Research Interests

Investigations of landscape evolution on timescales of thousands to millions of years and spatial scales from landforms to mountain ranges. I combine cosmogenic nuclides with geomorphology, geomorphometry, and soils to infer the styles and rates of different surficial processes.

Publications

[1] (PAPER 1) Gosse, J.C., and Phillips, F.M., 2001, Terrestrial in situ cosmogenic nuclides: theory and applications: Quaternary Science Reviews, vol. 40 (14) p. 1475-1560. This review article is the most complete article available on the theory and application of cosmogenic isotopes. According to the Editor, J. Rose, the article was the most downloaded article of the journal in 2001. The paper has been nominated for the 2003 Kirk Bryan Award, given for a publication (within past 5 years) of distinction advancing the science of geomorphology or Quaternary geology. Besides reviewing fundamental and specific cosmic ray and particle physics and chemistry literature that is the foundation of the method, the manuscript includes items that have never been published elsewhere: calculations for surface geometry corrections to cosmic ray flux; derivation of multi-component (muons and fast, thermal, and epithermal neutrons) production; sensitivity of production rates to combined paleointensity fluctuations and secular variation in the geomagnetic dipole axis position using Sint 200 data; and a thorough analysis of random and systematic errors of the methods. Under one cover it provides an overview of the optimum sampling strategies, suggests different applications, and tabulates production parameters published over the past 50 years. In addition to being useful to scientists applying (or pondering the use of) cosmogenic isotopes, it is being used for teaching purposes at the graduate level and by US-NSF program managers seeking proposal reviewers.

[2] (PAPER 2) Morris, J., Gosse, J.C., and Brachfeld, S., 2002, Cosmogenic 10Be and the Solid Earth: Studies in Geomagnetism, Subduction Zone Processes, and Active Tectonics: Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, v. 50, 40 printed pages. This article combines three isolated fields of Earth Sciences through a common isotope. The paper is written at the time when atmospheric 10Be measured in marine sediment and ice cores is becoming an important proxy record for paleomagnetism and high precision late Cenozoic marine stratrigraphy correlation. With a significant review of strategies and developments, the article describes how the isotope is being used to study rates and styles of active deformation and details how the method has revolutionized thinking on the rate of subduction cycling of sediment (order of 10 Myr or less). The invited paper serves as a succinct summary of an isotopic tool for geologists spanning a wide range of interests from paleoclimatology, geomagnetism, subduction zone tectonics, and neotectonics. It expands on an earlier paper by Gosse, J and Stone, J, ., 2001, Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide methods passing milestones toward palaeo-altimetry: EOS, v. 82, p. 82, 86, 89, (PAPER 3) which described strategies for paleoaltimetry, geomagnetic field influences on cosmic rays, and scaling issues related to cosmogenic isotopes.

[3] Gosse’s research in Wyoming has focused on the development and geological application of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) produced in rocks. A large uncertainty in TCN production rates remains the principle source of error in the method. A series of papers have been published that show the results of tests, sampling strategies, and improvements in the TCN method. (PAPER 4) Gosse, J.C., Klein, J., Davis, P.T., Evenson, E.B., Jull, A.J.T., and Burr, G., submitted 2002, Cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al production rates for exposures of 10 to 15 kyr, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, provides the details of one of the best available datasets for the calibration of TCN production rates. It builds on three paleoclimate studies by that sought to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the cosmogenic nuclide method: (i) First use of 36Cl/10Be ratios to correct for erosion influences on TCN glacial chronologies for paleoclimate histories: (PAPER 5) Phillips, F.M., Zreda, M.G., Gosse, J.C., Klein, J., Evenson, E.B., Hall, R.D., Chadwick, O.A., and Sharma, P., 1997, Cosmogenic 36Cl and 10Be ages of Quaternary glacial and fluvial deposits of the Wind River Range, Wyoming: GSA Bulletin, v. 109, p. 1453-1463. (ii) Early documentation of the influence of the north Atlantic Younger Dryas cooling in western US alpine glacier records, (PAPER 6) Gosse, J.C., Evenson, E.B., Klein, J., Lawn, B., and Middleton, R., 1995, Precise cosmogenic 10Be measurements in western North America: Support for a global Younger Dryas cooling event: Geology, v. 23, p. 877-880. (iii) An early paper on the use of cosmogenic nuclides to provide glacial chronologies with a resolution that has not yet been surpassed (PAPER 7) Gosse, J.C., Klein, J., Evenson, E.B., Lawn, B., and Middleton, R., 1995, Beryllium-10 dating of the duration and retreat of the last Pinedale glacial sequence: Science, v. 268, p. 1329-1333.

