Research in Surface Processes, Quaternary Geology & Geoarcheology
Steve Kite's research includes a new focus on man as a geomorphic agent. This research is largely centered on the specific human activity with the greatest impact, surface coal mining, but also includes the diffuse effects of agriculture, logging, and other land uses on streams and slopes. One of the goals of this research is to develop and refine natural stream design principles and stream classification systems appropriate to Appalachian streams and rivers.
Kite has long-standing interests in the late Cenozoic history of the Appalachian Mountains and processes that play a role in the genesis of this beautiful landscape. His Quaternary geology research includes paleohydrology of proglacial lakes and outwash terraces, the Pleistocene history of the upper Ohio fluvial system, and the evolution of Appalachian slopes, debris fans, terraces and floodplains. His research in geomorphology is focused on terrestrial processes that link to the Quaternary geology of the region: especially hydroclimatology, floods, debris flows, landslides, fluvial sedimentology and soils.
Many professional archeologists working in the region have taken interest in Dr. Kite’s research in recent years. This interest has led to collaboration on numerous projects, commonly involving several graduate students. These studies have included development of models for landscape genesis, reconstruction of late Quaternary environments, development of archeological testing strategies, and guidance over excavation. Kite’s archeological research has covered a wide array of sites, ranging from Late Paleoindian and Early Archaic (>9000 year old) sites on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers to Albert Gallatin’s 19th Century mill at New Geneva, Pennsylvania.
Kite has developed graduate teaching
to complement his research program. His upper-level classes include
Field
Geology, Geomorphology, Advanced Fluvial Geomorphology, and Surficial
and
Glacial Geology. A new course has been developed entitled Rivers,
Floods
and Landslides, which will intergrate topics outside the physical
sciences,
such as flood-zone regulation, land-use planning, and disaster
response.
Kite has offered numerous field classes to a wide range of landscapes,
spanning the continent from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the
Pacific
Northwest.
Research Projects
Surficial Geology Mapping Techniques for the Appalachians
Geomophology and Surficial Geology of Mined Lands
Surficial Geology of the lower New River Gorge, West Virginia
Late Quaternary Geology and Geoarcheology of the Kanawha River Valley, West Virginia
Glacial Geology and Late Wisconsin Paleohydrology of Western Pennsylvania
Slackwater Deposits and Flood-Flow Reconstruction for Canyons in Eastern U.S.A.
Stratigraphy of Deep Archeological Sites in West Virginia
Geoarcheology of West Virginia Highway Corridors D and H
Bedrock Lithostratigraphy and other
Controls on Alluvial and Debris Flows in the Central Appalachians
Publications From The Last 5 Years
Kite, J. Steven, Gebhardt Terry W., and Springer, Gregory S., 2002, slackwater deposits as paleostage indicators in canyon reaches of the Central Appalachians: reevaluation after the 1996 Cheat River flood: in House, P. K., Webb, R.H., Baker, V.R., and Levish, D.R., editors, Ancient Floods, Modern Hazards: Principles and Applications of Paleoflood Hydrology, American Geophysical Union Water Science and Application Series Volume 5, p. 257-266.
Nellis, M. Duane, Warner, Timothy A., Landenberger, Rick, McGraw, James B., Kite, J. Steven, and Wang, Fei, 2000, The Chestnut Ridge Anticline: The first major ridge of the Appalachian Mountains: Geocarto International, v. 15, no. 4, p. 73-78.
Clark, G. Michael, and Kite, J. Steven, In Press (2000), An introduction to some recent advances in regolith research in the Appalachians beyond the late Wisconsinan glacial borders: Southeastern Geology.
Clark, G. Michael, Mills, Hugh H., and Kite, J. Steven, editors, in Press (2000), Regoliths in the Appalachian Highlands beyond the Wisconsinan glacial border: Southeastern Geology, Durhan, N.C.
Cenderelli, Daniel A., and Kite, J. Steven, 1998, Geomorphic effects of large debris flows on channel morphology at North Fork Mountain, eastern West Virginia, U.S.A.: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v. 23, p. 1-19.
Springer, Greg S., and Kite, J. Steven, 1997, Cave sedimentation and erosional history in the Cheat River Canyon, north-central West Virginia: Geomorphology, v. 18, p. 91-100.
Springer, Greg S., Kite, J. Steven, and Victor A. Schmidt, 1997, Cave sedimentation, genesis, and erosional history in the Cheat River Canyon, West Virginia: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 109, no. 5, p. 524-532.
Recent Guidebooks for Field Trips:
Kite, J. Steven, Davis, Eric N., and Miller, Andrew J., 2000, Big floods, debris flows, patterned ground, and reclamation ziggurats: natural and artificial landscape genesis in the West Virginia Alleghenies, Field Trip for the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania April 3-4, 2000, 66 p.
Davis, Eric N., Taylor, Steven B., Kite, J. Steven, and Fedorko, Nick, 1999, Paleoperiglacial Features and organic deposits in the Canaan Valley area, A field trip guide for the 12 June 1999 Meeting of the West Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists, 31 p.
Springer, Gregory S.,
Kite,
J. Steven and Gebhardt, Terry, 1997, Southeastern Friends of the
Pleistocene
Spring 1997 Fieldtrip, an introduction to the geomorphology of the
Cheat
River Canyon, West Virginia: Morgantown, WW, Department of Geology and
Geography, West Virginia University, 72 p., 4 appendices.
Recent Power Point Research
Presentations:
Expanded Versions of this Talk:
Scale and Morphology of Landforms Related to Coal Mining: Expanded Version Given As Geology Program Colloquium, 2/2/2000Other Reclamation Research at WVU, including several papers by Jeff Skousen
Some Snippets and Random Thoughts about Possible Student Research Projects
(updated 1 Dec 2002)