Paleoclimatology/Paleopedology
Research currently conducted by six faculty members in the Geology Department at Baylor University focuses on Terrestrial Paleoclimatology, in which climates (precipitation, temperature), landscapes, and paleoatmospheric chemistries (pCO2, pO2) of the past are reconstructed at temporal scales ranging from hundreds to millions of years. Such research efforts on terrestrial paleoclimates of the Earth's past are strategically placed within the National Research Council "Critical Zone" directive, through interdisciplinary study of soils, terrestrial sediments and biota, conducted in both modern and ancient environments. Research in ancient climates recorded in the geologic past provides us our only means of testing climate models for the future, particularly the anticipated climate change predicted for the future that would be brought about by increased anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Terestrial Paleoclimatology Research Report
| Participating Baylor Faculty |
The following Baylor Geology faculty members currently conduct research in Terrestrial Paleoclimatology.
Full curriculum vitae for the listed faculty are available upon request, or from our Geology Department website under each Faculty member's name.
Dr. Stacy C. Atchley
Professor (Ph.D., University of Nebraska – Lincoln)
Research Interests:
• Petroleum Geology
• Applied Sequence Stratigraphy
• Paleopedologic Applications to Sequence Stratigraphy.
Dr. Steven G. Driese
Professor and Chair (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison)
Professor and Graduate Program Director (Ph.D., University of Texas – Austin)
Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of Kansas)
Professor and Dean of College of Arts and Sciences (Ph.D., Texas A&M University)
Assistant Professor (Ph.D., Yale University)
Research Interests:
• Paleopedology
• Clastic Sedimentology
Dr. Stephen I. (Steve) Dworkin
Research Interests:
• Sedimentary Petrology
• Low Temperature Geochemistry
• Geochemical Applications to Paleopedology
Dr. Zhaodong (Jordan) Feng
Research Interests:
• Geomorphology
• Quaternary Paleoclimatology
• GIS/RS Applications in Physical Geography
Dr. Lee C. Nordt
Research Interests:
• Paleoclimatology and paleoecology
• soils and paleosols
• Quaternary Geology
Dr. Daniel J. Peppe
Research Interests:
• Geochronology
• Paleomagnetism
• Magnetostratigraphy
• paleobotany
• Plant systematics
• Taxonomy
• Paleoclimatology
• Paleoecology
• Biostratigraphy
• Palynology
• Lithostratigraphy
• Global change
