John M. Holbrook

Ph.D., 1992, Indiana University
201 Geoscience
(817)272-1201
holbrook@uta.edu

 Research Interests:  My research interests are broad, but have a common theme centered about fluvial sedimentology.  Most particularly, current research interests focus on the factors controlling fluvial geomorphology and resultant fluvial depositional architecture.  As such, a high concentration is placed on the factors linking fluvial surficial processes and preservation of fluvial sediments.

I currently maintain ongoing research in both modern and ancient fluvial sedimentation.   Recent work has addressed how neotectonic and climatic effects on fluvial geomorphology are preserved in the Holocene fluvial strata of active river systems.  My students and I have on-going research in several areas. Where the Mississippi River crosses the New Madrid seismic zone, we are working to develop the use of fluvial sedimentology as a paleoseisimic proxy.  Neotectonic effects on rivers are also being explored in the Rhine-Meuse delta of The Netherlands, and the Channel Country of Australia.  My students are currently drilling holes in the lower Missouri Valley in order to develop the first chronology of these Holocene strata.  This is part of our effort to patch together the runoff history of the northern Great Plains and thus gain some insights into the Holocene paleoclimate history of the North American interior.  As well, we have active research in Cretaceous strata of the U.S. Western Interior.  Research here focuses on the interaction between upstream vs. downstream controls on fluvial architecture, the origin and hierarchy of fluvial bounding surfaces, and the effects of river input on the interaction between the Boreal and Tethyan seas.  

Five recent representative papers

 Holbrook, J.M., Autin, W., Rittenour, T.M., and Marshak, S., and Goble, R., (in review), Restored river courses reveal millennial-scale temporal clustering on a midplate fault:  Tectonophysics

 Holbrook, J.M., Scott, R.W., Oboh-Ikuenobe, (in review), base-level buffers and buttresses:  a model for upstream verses downstream control on preservation of fluvial geometry and architecture within sequences:  Journal of Sedimentary Research

 Holbrook, J.M., 2001, Origin, genetic interrelationships, and stratigraphy over the continuum of fluvial channel-form bounding surfaces:  An illustration from middle Cretaceous strata, southeastern Colorado:  Sedimentary Geology, v.124, p.202-246.

 Schumm, S.A., Dumont, J.F., and Holbrook, J.M., 2000, Active Tectonics and Alluvial Rivers:  Cambridge University Press, 276p.

Holbrook, J.M. and Schumm, S.A., 1999, Geomorphic and sedimentary response of rivers to tectonic deformation:  A brief review and critique of a tool for recognizing subtle epeirogenic deformation in modern and ancient settings:  Special issue on Tectonics of Continental Interiors:  Tectonophysics, v.305, p.287-306.

The Way-Too-Much-Information file

NMSZ

Buffers & Buttresses

Russian Sequence Strat Course