Not offered 2007-2008
GEOS 350T Tectonics, Erosion, and Climate (W)
Traditional models of landscape development postulate rapid pulses of tectonic uplift followed by long periods of gradual erosion. In sharp contrast, recent studies suggest that
landscape is the product of complex interactions between tectonics, erosion, and climate. It
is clear that tectonic uplift directly affects erosion rates and may induce orographic climate
changes, but can climatically enhanced erosion rates drive tectonic processes? Can very
rapid uplift and erosion in one region, such as the Himalayas, affect global climate by
sequestering greenhouse gases during the weathering of sediments? Some researchers
believe so. This course will explore the feedback mechanisms that have been proposed to
explain how tectonics, erosion, and climate
affect one another and produce the landscapes we observe today. Topics will include plate
tectonics and crustal thickening, erosion and exhumation processes, climate and erosion
rates, isostasy, equilibrium landscapes, formation of orogenic plateaus, and formation of the
Himalayas and development of the Asian monsoon.
Format: tutorial. After an initial group meeting, students will meet in pairs for one hour each
week with the instructor. Each student will orally present a written paper every other week
for criticism during the tutorial session.
Evaluation will be based on five 5-page papers and each student's effectiveness as a critic.
Prerequisites: at least one of the following courses: Geosciences 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, or
401 or with permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected:10). Preference given to
Geosciences majors.
KARABINOS