Doctoral Dissertation Research: Analyses of Clast Fabrics in Periglacial Mass-Movement Deposits

冰缘过程是那些在冰缘 近冰川的条件，无论是沿着冰川的边缘， 在气候寒冷的地区， 冰川作用 在西南部的无漂流区 威斯康星州和北方阿巴拉契亚山脉的部分地区 更新世冰川作用的界限，以及 在阿拉斯加中部和北方，冰缘作用 对景观产生重大影响。 第四纪科学家长期 试图区分不同的影响， 冰缘过程，但明确的证据是， 罕见的，标准的分析程序，以确定形式的质量- 冰缘环境中的浪费还没有得到很好的开发。 本博士论文研究过程将重点关注 “碎屑组构”方向性的比较 （由岩石碎片组成的物质） 三个不同的网站。 其中两个地点（一个在阿拉斯加中部 一个在纽约西南部和宾夕法尼亚州西北部） 之前的研究已经发现 似乎是之前冰缘时期的遗迹 的 第三个地点（阿拉斯加东部）是冰缘 进程仍然活跃。 数据来源于提取的材料 将与其他沉积物进行分析， 环境数据，以评估现有的有效性 冰缘沉积物输运过程模型 环境. 这项研究项目将提供有价值的新见解 from a number数of perspectives观点. 方法上的进步应该是 通过改进新的统计方法， 识别和比较内部的取向变化， 存款之间。 工艺的基本知识 在冰缘环境中的操作也将是先进的， 将化石联系起来可能产生特殊价值 活动过程的证据。 作为博士论文 改进奖，该奖项还将提供支持， 一个有前途的学生建立一个强大的独立研究 事业

Periglacial processes are those processes that operate in near-glacial conditions, whether along the margins of glaciers or in areas where the climates are almost cold enough to support glaciation. In locales like the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and parts of the northern Appalachians just beyond the limits of Pleistocene glaciation, and in locales like those of central and northern Alaska, periglacial processes have had significant impacts on the landscape. Quaternary scientists long have attempted to differentiate between the effects of various periglacial processes, but unambiguous lines of evidence are rare, and standard analytic procedures to identify forms of mass- wasting in periglacial environments have not been well developed. This doctoral dissertation research process will focus on comparisons of the directional orientation of "clast fabrics" (materials consisting of rock fragments) within colluvium from three different sites. Two of these sites (one in central Alaska and one in southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania) are locales where previous studies have identified formations that appear to be relics of previous periglacial episodes. The third site (in eastern Alaska) is a site where periglacial processes are still active. Data derived from material extracted from these sites will be analyzed with other sedimentary and environmental data in order to assess the validity of extant models of sediment-transport processes operating in periglacial environments. This research project will provide valuable new insights from a number of perspectives. Methodological advances should be realized through refinement of new statistical approaches for identifying and comparing orientational variations within and between deposits. Fundamental knowledge of the processes operating in periglacial environments also will be advanced, with special value likely to result from efforts to relate fossil evidence to active processes. As a doctoral dissertation improvement award, this award also will provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career.