The ability to quantify ancient channel geometries, flow conditions, and sediment transport conditions from sedimentary deposits is a crucial step to characterize ancient landscape dynamics. In the field, I make detailed measurements of channel deposits, and I apply geomorphic and hydraulic models to these measurements to reconstruct channel geometries, flow conditions, and sediment transport conditions. I also develop these methods. 

Current/future questions: Can we quantify discharge variability from channel deposits? Can we use channel deposits as a proxy for terrestrial hydroclimate? To what extent can we apply paleohydraulic reconstructions to channel deposits on Mars?

I regularly conduct fieldwork to investigate ancient landscape dynamics. In the field, we can make observations at different spatial scales, each of which reflects different timescales and processes of landscape evolution. I collect data across multiple observation scales to build a complete picture of how ancient landscapes evolved. To date, I have worked alluvial fan, fluvial, and deltaic deposits in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, USA, the Pyrenees, Spain, South Wales, UK, and more.

Current/future questions: What determines whether environmental signals are preserved at each observation scale? At which scales can we detect landscape response to tectonic or climatic change?

Understanding how ancient rivers responded to climate change is crucial to predict how modern rivers may respond to ongoing climate change. I have conducted fieldwork to document and reconstruct river response to the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a global warming event that occurred ~56 million years ago. I investigated river deposits that coincide with the PETM in multiple locations, including the (i) Pyrenees, Spain, (ii) Wyoming, USA, and (iii) Colorado, USA.

Current/future questions: Is the sedimentary record of river response to climate change biased to wetter or drier conditions? How did ancient rivers respond to other hyperthermals in Earth history?

Physical experiments allow us to bridge the gap between the timescales recorded in ancient deposits and modern deposits. I set up the new CoLD Group delta basin at The Pennsylvania State University, and I ran a set of experiments to investigate how vegetation impacts delta dynamics. I investigated (i) how channel mobility varies between non-vegetated and vegetated deltas, (ii) how sea level rise impacts delta channel mobility for non-vegetated and vegetated deltas, and (iii) how vegetation impacts deltaic stratigraphy.

Current/future questions: Do the differences between non-vegetated and vegetated experimental deltas help us to interpet the pre-vegetation rock record? How does vegetation impact the frequency of alluvial hazards (e.g., avulsions, overbank flows) on deltas?

River planforms reflect the quasi-equilibrium form of channels in response to water supply, sediment supply, slope, and other factors. Knowledge of ancient river planform therefore provides insights into ancient river dynamics. However, planform can be challenging to interpret from the rock record. Using modern river data, I try to find simple predictors of specific geometries/processes that can be applied to ancient systems. I developed a large database of river planform as a function of channel aspect ratio and channel slope (see left) which, where interpretation from the rock record is limited, can be used to predict ancient channel planform.