Sophie Baker

Title: Geomorphologist
Affiliation: Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Location: DRI Reno
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 775.673.7462

Professional Interests

Ms. Baker's research interests lie in Quaternary geology and geomorphology, with a focus on arid and semi-arid environments. Her master's thesis research comprised field and office-based geomorphic analysis of a section of the Andean foreland in Argentina. This project involved the use of field mapping and surveying, cosmogenic nuclide (10Be) dating, and tephra correlation to determine the stratigraphy, paleo-long profiles, and chronological framework of a suite of piedmont river terraces formed by one of the major rivers draining the southern central Andes. Currently, her work focuses on the characterization of desert terrain in the U.S. southwest, and involves gathering data on desert landforms and their associated soil characteristics using literature review, image analysis, and field investigations.

Research Areas

• Quaternary geology
• Landscape evolution
• Fluvial and tectonic geomorphology
• Desert soils and soil-landform relations
• X-ray diffraction analysis of soils, sediments, and rocks

Research Projects

• Integrated Forecasting of Desert Terrain Conditions for Military Operations
• Catalog of Analogs and Desert Terrain Characterization at U.S. Army's Desert/Hot Weather test site, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in southwestern Arizona