Washington and Lee University
The Geological Society of America's Abstract of Student Study
Geology majors Barrett Salisbury (07), Erin Tainer (07), Bill Barnhart (08), and Mike Braunscheidel (08) worked with Prof. David Harbor and a pesky 2 m helium balloon to map the river channel of Goshen Pass on the Maury River. Their aim was to not only produce an elevation model of the channel floor (using stereo photographs with 2 cm resolution) but to establish a baseline survey for the movement of water and sediment through the pass.
Early results suggest that the method can be used to document channel changes during floods. Moreover, we can use the aerial maps and elevation data to model the flow characteristics of this anomalously steep, Appalachian water gap. The group presented their early work at the Geological Society of America meeting in Philadelphia, and work is continuing on manuscripts documenting the process and the results.
Mike, Bill, Barrett, and Erin at GSA in Philly.
