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Meet the Faculty

Kent Syverson

Kent Syverson

Professor
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Education/Credentials

  • Ph.D. Geology, minor distributed between civil and environmental engineering and geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1992
  • M.S. Geology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1988
  • B.S. Geology, Summa Cum Laude, minor in chemistry, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1986
  • State of Wisconsin Professional Geologist #548 (Licensed in 1995)

Courses

  • Environmental Geology
  • Geomorphology and Aerial Photograph Interpretation
  • Glacial Geology
  • Oceanography
  • Rocky Mountain Field Studies

Current Research

My current research interests involve studying the glacial geology of Wisconsin and Maine with undergraduate geology students (see publications list). Students and I have researched the history of the Driftless Area, evidence for permafrost conditions in this part of the state, the origin of the Blue Hills Felsenmeer of Rusk County (Thompson and Syverson, 2006; Hoaglund et al., 2007; Hinke and Wittkop, 2007), and the origin of high-relief hummocky moraines and ice-walled-lake plains (Clayton et al., 2008). I also studied pre-Late Wisconsinan till units to better understand the glacial history of the western Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey [WGNHS] and the Chippewa County Land Conservation Department funded this project in Chippewa County, and the WGNHS published the research results as a bulletin and colored map (Syverson, 2007). Students in my upper-division courses (Geomorphology and Glacial Geology) have been involved extensively with projects to better understand the landforms in the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve Unit near New Auburn, WI. These student projects were used by the National Park Service to develop exhibits for the Chippewa Moraine Visitor Center. These exhibits are worth a special visit to the Visitor Center (Chippewa County Hwy. M east of New Auburn).

My continuing glacial geologic research in Maine is supported by the Maine Geological Survey. Students and I have studied striations (scratches on the bedrock surface formed parallel to the flow direction as the glacier drags rocks across the bedrock) in Maine as evidence for major ice-flow direction changes (Syverson and Greve, 2003; Syverson and Thompson, 2008). Ice-flow directions were increasingly deflected by calving glacial margins and 200- to 400-m-high bedrock “bumps” at the base of the glacier as the ice thinned, a situation similar to my Ph.D. study area in Glacier Bay, AK. Students and I also have investigated glacial-marine sediment in the China Lake and Bangor regions in southern Maine (Syverson and Mans, 2005; Syverson and Thompson, 2008). Heavy glacier ice during the Ice Age caused the land surface to sink, and the ocean flooded the depressed land surface as the glacier ice melted.

Previous Research

My undergraduate degree in geology was completed at University of Minnesota - Duluth. I spent the summer of 1986 with the U.S. Geological Survey at Mt. St. Helens installing a seismic station on the lava dome and writing a program to analyze earthquake migration beneath the lava dome. Then I moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for my M.S. and Ph.D. research. My M.S. research examined the glacial geology of the northern Kettle Interlobate Moraine in Washington County, WI (NW of Milwaukee). My Ph.D. research in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, southeastern Alaska, focused on esker genesis, ice-marginal lake sedimentation, ice ablation beneath debris, the erosional record formed during complex deglaciation events, and the formation of pitted outwash plains and lateral meltwater channels.

Invited Lectures

University of Bergen, Dept. of Geology, Sept. 14, 2007, invited lecture entitled Deglaciation of high-relief parts of Glacier Bay, Alaska, and Maine: Implications for Scandinavia, presented in Bergen, Norway.

Stockholm University, Dept. of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Sept. 4, 2007, invited lecture entitled Deglaciation of high-relief parts of Glacier Bay, Alaska, and Maine: Implications for Scandinavia, presented in Stockholm, Sweden.

Göteborg University, Dept. of Geology, August 29, 2007, invited lecture entitled Deglaciation of high-relief parts of Glacier Bay, Alaska, and Maine: Implications for Scandinavia, presented in Göteborg, Sweden.

Minnesota Geological Society, March 21, 2005, invited lecture entitled "Geology of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, Wisconsin," presented at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Dept. of Plant and Earth Sciences, April 2, 2003, invited lecture entitled "Glacial Geology of Western Wisconsin" presented in River Falls, Wisconsin.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Dept. of Geology, December 2, 1999, invited lecture entitled “Glacial History of Western Wisconsin,” presented at Duluth, Minnesota.

