse as it was lengthy. Moderated by Llanvirn gave rise to probably short-lived been modified by Carboniferous events. Robert Hatcher, University of Tennessee, orogenesis in Connemara in the west of Eclogites in Norway are dated at 410–400 discussion ranged from early (Penobscot- Ireland. This was probably coeval with Ma and contain garnet, kyanite, amphi- Grampian) arcs in the Caledonides and Grampian contractional orogenesis bole, and coesite. They lie below an ex- Appalachians to the generation of Oaxacia (480–465 Ma) affecting the Dalradian and tensional surface on which Devonian along the eastern Laurentian margin and to at least some of the Moine rocks in rocks rest. The implications are that 40–60 the arc accreted to Gondwana during the Scotland, where, however, the youngest km of strata were tectonically excised. Middle-to-Late Ordovician Ocloyic orogeny rocks known to have been involved are In conclusion, there can be no doubt in Argentina. The topic was introduced by topmost Lower Cambrian. Possibly the arc that 35 years after J. Tuzo Wilson intro- Nicholas Ratcliff, U.S. Geological Survey, impinged during the initial stages of clo- duced the concept of an early Paleozoic Paul Ryan, University of Ireland, Galway, sure, having originally developed on the proto-Atlantic ocean basin that we now re- and Augusto Rapalini, Universidad de continental crust that now underlies the fer to as Iapetus, and despite enormous Buenos Aires. Scottish Midland Valley. Sensitive high-res- advances in knowledge within individual During the discussion, it became evi- olution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) ages on continents, its global significance is still dent that a major event related to arc deformed granites in the central Highlands surrounded by uncertainty. Early in the generation occurred throughout the of Scotland of 590 Ma are now interpreted conference, a participant from Scandinavia Appalachians and Caledonides at 470–505 as implying that they were entirely pretec- was overheard asking one from Argentina Ma. Geochemical evidence presented by tonic, rather than syntectonic, as formerly just why he was attending a meeting on a Peter Clift and Amy Draut, both from believed. Ages of 596 Ma from volcanics distinctly North American topic. By the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, within the Dalradian suggest very slow de- end of the meeting, all participants were suggested that the Laurentian crust was position of the 4–5 km of the Southern embracing the need to consider evidence clearly involved after 485 Ma. Other evi- Highland Group Dalradian sediments that from North Greenland and northern dence suggests that arc development was intervene between these volcanics and the Scandinavia to the Ouachita embayment still going on at 460 Ma throughout the fossiliferous Early Cambrian strata. Martin and the southern cone of South America. orogen. Several participants suggested that Smith, British Geological Survey, Edinburgh, Apart from the need for a broad, indeed, the earliest subduction zone related to demonstrated the existence of a major dis- global geographic view, the need for an arc generation and accretion along the continuity in the central Highlands, where interdisciplinary approach was also appar- Laurentian margin was east dipping in the the British Geological Survey has mapped ent. Understanding Iapetus in early Appalachians and the British and Irish overlapping units within the Grampian Paleozoic time remains a critical step in Caledonides. John Dewey, University of and Appin Group strata, with younger understanding the evolution of the entire Oxford and University of California at rocks coming to rest on high-grade Earth system, from Archean times to the Davis, and Cees Van Staal, Geological metasediments. The latter have yielded present. Survey of Canada, suggested that, follow- ages of ca. 750 Ma, possibly equivalent to ing arc accretion, the subduction zone the Moine, the main outcrop of which lies Acknowledgments flipped and became west dipping in the in the northern Highlands of Scotland Support for participation in the confer- Late Ordovician–Early Silurian. In this where the Late Archean–lower Proterozoic ence was provided by the Tectonics scenario, the accretion of Avalonia to Lewisian gneisses form its basement. The Program of the National Science Laurentia (including the British Isles) and thrust-related deformation in the northern Foundation and by IGCP 440, a project the closing of Iapetus occurred at this Highlands that overprinted the structures aimed at reconstructing the late time. Avalonia(-Carolina) formed by arc and fabrics formed during the earlier ?ex- Precambrian supercontinent, Rodinia. development close to Gondwana at tensional Neoproterozoic and Grampian Funds and support for logistics and com- 730–660 Ma and again diachronously from deformation and metamorphism is proba- munications were provided by the Institute 590 to 540 Ma. bly Scandian. Thrusting was directed to- for Geophysics, University of Texas at The Cambrian-Ordovician arc accretion wards the west-northwest and the early Austin, and by the British Geological model that involves east-dipping subduc- thrust planes were subsequently folded as Survey, Edinburgh. The British Geological tion off Laurentia had to involve the clos- younger, lower thrusts locked and shorten- Survey also organized the field trip. ing of a small ocean along this boundary ing continued in their hanging wall. The The conveners would particularly like throughout the Appalachians and British posttectonic Newer granites of the Scottish to thank Lois Elms of Western Experience, Caledonides if the closing of Iapetus in- Highlands (425–390 Ma) mark the death of Longmont, Colorado, who arranged the volved accretion of Avalon and Carolina to Iapetus on the Scottish promontory of meeting with her customary attention to Laurentia. It may be that the events that Laurentia; they are commonly associated detail. This acknowledgment is especially occurred outboard of the margin are more with renewed extension in the area appropriate, as this was Elms’ final

