Geosciences
EarthWorks, April 18, 2008

Submit items to Lauren Bivona or Norm Meader at enews@email.arizona.edu preferably by 5:00 pm Wednesday of each week. Please include "EarthWorks" in the subject line.

On-line version available at http://www.geo.arizona.edu/events/enewsletter/EarthWorks-04-18-08.html (for Pine and webmail users).


In This Issue:


Departmental News
            From the Head
            Congratulations to Paul Kapp for Faculty Small Grants Award
            Reminder: Textbook Orders for Fall 2008 Due April 20th
 
University/Related News
            Fundraiser for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)
            UofA Special Two-Day Workshop on Uncertainty Quantification:  April 25-26
            Dr. Suzette M. Kimball Named to Lead National USGS Geology Programs
            Energy Conservation at the UofA
 
Job Opportunities
            One-Year Earth Science Education Position at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
            Position Opening: ADVANCE Project Director at the UofA
 
Upcoming Talks (Geosciences)
            Department of Geosciences Colloquium - Jeffery Stone on Lake Malawi (Thursday)
 
Upcoming Talks (UA)
            Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Colloquium - Ralph Lorenz on Aeolian Features of Titan (Tuesday)
            Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Evening Lecture Series - Alfred McEwen on the Moon and Mars (Tuesday)
            Hydrology and Water Resources Seminar - Thomas Maddock III, HWR Head (Wednesday)
            U.S. Geological Survey Interdiscliplinary Colloquium - Jake Weltzin on the USA Phenology Network (Friday)
            IGERT Seminar in Archaeological Sciences - Rolfe Mandel on Central Plains Paleoindian Geoarchaeology (Friday)
            Geography and Regional Development Seminar - Geosciences Alumna Ellen Wohl on Fluvial Geomorphology (Friday)
 
Upcoming Talks (Elsewhere)
            Biosphere 2 Institute Science Saturday - David Breshears, School of Natural Resources, Saturday, April 26
            Biosphere 2 Institute MARS! Lecture Series - Peter Smith and Alfred McEwen, Saturdays, April 19 and 26
 


DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

From the Head

Karl Flessa Karl is away this week at Virginia Tech visiting Michal Kowalewski, one of his former graduate students who worked on the Colorado River delta with him and now Professor of Geobiology. We'll look for words from Karl next week.
Karl W. Flessa
Professor and Head [top]


Congratuations to Paul Kapp

Congratulations to Paul Kapp for being awarded a grant through the University of Arizona Foundation's Faculty Small Grants Program for "Sandblasting in Central Asia and Tectonic and Climatic Implications."
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Reminder: Textbook Orders for Fall 2008 Due April 20th

Textbook orders for Fall 08 are due April 20th.

If you are scheduled to teach a course for the Fall semester, please log in to the UA Bookstore website at http://www.uofabookstores.com/uaz/Faculty/index.asp?mscssid=U5328LTFFHJ99H6SP2D13TSCMWLLFWKB
to place your order online.

On the menu bar on the right-hand side of the page under "Order Now", select "Course Materials" and then click on your "applicable campus" (picture of the UA bookstore). Fill in your order, click the "have reviewed order" button and submit.

Please contact Enedina if you have any questions or need help getting those orders in.
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UNIVERSITY/RELATED NEWS

Fundraiser for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is holding a "Pie a Professor" fundraiser! For the next two weeks, donations will be accepted in the name of the following professors:  Drew Milsom (Physics), Shawn Jackson (Physics), Laird Close (Astronomy), & Chris Impey (Astronomy). By Friday, April 25th at 1:00 pm on the Mall, the professor with the most money donated in his name will be pied in the face. An auction at the event will be held to determine who actually pies the professor.

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:
            SEDS Office (Sonett Building, Room 21)
            Physics Academic Support Office (PAS 260)
            Astronomy Department Office (Steward, 2nd Floor)

If you have any questions, feel free to email Kyle (SEDS Treasurer) at kyle824@email.arizona.edu. Thanks!
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Special Two-Day UA Workshop on Uncertainty Quantification: April 25-26

The Uncertainty Quantification Group at The University of Arizona is having a special two-day workshop on Uncertainty Quantification, http://www.physics.arizona.edu/~dcomeau/conf-home.htm. The meeting will be held on April 25-26, 2008.

The workshop has three goals: (1) to identify and describe specific research problems in the general area of uncertainty quantification, of interest to the workshop participants; (2) the exchange of techniques and ideas in uncertainty quantification; (3) to foster future collaboration between the participants.

