Theme Sessions
T1. Behavior of Animals, Dead or Alive: Neoichnology Informing Ichnology.
Patricia Kelley, University of North Carolina–Wilmington; Anthony J. Martin, Emory University.
Description: Behaviors of fossil organisms are interpreted from trace fossils, and modern traces inform such interpretations. This session includes research on any type of behavior (e.g., feeding, locomotion, burrowing) interpreted from modern traces and trace fossils. We especially encourage contributions that apply modern invertebrate and vertebrate traces to understand trace fossils.
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T2. Climate Change and Geologic Hazards in the Caribbean: Past, Present, and Future.
Cosponsored by the GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
Blair Tormey, Western Carolina University; Kelly Best Lazar, Clemson University; Katie McDowell Peek, Western Carolina University.
Description: The islands of the Caribbean are on the front lines of climate change and experience significant pressures from a wide variety of geologic hazards. This session welcomes abstracts that investigate climate change and geologic hazards in the Caribbean, including, but not limited to sea-level rise, hurricanes, ocean acidification, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanism.
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T3. Gondwana vs. Laurentia: Terrane Accretion and Crustal Growth in the Southeastern United States.
Cosponsored by the GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
Paul A. Mueller, University of Florida; James Tull, Florida State University; Jim Knapp, University of South Carolina.
Description: The southern Appalachian Mountains of North America contain a complex record of crustal growth via magmatic and tectonic processes from the Mesoproterozoic (Grenville) to the Paleozoic (Alleghanian). We seek contributions that address the record of continental growth preserved in both the crust and mantle of southeastern North America.
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T4. Marine Vertebrate Paleontology of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains.
Cosponsored by the GSA Geochronology Division.
Robert W. Boessenecker, College of Charleston; Rachel A. Racicot, Claremont College; Sarah J. Boessenecker, College of Charleston; Matthew L. Gibson, Charleston Museum; N. Adam Smith, Clemson University.
Description: The coastal plains of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America are blanketed by Cretaceous–Pleistocene marine deposits. These deposits have produced vertebrate assemblages chronicling 90+ million years of faunal change in the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, including the K/Pg extinction and evolution of modern whales.
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T5. A Window into Regional Deformation and Sedimentation through Geo-, Thermo-, and Petrochronology.
Cosponsored by the Mineralogical Society of America; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
David L. Barbeau, Jr., University of South Carolina; Alex Pullen, Clemson University; Andrew L. Leier, University of South Carolina.
Description: This session provides a broad forum for the presentation and discussion of tectonic-themed research focused on crustal deformation and sedimentation across spatial and temporal scales using applied geochronology, thermochronology, and/or petrochronology.
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T6. Limnogeology: Sedimentary Records from Modern and Ancient Lakes.
Cosponsored by the GSA Limnogeology Division; GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division.
Michael McGlue, University of Kentucky; Eva Lyon, University of Kentucky.
Description: This session will focus on research that uses the sediments of lakes, wetlands, and other inland waters to reconstruct diverse aspects of natural history, including environmental and climatic change, paleoecology, surface processes, natural hazards, and tectonics.
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T7. Past and Future Coastal Evolution in Response to Sea-Level Changes and Storm Impacts.
Cosponsored by the GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
Michael Fenster, Randolph-Macon College; Duncan FitzGerald, Boston University.
Description: This session asks the questions: (1) how have coastal systems responded to changes in sea-level and storms historically and how can we expect them to change in the future?; and (2) can we link past events to future morphologic and geologic changes?
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T8. Innovations in Earth Science Education.
Cosponsored by the GSA Energy Geology Division.
Cynthia Hall, College of Charleston; Rodney Moore, Charleston County School District; Gina Boyd, Berkeley County School District.
Description: This session highlights innovative teaching practices among educators, both in the K–12 and higher-education arenas. Participants share presentations designed to showcase outstanding teaching and new pedagogical approaches in teaching earth-science concepts.
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T9. Offshore Research on the Mid- and South-Atlantic Continental Shelf.