34 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY conference prior to retirement after 30 years of involvement with GSA’s Penrose Participants Conference program. Special thanks are also due to the moderators of the various Torgeir B. Andersen James (Jim) Hibbard Augusto Rapalini sessions. Ricardo A. Astini A.K. (Tony) Higgins Nicholas Rast The participants were saddened to learn, Christopher R. Barnes D.H.W. Hutton Nick Ratcliffe early in the conference, of the passing of German A. Bayona Feiko Kalsbeek Paul Ryan Brian Sturt of the Norwegian Geological Stig M. Bergström Duncan Keppie Fred Schwab Survey, who had registered as a participant Robert Bourrouilh Graham Leslie James Sears and contributor. Sturt had devoted his ca- Caroline Elaine Burt Staci Loewy Martin Smith reer to furthering the understanding of the Peter A. Cawood Conall Mac Niocaill Paul Smith margins of Iapetus in the Scottish promon- David Chew Maria Mange N.J. Soper tory of Laurentia and in Baltica. Peter Clift Roberto Martino W.E. Stephens Just at press time, the conveners learned Dan Condon Joseph Meert Philip Stone of the sudden and untimely death of Chris John Dewey John Mendum Craig Storey Powell, who played a major role in the Ian Dalziel Phil McCausland Keene Swett Penrose Conference, not least with his in- Amy Draut Sam Mukasa P.W.G. (Geoff) Tanner sights regarding the global setting of the Douglas Fettes Brendan Murphy Stephen Temperley Iapetus Ocean in time and space. His pass- Michael Flowerdew Richard Damian Nance William A. Thomas ing will be a notable loss to the interna- Jane A. Gilotti Grahame Oliver Trond Torsvik tional community in its efforts to unravel Brian Harland Stephen Parry Rob Van der Voo the major paleogeographic problems iden- Anthony Harris Christopher McA. Powell Cees van Staal tified at the conference. Robert D. Hatcher Jr. Siobhan Power John W.F. Waldron David Healy Tony Prave References Cited J. Christopher Hepburn Victor A. Ramos Bond, G.C., Nickeson, P.A., and Kominz, M.A., 1984, Breakup of a supercontinent between 625 Ma and 555 Ma: New evidence and implications for continental histories: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 70, p. 325–345. Dalziel, I.W.D., 1997, Neoproterozoic-Paleozoic geography Harland, W.B., and Gayer, R.A., 1972, The Arctic Caledonides and tectonics: Review, hypothesis, environmental specula- and earlier oceans: Geological Magazine, v. 109, p. 289–314. tion: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 108, Wilson, J.T., 1966, Did the Atlantic close and then re-open?: p. 16–42. Nature, v. 211, p. 676–681. Dalziel, I.W.D., Dalla Salda, L.H., Cingolani, C., and Palmer, A.R., 1996, Penrose Conference Report, The Argentine Pre- cordillera: A Laurentian Terrane?: GSA Today, v. 6, no. 2, p. 16–18.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 35 Birdsall-Dreiss rather than advection, can be the domi- small changes in the diffusion coefficient nant physical transport process in the can change the distribution of mass signifi- Distinguished Lecturer aquitards. Investigators commonly inter- cantly, although the overall plume behav- pret field data on groundwater contami- ior remains essentially unchanged. for 2002 Announced nant concentrations with the help of con- Remediation experiments show that the ceptual models that are not 3-dimensional, slow release of contaminants by diffusion Graham Fogg of the University of that are less heterogeneous than the actual and advection from low-permeability ma- California, Davis (UCD), has been selected system, and that lack representation of dif- terials may lead to exceedingly long times as the 2002 Birdsall-Dreiss Distinguished fusion into aquitards. Recent research (decades to centuries) for pump-and-treat Lecturer, sponsored by the GSA shows how reliance on such models can cleanup. Results also show that even if ad- Hydrogeology Division. At the request of lead to mischaracterization of the plume vanced remediation technologies could interested institutions, he will present one and of remediation success, natural attenu- succeed in removing contamination from of three lectures for audiences interested ation, and scale-dependent dispersion. the aquifers (alluvial channels), back-diffu- in the broad geologic aspects of ground- Development of improved geostatistical sion and advection out of the aquitards water resources. methods (TProGS) for modeling hydro- could cause concentrations in the aquifers Fogg received a B.S. in hydrology from stratigraphy and of a fast, random-walk to increase again to levels of concern for the University of New Hampshire, an M.S. particle method (RWHET) for accurate decades into the future. in hydrology and water resources from the simulation of advection-, dispersion-, and University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in geol- diffusion-dominated processes provide the Groundwater Vulnerability and the ogy from The University of Texas at necessary tools for modeling transport Meaning of Groundwater Age Dates Austin, where he also worked for the processes in typically heterogeneous me- Regional-scale analyses of flow and Bureau of Economic Geology from 1978 to dia, exemplified by alluvial fan systems of transport in two groundwater basins 1989. In 1989, he moved to UCD, where Livermore Valley, eastern San Joaquin demonstrate hydrogeologic approaches for he is a professor in the Hydrology Valley, and the South Tahoe basin, characterizing the vulnerability of ground- Program, the Department of Land, Air, and California. All of these geostatistical simu- water to contamination and lead to impor- Water Resources, and the Department of lations, which are based on field borehole tant implications for the meaning of Geology. He served as chair of the data and geologic concepts, generate het- groundwater age dates and the sustainabil- Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group from erogeneous representations of aquifers ity of groundwater quality. The approach 1993 to 1998 and chair of the Hydrology that are extensively connected networks of combines detailed models of 3-dimesional Program from 1998 to 2001. His research channel deposits, except where inter- hydrostratigraphy with a backward-time interests include transport processes in rupted by paleosol sequence boundaries solution of the advection-dispersion equa- heterogeneous systems, geologic and (Kings River fan, San Joaquin Valley) or tion (ADE). Results for the Salinas Valley, stochastic characterization of aquifer het- other unconformities. In 2-dimensional California, show that, owing to hetero- erogeneity, regional hydrogeology, and sections, the aquifers typically appear to geneities represented through geostatistical heat transport in groundwater. His re- be disconnected lenses. Three-dimen- modeling, the simulated regional spatial search and teaching over the past 25-plus sional transport simulations consistently patterns of nitrate occurrence agree closely years have addressed problems of ground- produce simulated plumes that have im- with field data from wells. The transport water contamination, groundwater re- portant characteristics lacking in conven- simulations suggest time lags of >30 yr for source sustainability, high-level nuclear tional models but consistent with field ob- breakthrough at well screens 55 m below waste isolation, coal mining, and servations: (1) rapid plume migration the water table, implying that nitrate petroleum reservoir characterization and along preferred pathways, in both lateral groundwater contamination, which was recovery. and vertical directions, and (2) substantial first detected in the 1970s, originated from To request a visit to your institution, retention of solute mass in aquitard materi- land-use practices of the 1940s. The ran- contact Graham Fogg, Department of als near the source for decades or cen- dom-walk solution of the backward-time Land, Air, and Water Resources, University turies, even when the source is an instan- ADE also produces estimates of the age of California, Davis, CA 95616-8628, (530) taneous pulse. Apparent longitudinal distributions of groundwater pumped by 752-6810, [email protected]. The α dispersivity ( L) of simulated plumes individual wells (i.e., ages of individual Hydrogeology Division is particularly in- grows spatially and temporally in accor- water “particles” reaching the well screen). terested in including liberal arts colleges in α dance with generic data on L, suggesting The simulated groundwater ages typically the itinerary. The Division will pay trans- that scale-dependent dispersion can be range from decades to >100 yr within indi- portation expenses, and the host institu- more an artifact of diffusion processes vidual water “samples,” suggesting that if tion will provide local accommodations. than an indicator of multiscale heterogene- nitrate-loading rates do not decline appre- ity. The preferential flow down sinuous ciably, historical breakthroughs of contam- Talk Topics pathways produces plumes that would inants at wells merely represent the begin- easily be missed by conventional monitor- ning of a gradual deterioration in Plume Behavior in Heterogeneous ing with well networks. Animation of groundwater quality. Geologic Systems: Natural Attenuation, plume evolution with and without the het- A more detailed analysis of both hydro- Remediation, and the Role of Diffusion erogeneity and with wells pumping stratigraphy and transport in the eastern The subsurface is inherently heteroge- demonstrates the dominant role of the het- San Joaquin Valley, California, leads to re- neous and 3-dimensional, and it is com- erogeneity and groundwater production in finements in the vulnerability-mapping ap- monly composed not only of aquifer plume evolution. Mass accounting among proach and further investigation of age materials but also of large fractions of facies demonstrates that most of the mass distributions in water samples. A new ap- intermingled aquitard materials (e.g., silt being sequestered is in the aquitards. proach to modeling alluvial fan hetero- and clay beds). Molecular diffusion, Sensitivity analysis shows that relatively geneity uses geostatistical simulation in a

36 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY sequence stratigraphic framework in surface remains a major obstacle to reli- inferred facies proportions, continuity, which paleosols form sequence bound- able simulation of subsurface flow and asymmetries (e.g., fining-upward se- aries and semiconfining beds. This model transport processes. Characterization of quences), and facies relations (e.g., levee of multiscale heterogeneity produces de- spatial patterns in properties with typically adjacent to channel facies). Lateral facies tailed maps of vulnerability that more ac- sparse data requires knowledge of the ge- relations, which are typically undersam- curately reflect the geology, including non- ologic processes that created the patterns. pled, can be modeled based on the ob- stationary heterogeneity. Simulated CFC-11 A geostatistical approach based on transi- served vertical patterns in facies through and CFC-12 age dates agree closely with tion probability theory provides a means the use of Walther’s Law. Furthermore, the field-measured CFC-11 and CFC-12 ages. for quantitative modeling of 3-dimensional approach can incorporate nonstationarities However, the distributions of water age hydrostratigraphy through the use of com- such as spatially varying dip angles, or reaching the well screens in the model at monly available field data as well as geo- more severe nonstationarity, such as un- any instant in time are both broad (many logic fundamentals and knowledge of the conformities and transitions between dif- decades) and skewed, except at shallow depositional processes. By modeling inter- ferent depositional environments. Example (<10 m) wells. Significant dispersion due facies-transition probabilities with Markov applications in alluvial fan and fluvial envi- to heterogeneity causes mixing of rela- chains, an intuitive method for building 3- ronments depict the resulting hydrostrati- tively old water (>40 yr) with young water dimensional models from basic geologic graphic models and demonstrate the sig- in most wells, even when the well screen principles is developed, extending qualita- nificance of highly resolved heterogeneity is short (<1 m). Consequently, the true av- tive geologic characterization into the in the simulation of flow and transport, erage groundwater age differs significantly quantitative realm necessary for flow and while providing a fair degree of field vali- from the CFC age. These results suggest transport simulation. This geologic/geosta- dation with hydraulic and groundwater that groundwater age-date measurements tistical technique, implemented with the age-date data. alone are inadequate for estimating vul- software TProGS, uses the hard data to- nerability to contamination in systems with gether with interpretive input on propor- typical alluvial heterogeneity. tions, average lengths, and juxtaposition- ing of geologic facies to create multiple A Geologic Approach to Simulation of realizations of heterogeneity. The resulting Subsurface Hydrology characterizations honor fundamental prob- The unknown heterogeneity of the sub- ability laws while preserving observed or Hello,USGS? ESPN Calling

