Periglacial processes are those processes that operate in near-glacial conditions, whether along the margins of glaciers or in areas where the climates are almost cold enough to support glaciation. In locales like the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and parts of the northern Appalachians just beyond the limits of Pleistocene glaciation, and in locales like those of central and northern Alaska, periglacial processes have had significant impacts on the landscape. Quaternary scientists long have attempted to differentiate between the effects of various periglacial processes, but unambiguous lines of evidence are rare, and standard analytic procedures to identify forms of mass- wasting in periglacial environments have not been well developed. This doctoral dissertation research process will focus on comparisons of the directional orientation of "clast fabrics" (materials consisting of rock fragments) within colluvium from three different sites. Two of these sites (one in central Alaska and one in southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania) are locales where previous studies have identified formations that appear to be relics of previous periglacial episodes. The third site (in eastern Alaska) is a site where periglacial processes are still active. Data derived from material extracted from these sites will be analyzed with other sedimentary and environmental data in order to assess the validity of extant models of sediment-transport processes operating in periglacial environments. This research project will provide valuable new insights from a number of perspectives. Methodological advances should be realized through refinement of new statistical approaches for identifying and comparing orientational variations within and between deposits. Fundamental knowledge of the processes operating in periglacial environments also will be advanced, with special value likely to result from efforts to relate fossil evidence to active processes. As a doctoral dissertation improvement award, this award also will provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career.
