My research and teaching interests are in process 
geomorphology and landscape evolution. I am specifically 
interested in using fieldwork, geochronology, and GIS to 
investigate landscape responses to climate change and
the uplift and erosion of the Colorado Plateau.

I am originally from rural Minnesota, made a pilgrimage 
to the Southwest for graduate study, and am now lucky 
enough to be employed here at Utah State.  I am
married to Carol Dehler, also a professor here in
Geology, and we have a son, Zane.

 

                                    

 

   

Major topics of my current research:



Landscape Evolution of the Colorado Plateau and Grand Canyon

What is the pattern of incision rates across the plateau?
Is erosion caused by tectonic uplift, or is rock uplift caused by erosion?
Is the landscape in dynamic equillibrium, or are their transient features?
What are the rates and controls of cliff retreat across the plateau?
What has been the landscape's response to Quaternary climate change?

The Arroyo Problem in the Southwest

How do thresholds of drainage position and geometry control alluvial stratigraphy?
What roles do climate change and sediment supply have in the arroyo cycle?

    Geoarchaeology of the Colorado Plateau

    What is the Holocene stratigraphy of the Colorado River?
    What is the geomorphic context of archaeological sites in Grand Canyon?
    Can OSL be used to date rock art and other archaeological features?

Publications:

     Pederson and Tressler, 2012, EPSL, Colorado River metrics and knickzones

     Harvey et al., 2011, GSA Bulletin, Arroyos and paleofloods in southern Utah

     Harvey and Pederson, 2011, QSR, Reconcilng arroyo cycles and paleofloods

    Hidy et al., 2010, G-cubed -Monte Carlo modeling of TCN profiles, Lee's Ferry

     Roy, Jordan, and Pederson, 2009, Nature -uplift of the Colorado Plateau

    Pederson et al., 2008, Science comment and reply -formation of Grand Canyon

    Pederson, 2008, GSA Today -origin of Colorado River and Grand Canyon

    Larsen et al., 2006, Geomorphology -hillslope processes in Dino Natl Park

    Pederson et al., 2006, ESPL -gully erosion in Grand Canyon

    Pederson et al., 2006, JGR-Earth Surface -Grand Canyon terraces and incision

    Anders et al., 2005, QSR -Grand Canyon terrace stratigraphy and climate

    Pederson and Hadder, 2005, UGA guidebook -integration of the Green River

    Counts and Pederson, 2005, UGA guidebook -alluvial stratigraphy of Henrys Fork

    Munroe et al., 2005, GSA guidebook -Quaternary Geology of the Uinta Mtns

    Pederson et al., 2003, INQUA guidebook -geomorph of Grand Canyon

    Pederson et al., 2002, GSA Today -uplift and erosion of Colorado Plateau

    Pederson et al., 2002, Geology -differential incision of Grand Canyon

    Pederson et al., 2001, GSA Bulletin -hillslope records of climatic sediment supply

    Pederson et al., 2000, Geology -ancient colluvium

    Pederson, 2000, GSA Bulletin -Holocene chronostratigraphy of Lake Canyon

 

courses I teach:
 

graduate student opportunities:

HEY!  I usually need grad students to come to Utah, hike, raft and ski, and work on projects 
in the beautiful Southwest!  EMAIL ME!

Most projects are fieldwork-based but include OSL geochronology and GIS.
The facilities and collaborators here at USU for geomorphic studies are awesome.  
Check out our Luminescence Laboratory, the Watershed Department, and the Utah Water Research Laboratory.  

potential graduate research themes:

1) How climate change controls sediment supply, transport,
and storage in desert catchments  

2) River integration and canyon cutting in the Interior West

3) Rates, processes and controls on incision and escarptment 
retreat in the Colorado Plateau

 
 

past grad students--where are they?

     Matt Anders, '03 - Idaho Department of Water Resources
    Paul Petersen, '03 - Geographics, Inc., Logan Utah
    Isaac Larsen, '03 - PhD student University of Washington
    Ron Counts, '05 - Kentucky GS and PhD student University of Cincinnati
    Rob Mackley, '05 - Pacific Northwest National Lab
    Scott Cragun, '07 - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan
    Ben DeJong, '07 - USGS Reston, PhD student U Vermont
    Jonathan Harvey, '09 - PhD student UC Santa Barbara    
    Erin Tainer, '09 - Geophysicist at Schlumberger
    Chris Tressler, '10 - Natural Channel Designs, Inc., Flagstaff Arizona