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

这是一项基于实地的研究，重点关注科罗拉多州西部的地表过程和景观演变。该地区是一个壮观的自然野外实验室，位于科罗拉多州大交界处，使梅萨州立学院（MSC）成为拟议研究活动的绝佳基地。这个话题的重要性有两个方面：1)考虑到这些地区地表过程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变是非常合适的；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，新构造学)，这些都不是美国本科地质学专业的必修课（这些主题通常是选修课）。硕士教师有丰富的经验指导本科生和监督研究项目。该提案的新颖之处包括：1)强调实地研究；2)在多个时间尺度上考察景观演变的研究活动；3)目标是与处于研究生涯早期阶段的学生合作（例如，大二或大三学生；尚未完成野外营地等主要要求的学生）。理学硕士学院的研究已经确定了一系列可行的、前沿的学生项目，从阿罗约堑壕的研究到科罗拉多河的起源。科罗拉多州西部杰出的地质将作为所有项目的天然现场实验室，并为项目参与者提供理想的动手学习环境。

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.