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Tod A Frolking

Affiliation:Faculty
Title:Professor of Geosciences
Office:F.W. Olin Science Hall Rm. 306
Email:
Phone:
740-587-6222
Fax:740-587-6774
B.A. in Geography from University of New Hampshire, 1973
M.A. in Geography Soil Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1978
Ph.D. in Geography Soil Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1985

Publications

Lepper, B.T. and Frolking, T.A.. 2003. Alligator Mound: Geoarchaeological and Iconographical Interpretations of a Late Prehistoric Effigy Mound in Central Ohio. Cambridge Archaological Journal. v. 13 no. 2 p. 147-167 View [pdf]
Stam, A. and Frolking, T.A.. 1999. Environmental Status of Cuba: The Cuban View. Denison's Environmental Issues of Cuba course book.
Frolking, T.A. and Lepper, B.T.. 2001. Geomorphic and pedogenic evidence for bioturbation of artifacts at a multi-component site in Licking County, Ohio. Geoarchaeology: An International Journal. v. 16 no. 3 p. 243-262 View [pdf]
Frolking, T.A. and Szabo, J.P. 1998. Quaternary Geology along the Eastern Margin of the Scioto Lobe in Central Ohio. Ohio Division Geological Survey Guidebook 16. p. 40
Frolking, T.A.. 1997. Ice incursions, drainage reversals and Late-Pleistocene evolution of the Licking River system, east-central Ohio. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 29 no. 4 p. 46
Pachell, M.A. and Frolking, T.A.. 1997. Stratigraphic evidence for the timing of the formation of Black Hand Gorge, Licking County, Ohio. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 29 no. 4 p. 49
Li, C., Frolking, S. and Frolking, T.A.. 1992. A model of nitrous oxide evolution from soil driven by rainfall events: I. Model structure and sensitivity . Journal of Geophysical Research-- Atmospheres. v. 97 no. D9 p. 9759-9776
Lepper, B. T. and Frolking, T.A.. 1992. Mounds, mines and mastodons: the prehistory of Licking County, Ohio. Geological Aspects of Key Archaeological Sites in Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio, Guidebook 11. p. 75-79
Lepper, B.T., Frolking, T.A., Fisher, D.C., Goldstein, G., Wymer, D.A., Sanger, J.E., and Hooge, P.E. . 1991. Intestinal contents of a late Pleistocene mastodon from midcontinental North America. Quaternary Research. v. 36 p. 120-125

Teaching at Denison

As the sole geographer at Denison, I teach several introductory and regional geography courses designed to spark student interest and broaden understanding of the diversity of environments and human/environment interactions around the world. These courses help to foster geographic (and environmental) literacy which I see as absolutely critical to our future. As human impacts on the planet continue to increase, we must have a citizenry that is knowledgeable and can make sound decisions about land and resource use. I also teach three intermediate to advanced courses concentrating on different groups of earth surface processess - Weather and Climate, Geomorphology, and Hydrogeology. We spend considerable time outside observing and measuring atmospheric, hydrologic and pedologic phenomena as well as computer times using spread sheets and gathering data from the web. All of my classes have a significant environmental focus and most are linked with Denison's Environmental Studies curriculum.

I have led some student trips to Cuba. We have studied both natural history and environmental issues in and around Havana and in the provinces of Pinar del Rio (west), Matanzas (central), and Santiago de Cuba (east). More information about the May Term 2000 trip can be obtained through the Cuba link. 

Research

In broad terms, my research focuses on the complex interactions among landforms, soils and climate. I study the dynamic environments along the margins of the former great Laurentide ice sheets, with particular emphasis on glacial deposits and the genesis of soils and paleosols. Lately much of my attention has been on the timing of drainage reversals associated with the advance of ice sheets into the Appalachain Plateau in East Central Ohio. In addition, I have conducted collaborative archaeological research at several sites in central Ohio and have worked on the biogeochemical modeling of soil nitrogen. Our discovery of gut contents (with living intestinal bacteria) with the recovery of the Burning Tree Mastodon has added important information about the late glacial environment and megafauna diets. Much of my research has involved students, both as field assistants and in independent senior projects that contribute to my research program. Other student research projects I have advised cover a wide range of topics. Examples of recent student research projects include a presettlement map of Licking County vegetation, the origin and mineralogy of beach sands on Kelley's Island, coastal zone management in southern Sri Lanka, an analysis of lacustrine sediments of Glacial Lake Licking, and an assessment of soil nutrient loading at the Buckeye Egg Farm.