Daniel Muhs
I study geomorphology, soils and Quaternary stratigraphy to reconstruct paleoclimates over the past two and a half million years of geologic time.
My main study areas are in the central and western USA (Mississippi Valley, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, desert Southwest, Pacific Coast and Alaska), but I have also worked in the Caribbean, Spain and Israel. My main interests are in origin and paleoclimatic significance of dune fields, stratigraphy and paleopedology of loess, effects of long-range-transported dust on soils, the atmosphere, oceans and ecosystems, and sea level history.
Education:
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 1977-1980 (Ph.D., Physical geography/Geology)
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 1973-1975 (M.S., Physical geography/Soil science)
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 1972-1973 (B.A., Physical geography)
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 1970-1972 (B.A., English, History)
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 1968-1970 (English)
Professional experience:
1995-date: Geologist, Geology and Environmental Change Science Center, USGS, Denver, CO
1985-1995: Geologist, Branch of Isotope Geology, USGS, Denver, CO
1983-1984: Soil Scientist with USGS while on leave-of-absence with the University of Wisconsin to accept National Research Council Research Associateship, Denver, Colorado.
1980-1985: Assistant and Associate Professor of Geography, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
1978-1980, part-time Soil Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Central Regional Geology.
1977-1979: Instructor (while a Ph.D student), Department of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Colorado at Denver
1975-1976: Soil Scientist, U.S. Soil Conservation Service/Iowa State University
Science and Products
Quaternary sea level history of the United States
Eolian sediments
Mineralogical maturity in dunefields of North America, Africa and Australia
Stratigraphy and palaeoclimatic significance of Late Quaternary loess-palaeosol sequences of the Last Interglacial-Glacial cycle in central Alaska
Unprecedented last-glacial mass accumulation rates determined by luminescence dating of loess from western Nebraska
A late quaternary record of eolian silt deposition in a maar lake, St. Michael Island, western Alaska
Last Glacial loess in the conterminous USA
Eolian sand transport pathways in the southwestern United States: Importance of the Colorado River and local sources
Quaternary loess-Paleosol sequences as examples of climate-driven sedimentary extremes
Mid-Holocene climates of the Americas: a dynamical response to changed seasonality
Marine terraces, sea level history and Quaternary tectonics of the San Andreas fault on the coast of California
Last interglacial climates
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Quaternary sea level history of the United States
Eolian sediments
Mineralogical maturity in dunefields of North America, Africa and Australia
Stratigraphy and palaeoclimatic significance of Late Quaternary loess-palaeosol sequences of the Last Interglacial-Glacial cycle in central Alaska
Unprecedented last-glacial mass accumulation rates determined by luminescence dating of loess from western Nebraska
A late quaternary record of eolian silt deposition in a maar lake, St. Michael Island, western Alaska
Last Glacial loess in the conterminous USA
Eolian sand transport pathways in the southwestern United States: Importance of the Colorado River and local sources
Quaternary loess-Paleosol sequences as examples of climate-driven sedimentary extremes
Mid-Holocene climates of the Americas: a dynamical response to changed seasonality
Marine terraces, sea level history and Quaternary tectonics of the San Andreas fault on the coast of California
Last interglacial climates
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.