Dave Ozman, public affairs specialist The surface-mounted seismometers to Earth. Since we were in the booth, we for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in reacted strongly to the pressure air wave can attest to the fact that the booth was Denver got a call in July from ESPN. The as the top fuel cars zoomed by. Apparently, shaking.” folks at the sports network wondered if the seismometer was tilted by the air the National Hot Rod Association’s wave. Burying the seismometer reduced Top fuel dragsters produced the (NHRA) cars make much of a seismic this effect. largest amplitudes, funny cars produced impact as they blast down the quarter- similar amplitudes, pro stock produced mile track. Although the recordings definitely little, and pro stock motorcycles were show that there is coupling between the pipsqueaks. Top fuel and funny car vehi- To find out, two USGS seismologists, cars hurtling down the track and Earth, it cles reached speeds close to 300 mph, John Lahr and Mark Meremonte, at- was difficult to decide how much of the more than 100 mph faster than the other tended the Mopar Parts Mile-High ground vibration resulted from direct con- categories. Thus, the speed of the car is Nationals July 21–22 at the Bandimere tact between the wheels of the cars and significant in generating ground motions Speedway outside of Denver. the track and how much was due to air above background noise. waves striking the ground and also caus- “We buried one weak motion seismome- ing surface structures to vibrate and sway. The response? “People who saw us ter near the track ~600–700 ft from the doing this seemed to be very receptive start, set one weak motion seismometer “Using data from our only calibrated and interested in our observations,” said on the surface under the ESPN broadcast instrument (the broadband seismometer), Meremonte. booth, and, initially surface mounted but we calculated a ground-motion amplitude Have a story about bringing the later buried, one broadband seismome- of ~20 µm from the top fuel cars,” said geosciences to the public in a unique ter under the broadcast booth at about Meremonte. “However, much of this may way? Send your story to jhammann@ the 900–1000-ft mark on the 0.25 mile have been caused by the site-structure geosociety.org. (1320 ft) track,” said Meremonte. interaction above the seismometer and not directly by the coupling of the cars

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 37 Congressional Science Fellow Begins Term This Month Chester F. “Skip” Watts has been selected as the 2001–2002 jects have included Federal Emergency Management Adminis- GSA–U.S. Geological Survey Congressional (USGS) Science tration studies in Hot Springs, Arkansas, evaluations of dam Fellow. Watts is the Dalton Distinguished Professor of Geology spillway stability adjacent to the San Andreas fault, rock fall at Radford University in Virginia, where he also serves as and visitor safety at Natural Bridge National Historic Land- director of the Institute for Engineering Geosciences. His mark in Virginia, wildfire rehabilitation in the Cascade Moun- teaching has focused in recent years on engineering geology, tains of Washington, and rock-slide studies in Yosemite advanced engineering geology, soil mechanics, and rock National Park in California. mechanics. He also enjoys teaching environmental geology, hydro- Watts has received several regional and national teaching geology, computer applications in geology, geomorphology, awards, including the 1998 State Council for Higher Education and general geology. Watts received his bachelor’s degree in in Virginia’s Outstanding Professor Award. He recently geology from Virginia Tech in 1974, his master’s degree in appeared in a television documentary called “Earth’s Fury!” on physical science from Radford University in 1977, and a doc- TLC (The Learning Channel) and on National Public Radio torate in engineering geology from Purdue University in while rock climbing during rock-slide investigations in 1983. Yosemite National Park. Watts’ research interests focus on the broad range Watts feels very honored to serve as the 2001–2002 of interaction between geologic processes and GSA–USGS Congressional Science Fellow. “Many human activity. His studies range from ground- important geologic and environmental issues are rising water resource and contamination to flooding to the political forefront. It is both exciting and educa- and dam safety to landslides and ground sta- tional to become a part of the public policy process,” bility. Watts is a certified professional geologist in said Watts. He hopes to become involved in science the Commonwealth of Virginia and the author of and policy issues related to the environment, public ROCKPACK computer software, used internation- works, and natural hazards and will continue the tra- ally for analyzing the safety and stability of moun- dition of writing perspective articles for upcoming tain slopes, mines, quarries, highways, buildings, and issues of GSA Today. bridge foundations. He serves as a consultant to numerous state highway departments, federal agencies, and engineering firms throughout North America. For information on the The Virginia Office of the Attorney General, Congressional Science fellowship, the USGS, the U.S. Forest Service, and the visit the Professional Development Army Corps of Engineers are among those section at www.geosociety.org. to have enlisted Watts’ assistance. His pro- Chester F. “Skip” Watts

Call for Applications!

Opportunities to serve as a Congressional Science Fellow are rare, and Apply for GSA’s the experience is unique. If you are interested in working with national leaders to help shape science and technology policy on Capitol Hill, this GSA–U.S. Geological Survey position may be a good fit for you. Congressional Science Fellowship The Congressional Science Fellow will be selected from top competitors early in 2002. Candidates must be GSA Members who possess either a Ph.D. in the earth sciences or a related field, or a master’s degree in the 2002–2003 earth sciences (or a related field) plus at least five years of professional experience. If you have this professional background, are experienced in applying scientific knowledge to societal challenges, and want to help shape the future of the geoscience profession, put your expertise, experience, and passion for science to work where it counts! The fellowship is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2002. For application information, check the Web site at www.geosociety. org/science/csf/index.htm, or contact Karlon Blythe, Program Officer, GSA Headquarters, (303) 447-2020, [email protected].

