George H. Denton
University of Maine
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Primary Section: 15, Geology Membership Type:
Member
(elected 2002)
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Research Interests
As a glacial geologist I study the record of former large ice sheets and mountain-glacier complexes. This record affords insights about the dynamics of such ice masses throughout the Cenozoic and especially during the last few ice-age cycles. I have concentrated my recent research on two major problems. The first concerns the development of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, with particular emphasis on the sensitivity of this sheet to climatic warning. The second problem concerns the origin of the abrupt climate changes that so dominated the last glacial cycle. My contribution to understanding abrupt change involves a Southern Hemisphere perspective. Whether abrupt changes are synchronous in the two polar hemispheres is a key to deciphering their cause. To that end I investigate former mountain snowline changes on the Southern Alps of New Zealand and the Andes of South America.
