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Geology News

Denniston receives NSF grant to study fire activity with stalagmites
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Cornell College W.H. Norton Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston a $199,785 grant to study the use of stalagmites as records of prehistoric fire activity in the Australian tropics. This grant follows a previous proof-of-concept grant awarded to Denniston by NSF in 2018 where Denniston’s team demonstrated that stalagmites […] Read More About Denniston receives NSF grant to study fire activity with stalagmites
Cornell College introduces 2 new sustainability majors
Cornell College Professor Rhawn Denniston used to lie awake every night worrying about climate change. “I would just lie there for hours because I was so frustrated and anxious about climate change and all sorts of other environmental issues,” he said. But with an increasing awareness among Americans of the magnitude of the dangers, recent […] Read More About Cornell College introduces 2 new sustainability majors
Muscente shares expertise in article on fossil study
Assistant Professor of Geology Drew Muscente was recently quoted in an article in TheScientist. Read More About Muscente shares expertise in article on fossil study
Denniston awarded NSF grant to study climate change
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a nearly half-million-dollar research grant to Cornell College Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston and a team of researchers to study climate variability. The research will utilize stalagmites from a cave in Nepal to understand variations in Indian monsoon rainfall over the last 4,000 years. The Indian Summer Monsoon […] Read More About Denniston awarded NSF grant to study climate change
Cornellians acting on climate change
Cornell is cutting energy use by 20%. Faculty are conducting federally funded climate change research. Students and alumni are contributing as well. Read More About Cornellians acting on climate change
Cornell’s own research informs COVID-19 testing, protocols
Faced with a pandemic, 10 Cornell College students and faculty are applying their research skills to keep the campus community as safe as possible. Read More About Cornell’s own research informs COVID-19 testing, protocols
Pfleger ’20 uses research opportunities to build a future
If you were looking for Cali Pfleger ’20 during her four years at Cornell College, you could likely find her deep in her geology studies. Read More About Pfleger ’20 uses research opportunities to build a future
Denniston interviewed for Italian news program
Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston was interviewed for an Italian news show, TGR Leonardo del, about his research on reconstructing prehistoric fires in Australia. The interview aired on Feb. 2, 2020. Denniston is featured within the program at about the seven-minute mark. In 2018, The National Science Foundation awarded Denniston a grant in the amount […] Read More About Denniston interviewed for Italian news program
Students map out new skills in GIS course
Students in Cornell College’s Geographical Information System (GIS) course create colorful maps by examining data sets. Read More About Students map out new skills in GIS course
Sorensen ’04 leads groundbreaking research on Neanderthal fire making
Andrew Sorensen ’04 has been fascinated by fire since childhood, yet it wasn’t until graduate school when fire became his academic passion and pursuit. In 2018 he and his colleagues published the identification of direct evidence for fire-making by Neandertals 50,000 years ago, the oldest ever documented. “When I came to Leiden [University in the […] Read More About Sorensen ’04 leads groundbreaking research on Neanderthal fire making
Cornell College welcomes 9 new faculty
With the start of its 167th academic year this week, Cornell College welcomes not just students but nine new faculty members teaching a wide range of subjects. Read More About Cornell College welcomes 9 new faculty
Geology students travel the globe to examine climate change
William Harmon Norton Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston has students working across the globe this summer on his long-running climate research. For the past 10 years Denniston, along with Cornell geology and environmental studies students and fellow scientists, have studied the behavior of the Australian monsoon, the main source of rain in the Australian tropics. […] Read More About Geology students travel the globe to examine climate change
Alumni at a Glance: Daniel Pawlak ʼ13
Daniel Pawlak ʼ13 fondly recalls late nights in Norton Geology with his friends sifting through sediment and analyzing thin sections. Read More About Alumni at a Glance: Daniel Pawlak ʼ13
Denniston Interviewed in Newsweek Article
Newsweek published “Hothouse Earth: Climate Domino Effect could lead to Runaway Global Warming,” which features an interview with Rhawn Denniston. Read More About Denniston Interviewed in Newsweek Article
Alumni at a Glance: Shannon Carty ’13
After graduating from Cornell with degrees in education and geology Shannon Carty ’13 started teaching and went on to get a master’s of science degree in applied behavior analysis. Read More About Alumni at a Glance: Shannon Carty ’13
$3 million infusion to endowment directly benefits Cornell students
Gifts totaling over $3 million from two Class of '69 roommates and a 1938 alumnus will provide new scholarship and experiential learning funds through the college's endowment. Read More About $3 million infusion to endowment directly benefits Cornell students
Sustainability Task Force perfecting program to reduce trash
Cornell College students are teaming up with Cornell’s food service, Bon Appétit, to reduce the amount of waste produced during mealtime. Read More About Sustainability Task Force perfecting program to reduce trash
9 new faculty to teach at Cornell College
A new academic year begins today at Cornell College, and the college welcomes nine new faculty members in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Read More About 9 new faculty to teach at Cornell College
Geology team researches Scandinavian mountain mystery
Professor Emily Walsh and five geology majors are using high-tech instruments to study the formation of the Scandinavian Caledonides mountain belt. Read More About Geology team researches Scandinavian mountain mystery
CSRI researchers study ancient corals to understand ocean acidity
Kira Fish ’19 and Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston explored ancient, fossilized coral samples for the Cornell Summer Research Institute. Read More About CSRI researchers study ancient corals to understand ocean acidity