38 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Online Peer Review Brings Convenience, Maintains Security Figures: Have We With the launch of GSA’s online manu- Each journal has two science editors. Confused You Yet? script submission and peer-review system Geology editors David Fastovsky and Ben in August, Geology and GSA Bulletin van der Pluijm assign reviewers to papers. join many other scientific journals in Bulletin editors Peter Copeland and Allen becoming all-electronic—submitted, edited, Glazner assign papers to associate editors, Last month, GSA Today published reviewed, and published in electronic who choose reviewers. figure guidelines for Geology and formats. (See “GSA Journals Take the Plunge…” GSA Today, v. 11, no. 8, p. 16.) With the new system, editors, associate GSA Bulletin. We also told you about editors, and reviewers are notified in turn the new online manuscript As most of you can confirm, however, that a paper awaits them on the Allen- submission system for the journals. electronic ≠ easy. Who among us can say Track server. When they log on to their Careful readers probably noticed we that upgrades are always up to snuff or accounts, they receive messages regarding asked for one type of figure file for conversions consistently more conve- the papers assigned to them. Reviewers in online submission and another in the nient? And many of us still prefer to read Brazil or China won’t wait weeks to guidelines for publication. articles on paper, whether in a bound, receive a paper sent surface mail and delivered copy or printed out from a file. won’t have to put up with the bother and Here’s the deal: For submission and cost of sending a paper manuscript back. review, publication-quality figures are But the move to electronic publishing not required. Lower resolution PDF or has many benefits that make the growing If a reviewer is going to be out of JPEG files will suffice, as long as the pains and missteps worth it. Searching town, he or she can put that information files open properly and are readable. online archives, the ability to link directly in the system so that editors know not to to references as you read, shorter publica- assign papers during that time. Reviewers However, if your paper is accepted tion time with instant distribution world- may still decline to review a paper if, for for publication, you’ll be asked to wide, and interactive features on the hori- example, they have a conflict of interest deliver the final version of your figures zon all make journals even more useful to or other reasons. in specific formats that ensure high- researchers. quality and accurate publication. So, Reviewers return their reviews electron- although publication-quality figures Online submission also has many bene- ically, and only the paper’s assigned edi- fits. Take peer review, for instance. tors can gain access to these reviews. are not required at the submission Potential reviewers of Geology and stage, creating your figures with Bulletin papers are everywhere—from We suspect that all desks look the publication in mind is a good idea. Bloomington and Woods Hole to Bahrain same: stacked with paper. One pile has That’s where the guidelines come in. and Wollongong. Shipping stacks of your “read when I have time” stuff, another has expense reports and human Figures continue to be a concern for manuscript pages has been expensive, time consuming, and unreliable. The resources paperwork, another has com- most scientific journals because mittee minutes to review, and yet another standards and software used vary move to sending papers via PDF files helped, but was only a partial fix. With has your own notes to write up for your widely. Read the author information own manuscript. We like to think you’ll for other journals—the instructions AllenTrack, the new online system, files are at your fingertips. enjoy NOT having a stack of manuscripts and caveats all have a way of to review on your desk. sounding similar, because most A Potentially Paperless System journals experience the same sorts of figure challenges. Here at GSA, we Last month, we outlined how you have only to go downstairs to will go about submitting a paper online. Here’s what happens next. production and say, “Canvas 5.0!” and our designers tremble uncontrollably. As always, if you have questions, please contact the journal managing editors. GSA Bulletin—Larry Bowlds, The Editors Are In [email protected]; Geology— Anika Burkard, [email protected]. GSA journal science editors and GSA staff members will be available at the Annual Meeting in Boston to answer your questions and demonstrate the online manuscript submission system. Look for the Editor’s Corner by the GSA Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall, Hynes Convention Center.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 39 EARTH SCIENCE WEEK Evolves Science at the

Earth Science Week, October 7–13, is an annual grass- Highest Level roots effort sponsored by the American Geological Insti- tute (AGI) and its member societies, including GSA. The aim is to increase public understanding of the earth sci- Are You Represented? ences. As geoscientists develop earth-science outreach programs in their local schools and communities, the col- Dear Friend of GSA: lective impact of their efforts continues to grow. During Have you ever thought about promoting your Earth Science Week 2000, scores of celebrations—includ- ing field trips, demonstrations, lecture series, film series, organization, university, or business at the GSA exhibits, school visits, and open houses—took place in all Annual Meeting and Exposition? 50 states, Australia, Canada, and at least 20 other coun- tries. Eighteen AGI member societies and more than 100 It’s easy to do, and where else could you join a state geological surveys, regional societies, academic geo- community of dedicated exhibitors who enjoy science departments, museums, libraries, and federal meeting an average of 6,500 geoscientists in one agencies hosted these events and activities. In addition, 30 state governors, the mayors of several cities, and former spot? President Clinton issued proclamations and messages in Right now, I’m making big plans for our 2002 support of Earth Science Week. GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, and I This year, for the first time, Earth Science Week has a would love to help you plan an exhibit space. It’s general theme, “evolution in earth history.” AGI has pro- an effective way to reach a lot of people and make vided the poster inserted in this issue of GSA Today in hopes that you’ll use it to help students and adults gain a a lasting impact. better understanding of one of the fundamental underly- ing concepts of modern science: evolution. The dramatic timeline and engaging activity on the poster illustrates Sincerely, how much Earth has changed through time. Brenda Martinez Exhibit Sales Coordinator AGI’s Earth Science Week information kit for 2001 includes a variety of posters, bookmarks, and other mate- 1-800-472-1988, ext. 1138 rials that illustrate this concept. The kit contains a new [email protected] 32-page Ideas and Activities booklet that emphasizes evolu- tion in earth history through an array of activities about rocks, fossils, and geologic time, as well as information on P.S. Exhibitors enjoy discounts on advertising in the upcoming PBS series,“Evolution,” which is to be aired GSA Today and the Annual Meeting Program. in late September. Single copies of the Earth Science Week information kit are available at no charge from I hope to talk to you soon! AGI. You may request a kit on the Earth Science Week Web site, www.earthsciweek.org, by phone, (703) 379- 2480, by fax, 703-379-7563, or by mail to Earth Science Week, American Geological Institute, 4220 King Street, Alexandria,VA 22302.

40 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY Now GSA Earth Science Available Week 2001 Poster In celebration of Earth Science Week (October 7–13), GSA has created a poster highlighting Colorado geology. GSA is sending the poster and a list of member-recommended books that feature earth sciences to some of our neighbors here at headquarters— public libraries and public school libraries in Colorado. Librarians will be encouraged to use the materials in Earth Science Week displays. Colorado librarians also will have a first-come-first-served oppor- tunity to receive up to $50 in reimbursement from GSA for the purchase of general geology books or books that present the earth sciences as an integral part of story lines. Copies of the poster are free to Colorado educators and may be purchased by GSA members for $8. To order, contact Member Services, [email protected], (303) 447-2020, or 1-888- 443-4472. Members are also encouraged to submit titles for the book list to [email protected].

Colorado photographer, geologist, and GSA member Stephen Weaver has been photographing the North American landscape for more than 25 years. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Weaver first experienced the landscapes of the American west as an undergraduate geology student attending Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association field camp in Red Lodge, Montana. Since then, he has worked to capture on film fine examples of geologic features and intimate and grand landscapes throughout western North America. To capture the highest detail possi- ble in his landscape images, Weaver usually uses a large-format, 4 × 5 view camera with fine-grained transparency film. In 1995, he estab- lished Earth Systems Imaging, a small part-time business to market his images. (Visit www.earthsystemsimaging.com.) Weaver lives in Colorado The GSA Earth Science Week 2001 poster features the Great Sand Springs and is technical director of geology at The Colorado College. Dunes of south-central Colorado. Photo by Stephen Weaver.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 41 Colorado Convention Center Field Trip Chair Eric A. Erslev Department of Earth Resources TECHNICAL PROGRAM CHAIR Colorado State University John W. Geissman Fort Collins, CO 80523 University of New Mexico (970) 491-5661 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Fax: 970-491-6307 203 Northrop Hall [email protected] Albuquerque, NM 87131-1116 (505) 277-3433 CALL FOR SHORT COURSE PROPOSALS Fax: 505-277-8843 Due December 3, 2001 [email protected] The GSA Committee on Professional Develop- CALL FOR PARDEE SYMPOSIA ment invites those interested in proposing a AND TOPICAL SESSION PROPOSALS short course to contact GSA Headquarters. Due January 17, 2002 Courses may be conducted in conjunction with all GSA Annual Meetings and Section Meetings. Proposal forms will be online beginning Nov. 1, 2001. Selection of courses for the 2002 Denver Annual Go to the Meetings section at www.geosociety.org. Meeting will be made by March 1, 2002. We also CALL FOR FIELD TRIP PROPOSALS are interested in receiving proposals for the 2003 Due October 1, 2001 Seattle Annual Meeting and will consider those proposals at the same time. Contact the Field Trip Chair with your proposals for half-day, single-day, and multi-day field trips For proposal guidelines or information, contact beginning or ending near Denver and dealing Edna Collis, Program Officer, GSA Headquarters, with all aspects of the geosciences. 1-800-472-1988, [email protected].

