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The Surface Processes Research Group is under the direction of Todd Ehlers. Our research interests are in the interactions between climatic, tectonic, and surface processes as applied to the evolution of active mountain ranges. Our research investigates the exhumation and erosion of active mountain belts in extensional and compressional tectonic settings. Current research topics include:

  • Quantifying glacial erosion rates, magnitudes, and paleotopography
  • Kinematic and erosion history of Andes and Himalaya mountains
  • Cenozoic paleoclimate and erosion of orogens
  • Investigation of transient topography over thousand-to-million year timescales

This research group integrates a variety of tools in its research projects. Emphasis is placed on using a multidisciplinary approach to solving problems and integrating such techniques and data sets as:

  • Numerical models (thermal, mechanical, atmospheric, and surface process models)
  • Low-temperature thermochronometry ((U-Th)/He, and fission track methods)
  • Global and meso-scale paleoclimate models
  • Digital topography, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Structural and basin analysis techniques
  • Cosmogenic isotopes
  • Geophysical data analysis (heat flow, gravity, seismic reflection profiles).

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