General areas of interest are: the application of statistics to the analysis of predictions, estimation as applied to hydrology and atmospheric/oceanic dynamics, model reduction by statistical and probabilistic parametrization, quantitative risk assessment, and random variable sampling techniques.

The group of invitees will be kept small (70) in order to maximize active participation of all workshop attendees, including faculty, post-docs, graduate students.

SPACE IS LIMITED AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED (see web site above). There is no cost to register.

The workshop success in fostering dialogue among widely different disciplines will hinge, to some extent, on presentations and discussions that include a substantial background component.

Organizers:  Juan M. Restrepo, Shankar Venkataramani, Kobus Barnard, Walter Piegorsch, and Kevin Lin
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Dr. Suzette M. Kimball Named to Lead National USGS Geology programs

From Mark Myers, Director of USGS:

I am pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Suzette M. Kimball as the 20th person to lead the geology programs in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the first woman to hold the position.

Dr. Kimball has exceptional leadership qualities, combining innovative methods and creativity. As the Eastern Region Director since 2004 and Eastern Regional Executive for Biology from 1998-2004, she was a driving force in fostering a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to science and intergovernmental activities.

Her collaborative approach to management has resulted in building unprecedented coalitions among local, State and Federal entities to develop integrated strategic science plans and increase the use of science in the management of public resources. This is exemplified in her work in the development of the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi Valley research programs; creation of a virtual science center to address Coral Reef research; establishment of strong partnerships in the Great Lakes; leading the bureau's response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina; and the development of the Louisiana Coastal Areas restoration effort.

Her strong background in strategic planning and organizational performance combined with her successful experience providing leadership in an integrated science environment will continue to be a vital asset to the USGS. Please join me in welcoming Suzette to the Associate Director for Geology position.
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Energy Conservation at the UofA

To:           Campus Community
From:      Joel Valdez, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs
Date:       April 17, 2008
Subject:  Energy Conservation

The University of Arizona is committed to energy conservation and sustainability such as recycling card board, office papers, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, scrap metals and newspapers. These recycling efforts have kept 312 tons of waste material from going to Arizona landfills. The campus community has also been conserving energy by turning off lights in rooms and offices that are not in use.

Another way we can save a significant amount of electricity and energy resources is by turning off our computers and IT equipment when this equipment is not in use or when we leave for the day. When IT equipment is in use, it contributes to adding heat, which requires added cooling. This added cooling is expensive and can be avoided with the suggested turning off of the equipment when applicable.

I have included a link to the Business Week article “Averting the IT Energy Crunch," which includes very informative information about how we can save our precious resources by implementing the suggested energy conservation measures.

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2007/tc20070514_003603.htm

Please take the extra step of turning off your IT equipment when not in use to save money and the environment.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

One-Year Earth Science Education Position at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

The Department of Geology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is recruiting for a one-year Instructional Academic Staff Position to teach Earth Science education courses at the undergraduate level. The appointment will begin on August 18, 2008. To learn more about the position please go to http://www.uwec.edu/acadaff/jobs/. The position announcement is available at http://www.geo.arizona.edu/events/enewsletter/files/Position_Announcement_Earth Science 08_final.doc. Please pass along this information to individuals who may be interested in applying. For  priority consideration, submit application materials by May 9th, 2008; however, applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Lorilie M. Steinke
Geology Department, UW-Eau Claire
steinkelm@uwec.edu
715-836-3732
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Position Opening: ADVANCE Project Director at the UofA

The position of ADVANCE Project Director will provide high-quality leadership and oversight to a wide variety of activities related to the National Science Foundation ADVANCE program at the University of Arizona (www.advance.arizona.edu) and will also serve as Associate Director of the Center for Research on Equity and Opportunity (www.creo.arizona.edu), which promotes excellence in the academy through research on and the promotion of equity.

To see the full posting and to apply for this position, follow this link:

http://www.uacareertrack.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=191341 or go to https://www.uacareertrack.com and search for job number 40653.

This position will be an integral member of a dynamic and dedicated team and is expected to work closely with the ADVANCE Executive Committee, the Director of CREO, and key individuals in the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice President for Research, University Information Technology Services and Human Resources. The selected candidate must be able to work independently, assess and synthesize information from multiple sources, demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to manage the details of multiple projects.