For More Information (303) 447-2020 1-800-472-1988 meetings @geosociety.org www.geosociety.org Itinerary: Tues., April 16—Participants should fly into Charlottesville, Virginia (served by Delta, United, and USAirways), by 5 p.m. Van transportation will be provided to Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison County, Kinematics and Vorticity of High-Strain Zones Virginia (50 km north of Charlottesville). Orientation and introductory presentations April 16–21, 2002 • Virginia Blue Ridge and Piedmont will follow dinner. Conveners: Christopher M. Bailey, College of William & Mary; Andy R. Bobarychick, Wed., April 17—Examination of Meso- University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Dazhi Jiang, University of Maryland proterozoic basement rocks and high- Web site: www.wm.edu/CAS/GEOLOGY/faculty/bailey/GSA/fieldforum/ strain zones exposed in the Blue Ridge anticlinorium in Madison County. Discus- Location: Blue Ridge and Piedmont provinces, north-central Virginia, approximately sion of the relationship between foliation, 120 km southwest of Washington, D.C. Lodging at the Graves Mountain Lodge, high-strain zone boundaries, and strain in Madison County. zones that have experienced a progressive Purpose deformation and geologists attempting to general shear deformation path. High-strain zones are common features understand the history and significance of Thurs., April 18—Examination of Blue in orogenic belts and have long generated high-strain zones. We hope to attract a Ridge high-strain zones in Madison County debates as to their movement history and diverse group of geologists and strive for including an ~100-m-thick zone of hetero- tectonic significance. A number of notable lively interchange while examining a well- geneously deformed mylonitic rock that advances have recently been made toward exposed suite of highly deformed rocks. records top-to-the-northwest reverse dis- quantitatively understanding the nature of Specific questions we plan to address at placement, intense flattening strains, and a flow during deformation, but very few stud- this field forum include: nonsteady vorticity path. ies have applied these methods to natu- (1) Can structures in natural high-strain Fri., April 19—Piedmont exposures, in- rally deformed rocks. This field forum will zones be used to meaningfully charac- cluding the Hylas high-strain zone, folded examine a number of high-strain zones terize the finite vorticity and progressive and boudinaged pegmatitic veins in in the Blue Ridge and Piedmont provinces vorticity changes during deformation? mylonitic gneiss, the Central Piedmont of the Virginia Appalachians and discuss and Spotsylvania high-strain zone, and (2) How does the recognition of triclinic what information can be gained into the L-tectonites. kinematic history of these rocks. It will symmetries in high-strain zones influence Sat., April 20—Morning: phyllonitic rocks provide geologists the opportunity to dis- kinematic and tectonic interpretations? in the Mountain Run fault zone, the tectonic cuss contemporary research in the context (3) How many estimates of strain and boundary separating the Blue Ridge and of what can and cannot be learned about vorticity are needed to characterize the Piedmont. Afternoon: Rockfish Valley deformation history from naturally bulk flow of a high-strain zone? fault zone in the Blue Ridge south of deformed rocks. Charlottesville. Evening: summary presen- (4) Is the deformation path (strain geometry tation, discussion, and wrap up. Significance and vorticity) influenced by the specific Sun., April 21: Travel to the Charlottesville The structural geology community first tectonic environment (e.g., contraction, airport for flights in the morning. appreciated the significance of high-strain extension, or transpression) in which Registration Limit: 35 participants material is deformed? zones in the 1970s. Early models consid- Cost: $625 ($300 for students), including ered volume constant, simple shear strain High-strain zones in the Virginia Blue guidebooks, handouts, meals, lodging in parallel-sided zones. Kinematic indica- Ridge significantly deviate from the classic (double occupancy), refreshments, tors such as asymmetric tails on porphyro- simple shear zone model. These zones and transportation to and from the clasts and shear bands were widely used in record general shear deformation with Charlottesville airport. the 1980s to better understand the move- strong flattening strains and formed under Registration Applications and Infor- ment history of high-strain zones. How- greenschist facies conditions during Paleo- mation: Geologists with an interest in ever, field geologists have long recognized zoic contractional deformation. In Madison high-strain zones are encouraged to apply. that not all high-strain zones experienced County, Virginia, an intense storm in June We hope to attact a diverse group of field simple shear deformation nor do they 1995 caused extensive slope failure and geologists, modelers, and experimentalists. have easily resolvable kinematics. Recent erosion. Large debris-flow scars created by Contact Christopher (Chuck) M. Bailey, advances in the study of high-strain zones this storm commonly expose hundreds of Department of Geology, College of include: (1) the ability to quantify the bulk square meters of well-exposed bedrock. William & Mary, Box 8795, Williamsburg, strain geometry and vorticity of deforma- Transpressional high-strain zones with VA 23187, (757) 221-2445, fax 757-221-2093, tion using rock structures; (2) the under- oblique strike-slip displacements are [email protected]. standing that significant displacement may exposed in the Virginia Piedmont. Many occur at high angles to elongation lin- Piedmont high-strain zones have been GSA is committed to making Field Forums eations in transpressive zones; and (3) the interpreted to be major Appalachian ter- accessible to all. If you require special recognition that flow in high-strain zones rane boundaries with complex histories. arrangements or have special dietary may have a triclinic symmetry rather than Some of the Piedmont zones are associated concerns, please contact Christopher a simple monoclinic symmetry. In spite of with syntectonic plutons and characteri- (Chuck) Bailey. this progress, there seems to be a growing zed by L-tectonites with orogen-parallel gap between geologists who are modeling lineations.