Other research contributions: Articles published in refereed publications 1996-:

[8] McGeehin, J., Burr, G., Jull, A., Reines, D., Gosse, J., Davis, P., Muhs, D., and Southon, J., 2001, Stepped-combustion C-14 dating of sediment: A comparison with established techniques: Radiocarbon, v. 43, p. 255-261.

[9] Dahms, D.E., Shroba, R.R., Gosse, J.C., Hall, R.D., Sorenson, C.J., and Reheis, M.C., 1997, Relation between soil age and silicate weathering rates determined from the chemical evolution of a glacial chronosequence: Comment and Reply: Geology, April, p. 381-382.

[10] Gosse, J.C., Harrington, C.D., and Whitney, J.W., 1996, Applications of in situ cosmogenic nuclides in the geologic site characterization of Yucca Mountain, Nevada: Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, v. 412, p. 799-806.

[11] Gosse, J.C, Reedy, R., Harrington, C., and Poths, J., 1996, Overview of the Workshop on Secular Variations in the Production Rate of Cosmogenic Nuclides on Earth: Radiocarbon, v.38, p. 135-147.

[12] Gosse, J.C., Gillespie, A.R., Harrington, C.D., Reedy, R.C., Poths, J., and Klein, J., 1996, Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating: tested and ready for action: EOS Article, AGU, v. 77, p. 275-276.

Submitted-

[13] Marquette, G., Gray, J., Gosse, J., Courchesne, submitted 2002, Felsenmeer persistence through glacial periods in the Torngat and Kaumajet Mountains, Québec-Labrador, as determined by soil weathering and cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences.

[14] Spies, C.S., Whitney, J.W., Gosse, J., Slemmons, D.B., and Caffee, M., submitted 2002, Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating of deformed alluvium along the Carrara Fault in the northern Amargosa Desert, Nye County, Nevada: Geomorphology.

[15] ACID Workgroup, Submitted, 2002. Report on the Atlantic Canada Glacier Ice Dynamics Workshop, May 22-24, 2002: Geoscience Canada, ed. J. Gosse.

Other-refereed contributions, 1996-

Abstracts:

Gosse, J., and Willenbring, J., 2002, Glacier erosion factor: Using 26Al/10Be, soils, and geomorphology to study relief development: Goldschmidt 2002 Conference Proceedings, Davos, Switzerland.

Klein, J., and Gosse, J.C., 2002, Production rates of 10Be and 26Al in mid-latitudes and high altitudes: Goldschmidt 2002 Conference, Davos, Switzerland.

Gosse, J., Dyke, A, Klein, J. 2001, Recent and potential applications of in situe terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides in Canada. GAC-MAC conference, St. John’s.

Jackofsky, D. and Gosse, J. 2001. Glacial chronology and Quaternary paleoclimatology in southern South America, GAC-MAC conference, St. John’s.

Gosse, J.C., and Klein, J., 2000, Fracture density, glacial erosion, and landscape evolution: AGU Program with abstracts, December 2000 annual meeting.

Klein, J., Gosse, J.C., Davis, P.T., Evenson, E.B., and Sorenson, C., 2000, Younger dryas in the Rocky Mountains and calibration of 10Be/26Al production rates: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program; v. 32; A-473.

