
Alan D. Howard
Professor Emeritus
My research focuses on the complex interactions and constraints that govern the evolution of natural landscapes, including surfaces of other planets. This research combines field studies, theory, simulation modeling, and quantitative analysis. Field studies have included evolution of channels in badlands, the natural regime and man’s influence on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and the role of groundwater sapping in erosion of sandstone canyons in the southwest U.S.. Simulation models have been developed for barchan dune equilibrium, stream network development, river meandering, drainage basin evolution, and scarp retreat by groundwater sapping. Theoretical modeling includes the role of equilibrium and thresholds in geomorphic systems and controls on drainage network geometry. Planetary research has included studies of eolian, polar, and fluvial processes on Mars. Recent student research on terrestrial landscapes focuses on landform evolution and river sedimentation on the Virginia Coastal Plain, thgeomorphic effects of large floods, hydrology and lakes of the U.S. Great Basin, and the history of debris flow erosion of the Virginia Blue Ridge. Planetary studies by students include erosion of Martian craters, deposition and erosion of thick sedimentary deposits on the rim of the Martian Hellas impact basin, and studies of drainage network evolution and lakes on Mars early in its history.
Publications
- Introduction to the special issue: Planetary geomorphology
2015; Geomorphology; Burr, D.M. | Howard, A.D. - Stratigraphy of Aeolis Dorsa, Mars: Stratigraphic context of the great river deposits
2015; Icarus; Kite, E.S. | Howard, A.D. | Lucas, A.S. | Armstrong, J.C. | Aharonson, O. |... - A progressive black top hat transformation algorithm for estimating valley volumes on Mars
2015; Computers and Geosciences; Luo, W. | Pingel, T. | Heo, J. | Howard, A. | Jung, J. - Geology before Pluto: Pre-encounter considerations
2015; Icarus; Moore, J.M. | Howard, A.D. | Schenk, P.M. | McKinnon, W.B. | Pappalardo, R.T. |... - Origin and development of theater-headed valleys in the atacama desert, northern chile: Morphological analogs to martian valley networks
2014; Icarus; Irwin, R.P. | Tooth, S. | Craddock, R.A. | Howard, A.D. | De Latour, A.B. - Sedimentology and climatic environment of alluvial fans in the martian Saheki crater and a comparison with terrestrial fans in the Atacama Desert
2014; Icarus; Morgan, A.M. | Howard, A.D. | Hobley, D.E.J. | Moore, J.M. | Dietrich, W.E. |... - Modeling planform evolution of a mud-dominated meandering river: Quinn River, Nevada, USA
2014; Earth Surface Processes and Landforms; Matsubara, Y. | Howard, A.D. - The landscape of Titan as witness to its climate evolution
2014; Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets; Moore, J.M. | Howard, A.D. | Morgan, A.M. - Fresh shallow valleys in the Martian midlatitudes as features formed by meltwater flow beneath ice
2014; Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets; Hobley, D.E.J. | Howard, A.D. | Moore, J.M. - Outflow channels with deltaic deposits in Ismenius Lacus, Mars
2013; Icarus; Mangold, N. | Howard, A.D.
Teaching
Fundamentals of Geology (EVSC 2800)
Studies the composition, structure, and internal processes of earth; the classification, origin, and distribution of earth materials; earth's interior; and the interpretation of geological data for the solution of problems of the natural environment.
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (EVSC 3840)
Examines erosional processes and their role in creating landforms. Explores the influence of processes and landforms on land use and the human environment, including hazards from floods and landslides
Planetary Geology (EVSC 4890)
Studies the origin and evolution of the solar system, emphasizing the geology of the planets and satellites of the inner solar system and the satellites of the gaseous planets. Compares and contrasts the Earth with Venus and Mars. Prerequisite: Introductory course in geosciences or astronomy.
Geomorphology (EVHY 5820)
Studies the processes that shape the land surface and their relationship to human activity.