معرفی
Gerilyn "Lynn" Soreghan is the David L. Boren Professor and Edward L. McCollough Chair in Geosciences at the University of Oklahoma's School of Geosciences. Her research focuses on reading Earth's history from the sedimentary record, with particular emphasis on the late Paleozoic world (~300 million years ago), which captures Earth's last great "icehouse" period and the collapse of that icehouse, global mountain building that culminated in the Pangaean supercontinent, and potentially the dustiest atmosphere in Earth's history.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Geosciences, 1992, University of Arizona
- B.S. in Geology, 1986, University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Soreghan's research program centers on deep-time paleoclimate, particularly investigating:
- Hypotheses of equatorial alpine glaciation and orogenic (mountain) collapse in parts of the Central Pangaean Mountains
- Gauging dustiness of the late Paleozoic atmosphere and possible effects on the biosphere and carbon cycling
- High-frequency, glacial-interglacial climate change during the late Paleozoic
- Assessing physical and chemical weathering trends in various climate systems
Her field-based approach is complemented by collaborations using geochemistry, geochronology, magnetism, and climate modeling to refine understanding of climate and linked processes.
Analysis of Dr. Soreghan's recent publications reveals a strong focus on late Paleozoic climate systems, with particular emphasis on atmospheric dust, loess deposits, and potential evidence of equatorial glaciation during the Permian period. Her work integrates field studies with laboratory analyses and climate modeling to understand Earth's climate behavior during the last major icehouse period before the current Quaternary glaciation.
Dr. Soreghan has mentored numerous graduate students whose research has resulted in publications in leading geoscience journals. Her students have investigated topics including loess deposits in eastern equatorial Pangea, weathering processes in diverse climatic settings, and evidence for pre-Pleistocene glaciation. She is also involved in educational initiatives, including the development of field-based programs for traditionally underserved students in geoscience.
She co-founded the interdisciplinary blog "Inhabiting the Anthropocene" and has participated in international collaborative efforts such as the ICDP Deep Dust workshops, which aim to probe continental climate of the late Paleozoic icehouse-greenhouse transition.
