[home]
[people]
[publications]
[projects]
[education]
The following brief list represents general areas of active interest sustained over the last few years. To learn about specific problems of the moment---i.e., projects not yet on this list---please check our most recent publications or contact us for further information.
Physics of landscape erosion.We study how landscapes erode and create channel networks, from Cape Cod beaches to Martian valleys. Much of our current attention is directed to understanding the mechanisms that created this beautiful field site on the Florida Panhandle. To understand such systems, we combine theory, field observations, and laboratory experiments. Experimental work is performed in collaboration with Arshad Kudrolli's group at Clark University. Field work is performed in collaboration with David Mohrig's group at the University of Texas. Publications.
Co-evolution of life and the environment.
We formulate new quantitative models for the interaction of life with the geological, geochemical, and geophysical evolution of the Earth, with emphasis on environmental and biological events preceding the evolution of multicellular life. Our work is closely tied to geochemical analyses of ancient sedimentary rocks and the fossils, molecular and otherwise, found within them. Collaborators include Roger Summons at MIT and Andy Knoll at Harvard. Publications.
Physics of Earth's carbon cycle.
Earth's carbon cycles through the atmosphere, oceans, living organisms, and rocks. How does the carbon cycle work? The problem ostensibly falls at the intersection of earth science, biology, and chemistry. However, observations spanning a wide range of environments and biogeochemical transformations exhibit common features suggesting that physical mechanisms exert significant control. We seek a fundamental understanding of these physical processes and explore their relevance to recent global warming and past environmental change. Publications.
Some Recent Projects.
See our publications for a complete record of our past interests. Two areas worthy of special mention:
Scaling laws in biology.We have studied the empirical validity and theoretical foundation of the allometric scaling laws of organismal biology. Publication.
Discrete hydrodynamics.We have created, applied, and studied lattice-gas cellular automata models of complex fluid dynamics. This and related work is described in our book; related papers may be found in the publication list.