Spies, C.S., Whitney, J.W., Gosse, J., Slemmons, D.B., and Caffee, M., 2000, Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating of deformed alluvium along the Carrara Fault in the northern Amargosa Desert, Nye County, Nevada: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. v.32, A-166.

Lloyd, H.E., Evenson, E.B., Anastasio, D., Strasser, J., and Gosse, J., 2000, The 'sliding boulders' of the Matanuska Glacier, Alaska: Their source, movement mechanism and rate, and fate: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 32.

Waterson, N.J., Strasser, J.C., Larson, G.J., Linker, J., Gosse, J.C., Evenson, E.B., and Lawson, D.E., 2000, Suspended sediment concentrations in subglacial discharge from the North Vent of the Matanuska Glacier, Alaska: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 32.

Carlson, A.E., Strasser, J.C., Gosse, J.C., Evenson, E.B., and Larson, G.J., 2000, The composition, genesis, and internal architecture of a little ice age end moraine, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 32.

Swanson, B.A., Gosse, J.C., and Strasser, J.C., 2000, Downstream variation in outwash clast characteristics from an active glacial margin: application to ancient deposits: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 32.

Davis, P.T., Gosse, J.C., Reasoner, M., and Zielinski, G., 1999, Late Pleistocene and Holocene alpine glacier climate proxies from proglacial lacustrine sediments, Wyoming and Colorado, U.S.A. Evidence for a Younger Dryas event: Eos, Transactions AGU, v. 80, p. 321.

Jackofsky, D., Gosse, J.C., Cerling, T.J., Evenson, E.B., Klein, J., Lawn, B., and Sharma, P., 1999, Cosmogenic nuclide chronology of LGM and post-LGM glacial history of the Southern Andes: GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 31, p. A-367.

Gosse, J.C., Davis, P.T., Burr, G., Jull, A.T.J., Bozarth, S., Sorenson, C., Klein, J., Lawn, B., and Dahms, D., 1999, Late Pleistocene/Holocene glacial and paleoclimate history of Titcomb Basin, Wind River Range, Wyoming based on lake sediments and cosmogenic nuclide dating: GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 31, p. A-56.

Davis, P.T., and Gosse, J.C., 1999, Source of the North American Younger Dryas dilemma: Are all AMS dates correlable?: INQUA International Meeting, South Africa.

Thompson, C.A., Strasser, J.C., Lawson, D.E., Denner, J., and Gosse, J.C., 1999, Controls on the groundwater of the proximal outwash plain, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska: GSA Abstr and Prog. v. 31.

Hanson, T., Strasser, J.C., and Gosse, J.C., 1999, Detailed analysis of the internal characteristics of a recessional moraine, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska: GSA Abstracts and Programs, v. 31.

Zentmire, K.N., Gosse, J.C., Baker, C., McDonald, E., and Wells, S., 1999, The problem of inheritance when dating alluvial fans and terraces with TCN: Insight from the Matanuska Glacier: GSA Abstracts and Programs, v. 31.

Gosse, J.C., Hecht, G., Mehring, N., Klein, J., Lawn, B., and Dyke, A., 1998, Comparison of radiocarbon- and in situ cosmogenic nuclide-derived postglacial emergence curves for Prescott Island, Central Canadian Arctic: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 30, p. 298.

Davis, P.T., Gosse, J.C., Romito, M., Sorenson, C., Klein, J., Dahms, D., Zielinsky, G., and Jull, A.J.T., 1998, Younger Dryas age for type Titcomb Basin and type Temple Lake moraines, Wind River Range, Wyoming, U.S.A.: GSA Abstracts with Programs, National Meeting.

Klein, J., Lawn, B., Gosse, J., and Harrington, C., 1997, Can terrestrial cosmogenic Be-10 be measured in whole rock samples to decipher surface exposure histories: GSA Abstr with Prog, v. 29.

Gosse, J., Dort, W., Sorenson, C., Grimes, J., Hecht, G., Klein, J., and Lawn, B., 1997, How fast is the Kansas Dissected Till Plain Eroding into the Gulf of Mexico?: TERQUA Annual Meeting Abstracts.

