Rory D. Cottrell, Ph. D.
My Work
Curriculum vitaeCurrent Research
Coursework
Field Work
Department Links
EES Dept. Web SitePaleomagnetic Research Group
University of Rochester
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Paleomagnetic
Research Group
University of Rochester BA in Geophysics, 1994, SUNY Geneseo MS in Geology, 1998, University of Rochester Ph.D. in Geology, 2000, University of Rochester email:
rory@earth.rochester.edu
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When I'm not busy making a fool of myself in front my friends (I seem to have a problem with gravity), I am a successful researcher/instructor at the University of Rochester. My primary field of study is paleomagnetism (huh?). I'm interested in the ancient magnetic field of the earth (you know, the thing that birds use to fly south for the winter), particularly for the Late Cretaceous (you know, before the dinosaurs died out). I'm using paleomagnetism to better understand how the Pacific and North American plates (no, not the things you eat off of at dinner time) moved during the Late Cretaceous, and related changes in ancient climate (would you believe that it was warm enough above the Arctic Circle 95 million years ago to support crocodile-like animals?) As part of my research, I have camped above the Arctic Circle (twice), driven along the Gulf Coast of the United States (once was enough), and set sail as part of the Ocean Drilling Program (specifically to examine the fixity of the Hawaiian Hotspot).
My post-graduate work has focused on the strength of the Earth's magnetic field at different intervals in geologic history. Single crystals of plagioclase feldspar and quartz with minute magnetic inclusions contained within can record information about the Earth's magnetic field.
As part of this research, I have been part of a collaborative effort to develop new methodologies to measure magnetic information contained within a variety of natural materials. These studies often involve the help of undergraduate students in the Paleomagnetic Research Group at the University of Rochester.
Our work has drawn the attention of a wide range of individuals, including Discovery Kids Network as well as local Boy and Girl Scout troups who want to know what geologists do for a living. Outreach of this nature is an important aspect of research, as the school children we talk to now will be the researchers of tomorrow.