Minnesota Geological Society, March 8, 1999, invited lecture entitled "Glaciers and Glacial Landscapes," presented at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Maine Geological Survey, June 18, 1997, invited lecture entitled "Effects of Topography and Tidewater Glaciers on Deglaciation Patterns in Glacier Bay, AK--Implications for Maine," presented in Augusta, Maine.

Selected Publications

Syverson, K.M., in press, Pleistocene geology of Chippewa County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 103, 72 pages, 34 figures, 2 tables. Accepted August 2004. Abstract and selected glacial geological photos from this report.

Clayton, L., Attig, J.W., Mickelson, D.M., Johnson, M.D., and Syverson, K.M., 2006, Glaciation of Wisconsin [3rd edition]:  Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Educational Series 36, 4 p.  Click here for information about ordering this publication.

Syverson, K.M., Baker, R.W., Kostka, S., and Johnson, M.D., 2005, Pre-Wisconsinan and Wisconsinan glacial stratigraphy, history, and landscape evolution, western Wisconsin, in Robinson, L., ed., Field trip guidebook for selected geology in Minnesota and Wisconsin:  Minnesota Geological Survey Guidebook 21, p. 238-278.

Syverson, K.M., and Colgan, P.M., 2004, The Quaternary of Wisconsin: a review of stratigraphy and glaciation history, in Ehlers, J., and Gibbard, P.L., eds., Quaternary Glaciations -- Extent and Chronology, Part II: North America: Amsterdam, Elsevier Publishing, p. 295-311.

Syverson, K.M., 1998, Glacial history of western Wisconsin, in Syverson, K.M., and Havholm, K.G., eds., Geology of Western Wisconsin: Guidebook for 61st Annual Tri-State Geological Field Conference and University of Wisconsin System Geological Field Conference, p. 15-28. Available from the UW-Eau Claire Geology Dept.

Syverson, K.M., 1998, Geology of the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve Unit, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, in Syverson, K.M., and Havholm, K.G., eds., Geology of Western Wisconsin: Guidebook for 61st Annual Tri-State Geological Field Conference and University of Wisconsin System Geological Field Conference, p. 57-65. Available from the UW-Eau Claire Geology Dept.

Syverson, K.M., 1998, Geomorphology of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus region, in Syverson, K.M., and Havholm, K.G., eds., Geology of Western Wisconsin: Guidebook for 61st Annual Tri-State Geological Field Conference and University of Wisconsin System Geological Field Conference, p. 85-86.

Syverson, K.M., 1998, Sedimentation in short-lived ice-contact lakes, Burroughs Glacier, Alaska: Boreas, v. 27, no. 1, 44-54.

Mickelson, D.M., and Syverson, K.M., 1997, Quaternary geologic map of Ozaukee and Washington Counties, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey map, scale 1:100,000.

Mickelson, D.M., and Syverson, K.M., 1997, Quaternary geology of Ozaukee and Washington Counties, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey Bulletin 91, 56 p.

Syverson, K.M., and Mickelson, D.M., 1997, The Holy Hill Formation (New), in Mickelson, D.M., and Syverson, K.M., Quaternary geology of Ozaukee and Washington Counties, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 91, p. 49-52.

Syverson, K.M., 1995, The Kettle Moraine of southeastern Wisconsin
(U.S.A.)--An interlobate moraine of fluvial origin: in Warren, W.P., and Ashley, G.M., eds., Irish Eskers/Origins of Ice-Contact Stratified Deposits Abstracts, International Quaternary Association Commission on Formation and Properties of Glacial Deposits, Geological Survey of Ireland, p. 9.

Syverson, K.M., 1995, The ability of ice-flow indicators to record complex, historic deglaciation events, Burroughs Glacier, Alaska: Boreas, v. 24, p. 232-244.

Syverson, K.M., and Mickelson, D.M., 1995, Ablation of debris-covered ice and the formation of pitted outwash plains at Burroughs Glacier, southeastern Alaska, in Engstrom, D.R., ed., Proceedings of the Third Glacier Bay Science Symposium, 1993: National Park Service, Anchorage, p. 66-74.