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 43 CLASSIFIED Advertising

Ads (or cancellations) must reach the GSA Advertising is required at the time of appointment. Responsibilities will paleoceanography, sediment biogeochemistry, or geomi- office one month prior. Contact Advertising Department, include introductory and advanced instruction in structural crobiology. Candidates with backgrounds in biogeochemi- (303) 447-2020, 1-800-472-1988, fax 303-447-1133, or geology, supervision of graduate research, and the devel- cal cycling of the elements in modern or ancient environ- e-mail [email protected]. Please include complete opment of an active research program. The successful ments are particularly encouraged to apply. We expect the address, phone number, and e-mail address with all candidate will be expected to support the graduate pro- appointee to have an excellent grasp of analytical tech- correspondence. gram in petroleum geology, regardless of their area of spe- niques and to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory in his cialty. Applications for this tenure-track position will be or her field in our newly renovated Biogeochemistry Labo- reviewed beginning immediately, and will be accepted until ratory. Preference will be given to candidates whose Positions Open the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, your expertise would lead to productive interactions with exist- application must be completed by November 30, 2001. ing groups in the department (see the department’s Web EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES Applicants should submit a letter of application site at http://www.geo.umass.edu). The successful candi- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN addressing qualifications and experience, a curriculum date will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally The Department of Geological Sciences is seeking appli- vitae, description of teaching and research interests, tran- funded research program and to demonstrate excellence cants for a tenure-track faculty position. This reopened scripts of academic work, and the names of three profes- in both teaching and research. Teaching responsibilities search will now consider applicants at the assistant, asso- sional references to: Dr. Stacy Atchley, Department of include a course in earth history (every other year) and ciate, or full professor level. We seek a geoscientist with Geology, P.O. Box 97354, Baylor University, Waco, Texas graduate and undergraduate courses/seminars in his/her research interests in any aspect of earth surface or near- 76798-7354. Phone: (254) 710-2361. E-mail: stacy_atchley@ research area. surface processes. Areas of expertise may include, but are baylor.edu. Fax: 254-710-2673. The Baylor Geology Web The department offers a broad-based program in geology not limited to: quantitative geomorphology, neotectonics, site is www.Baylor.edu/~Geology. and earth systems at the undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. soil processes, hydrogeology, geological hazards, remote Baylor is a Baptist university affiliated with the Baptist levels. In addition, the university has strong programs in sensing, or glacial geology. We expect the applicant to General Convention of Texas. As an Affirmative microbiology and paleobiology, with the Graduate Program develop a vigorous, externally funded research program Action/Equal Opportunity employer, Baylor encourages in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology housed with Geo- and to show a commitment to teaching at both the gradu- minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities sciences in the same building. We would also encourage ate and undergraduate levels. These expectations include to apply. the successful candidate to foster strong synergies with involvement in our Environmental Geology degree program relevant faculty within other departments on campus. Out- and in new interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of LIMNOGEOLOGIST side of UMass, the Pioneer Valley has a diverse and active Michigan. A Ph.D. is required. Interested persons should UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA—TWIN CITIES community of earth scientists with geology programs at send a curriculum vitae, names of at least four persons The Department of Geology and Geophysics at the each of four nearby colleges (Smith, Hampshire, Amherst, from whom the department may request letters of recom- Winchell School of Earth Sciences, University of Min- and Mount Holyoke colleges). mendation, and brief statements of research and teaching nesota—Twin Cities, invites applications for a tenure-track Review of applicants will begin November 1; the posi- interests to: Prof. L. Ruff, Search Comm. Chair, Dept. of assistant professor, tenure-track/tenured associate profes- tion will remain open until a successful candidate is identified. Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI sor or tenured full professor position from outstanding Applicants should send a letter of interest outlining 48109-1063, [email protected]. To ensure a careful evalua- researchers with a proven track record to help focus the research and teaching plans, a curriculum vitae, and the tion, applications should be received by Oct. 1, 2001. The department’s interdisciplinary efforts in paleolimnology and names/addresses/fax numbers/and e-mail addresses of at University of Michigan is an affirmative action, equal global environmental change. We seek a candidate who is least three referees to: Search Committee Chair, Depart- opportunity employer. Additional information about the rigorously trained in current earth science research tech- ment of Geosciences, Morrill Science Building, 611 North department can be found at our Web site, www.geo. niques utilizing lake sediment archives to reconstruct Pleasant Street, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA lsa.umich.edu/. global climatic and environmental changes. The successful 01003-9297. The University of Massachusetts is an Equal-Opportunity AMHERST COLLEGE applicant is expected to participate fully in the depart- Affirmative-Action Employer; women and members of ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ment’s undergraduate and graduate course offerings. The minority groups are encouraged to apply. The Department of Geology at Amherst College solicits choice of courses is flexible and will take into consideration applications for a tenure-track position at the level of assis- the applicant’s as well as existing faculty’s specialties. The GEOMORPHOLOGY/SURFICIAL PROCESSES tant professor to begin in the fall of 2002. We seek a sedi- successful applicant will greatly benefit from the Limnologi- FURMAN UNIVERSITY mentologist whose interests and expertise may also cal Research Center, which includes “LacCore,” an NSF- include stratigraphy, paleontology, paleoclimatology, funded national repository of lake sediment cores, a multi- The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at marine geology, and/or oceanography. disciplinary analytical core laboratory modeled after Furman University invites applications for a tenure-track The successful candidate will teach sedimentology and integrated ocean sediment research facilities, and operat- position at the assistant professor level for the fall 2002. an additional upper-level course or courses that will ing core systems for small and large coring expeditions. The required qualifications are a Ph.D. in geology or strengthen our undergraduate major and complement the Existing faculty in geology and geophysics and affiliated physical geography, the ability to develop a strong under- present departmental offerings in tectonics, structural geol- units provide excellent opportunities for cooperative graduate research program, and some teaching experi- ogy, hydrogeology, aqueous geochemistry, petrology, and research in related disciplines such as sedimentology, ence. Experience using current ESRI software and an inter- geophysics. All geology faculty teach at the introductory paleontology, geochemistry, and sediment magnetism. est in applying GIS to geological, environmental, and level as well. Preference will be given to candidates with a Interested applicants are invited to visit our Web site ecological research is desired. Teaching duties would demonstrated interest in continued development and (http://www.geo.umn.edu/). At the Twin Cities campus, the include earth systems, geomorphology, and an advanced teaching of our introductory course in surficial earth sys- Winchell School of Earth Sciences also includes the Insti- course in area of expertise. The successful candidate tems and the environment. Geology faculty also supervise tute for Rock Magnetism and the Minnesota Geological would be expected to excel in teaching and to develop a undergraduate research projects annually. Survey. The College of Biological Sciences includes the strong research program involving talented undergradu- Candidates must have an ongoing program of research. Department of Ecology and Behavioral Biology and other ates. The department currently consists of four faculty with Amherst College provides competitive start-up funds in departments with strong research programs linked to geo- specializations in watershed hydrology, biogeochemistry, support of research. A Ph.D. is required and postdoctoral logic studies. The Graduate School administers the Large structure and tectonics, mineralogy and petrology, and experience is desirable. Submit a résumé, a brief state- Lakes Observatory on the Duluth campus, which is actively sedimentation. Furman University is a private liberal arts ment of your research interests, transcripts, and three let- involved in chemical, physical, and biological studies of university with a strong emphasis on undergraduate ters of recommendation to: Professor Tekla A. Harms, lake systems. research and teaching. Furman’s location in the Piedmont Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Geology, Applicants are expected to have a PhD at the time of region of South Carolina at the base of the Blue Ridge Amherst College, Amherst MA 01002-5000 appointment. To apply send a curriculum vitae, statements escarpment provides many opportunities for field tripping ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin of teaching and research interests, and names, addresses, and research in fluvial processes, neotectonics, and land- on November 20, 2001, but applications will be accepted telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of five refer- scape evolution, including human impact on the landscape. until a pool of qualified candidates is identified. Amherst ences to Chair, Limnogeologist Search Committee, Univer- Applicants should send a vita including experience, College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action sity of Minnesota, Department of Geology and Geophysics, publications, statement of teaching philosophy and employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities 310 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455. Review of research interests, and names of three references. Appli- are particularly encouraged to apply. files will begin on October 1, 2001. Applications will be cants should discuss how their research could be applied accepted until the position is filled. The start date is in the undergraduate setting. GEOLOGICAL REMOTE SENSING expected to be fall 2002. Questions may be addressed by Applications and requests for more information should OR STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY/TECTONICS e-mail to Professor W.E. Seyfried, Head of Winchell School be sent to Kenneth A. Sargent, Dept. of Earth and Environ- SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE of Earth Sciences, at [email protected]. mental Sciences, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613 The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity or e-mailed to [email protected]. Furman University The Department of Geology at Southern Illinois University educator and employer. is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Carbondale invites applications for a tenure-track position in geological remote sensing or structural geology/tecton- BIOGEOCHEMISTRY TENURE-TRACK POSITION IN GEOPHYSICS ics at the assistant professor level, starting either Jan. 1, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST INDIANA UNIVERSITY–PURDUE UNIVERSITY 2002, or Aug. 16, 2002. Please visit our Web site AT INDIANAPOLIS (IUPUI) http://www.science.siu.edu/geology/position.html for more The Department of Geosciences seeks applications for a information. SIUC is an AA/EOE. full-time tenure-track position in biogeochemistry, to begin The Geology Department at IUPUI invites applications for a September 2002. The appointment will likely be at the tenure-track, assistant professorship in geophysics. We BAYLOR UNIVERSITY assistant professor level, but exceptionally strong candidates seek an individual who will develop an externally funded STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY above that level are encouraged to apply; a completed research program and is committed to high quality under- Ph.D. is required. graduate and graduate teaching. A research specialty in The Department of Geology at Baylor University invites The area of specialization is open and could include, for geophysics as applied to environmental issues is preferred, applications to fill a vacancy in structural geology, rank and example, application of organic or isotope chemistry to and applicants should demonstrate potential for collabora- salary negotiable. A Ph.D. in geology or a related discipline

