Bucknell Geology - Faculty Research
Temporal and spatial aspects of progressive deformation in fold and thrust belts: I have worked in the Sevier and Appalachian fold and thrust belts. My interests lie in four-dimensional progressive deformation and in defining rate-controlling parameters in the progressive evolution of contractional mountain belts. I have done much work and continue to conduct research in the local Appalachians.
Central Appalachian tectonics: Detrital rock fragments contain a wealth of information about the positions and availability of source terranes. By analyzing the distribution of detrital zircon ages at key positions in the Appalachian foreland basin, Peter Zeitler (Lehigh University) and I have made significant conclusions about the tectonic history of the Central Appalachians. We are in the process of acquiring new data on the temporal changes in provenance of detrital white micas in the Upper Paleozoic clastic wedge.
Fault Rock Analyses: I am conducting a literature review and my own field and sample analyses from fault zones at the proposed high level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, NV. The goal of this research is to assess the 3D geometry of potentially seismically active fault zones in Yucca Mountain. My work is being subsidized by the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses , TX under contract with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Tectonics and synorogenic sedimentation: As a result of my fruitful collaborative work on the kinematics of uplift on the eastern flank of the Beartooth uplift, Wyoming-Montana, I remain interested in pursuing further studies of synorogenic deposits as interpretive tools in structural analysis.
Fluid migration and evolution during orogenesis: Fluids can simultaneously control and record parameters of deformation. I have analyzed fluid inclusions in veins of known structural timing in an effort to learn about space-time changes in deformation conditions.
My current research focuses on karst hydrology. I am particularly interested in how water and sediment flow through and shape karst systems that have springs, sinkholes and caves. While I have worked mainly on large springs in the past, I am currently interested in what happens before the water and sediment reach the spring. I use a variety of remote-sensing methods to approach these questions.
Laboratory and field investigations in aqueous geochemistry as applied to prevention and remediation of waste disposal problems.
My Acid mine drainage research with students has focused on chemistry and both active and passive treatment. Specific area have included measuring and modeling the influence of temperature, iron concentrations, pH, dissolved oxygen and iron-oxidizing bacterial population on aqueous iron oxidation rates. I have investigated both experimental and theoretical aspects of alkalinity, acidity and net alkalinity, which have been poorly-understood but widely-used parameters in mine drainage treatment. I have recently published a paper that examined the relationship between bedrock geology and its ability to neutralize acid precipitation (acid rain) in Pennsylvania headwater streams: this study also examined brook trout populations in these streams. I'm looking forward to studying carbon dioxide degassing rates in the pursuit of a more predictive model for iron oxidation in semi-passive mine drainage treatment.
Extreme Events and Impact on Landscape and Sediment Transport, Impact of Climate Change on Geomorphic Systems, Fluvial Geomorphology
Floods, Channelization, Land Use Impacts, Alluvial Fans, Hillslope Processes, Debris Flows and Landslides (Appalachian Focus), Paleohydrology and Paleoflood Hydrology
Coastal Geomorphology, Barrier Island Processes, Storm Impacts, Ecosystem Disturbance, Alluvial Aquifers and Interaction with Rivers, Groundwater Sapping
Geology and Geomorphology of Mars
