Climate, Tectonics and Landscape Evolution

Steven J. Davis
Doctoral Student

Paleotopography, Paleoclimate and Paleohydrology

When, why and how large mountain ranges develop is a complex and frequently controversial problem in earth science. This is nowhere more true than in western North America, where the Sierra Nevada, the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau are longstanding areas of contention. An improved understanding is important; topography strongly affects regional climate and is coupled with climate, weathering and tectonics as a driver of long-term global climate.

Using high-resolution isotopic and geochemical stratigraphies of sediments preserved in intermontane basins, my dissertation research addresses regional topographic development, basin hydrology, and climatic variability. Work is presently focused in the central and southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau of Paleogene time.

Paleoclimate and Coral Paleoecology

The climate of the early Cenozoic was very warm, perhaps 10 degrees warmer than today. A sudden and short-lived spike in global temperature at ~55 Ma raised the temperature by 3-4 degrees more. I am exploring a new method using fossil coral from the Paleocene and Eocene as a proxy for its growing conditions, in an effort to understand the viability of scleractinian corals in a warm, acidic ocean as well as their reaction to sudden climatic shifts. It is my hope that this work may give insight to the future of the world's coral reefs as the planet reacts to anthropogenic CO2.

Natural Resources Policy

Prior to entering graduate school at Stanford, I studied political science and social philosophy, earned a law degree from the University of Virginia, and practiced law for several years. Given this perspective, I am also interested in creative combinations of science and policy that lead to better management of ecosystems and natural resources.

For instance, the leasing and ownership of submerged lands is a novel approach being assessed by state governments and private conservation groups. I am working to consider the implications of and for this tool in light of scientific research on marine protected areas and ecosystem services.

I am also at work founding a non-profit entity, The Climate Conservancy, which will encourage climate consciousness in the marketplace by informing consumers and incentivizing manufacturers with respect to greenhouse gas consequences of their daily choices. Please visit the website, www.climateconservancy.org, for more information.

Education

Ph.D. (expected) 2008 Stanford University - Geological and Environmental Sciences Department
J.D. 2001 University of Virginia School of Law
B.A. 1998 University of Florida - Political Science and Philosophy Departments

Employment

Beginning Fall 2008, Research Associate, Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution of Washington
2006-present Co-Founder and Chief Executive, The Climate Conservancy
2004-present Teaching Assistant, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University
2002-2004 Associate Corporate & Securities Attorney, Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, LLP (now DLA Piper)

Contact Information

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2115
Phone: 650.704.5975
Fax: 650.725.0979

Publications

Davis, S.J., Mulch, A., Carroll, A., Horton, T.W. and Chamberlain, C.P. (in press) Paleogene Landscape Evolution of the central North American Cordillera: Developing topography and hydrology in the Laramide Foreland. GSA Bulletin
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Davis, S.J., Wiegand, B.A., Carroll, A. and Chamberlain, C.P. (in press) The effect of drainage reorganization on paleoaltimetry studies: An example from the Paleogene Laramide Foreland. Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Davis, S.J., Mix, H.T., Wiegand, B.A., Carroll, A. and Chamberlain, C.P. (in prep) Synorogenic evolution of large-scale drainage patterns: isotope paleohydrology of sequential Laramide basins For submission to American Journal of Science

Presentations

Davis, S.J., Wiegand, B.A. and Chamberlain, C.P. (2007) Strontium isotopic evidence of shifting inflows to Eocene Lake Uinta in the Laramide foreland of Utah. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco

Sweeney, J.F. and Davis, S.J. (2007) Using Market Forces to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Product-Level Life Cycle Analysis and Eco-Labeling. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco

Davis, S.J., Mulch, A. and Chamberlain, C.P. (2007) Stable isotopic evidence of evolving Laramide landscape in the central North American Cordillera. Goldschmidt Conference, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 71, no. 15, pg. A206

Davis, S.J. and Chamberlain, C.P. (2006) Geochemical Stratigraphies of Paleogene Lakes Uinta, Flagstaff and Claron: Hydrology, climate and Topography of the Laramide Foreland of Utah. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 38, no. 7, p. 368.

Weislogel, A.L., Davis, S.J. and Graham, S.A., (2005) Stable isotope composition of pedogenic carbonate from the Ordos and Sichuan basins: Record of topography degradation? GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 37, no. 7, p. 377.