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ESD Earth System Dynamics Research Group

The Earth System Dynamics Research Group is under the direction of Professor Todd Ehlers. Our research interests are in the evolution of Earth's topography as influenced by climate, surface processes, tectonics, and biota. We investigate the deformation, paleoclimate, erosion, and sedimentation in active mountain belts around the world. Tools we use include computer modeling of lithospheric, atmospheric and surface processes, thermochronology, and cosmogenic isotopes. Current research topics include:

Investigation of transient topography and paleoclimate.
Quantifying glacial erosion rates, magnitudes, and paleotopography.
Glaciology and ice sheet stability and dynamics.
Climate and land surface changes and water resources.
Paleoclimate, deformation, and erosion history of orogenic plateaus such as the Andean and Tibetan Plateaus.
Sedimentary basin evolution and detrital records of orogen erosion, paleotopography, and paleoclimate.

This research group integrates a variety of tools in its research projects. Emphasis is placed on using a multidisciplinary approach to solving problems and integrating such techniques and data sets as:

Numerical modeling (thermal, mechanical, atmospheric, and surface process models) and high performance computing.
Low-temperature thermochronology: noble gas and fission track methods.
Analysis and modeling of high-resolution (Lidar derived) digital topography.
Field based observations of sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, and structure.
Meso- and global-scale climate models and meteorological data
Remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS)
Cosmogenic isotopes (10Be, 26Al, 3He) and short lived nuclides.
Geophysical data analysis (heat flow, gravity, seismic reflection profiles)

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