REU Site: A Field-Based Study of Landscape Evolution in Western Colorado

REU 站点：科罗拉多州西部景观演化的实地研究

• 批准号: 0453264
• 负责人: Andres Aslan
• 金额: $ 36.26万
• 依托单位: Colorado Mesa University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-05-01 至 2009-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0453264&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: REU; Site; Field; Based; Study

This is a field-based study focusing on surficial processes and landscape evolution in western Colorado. This region is a spectacular natural field laboratory, and the location in Grand Junction, CO, makes Mesa State College (MSC) an excellent base for the proposed research activities. The importance of this topic is two-fold: 1) given the significant past and ongoing research in surficial processes in these regions it is highly appropriate that undergraduate geology students learn about landscape evolution in this classic geological setting, and 2) the proposed student research activities will provide students with in-depth exposure to aspects of surficial processes (e.g., geomorphology, soils, neotectonics) that are not typically required for undergraduate geology majors in the U.S. (these topics are typically electives). MSC faculty have extensive experience mentoring undergraduate students and supervising research projects. Novel aspects of this proposal include 1) its emphasis on field-based research, 2) research activities that examine landscape evolution at multiple time scales, and 3) the goal of working with students that are in the earliest stages of their research careers (e.g., sophomores or juniors; students that have not yet completed major requirements such as field camp). Research by MSC faculty has identified a series of viable, cutting-edge student projects ranging from studies of arroyo entrenchment to the origin of the Colorado River. The outstanding geology of western Colorado will serve as the natural field laboratory for all projects, and provides an ideal hands-on learning environment for project participants.

这是一个基于实地的研究，重点是在西部科罗拉多的表面过程和景观演变。 该地区是一个壮观的自然野外实验室，位于CO的大章克申，使梅萨州立学院（MSC）成为拟议研究活动的绝佳基地。这个主题的重要性是双重的：1）鉴于在这些地区的地表过程中的重要过去和正在进行的研究，本科地质学学生在这个经典的地质环境中学习景观演化是非常合适的，2）拟议的学生研究活动将为学生提供深入接触地表过程的各个方面（例如，地貌学、土壤学、新构造学），这些都是美国地质学专业本科生通常不需要的（这些主题通常是选修课）。 MSC教师拥有丰富的指导本科生和监督研究项目的经验。 该提案的新颖之处包括：1）强调基于实地的研究，2）在多个时间尺度上研究景观演变的研究活动，以及3）与处于研究生涯早期阶段的学生合作的目标（例如，大三或大三学生;尚未完成主要要求的学生，如野外露营）。 MSC教师的研究已经确定了一系列可行的，尖端的学生项目，从阿罗约战壕的研究到科罗拉多河的起源。 科罗拉多西部的杰出地质将作为所有项目的天然野外实验室，并为项目参与者提供理想的动手学习环境。