Paul Karabinos
Professor
of Geosciences
127 Bronfman Science Center
(413) 597-2079
GEOS 250T Tectonics, Erosion, and Climate
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.
This course will follow the tutorial format. 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 five-page papers and each student’s effectiveness
as a critic.
Prerequisites: At least one of the following courses: GEOS 201, 202, 301, 302,
303, or 401 or with permission of instructor. Preference given to geosciences
majors.
Enrollment limit: 10 (expected 10).
Hour:
Instructor: KARABINOS
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