A field trip to Namibia to study volcanic rocks led to an unexpected discovery by WVU geologists Graham Andrews and Sarah Brown. While exploring the desert country located in southern Africa, they stumbled upon a peculiar land formation—flat desert scattered with hundreds of long, steep hills. They quickly realized the bumpy landscape was shaped by drumlins, a type of hill often found in places once covered in glaciers, an abnormal characteristic for desert landscapes. Read more about the research.
The world’s forests are on a fast food diet of carbon dioxide, which is currently causing them to grow faster. But a researcher at West Virginia University, along with an international team of scientists, finds evidence suggesting that forest growth may soon peak as the trees deplete nitrogen in the soil over longer growing seasons.
West Virginia’s wildlands are a “canary in the coal mine for climate change” because of the forests’ biodiversity, which, along with rich soils and abundant rainfall, make them among the strongest forests globally, according to Brenden McNeil, an associate professor of geography at WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The state’s forests have been resilient to a barrage of logging and acid rain in the 19th and 20th centuries but are now exhibiting symptoms of declining health because of climate change.
Alumna Holly Pettus (BS Geology, 2018) is among 15 undergraduate students from
universities across the nation to be recognized for her outstanding research with
the 2018 GeoCUR Award for Excellence in Student Research. Her research focused
on investigating the origin of potassium feldspar (K-feldspar) megacrysts from a
small granitoid intrusion in western Nevada.
Kenneth Brown, a teaching assistant professor of geology, said he nominated Pettus because he was impressed with her work and dedication to science.
“Beyond being a great student, Holly is very motivated and has shown a remarkable
sense of curiosity, enthusiasm and interest in the fields of igneous
petrology, volcanology and geochemistry,” Brown said. “She is an excellent role
model for other young, female students entering the STEM fields.”
Among the lions and zebras in Tanzania in the summer heat, a West Virginia University environmental geoscience student explored the geography of the land.
Weirton, West Virginia, native Francesca Basil (BA Environmental Geoscience, 2018) traveled to the East African country in summer 2018 with support from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences’ Academic Enrichment Program.**********************************************************
Dr. Brent McCusker has recently contributed to a major study of migration projections
in the developing world. https://eberly.wvu.edu/news-events/eberly-news/2018/04/05/wvu-geographer-helps-prepare-for-internal-climate-migration-through-new-world-bank-report
**********************************************************
To find out more on Dr. Lang's legacy please go here: https://www.geo.wvu.edu/home/helen-lang-memorial/life-and-legacy
**********************************************************
The
Department of Geology and Geography is committed to creating a diverse and
inclusive community. We echo Provost McConnell’s statement from August 16.
“Each year brings new challenges and opportunities, but this year we face a very particular challenge revealed by last weekend’s events in Charlottesville. We strongly condemn white supremacist, neo-Nazi, and other hate groups. These groups understand the role of public universities as venues for free speech and seek to exploit our campuses for their own purposes using racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, anti-immigrant, misogynist, and anti-Muslim speech and violence. They know that free speech is their right; we know that it is also a responsibility. As a public land-grant university, we have an obligation to promote free speech but to also do everything in our power to oppose bigotry, hate, and violence, to keep our community safe, and to use education to inspire our students to seek justice for all.”
**********************************************************
Bridget Walter, a Geology undergrad, was the recipient of the 2017 Marshall Miller Field Camp Award for her performance as the top student in Geology 404, Geology Field Camp.**********************************************************
WVU geography professor featured in DP for grant in food security: http://www.dominionpost.com/Food-Justice-Lab-re--ceives-$30K
**********************************************************
PhD student Kristen de Graauw publishes paper: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1125786517301005
**********************************************************
Former undergrad, current MA in geography Shawn Cockrel publishes paper on Cook’s Mill (WV) and gets the cover shot: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S112578651730019X
**********************************************************
WVU Geography professor wins Fulbright to Australia http://eberly.wvu.edu/news-events/eberly-news/2017/05/18/wvu-geography-professor-awarded-fulbright-senior-scholarship
**********************************************************
Lucy Aistis an Environmental Geosciences at West Virginia University won a scholarship from the Mid Atlantic Chapter of the International Erosion Control Society. Lucy is a senior, and has been on the Dean’s List as well as the President’s List, is a member of numerous organizations, and has been an intern for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Forms and Documents
