The Desert of Maine

Consulting work on the geologic history of the Desert of Maine in Freeport continues. The Desert is an expanse of wind-blown sand that accumulated after the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet at the end of the last “ice age,” around 12,000 years ago. Vegetation quickly stabilized these post-glacial sand dunes. Agricultural practices in the late 19th century began reactivating the dune field and led to the open expanse we now know as the Desert of Maine. Prior to our work, which began in 2019, the geology of this fascinating place had been largely unstudied.

Current efforts focus on a forthcoming book about the Desert’s geology for popular audiences and a forthcoming technical article exploring a false notion that persists in the popular press that the Desert’s dune field is an accumulation of glacial silt rather than sand.

Recent Communications:

Smith, Joshua B., Mela J. Heestand, and Sharon E. Cates, 2024, A Phenomenon Aligned to Next Generation Science Standard Performance Expectation MS-ESS1-4 at the Desert of Maine in Freeport. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 56(1): https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2024NE-397402.

Suzuki, K.M., and Joshua B. Smith, 2021, Sand or Silt at the Desert of Maine: A Student-Centered Project Aligned to Next Generation Science Standard Performance Expectation 5-PS1-3. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 53(6): https://doi.org//10.1130/abs/2021AM-369932.

Heestand, M.J., Joshua B. Smith, and D..E. Perkins, 2021, The Desert of Maine: A Small “Dust Bowl” in Freeport. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 53(1): https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2021NE-361908.

Bedrock Geology of the Greenfield, Massachusetts Area

Bedrock mapping work in the Greenfield, Massachusetts area is an outgrowth of consulting work done on Massachusetts dinosaurs for the New England Public Media/Tumble Science Podcast for Kids Dinomap Adventure project.

Recent Communications:

Smith, Joshua B. and Sharon E. Cates, 2021, Volcanoes of the Connecticut Valley: A Student-Centered, Phenomenon-Focused Exploration of Extensional Tectonics. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 53(1): https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2021NE-361794.

Fossil Vertebrate Teeth

The study of ancient ecosystems remains hampered by basic questions like knowing which animals populated them. Teeth are common fossils in many ancient ecosystems, and they are often better preserved than other body fossils (e.g., other skull bones). Work continues on methods to describe the tooth shapes of various extinct animal groups with an eye toward being able to better match up isolated fossil teeth with known species.