Graduate Research Projects in Earth and Planetary Geomorphology

The spring 2013 internal deadline is April 2nd. However applications are welcome until the positions are filled.

Dr Mary Bourke - homepage.

Planetary Geomorphology:

1. Aeolian Dynamics on Mars Summary: A NASA-funded project on the quantification of aeolian process on Mars. For further information please download project PDF here. Reading: Bourke, M. C., R. C. Ewing, D. Finnegan and H. A. McGowan (2009). Sand dune movement in Victoria Valley, Antarctica. Geomorphology 109: 148-160, 110.1016/j.geomorph.2009.1002.1028. Bridges, N. T., M. C. Bourke, P. E. Geissler, C. M. Colon, S. Diniega, C. J. Hansen, S. Mattson, A. S. McEwen, N. Stantzos and B. J. Thompson (2012). Planet-wide sand motion on Mars. Geology 40(1): 31-34.

2. Rock breakdown forms and process on Mars Summary: A NASA funded project on the nature and range of rock breakdown features on Mars. For further information please download project PDF here. Reading: Bourke, M. C. and H. A. Viles, Eds. (2007). A Photographic Atlas of Rock Breakdown Features in Geomorphic Environments. Tucson, Planetary Science Institute (send request to Dr Bourke). Bourke, M.C., Viles, H.A., Nicoli, J., Lyew-Ayee, P., Ghent, R., Holmlund, J., 2008. Innovative applications of laser scanning and rapid prototype printing to rock breakdown experiments. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 33, 1614-1621. Viles, H., A., B. L. Ehlmann, C. Wilson, T. Cebula, M. Page and M. C. Bourke (2010). Simulating weathering of basalt on Mars and Earth by thermal cycling. Geophysical Research Letters 37(L18201): 5pp.

3. The efficacy of CO2 in geomorphology

Recommended Reading

Dundas, C. M., S. Diniega, C. J. Hansen, S. Byrne and A. S. McEwen (2012). Seasonal activity and morphological changes in martian gullies. Icarus 220(1): 124-143.

Hansen, C., M. Bourke, N. T. Bridges, S. Byrne, C. Colon, S. Diniega, C. M. Dundas, K. Herkenhoff, A. McEwen, M. T. Mellon, G. Portyankina and N. Thomas (2011). Seasonal Erosion and Restoration of Mars’ Northern Polar Dunes. Science 331(575): DOI: 10.1126/science.1197636.

Funding

Student will need to apply for University and national awards.

Fluvial Geomorphology:

1. The fluvial history of west Wicklow drainage

Recommended Reading

Glanville, P., M. B. Thorp and C. Gallagher (1997). Bio-climatic change and the response of rivers in Irish upland regions during the Late Quaternary, with particular attention to the upper river Liffey catchment, Co. Wicklow. Global Change and the Irish Environment. J. Sweeney. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy: 133-141.

Turner, J. N., M. G. Macklin, A. F. Jones and H. Lewis (2010). New perspectives on Holocene flooding in Ireland using meta-analysis of fluvial radiocarbon dates. Catena 82(3): 183-190.

Funding

Student will need to apply for University and national awards.

Aeolian Geomorphology

1. Moisture and salinity cycling on aeolian dunes

Recommended Reading

Gardner, R. and S. McLaren (1999). Infiltration and moisture movement in coastal sand dunes, Studland, Dorset, U.K.: Preliminary results. Journal of Coastal Research 15(4): 936-949.

Funding

Student will need to apply for University and national awards.

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