Cosponsored by the GSA Energy Geology Division.
Katie Luciano, South Carolina Geological Survey; William Lassetter, DMME-DGMR; D. Reide Corbett, East Carolina University; Clark Alexander, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography; David Mallinson, East Carolina University; Scott Howard, South Carolina Geological Survey; Scott Harris, College of Charleston.
Description: The Atlantic continental shelf is being evaluated for activities including wind energy siting, mineral extraction, and habitat mapping. This session invites presentations that will encourage the exchange of ideas regarding offshore mapping, resource evaluation techniques, and efforts to assess extent, provenance, and processes affecting sand and mineral resources offshore of the U.S. Atlantic coast.
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T10. Sedimentary Systems of the Post-Alleghanian Eastern U.S. Atlantic Margin: Implications for Geologic Evolution, Resource Potential, and Carbon Sequestration.
Cosponsored by the GSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
Andrew Parent, Virginia Tech; Cody Mason, University of West Georgia.
Description: Sediments and strata of the Atlantic coastal plain, shelf, and slope archive the post-Alleghanian geologic history of the eastern U.S. passive margin. We solicit research that investigates the source-to-sink evolution of the margin and resulting implications for potential resource exploration and carbon sequestration, using mapping, sedimentology, geophysics, geochronology, or modeling.
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T11. UAV/Drone Technology and Spatial Metrics for the Coastal Zone.
Cosponsored by the GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division.
Narcisa Pricope, University of North Carolina–Wilmington; Joanne Halls, University of North Carolina–Wilmington.
Description: The growth of UAV/drone and geospatial technology has led to increasing use in the geosciences. The focus of this session is on the application of geospatial technology on planimetric mapping and derivation of spatial metrics in the coastal zone.
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T12. Natural Hazards Prediction.
Cosponsored by the GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
Antonios E. Marsellos, Hofstra University; Katerina Tsakiri, Rider University; Bret Bennington, Hofstra University; Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra University; Menas Kafatos, Chapman University.
Description: This session will examine ways to predict natural hazards such as hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and natural geochemical and radioactive contamination. Methods include but are not limited to spatial prediction models and time prediction models utilizing techniques from numerical modeling to drone mapping.
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T13. Reconstructing Paleo-Environmental Changes.
Cosponsored by the GSA Limnogeology Division; GSA Soils and Soil Processes Division; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division.
Theodore Them, College of Charleston; Benjamin Gill, Virginia Tech; Jeremy Owens, Florida State University; Seth Young, Florida State University.
Description: This session seeks studies that reconstruct earth system changes and their biological impacts throughout our planet’s history. Tracking ancient environmental changes requires an integration of sedimentological, stratigraphic, paleontological, geochemical, and numerical modeling techniques. Additionally, we seek modern studies to calibrate these tools for ancient reconstructions.
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T14. Origin and Significance of Ultramafic Bodies in Suture Zones from the Appalachians and Beyond.
Cosponsored by the GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
Céline Martin, University of North Carolina–Charlotte; Christopher M. Bailey, College of William & Mary.
Description: Ultramafic rock bodies are found in suture zones of Cenozoic to Precambrian age, but their tectonic origin is still enigmatic. This session is intended to highlight new research focused on the petrogenesis and tectonic history of ultramafic units from the Appalachians and other orogens.
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T15. Geologic Studies of the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Cosponsored by the GSA Soils and Soil Processes Division; GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division.
William R. Doar III, South Carolina Geological Survey; Christopher S. Swezey, U.S. Geological Survey.
Description: This session provides a broad forum for the presentation and discussion of research focused on the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain province from the fall line to the ocean. Suggested topics are, but are not limited to, stratigraphy, geochronology, hydrology, geomorphology, geologic mapping, and modern environments.
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T16. Undergraduate Research (Posters).
Cosponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research; GSA Limnogeology Division; GSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
Lee Phillips, University of North Carolina–Greensboro; Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida.
