CLIMATOLOGIC, GEOMORPHIC AND HYDROLOGIC PROCESSES
Climatologic, geomorphic and hydrologic processes are essential in the formation and evolution of the earth system. Acting alone, or in concert, these processes help shape the Earth's physical and cultural landscapes. General Climatology, as it relates to environmental processes, is useful in understanding fundamental climatic aspects of physical and human geography. Through the synthesis of contemporary scientific ideas about atmospheric circulation, global, regional and local scales, and atmospheric moisture and storm systems, climatology is linked with geomorphology and hydrology within the overall framework of geography and Environmental Science and Policy. By understanding the nature of the climatic, geomorphic and hydrologic processes working at various scales, a more complete understanding can be gained regarding the development and evolution of landforms, surface and subsurface hydrologic systems, and anthropogenic influences.
Within our department, the critical focus on geomorphology and hydrology includes a wide range of topical and regional interests. Our faculty is actively conducting research focused on karst areas of Florida with respect to sinkhole formation, landscape evolution, dam construction (Robert Brinkmann), and karst disturbance (Philip van Beynen). In Latin America, research is being conducted in Belize on karst landform development and evolution, and how the physical karst landscape influences the development of the cultural landscape (Philip Reeder). Karst Landform development and evolution is also being studied on the Island of Bohol, in the Philippines (Philip Reeder), and water resource utilization and management issues are also being studied in Sierra Leone, Africa (Fenda Akiwumi). Climatologic research being conducted in the department focuses on climate change in tropical and subtropical areas. This research utilizes cave sediment deposits and cave speleothems to reconstruct the paleoclimate of a portion of the Atlantic Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Philip van Beynen and Philip Reeder). Additional, research is being conducted related to controlling mechanisms for severe weather development in the tropics and subtropics (Jennifer Collins).
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