Syverson, K.M., Gaffield, S.J., and Mickelson, D.M., 1994, Comparison of esker morphology and sedimentology with former ice-surface topography, Burroughs Glacier, Alaska: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 106, no. 9, p. 1130-1142.

Faculty/Student Collaborative Publications

Thompson, A.H., and Syverson, K.M., in review, Origin of the Blue Hills Felsenmeer State Natural Area #74, Rusk County, Wisconsin:  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section, Akron, OH, Spring 2006). Click here to see the paper.

Syverson, K.M., and Mans, D.P., 2005, Surficial geology of the China Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle, Kennebec County, Maine:  Augusta, Maine Geological Survey, Open-File Report 05-18, 11 p. 

Syverson, K.M., and Mans, D.P., 2005, Surficial geology of the China Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle, Kennebec County, Maine:  Augusta, Maine Geological Survey, Open-File Map 05-6, scale 1:24,000. 

Syverson, K.M., Mans, D.P., and Locke, D.B., 2005, Surficial materials of the China Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle, Kennebec County, Maine:  Augusta, Maine Geological Survey, Open-File Map 05-7, scale 1:24,000.

Mans, D.P., and Syverson, K.M., 2005, Deglaciation history of the China Lake area, south-central Maine, based on glaciomarine sediments and newly obtained C-14 ages:  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 37, no. 5, p. 84.  Presented in Minneapolis, MN.  Winner of 5th place award in the Natural and Physical Sciences category, UWEC Student Research Day, April 2005.

Kinsman, J.W., Syverson, K.M., and Domack, E.W., 2005, Preliminary till provenance study in the Robertson Island/Cape Marsh Region, East Coast Antarctic Peninsula:  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 37, no. 5, p. 84.  Presented in Minneapolis, MN.

Syverson, K.M., and Greve, R.M., 2003, Surficial geology of the Phillips 7.5-minute quadrangle, Franklin County, Maine: Augusta, Maine Geological Survey Open-File Report 03-48, 12 p.

Syverson, K.M., and Greve, R.M., 2003, Surficial geology of the Phillips quadrangle, Maine: Augusta, Maine Geological Survey Open-File Map 03-47, scale 1:24,000, one sheet.

Greve, R.M., and Syverson, K.M., 2003, Effect of high-relief topography on deglaciation ice-flow patterns, Phillips 7.5’ quadrangle, west-central Maine: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 35, no. 2, p. 54. Presented in Kansas City, MO.

Treague, J.J., and Syverson, K.M., 2002, GIS analysis of northern Wisconsin glacial till units: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (National meeting), v. 34, no. 6, paper 221-9. Presented at Denver, CO.

Hanson, K.L., Waggoner, M.T., and Syverson, K.M., 2001, Glacial geology of the Jim Falls 7.5' Quadrangle, Chippewa County, Wisconsin: Geological
Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 33, no. 4, p A-4. Presented at Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

Waggoner, M.T., Syverson, K.M., and Hanson, K.L., 2001, Origin of the high-relief Chippewa Moraine, western Chippewa County, Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 33, no. 4, p. A-3. Presented at Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

Thornburg, K.L., Syverson, K.M., and Hooper, R.L., 2000, Clay mineralogy of till units in western Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (National Meeting), v. 32, no. 7, p. A-270. Winner of Austin A. Sartin Poster Paper Award, national GSA meeting in Reno, NV.

Hyzer, J.D., and Syverson, K.M., 2000, Glacial geology of the Huron and Colburn 7.5' Quadrangles, east-central Chippewa County, Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 32, no. 4, p. A-18. Presented at Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mace, T.W., Cummings, T.R., Syverson, K.M., 2000, Computer database to analyze glacial till samples in western Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 32, no. 4, p. A-24. Presented at Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thornburg, K.L., Hooper, R.L., and Syverson, K.M., 2000, Clay mineralogy of pre-Late Wisconsinan till units, western Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 32, no. 4, p. A-65. Presented at Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thornburg, K.L., Steffen, A.J., Syverson, K.M., and Hooper, R.L., 1999, Clay mineralogy of pre-Late Wisconsinan till units, west-central Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 31, no. 5, p. A-76. Presented at Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Spehle, H.E., Thornburg, K.L., and Syverson, K.M., 1999, Surficial glacial geology of the Albertville Quadrangle, Chippewa County, west-central Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 31, no. 5, p. A-73. Presented at Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Steffen, A.J., Syverson, K.M., and Hooper, R.L., 1998, Clay mineralogy of pre-Late Wisconsinan till units, western Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 30, no. 2, p. 72. Presented at Columbus, Ohio.

