Professional profile
As a sedimentary geologist, my research and teaching interests concentrate on studies of modern environments and ancient sedimentary rocks. I am primarily interested in understanding the nature of physical processes that control sedimentation, the role of processes on organism distribution and the role of organisms on deposition, and how these co-vary over time. In studying ancient rocks, I use knowledge of modern environments to ask the following types of questions:

• What was the specific nature of the ancient depositional environments, and what controlled environmental change?
• Does the fossil record correlate with evidence of physical changes?
• How did organisms interact with their environment?
• How can studies of the past be used to predict future change in Earth environments?

My work in modern environments has included research on coastal beach and tidal creek deposits of Sapelo Island, Georgia, and Pleistocene to Holocene deposits of the Savannah River floodplain. My studies of Paleozoic rocks have included Devonian fluvial deposits in upstate New York; the record of early land organisms; and Carboniferous deep sea fan deposits of the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas. Currently, I am researching lower Paleozoic strata in northeastern Wisconsin that include a sequence of marine margin deposits that record past sea level fluctuations. Seeking biostratigraphic data for correlation, I hope to better understand the timing and mechanisms of past sea level change.

Courses I teach regularly include Introductory Geology (each semester), and a rotational sequence of General Oceanography, Sedimentation and Stratigraphy and Evolution of the Earth. Occasionally, I also teach Environmental Geology. I am interested in working with students on field-research based projects. In teaching, I am particularly interested in interdisciplinary topics that show crucial connections between the sciences, world economics and socio-political issues.

Location: John Minahan Science Hall
Room: 410
Phone: (920) 403-3227
Fax: (920) 403-4033

Mailing address:
St. Norbert College
100 Grant Street
John Minahan Science Hall, 410
De Pere, WI 54115-2099

elizabeth.gordon@snc.edu

Academic credentials:

Courses taught:
GEOL 105 Geology
GEOL 115 General Oceanography
GEOL 301 Evolution of the Earth