Surficial Working Group

Surficial Working Group of the Intermountain West Project

Research topics: 

• Tectonic and Climatic Controls on Drainage Development:  Evaluating the complicated interplay of tectonics and climate in drainage development and the onset of Pleistocene glacial-interglacial episodes, with current emphasis on the upper Arkansas River, the North and South Platte Rivers, San Juan River, and the Rio Grande.
• Paleoclimate Records of Soils, Paleosols, and Paleowetlands:  Identifying paleoclimate and geomorphic signals recorded in soils and spring discharge deposits using mapping, stratigraphy, geochronology, and stable isotopes. Current emphasis on Las Vegas Valley (Nevada) and the San Luis Valley (Colorado).
• Geologic History of Contaminants in River Systems:  Characterizing geochemistry, provenance, and age of terrace deposits to better understand natural sources of contaminants and potential changes in their abundance pre-and post-mining. Current emphasis on the San Juan River system.
• Topographic Asymmetry:  Evaluating the role of microclimate in hillslope development, using data from high resolution topography, soil development, and soil temperature and moisture monitoring stations.
• Paleohydrology of Lakes and Wetlands:  Evaluating the effects of past climate change on water availability using mapping, stratigraphy, geochronology, and stable isotopes of lake, spring discharge, and alluvial deposits. Current emphasis on the San Agustin Plains (Rio Grande Valley), Lake Estancia (New Mexico), and the China - Searles - Panamint - Death Valley flow system (California and Nevada).