Geomorphology of the Oregon Coast Range

Geomorphology of the Oregon Coast Range

Geography 607, Research Seminar,

Winter 2009, Friday, 9:00-11:50, Condon 204

Instructor: Dr. W. Andrew Marcus Office: 109 Condon Hall

Office Hours: M 1-2, W 11-12 Office Phone: 346-5709

Class web site: http://geography.uoregon.edu/amarcus/geog607w09/index.htm

Seminar Description

This seminar will survey research on the geomorphology of the Oregon Coast Range, one of the classic sites in geomorphology. We will have three overarching goals as we review the research:

(1) To put the Coast Range research into the context of classic articles in geomorphology, such as Gilbert’s work on landscape evolution, Leopold’s hydraulic geomorphology, and Wolman and Miller’s work on magnitude and frequency, as well more recent articles that highlight major paradigms and debates in geomorphology. These readings will help us understand how geomorphologists conceptualize landscape evolution, process and form, while also introducing some of major foundation readings in geomorphology.

(2) To gain a better understanding of the landscapes in our own backyard. Besides providing a better grasp of the landscapes in which we live and on which we depend, the Coast Range is one of the most studied regions in geomorphology. As we read the literature on this range we will examine why the Coast Range has been an object of so much study, and how the focus on this area may influence (and bias?) our thinking about other regions.

(3) To explore how simple processes can lead to complex outcomes. One of the great debates in modern geomorphology is how to characterize and explain complex multiscalar processes. Rather than focusing on the literature that explicitly discusses complex response, I am hoping that by focusing on a region and the literature around it, we can begin to understand how complexity evolves in a dynamic landscape.

Group Work: Weekly readings

We will have approximately three articles to read each week. Because the major focus of this seminar is readings and discussion, you will be expected to have read the articles, have questions about them, and be prepared to discuss their central themes and points that confuse you. Many o these articles have a great deal of math – be prepared.

I will not assign any one person to take the lead on any one article. Rather, I will start each chapter discussion by asking one of you at random to summarize the major points of the article and provide three major questions or points of debate that the chapter raised in your mind. In other words, you need to read and think about the chapters before showing up for class.

Individual Work: Mini-biographies

Each week, different students will be assigned the task of providing a short (~10 minutes) oral biographical report on the lead author. The intent of this exercise is to give you a greater understanding of the way thinking evolves and develops in the earth sciences at the level of the individual, and in turn, how this affects the field as a whole

The oral mini-bio reports should include:

· the origins of the individual’s interest in geomorphology and the Coast Range

· a description of the individual’s education background

· a description of the major individuals and events that guided the author’s thinking and methodological approaches in geomorphology.

· professional jobs and affiliations

· how the author’s work in the Coast Range and the work of others in the Coast Range have affected the author’s thinking about geomorphology.

Some of these materials can be acquired over the web, via library research, or talking to geomorphologists around UO. In most cases, however, you will have to contact the individual directly.

The oral reports will be given the same week as we discuss the work by that author.

Student-led Field Trip

On Friday, March 20 (if everyone can attend) or on Saturday, March 21, we will go on a full day student-led field trip to the Coast Range. This will require you to collaborate with your fellow students to develop an itinerary that allows us to visit all the necessary sites on one day. Each of you will be responsible for choosing a site/location that will be visited during the trip, or a theme that will be pursued at multiple points along the trip (e.g. variations along a transect). For this theme/location/topic, you should provide:

· a brief field trip write up explaining the feature/location/theme

· maps/diagrams, etc. that explain the origins of the landscape

· an annotated bibliography for that feature/theme in the Coast Range.

Topics or features you choose must relate to the physical landscape – i.e. we are doing a purely cultural landscape field trip (barn types, town layouts, etc.), but it is okay to choose a landscape theme or topic where humans play a major role (e.g. clear cutting and debris flows, roads and stream pattern, vineyards and sediment sedimentation).

Schedule:

Week 1 . Introduction, Getting Started

Weeks 2-9. Readings, Bio Reports.

Week10. Student-led field trip