Holmes, M.A., and Syverson, K.M., 1997, Permafrost history of Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties, Wisconsin, as indicated by ice-wedge casts: The Compass (the journal of the Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the professional earth science honor society), v. 73, no. 3, p. 91-96.

Fuller, B.J., and Syverson, K.M., 1997, Glacial geology of the Pine Lake region, Chippewa and Rusk Counties, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Program for Annual Meeting, p. 25.

Miller, L.C., and Syverson, K.M., 1997, Database for pre-Late Wisconsinan till units, western Wisconsin: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Program for Annual Meeting, p. 27.

Syverson, K.M., Fuller, B.J., Anderson, E., Blanz, T., Cahow, K., Galetka, S., Griffin, H., Hiller, M., Mercer, K., Rantala, H., Tamke, K., Walczak, A., 1997, Glacial Geology of the Pine Lake Region, Chippewa and Rusk Counties, Wisconsin: Unpublished 1:24,000-scale colored map (20 sq mi) produced as class project for Geology 345 (Geomorphology), Fall 1996. Mapped for Dr. David Brakke, limnologist at UWEC, to assist his research on lakes in the Pine Lake region.

Franz, K., Schels, J.A., and Syverson, K.M., 1996, Surficial geology of the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Program for Annual Meeting, p. 31.

Holmes, M.A., and Syverson, K.M., 1996, Permafrost history of Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties, Wisconsin, as indicated by ice-wedge casts: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 28. no. 6, p.45. Winner of Best Student Paper award.

Syverson, K.M., Bement, P., Bohl, H., Hogue, T., Johnson, K., Koepp-Yarrington, M., Michael, G., Schmidt, C., Toshner, S., and Wieland, E., 1995, Hiking Field Trip Guide for Glacial landforms in the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, Wisconsin: Unpublished field guide available through the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 2p. Produced by students in Geology 345 (Geomorphology) Spring 1994.

Schels, J.A., and Syverson, K.M., 1995, Pleistocene geology of eastern Chippewa County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Program for Annual Meeting, p. 49-50. Winner of Best Poster Award.

Syverson, K.M., 1995, Glacial geology of the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve Unit, Chippewa County, Wisconsin--An update: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 27, no. 3, p. 89.

Bement, P.J, and Syverson, K.M., 1995, Evidence for a pre-Late Wisconsin ice-margin position in the northern "Driftless Area," Eau Claire County, Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (North-Central Section), v. 27, no. 3, p. 38.

Goodwin, C.T., and Syverson, K.M., 1994, Quaternary geology of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Program for Annual Meeting, p. 25.

Gunderson, K.L., and Syverson, K.M., 1994, Ice-marginal lake sediment in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Program for Annual Meeting, p. 12.

External Grants to Support Research

Maine Geological Survey grant ($12,200, June 2004 to May 2005). Title: Glacial geology of the China Lake Quadrangle, southeastern Maine.

Maine Geological Survey grant ($10,200, June 2002 to May 2003). Title: Glacial geology of the Phillips Quadrangle, west-central Maine.

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey grant, ($51,038, May 1998 to August 2001). Title: Glacial geology of western Wisconsin.

Chippewa County Land Conservation Department grant ($12,000, May 1998 to August 2001). Title: Geology of pre-Late Wisconsinan and Late Wisconsinan glacial sediments, Chippewa County, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey grant ($5000, summer 1997). Title: Pre-Late Wisconsinan till stratigraphy, western Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey grant ($4400, summer 1996). Title: Pre-Late Wisconsinan till stratigraphy in Chippewa County, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey grants ($1900, 1993-1995). Maps and cartographic services to support UWEC student research projects in west-central Wisconsin.

National Geographic Society grant ($21,020, 1989-1991). Title: Sedimentary environments and landform development around the rapidly wasting Burroughs Glacier, Glacier Bay, Alaska. (Written with (and under the name of) Dr. David M. Mickelson, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.)

 

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