EES 5010 Geoscience Seminar – 12/1/2023 – 3:30 – 5PM, 125 Trowbridge Hall
Presenter: Dr. Basil Tikoff, UW - Madison, Department of Geoscience
Title: The hit-and-run model for the Cretaceous-Paleogene North American Cordillera: The role of alternative hypotheses
Abstract: This talk has something for everyone: It proposes a new tectonic model for how the Rocky Mountains formed, why community-accepted models are so hard to overcome, and a new way of communicating about the relation between data and model uncertainty. The North American Cordillera experienced major contractional deformation during the Cretaceous-Paleogene, which is commonly attributed to normal subduction transitioning to shallow-slab subduction. I propose an alternative hit-and-run model, in which the Insular superterrane obliquely collided with the North American margin from 100-85 Ma (the “hit”), followed by northward translation during continued oblique convergence with North America from 85-55 Ma (the “run”). The hit phase records dextral transpressional deformation in all of the magmatic arcs, incipient plateau formation, foreland block uplifts in the northern Rocky Mountains, and significant foreland sedimentation in adjacent North America. The 85-55 Ma “run” phase resulted in dextral strike-slip faulting of coastal blocks and significant contractional deformation in adjacent North America. The presentation will address the utility of alternative models and the role of uncertainty in both data and models. The concept of salience allows one to connect data uncertainty to model uncertainty. The hit-and-run model is consistent with the first-order geological and geophysical constraints from the Cordillera, although it requires a more complex (three-dimensional, time-dependent, etc.) view of mountain building along western North America.
reminders:
- Early course registration Winter 2023 & Spring 2024: 11/6 - 12/1
- Fall break: 11/19 - 11/26
- Final Exam Reports Grad students: 11/27
- Single thesis deposits due by 5PM CST: 12/4
- Close of classes: 12/8
- Final Exam Week: 12/11 - 12/15
- Fall 2023 Commencements: 12/14 – 12/17
STUDENT, FACULTY, & ALUMNI: DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS!
Since 2019 your Earth and Environmental Science Alumni Board have announced a Distinguished Alumni Awardee. A “Distinguished Alumni” is alumni with a B.S., M.S., or Ph. D. who is recognized from making significant contributions to earth and environmental sciences throughout their careers, and personified service to and passion for the discipline and community, including public outreach. All nominations are kept on file so no nominee is ever “lost” in the review and selection process. The Distinguished Alumni is announced each year at Homecoming. (Distinguished Alumni Award | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu))
Please send your nominations to Lee Phillips, EESB Chair (plphilli@uncg.edu), Brian Hartman (brianshartman@gmail.com) since he's the Chair of the Alumni Outreach Committee, which oversees this award process and Amy Sullivan, alumni and Past EESB Chair (cajes@mindspring.com) who coordinates nominee documentation. From that point the Alumni Outreach Committee will move forward with the review and documentation process. Let’s honor our awesome alumni!
EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CLUB
The Earth and Environmental Science Club will meet every other Wednesday in 125 TH at 6PM.
The group will meet every other week, unless otherwise announced. Please contact Henry Frederick (henry-frederick@uiowa.edu) for more information.
Dates are as follows: December 6th
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
UNDERGRAD/ENTRY-LEVEL
The Iowa Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Program is hiring! This is a great opportunity to learn about lots of survey techniques and Iowa's wildlife.
MSIM-Generalist : https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=85981
MSIM- Birds : https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=85982
MSIM- Summer : https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=85984
PROFESSIONAL/POST-GRAD
Environmental Geoscientist – Geologist II, Oklahoma Geological Survey - Norman, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Geological Survey is seeking an Environmental Geoscientist with a background in hydrogeology, geology, environmental geology, or related field. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to a state agency and unit in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy in the University of Oklahoma, whose charge is to investigate and promote the wise use of Oklahoma's land, water, mineral, and energy resources. The successful candidate will work individually and with others to characterize and understand the hydrogeology, surface geology, and environmental geology of Oklahoma.
Responsibilities
• Conduct assessment and analysis of groundwater, surface water, and environmental resources and quality in Oklahoma
• Attract external funding and publish and present results of scientific investigations
• Supervise research staff and students (students in collaboration with the MCEE School of Geosciences and other OU academic units)
• Provide information and technical assistance to state regulatory agencies, local industries, and the public on a regular basis
• Participate in and lead geologic field trips, conferences, and workshops
Applicants must submit the name, email address, and phone number of at least three professional references. For any inquiries, please reach out to Ms. Cari Pryor at cmharris@ou.edu.