44 SEPTEMBER 2001, GSA TODAY tion with faculty in geochemistry, hydrology, and/or sedi- mentology. Preference will be given to individuals with abil- ity to teach introductory geology and structural geology as Lectureship in Geology well as geophysics. IUPUI is Indiana’s third largest university, with about 28,000 students. The Geology Department is composed of Department of Geology 10 full-time and nine adjunct faculty, with about 60 under- graduate and 15 graduate majors. The department is Faculty of Science closely affiliated with the Center for Earth and Environmen- tal Science, which provides opportunities for multidisci- plinary collaboration in research and education. Further infor- Vacancy 1309GSA mation about the department and the university is available The Department of Geology seeks applicants for a three-year lectureship position in Structural at www.geology.iupui.edu. A Ph.D. in geology or a related field is required at initial Geology/Tectonics. New Zealand’s unique global setting on an active plate boundary provides appointment, beginning in August 2002. Interested candi- excellent opportunities for a geoscientist embarking on an academic career to gain teaching and dates should send a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and the names of three research experience. Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent qualification, have experience in referees by November 15, 2001, to Dr. Andrew Barth, Structural Geology and/or Tectonics. They should have a research record with publications in Search and Screen Committee, Department of Geology, refereed international journals. The appointee will be expected to participate in the advanced field Indiana University–Purdue University, 723 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5132. geology course, teach structural geology and tectonics at both undergraduate and graduate IUPUI is an equal opportunity, affirmative-action levels, and contribute to teaching in one or more of the following areas: Regional Geology, employer. Engineering Geology, Basin Analysis or Geophysics. The successful applicant will also supervise FACULTY POSITION graduate student research in structural geology, tectonics and other areas which they have a CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD research speciality. The Department of Geological Sciences at California State University, Hayward, seeks a dynamic faculty member in Further information about the Geology Department and the position may be obtained from the Head applied geophysics. Expertise in sedimentology and stratigraphy is highly desirable, as is field experience using of Department, Professor Philippa Black, +64-9-373 7599 ext 7560, email: [email protected] GPR, seismic and other geophysical techniques. A tenure- For conditions of appointment and information on how to apply for this position please contact the track position at the assistant professor level will be offered beginning September 2002, conditional upon availability of Academic Appointments Office, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; email: funds. The individual hired will be expected to have talents [email protected] in undergraduate and graduate teaching for a diverse stu- dent population, and become part of the research program The closing date for applications is 20 September 2001. in geology or environmental science. The department offers B.A., B.S., and M.S. degrees in geology and plays a ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS major role in the university’s environmental science and teacher credential programs. The university and its San Francisco Bay setting offer a rich combination of cultural amenities, renowned geology and nearly limitless research opportunities. Applicants who will possess the Ph.D. by September 2002 should mail a letter of application; cur- riculum vitae; graduate transcripts; copies of peer- reviewed publications; statement of teaching interests; and three letters of recommendation to: Search Coordinator, Department of Geological Sciences, California State Uni- versity, Hayward, 25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard, Hayward, change. Our interests are broad and range from microbial large-enrollment general-education course on a rotating CA, 94542-3088. Refer to position #02-03 GEOL-GEO- biogeology to vertebrate paleontology. basis. PHYS/SEDIMENT-TT. Review of applications will begin The successful applicant will be expected to develop an The expected appointment will be at the assistant-pro- December 15 and continue until a suitable candidate is academically oriented, externally funded, research program, fessor level but outstanding senior candidates will be con- found. California State University is an Equal Opportunity and to contribute to the teaching of undergraduate paleon- sidered; a completed Ph.D. is required. Please send appli- Employer, and is committed to principles of diversity in tology and advanced courses in his/her research specialty. cation materials, including curriculum vitae, names of 3 employment and education. Completion of the Ph.D. is required. references (with e-mail addresses and fax numbers) and a Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, statement of letter discussing your plans for teaching and research by ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY teaching and research interests, and contact information October 30, 2001. Review of applications will start Novem- The Department of Geology and Geography at DePauw for at least three referees to Biogeoscience Search Com- ber 1st until a short list is finalized. Please send materials University invites applications for a tenure-track position in mittee, Department of Geological Sciences, 1272 Uni- to: Hydrogeology Search Committee, Department of Geo- Environmental Geology to begin in August 2002. Rank and versity of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1272. We will sciences, University of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant salary commensurate with credentials and experience. A begin reviewing applications November 1, 2001, and will Street, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9297. Ph.D. is required, although persons with ABD will be con- continue until the position is filled. The University of Massachusetts is an Equal-Opportunity sidered. We are seeking a person who is broadly trained in The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity/affir- Affirmative-Action Employer. The position is contingent the geosciences with expertise in hydrogeology and/or mative action institution committed to cultural diversity and upon university funding. geochemistry. The successful applicant will teach a variety compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. of courses for undergraduate students, including Physical ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY Geology, Physical Geography, Applied Hydrogeology, and HYDROGEOLOGY Probationary, tenure-track. Salary is competitive and Geochemistry, will develop research projects for under- The Department of Geosciences of the University of Mas- commensurate with training and experience. Date of graduate students, and will possess excellent field and/or sachusetts at Amherst intends to make a tenure-track fac- appointment is January 10, 2002. RESPONSIBILITES: computational skills. DePauw has an exceptional program ulty appointment in the field of hydrogeology. The University Teach undergraduate and graduate courses such as Plan- for supporting its faculty, including startup funding and of Massachusetts at Amherst is a Research 1 University etary Geology, Planetary Science, Geophysics, General pre-tenure leaves for new faculty, and funding for profes- awarding both masters and Ph.D. degrees in geosciences. (Physical) Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, and Structural sional and curriculum development activities (see Further details can be found at our Web page Geology. Actively engage in interdisciplinary teaching http://www.depauw.edu/admin/acadaffairs/facdev.htm). http://www.geo.umass.edu/. The ideal candidate will be a efforts and/or honors program courses. Advise undergrad- Candidates should submit a letter of application, curricu- geologist with research interests that apply the principles uate and graduate students (including thesis) enrolled in lum vitae, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a of groundwater systems to the development of water Space Studies, Geology, Environmental and Earth Sciences. statement of teaching interests and philosophy, profes- resources or understanding subsurface transport. Direct and manage the Bemidji State University space sional development plans, and a statement of research Research in all areas of hydrogeology are of interest, Grant Program of the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium interests to Dr. Frederick M. Soster, Chair, Department of including for example, groundwater contaminant transport, (requires some travel). Up to 25% release time is available Geology and Geography, DePauw University, Greencastle, vadose zone hydrology, flow through fractured systems, for Space Grant administration and research. QUALIFICA- IN 46135. Closing date for applications is November 15, deterministic or stochastic models of fluid flow systems, TIONS: Ph.D. or ABD in planetary geology/geophysics with 2001. DePauw University is an Equal Opportunity Affirma- hydroclimatology, geophysical characterization techniques, an emphasis on surface-forming processes. Demonstrated tive Action Employer; women and minorities are strongly and chemical hydrogeology. The department has a long teaching effectiveness in the geosciences and space sci- encouraged to apply. For more information about the history of field-based research combined with experimen- ences. An association with NASA programs in solar system department, visit http://www.depauw.edu/acad/geology. tal and modeling studies, and we wish to continue this exploration is extremely useful. Work experience and a focus. Developing an externally funded research program record of publications in planetary studies may be substi- PALEONTOLOGY/BIOGEOSCIENCE involving issues of national relevance is expected. This tuted for extensive teaching experience. All applicants The Department of Geological Sciences of the University of hydro-program will contribute to supporting the goals of must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United Oregon invites applications for an entry-level, tenure-track our dynamic graduate program. States at the time of an offer of employment. APPLICA- position to begin in fall 2002. We seek a researcher with The department values good teaching, and the major TION INFORMATION: Send letter of application, state- interests in fundamental problems of paleontology and bio- instructional responsibilities will involve introductory hydro- ment on teaching philosophy, resume, graduate and geosciences, including the origin and evolution of life, evo- geology on an annual basis along with appropriate upper- undergraduate transcripts (official transcripts required at lutionary radiations, mass extinctions, and relationships level courses in more specialized topics. The successful the time of appointment) and three (3) or more letters of among organisms, geochemical cycles and environmental candidate will also be expected to share in teaching a recommendation. APPLY TO: Dr. Ranae Womack, Dean,

