Link to climatic data from southern Alaska lakes
Link to A synthesis of the last 2000 years of climate variability from Arctic lakes
Link to 8000 years of climate variability from Arctic Lakes
To understand environmental change and its current trajectory requires a long-term perspective of the natural variability in the earth system. Because observational records of change are relatively brief, we depend on proxy records from geological archives for this perspective. I study lake and glacial deposits that provide an archive of long-term climate variability. Because dating of geological materials is pivotal to understanding the timing, rates, and regional extent of paleoclimatic changes, I am particularly interested in geochronology, especially amino acid geochronology and tephrochronology. And, because accurate dating of geologic deposits is predicated on understanding the geologic context of the dated materials, I have a strong emphasis in field geology. I have been involved in a variety of field-oriented projects, principally at high latitudes and high altitudes where past environmental changes have been most pronounced and future changes are anticipated to be greatest. The analytical phase of my research is devoted to analyzing the physical properties of lake sediments, particularly those from glaciated basins, and applying amino acid geochronology and paleothermometry to resolving Quaternary paleoclimatic and geochronological problems.