Gosse, J., Dort, W., Sorenson, C., Steeples, D., Grimes, J., and Hecht, G., 1997, Insights on the depositional age and rate of denudation of the pre-Illinioan till in Kansas from terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, North-Central Section, v. 29, p. A17.

Gosse, J.C., Reedy, R., Harrington, C., and Poths, J., 1996, Overview of the "Workshop on Secular Variations in the Production Rate of Cosmogenic Nuclides on Earth": Radiocarbon, v. 38, p. 155.

Gosse, J.C., Harrington, C.D., Whitney, J.W., Klein, J., Lawn, B., Jull, A.J.T., and Sharma, P., 1996, Styles and rates of Quaternary erosion on Yucca Mountain: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 28, p. A-193.

Gosse, J.C., Klein, J., Lawn, B., and Evenson, E.B., 1996, Late Pleistocene Wind River Range ice cap response linked to North Atlantic Events? Be-10 exposure ages say YES: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 28, p. A-233.

Phillips, W.M., Lifton, N.A., Jull, A.J.T., Gosse, J.C., Harrington, C.D., Sharma, P., Vogt, S., and Klein, J., 1996, Cosmogenic exposure age constraints on tectonic history and semi-arid landscape evolution: Radiocarbon, v. 38, p. 99.

Klein, J., and Gosse, J., 1996, Terrestrial factors that influence production rates: Radiocarbon, v. 38, p. 161-162.

Gosse, J., and Klein, J., 1996, Production rate of in situ cosmogenic 10Be in quartz at high altitude and mid-latitude: Radiocarbon, v. 38, p. 154-155.

Gosse, J.C., Klein, J., and Harrington, C., 1996, Intricacies in calibrating the cosmic-ray exposure time scale: American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting, Baltimore: Abstracts

Non-refereed contributions, 1996-

Field trip guide books:

Taylor, E.M., and others, 1998, Quaternary Geology of the Yucca Mountain Area, Southern Nevada: Friends of the Pleistocene Field Trip Guide, Pacific Cell, 1998 Annual Meeting, p. 223 pages.

Johnson, W.C., Gosse, J.C., and Sorenson, C.J., 1998, Field trip guide book for the Quaternary Geology of NE Kansas, AAG 1998 Regional Meeting: Lawrence, University of Kansas

Abstracts:

Gosse, J.C., and Klein, J. 2002, Production rates of 10Be and 26Al in mid-latitudes and high altitudes and the influence of geomagnetic and atmospheric pressure affects, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory Workshop.

Gosse, J.C. 2002, Cosmogenic nuclides and the significance of altitudinal weathering zones in Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Geosciences Society Annual Meeting.

Gosse, J.C. 2002, Weathering zones, ice thickness, glacial erosion: ACID 2002 Workshop on Ice Dyamics, Dalhousie University, Halifax.

Gosse, J.C., Klein, J., and Dyke, A.S., 1998, Comparison of 10Be- and radiocarbon-derived sea cliff emergence curves for Prescott Island, central Canadian Arctic: TERQUA Annual Meeting, March 10,11,1998 Lawrence, KS, Abstracts

Gosse, J.C., Harrington, C.D., and Whitney, J.W., 1996, Applications of in situ cosmogenic nuclides in the geologic site characterization of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Volume 412, p. 799-806.