GSA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2001 45 contact: [email protected]. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2001, and will continue until the posi- KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF tion is filled. The University of California is an Affirmative PETROLEUM & MINERALS Action/Equal Opportunity employer. CARLETON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA PETROLOGY AND DYNAMICS, CRUST AND UPPER MANTLE The Geology Department at Carleton College invites appli- College of Sciences cations for a tenure-track position (Ph.D. completed or substantially completed) at the assistant professor level. Earth Sciences Department We seek an individual with broad strengths in the pro- cesses and evolution of the crust and upper mantle, using the tools of petrology, geochronology, structural geology, The Department of Earth Sciences at King Fahd University of Petroleum & and possibly geophysics. The ideal applicant will have demonstrated outstanding teaching skills with an emphasis Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia invites applications for a faculty position at a on field- and laboratory-oriented, hands-on learning. In addition, we seek someone who will be actively engaged in professor rank in the field of Environmental and Engineering Geology. This a strong research program that can include undergraduate position requires someone who is experienced in all aspects of environmental students in an integral way. All Carleton geology majors complete a senior thesis; we expect our new colleague to investigations and assessments. Areas of particular interest are interaction of help students design and carry out these projects, many of which represent a half a year’s worth of research and writing. humans with the geologic environment, waste and pollution management, The successful candidate is expected to teach three or assessing geological hazards and risks, toxic substance control and land use four courses and associated labs each year, including introductory courses, core courses for majors, and management. Additional requirements are a Ph.D. degree in Environmental advanced courses. Core course responsibilities for petrol- ogy, structural geology, tectonics, and mineralogy will be Geology / Engineering Geology and at least ten years of industry experience. shared with existing staff. Carleton’s geology department averages between 16 and 30 majors in each graduating The successful candidate must be innovative and have the vision and ability to class; it is a vibrant place that emphasizes cooperation, apply advanced scientific and computer techniques to environmental and discussion, field work, inquiry-based learning, creativity, and intellectual depth in a supportive atmosphere. Car- geological engineering problems. Teaching at the undergraduate and graduate leton’s geology department has a strong, successful tradi- tion of teaching geology as one of the liberal arts and we levels and maintaining a strong research program will be expected of the are looking for someone to help carry on that tradition. successful candidates. The position begins in late August 2002. Interested indi- viduals should submit a letter discussing their qualifica- tions, statements of teaching and research interests (the latter addressing how undergraduate students will be Salary/Benefits: Two year renewable contract. Competitive salaries based on incorporated), plus a curriculum vitae with the names and addresses of at least three references (we will solicit letters qualifications and experience. Free furnished air-conditioned on-campus housing for applicants passing the initial selection) to Shelby J. unit with free essential utilities and maintenance. The appointment includes the Boardman, Acting Chair, Department of Geology, Carleton College, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. following benefits according to the University’s policy: air ticket to Dammam on Applications will be considered until an appointment has been made, but to ensure full consideration, applications appointment; annual repatriation air tickets for up to four persons; assistance should be received by October 15, 2001. Carleton College with local tuition fees for school-age dependent children; local transportation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. allowance; two months paid summer leave; end-of-service gratuity. KFUPM POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER campus has a range of facilities including a medical and dental clinic, an (MICROPALEONTOLOGY) DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS extensive library, computing, research and teaching laboratory facilities and a The Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, anticipates an opening for a postdoctoral recreation center. researcher to work on a project entitled, “Foraminiferal Communities of Bathyal and Abyssal Hydrocarbon Seeps, Northern Gulf of Mexico.” The project is expected to be for To apply: Mail, fax or e-mail cover letter and detailed resume to: a two-year period supported by a grant from the Minerals Management Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and to begin in October 2001. Responsibilities: foraminiferal taxonomy, scanning Dean, Faculty & Personnel Affairs electron microscopy, generation and analysis of numerical KFUPM, DEPT. ES-2103 data, report writing, and preparation of manuscripts for publication. Required qualifications: Ph.D. in a geological Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia or biological science. Salary will be competitive. Applica- tion deadline is September 17, 2001, or until candidate is Fax: 966-3-860-2429 E-Mail: [email protected] or selected. Send an application, curriculum vitae, and the [email protected] names and addresses of three referees (preferably by e- mail) to: Professor Barun K. Sen Gupta, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Ref: Log #0137, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; phone: (225) 578- Please visit our website address: http://www.kfupm.edu.sa 5984; fax: 225-578-2302; e-mail: [email protected]. For further information, please write to the same address. LSU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER. Services and Supplies College of Social and Natural Sciences, Bemidji State Uni- matology. The individual should have research interests versity #27, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601- that link global ecological and paleoenvironmental change RECENT, RARE, AND OUT-OF-PRINT BOOKS. Find our 2699. Postmarked deadline is October 1, 2001, and continue through the study of the biochemical/geochemical record. online catalog at http://home.earthlink.net/~msbooks for until the position is filled. Specialties may include the evolution of, or changes in, the books on geology, mining history, ore deposits, U.S. Geo- Bemidji State University is an Equal Opportunity, Affir- biosphere, developmental systems, biomarkers, isotopes, logical Survey, and western Americana; e-mail: mative Action Employer. or geochemical proxies of oceanographic processes. [email protected]. For free printed catalogs, send Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate and your request and area(s) of interest to MS Book and Mineral BIOGEOCHEMIST/GEOBIOLOGIST graduate courses in the area of specialty. The applicant Company, P.O. Box 6774, Lake Charles, LA 70606-6774. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE must hold a Ph.D. and have a strong commitment to excel- The Department of Earth Sciences invites applications for a lence in both research and teaching. TRANSLATION & INFORMATION FOR JAPANESE faculty position at assistant professor, associate professor, Information about Earth Sciences at UCR is available EARTH SCIENCE. Please visit Earth-J at http://earthj. or full professor rank in the geobiochemistry of sedimen- on the Web at http://cnas.ucr.edu/~earth/es.html. Applica- vis.ne.jp, Email: [email protected]. tary rocks. We seek an individual to expand our core tions, including a vita, statement of research and teaching research program in the paleoecology of ancient environ- interests, and full contact information of three referees ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICISTS ments, which includes faculty research in field- and speci- should be sent to: Dr. Mary Droser, Chair— required by Geo-Services International (UK) Ltd, Oxford- men-based paleobiology, paleoenvironmental analysis, Biochemist/Geobiologist Search, Department of Earth Sci- shire, UK. Apply to [email protected]. Visit www.zetica.com. stratigraphy, sedimentology, biogeography, and paleocli- ences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521. E-mail

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