Review Begins on April 28 and will continue until the position is filled.
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UPCOMING TALKS (GEOSCIENCES)

Department of Geosciences Colloquium

Who:       Jeffery Stone, Department of Geosciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What:      Late Pleistocene Diatom Paleoecology of Central Lake Malawi, Africa
When:    Thursday, April 24, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where:   Koffler Building (CBS) Room 216

Semester Schedule: http://www.geo.arizona.edu/events/colloquium.htm
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UPCOMING TALKS (UA)

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Colloquium (Tuesday)

Who:        Ralph D. Lorenz, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University
Title:        Sand, Wind and Entropy
When:     Tuesday, April 22, 3:30 pm
Where:    Kuiper Space Sciences Building Room 308

The action of wind on a planetary surface can take many forms, notably the formation of sand dunes. Cassini Radar mapping of Titan's surface has revealed massive fields of organic sand dunes covering some 20% of that body.

Semester Schedule: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/calendar/colloquia.php
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Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Evening Lecture Series (Tuesday)

Who:       Alfred McEwen, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
What:    
 New Vistas of the Moon and Mars
When:    
Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 pm
Where:   Kuiper Space Sciences Building Room 308

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is returning spectacular high-resolution color and 3-dimensional images of Mars. By late this year or early 2009, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) will launch (and arrive at the Moon 3 days later) with the LRO Camera (LROC), to return images of comparable resolution to those of HiRISE.

Spring 2008 Schedule: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/COLPL/
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Hydrology and Water Resources Seminar (Wednesday)

Who:       Thomas Maddock III, Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona
Title:       The Rio Grande Settlement of 2008
When:     Wednesday, April 23, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where:   Harshbarger Building Room 206

Semester Schedule:  http://aegir.hwr.arizona.edu/calendar/Seminars/Seminars%202008/HWR%20-%20Fall%202007%20Schedule%20-%202.htm
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U.S. Geological Survey Interdisciplinary Colloquium (Friday)

Who:       Jake Weltzin, Program Coordinator, National Phenology Network
Title:       The Pulse of Our Planet: The USA National Phenology Network
When:     Friday, April 25, 12:00-1:00 pm
Where:   ENRB Building, Catalina Room (Room 253)

Additional Information:  Brown-bag lecture--bring a lunch and learn about phenology, a multifaceted approach to monitoring seasonal cycles as a means of gauging biological response to climate change, environmental change, and species invasions. For more information,contact Robert Powell of the Tucson Field Office at rpowell@usgs.gov, 670-5505.
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IGERT Seminar in Archaeological Sciences (Friday)

Who:        Rolfe Mandel, University of Kansas
Title:        Stratigraphy, Paleoenvironments, and Paleoindian Geoarchaeology of Late Quaternary Valley Fills in the
                 Central Plains of North America

When:     Friday, April 25, 3:00-5:30 pm
Where:   Haury (Anthropology) Building Room 216

Semester Schedule: http://datamonster.sbs.arizona.edu/IGERT/sem2008.php
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Geography and Regional Development Seminar

Who:       Ellen Wohl, Department of Geosciences, Colorado State University, and 1988 Geosciences Alumna
Title:       What Should These Rivers Look Like? (Colorado Front Range drainages)
When:     Friday, April 25, 3:30-4:45 PM
Where:   Harvill Building, Room 404

Semester Schedule: http://geog.arizona.edu/about/colloquium.php
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UPCOMING TALKS (ELSEWHERE)

Biosphere 2 Institute Science Saturdays

What:      Physics Factory
When:     Saturday, April 19, 1:00 pm
Where:   Biosphere 2

Who:       David Breshears, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona
What:      Hot Times and Dead Trees: Change in the West
When:     Saturday, April 26, 1:00 pm
Where:   Biosphere 2

Admission to the talk is included with the cost of admission to Biosphere 2, and a 50% discount is offered to you and your direct family upon presentation of your CatCard. You may also consider our membership program, which offers unlimited annual visits to Biosphere 2 as well as additional benefits.

Additional Information: http://www.b2science.org/b2institutesatsci.html
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Biosphere 2 MARS! Lecture Series

Who:       Peter Smith, Department of Planetary Science and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
What:      Mars!: The Phoenix Rises Again
When:     Saturday, April 19, 11:00 am
Where:   Biosphere 2 Theater

Who:       Alfred McEwen, Department of Planetary Science and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
What:      Mars!: Spying on Mars From Orbit With HiRISE
When:     Saturday, April 26, 11:00 am
Where:   Biosphere 2 Theater

Additional Information: http://www.b2science.org/b2institutemars.html
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EarthWorks on-line archive:  http://www.geo.arizona.edu/events/enewsletter