Description: This poster session is designed to showcase undergraduate research efforts. The session is open to students working in all areas of the geosciences. All submissions should include a faculty mentor as co-author.
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T17. Recent Advances and New Approaches in the Study of Faults and Shear Zones in Orogenic Systems.
Cosponsored by the GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
Jackie Langille, University of North Carolina–Asheville; Timothy Diedesch, Georgia Southern University.
Description: We seek abstracts that apply innovative techniques to the study of faults, shear zones, or terrane boundaries and/or reevaluate these structures to provide new insights into deformation and orogenic processes in the southern Appalachians and beyond.
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T18. Hydrological Processes and Problems across the Southeastern United States.
Cosponsored by the GSA Soils and Soil Processes Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
JP Gannon, Western Carolina University; Mark Lord, Western Carolina University; David Kinner, Western Carolina University.
Description: This session seeks to bring together research conducted in hydrologic and/or hydrogeomorphic processes within the varied landscapes of the southeast. We hope to learn about problems and processes in our region but also in landscapes different from our own that will foster unique approaches to addressing new and old questions alike.
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T19. Recent Advances in Saltmarsh Evolution, (Eco) Geomorphology, and Sustainability.
Cosponsored by the GSA Soils and Soil Processes Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
Carol Wilson, Louisiana State University; Zoe Hughes, Boston University; Alejandra C. Ortiz, North Carolina State University.
Description: Saltmarsh systems worldwide have developed and evolved over the past few thousand years, yet they are geologically ephemeral features that may not sustain future or current accelerated rates of sea-level rise. This session invites presentations that evaluate the complex feedbacks within saltmarshes, including observational, experimental, and modeling advances.
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T20. The Science, Environmental Impacts, and Policy of Beach Nourishment.
Cosponsored by the GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
Robert S. Young, Western Carolina University; Andrew Coburn, Western Carolina University.
Description: Nationwide, beach nourishment has become the primary tool for shoreline stabilization and storm damage reduction. This session will include an examination of the science behind project design, efficacy, environmental impacts, and long-term coastal management. Independent analyses of individual or multiple projects as well as policy analyses are welcome.
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T21. Mesozoic to Cenozoic Tectonics and Magmatism of the Southeastern United States.
Cosponsored by the GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
Erin Beutel, College of Charleston; John Chadwick, College of Charleston.
Description: The evolution of the Southeastern U.S. following the Appalachian orogenies, from the breakup of Pangaea to passive margin and rejuvenation, is preserved in the mantle, lithosphere, structures, topography, magmatic bodies (including CAMP), and sediments of Southeastern North America. We seek contributions that help clarify this evolution.
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T22. Applications of Hydrology and Biogeochemistry to Stormwater Management.
Cosponsored by the GSA Limnogeology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division.
James J. Connors, James J. Connors & Associates LLC; Barbara A. Beckingham, College of Charleston; Vijay M. Vulava, College of Charleston; Timothy J. Callahan, College of Charleston; M. Richard DeVoe, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium.
Description: Water system issues exacerbated by rapid land-use change and extreme weather events are being experienced in many parts of the Southeast. In result, stormwater management is frequently addressed by regulators, construction supervisors, design engineers, politicians, and attorneys who need to apply sound science. This session welcomes submissions highlighting work related to this important environmental issue.
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T23. Technology and Mapping in the 21st Century.
Cosponsored by the GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division.
Norman S. Levine, College of Charleston; K. Adem Ali, College of Charleston; M. Scott Harris, College of Charleston; Leslie R. Sautter, College of Charleston.
Description: The explosion of technology since the start of the century has changed the way we think about and execute mapping projects. This session will showcase applications of new and unique mapping technologies from enhanced field techniques to GigaPan mapping as well as 3D surveys and Drone applications in GIS environments.
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T24. Geoarchaeology.
Cosponsored by the GSA Soils and Soil Processes Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Geoarchaeology Division.
Ervan Garrison, University of Georgia; Jessica Cook Hale, University of Georgia.
Description: This session promotes presentations focused on modern techniques and studies in geoarchaeology.
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