Teaching and contributions to training of highly qualified personnel

Courses at Dalhousie:

ERTH 1040/1041 Earth and Society
ERTH 1060 Earthquakes, volcanism, and other natural disasters
ERTH 4440.03: Geomorphology and Landscape Evolution
Graduate level special topics courses in geomorphology, glacial geology, cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating

Name Years Degree Title of Project Present Position

• Undergraduate Students—Principal Supervisor
  
• McDonald, F. 2002 B.Sc. Exposure dating of erratics in Nova Scotia Expected May 03
  
• Peterson, K. 2000 B.S. Finite element model of the LIS US Navy
  
• LaGesse, J 1999-00 B.S. Genesis and thickness of the layered ice deposits on the Martian south pole M.S. student, U. Tennessee
  
• Zentmire, K. 1998-99 B.S. Cosmogenic nuclide inheritance in outwash U.S. Peace Corps
  
• Graduate Students—Principal Supervisor
  
• Willenbring, J 2001- Ph.D. Glacial erosion rates in influences on orogeny Expected May 05
  
• Baker, S. 2002- M.Sc. Andean neotectonics from fluvial records Expected May 04
  
• Spies, C. 1998- M.S. Tectonic geomorphology in western Nevada Geologist, ExxonMobil
  
• Jackofsky, D. 1997-00 M.S. Glacier mass balance model and chronology, South America Geologist, ExxonMobil
  
• Fite, J. 1996-97 M.S. SEM-determined quartz microtectures for mapping ice sheet limit in Kansas Geologist, Phillips Petroleum
  
• Graduate Students—Co Supervisor
  
• Dillon, J. 1997- Ph.D. Terrace development, soils, chronology Assist Prof. U.Neb
  
• Andrews, J. 1998- Ph.D. Cenozoic structure of the Death Valley region Post doc. U. Kan.
  
• Zaprowski, B. 1997- Ph.D. Cenozoic landscape evolution from fluvial records in the Black Hills, Wyoming Assist Prof. Salisbury U
  
• Baker, G. 1996-99 Ph.D. Shallow seismic reflection of alluvium Asst. Professor., SUNY Buffalo
  
• Centeno, J.P. 2001- M.S. (U-Th)He cooling history, Torngat Mtns Expected May 04
  
• Sipes, D. 1996-97 M.S. Soils geomorphology of northeastern Kansas Soils Conservation Dept., Nebraska
  
• Laboratory Technician--Supervisor
  
• Yang, G. 2001-pres Cosmogenic isotope geochemistry laboratory technologist Dalhousie U.
  
• Stockli, L. 2001-pres Cosmogenic isotope geochemistry laboratory technologist U. Kansas
  
• Gilliam, C. 1997-98 Isotope extraction of 10Be and 26Al from quartz Med. School, NY
  
  
  

Other Evidence of Impact and Contributions since 1996

• Adjunct Professor, Dept. Geology, University of Kansas, 06, 2001 – present
  
• Adjunct Professor, Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lehigh University, 06/2001 - present
  
• 2002 APICS and AGS Lecture Series lecturer (Atlantic Canada visits so far: MUN, UNB, St. FX)
  
• Invited Lectures: Acadia University, 9/2002; Iowa State U., 10/2000; Purdue U., IN; 02/1999, Baylor U., TX, 01/1999,
• U. Nebraska, NE; 10/1997, Purdue U., IN; 05/1997, U. Maine, ME, 05/1996, AAAS meeting, 02/1996
  
• Editorial Board for Environmental Geology, 9/1997 – present
  
• Reviews of over 10 articles per year from Science, Nature, EPSL, Geochimical et Cosmochimica Acta,
• Quaternary Science Reviews, Quaternary Research, Plains Anthropologist
  
• National Science Foundation Geology and Paleontology Panel member, 07/2000-04/2002
  
• Excellence in Teaching Award, 1998 Univ. of Kansas voted by Senior Geology Undergrads
  
• Chair of Atlantic Canada Ice Dynamics Workshop, Dalhousie University, May, 2002
  
• Chair of Cosmogenic Nuclide Symposium: GAC-MAC, St. John’s, 2001
  
• Chair of Cosmogenic Nuclide Symposium: GSA meeting, Toronto, 1998
  
• Chair of Secular Variations in Cosmogenic Nuclide Production Workshop, Santa Fe, 1996
  
• Visits to local elementary schools for promotion of Earth Sciences (2 per year)
  
• Elected Chair to School Advisory Council, Astral Drive Elementary School, 06/2002 – present
  

Links

Lab web page