Link: Job Description - Environmental Geoscientist (232632) (taleo.net)
INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP
The Nature Conservancy in Iowa is now recruiting for the Anna Beal Intern Crew. If you know any students going to Iowa colleges or universities that you think would enjoy helping us steward natural areas throughout the state, including Broken Kettle Grasslands, The Little Sioux Valley, Land of the Swamp White Oak, Grand River Grasslands and many others, please feel free to share! This experience is a great opportunity for students to develop some practical skills in land stewardship and ecology. Positions are limited, so applicants are encouraged to apply quickly. You can find this position by following this link
Feel free to reach out with any questions: Dale Maxson (Eastern Iowa Land Steward) - dmaxson@tnc.org -
(319) 726-3041 (office) or (906) 286-274 (mobile) - nature.org/iowa
RESEARCH
Research Experience for Undergrads: Sensors in Earth, Oceans, and Space Science
Employer: University of New Hampshire (Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space
Location: Durham, New Hampshire
Salary: 6,000
Closing date: Dec 15, 2023
An REU is a “Research Experience for Undergraduates”, and is a program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The goal of all REU programs is to provide authentic research experiences for undergraduate students. Here, we aim to help students identify if STEM majors and careers are right for them. Over the course of 10 weeks (June 3 – August 9, 2024), you will learn about the research questions that can be addressed by the type of sensors used in your mentor’s lab, how to collect, maintain, and analyze data, and finally how to present your findings to peers. This includes sensors deployed in ocean settings, forests, rivers, and even satellites in space. Many projects will involve computer programming skill building, and some will include field and/or lab work. You will also learn about data stewardship, research integrity, and collaborative science. REU students will work alongside graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and other scientific professionals. Each student will work on a specific project with a faculty mentor and will present a research poster to peer researchers at a multi-internship end of summer symposium. This REU will also provide weekly lunch discussions with scientific professionals in academia, industry, and government, giving you a chance to learn about the myriad career pathways opened by STEM degrees. This opportunity will be located at the University of New Hampshire main campus in Durham, NH. All REU students will have housing on campus, and mentor labs are all in UNH’s Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space. Some projects may involve field work off-campus; transportation will be provided for all required fieldwork.
FELLOWSHIP
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) has several Postdoc Fellowship openings for distinguished candidates who have obtained their PhD degrees recently, preferably within the last 2-3 years. The various Interdisciplinary Research Centers (IRCs) where the candidates will continue their research, and the sub-areas of work in the IRCs, can be found by visiting the link below: https://postdoc.kfupm.edu.sa/available_vacancies.html
Appended to this message is the flyer. More details of the fellowship can be found at https://postdoc.kfupm.edu.sa
If you happen to be an interested candidate with excellent research/academic records you may apply by filling out the form at the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesX-ZTGqGvXCWVIDpd7_XcItGr_XLgKO0_efusr0ounyXYaA/viewform?usp=sf_link
RAISE Postdoctoral Fellowship, Virginia Institute of Marine Science - Gloucester Point, Virginia
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), William & Mary, is seeking applicants for our Research, Academic Inclusion, and Scientific Engagement (RAISE) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program. The overarching goal of this program is to train the next generation of leading academic faculty. RAISE postdoctoral fellows will receive training in the research, teaching, and governance competencies needed to succeed in tenure-track academic faculty positions. Emphasis is placed on capacity building in academia, with recognition that successfully tackling current marine science challenges requires inclusion of scientists with a diversity of voices, perspectives, and experiences; therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals underrepresented in the field of marine science and in higher education. Appointed fellows will be mentored by a faculty member at VIMS. Together they will work in an area of mutual interest. Current research interests of VIMS faculty span a broad range of topics in marine science, which can be explored via the VIMS Faculty Directory. In addition to research, fellows will be expected to engage in professional development activities as part of the program.
Applicants are required to have a PhD with no more than 4 years since conferral of their degree. A degree in marine science is not required, as we are interested in recruiting individuals outside the field that have research interests and experience that are transferable to marine science. Applicants must have independent research experience, with a high level of scholarship through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Demonstrated commitment to teaching, mentoring, leadership, and governance, as well as grant management experience, is preferred but not required. Appointed fellows will be employees of William & Mary and fellowships are expected to span 2 years, with an annual starting salary of $70,000. The RAISE Fellowship is eligible for employee benefits and leave as outlined in William & Mary’s Faculty & Professional plans. Start date is negotiable, but, ideally, fellows will begin in Spring - Summer 2024.
VIMS has a three-part mission: to conduct research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and the public, and provide advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public. Chartered in 1940, VIMS is currently among the largest marine research and education centers in the US. It houses William & Mary’s School of Marine Science (SMS), which supports a robust graduate program and a growing undergraduate program.
To Apply:
Interested applicants should identify a proposed faculty mentor at VIMS and are encouraged to contact that faculty member to discuss research opportunities of mutual interest. The applicant should then submit: 1) a cover letter indicating the proposed faculty mentor and expected date available to begin the fellowship; 2) a CV; 3) the names and contact information for three references; 4) a statement of research interest (3 page limit) that describes the applicant’s proposed research plan at VIMS, relevant experience, and transferrable skills if coming from an outside field; and 5) a statement of inclusive excellence (1 page limit), which describes how the applicant’s lived experience and/or service could uniquely contribute to enhancement of inclusion and diversity in the field of marine science and higher education. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to VIMS and more information can be found in the VIMS Inclusive Excellence Plan.
Applicants may apply here.
Position will remain open until filled with applicant review beginning December 15th, 2023.
It is anticipated that candidates will receive notification of their application status in February 2024
Questions about the program or application process should be directed to Andrew Wargo at arwargo@vims.edu.
William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
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The EES Department newsletter is published every Tuesday during the academic year, outside of semester breaks. If you would like to add an event, club meeting, or other item of interest, please submit an email to clas-ees@uiowa.edu, with the subject heading "Newsletter Item," on Fridays by noon, and your submission will be added to the following Tuesday's newsletter.