Earth Surface Processes and Paleoaltimetry
One of our research interests is the interplay between the processes that shape the Earth’s surface and their geodynamic counterparts at depth, in particular interactions among (paleo-)climate, landscape evolution, and mountain building. We use stable isotope paleoaltimetry including biomarker analytics and clumped isotope ( Δ47) thermometry as a tool to trace (bio-)geochemical processes from the ecosystem to the orogen scale with a particular focus on the Cenozoic evolution of coupled climatic and tectonic processes.
Externally funded Projects
DFG SPP AlpArray ‘Neogene Paleoelevation and Paleoclimate of the Central Alps – Linking Earth Surface Processes to Lithospheric Dynamics’
Key publications
Meijers, M.J.M., Brocard, G.Y., Whitney, D.L. and Mulch, A., 2020. Paleoenvironmental conditions and drainage evolution of the central Anatolian lake system (Turkey) during late Miocene to Pliocene surface uplift. Geosphere, 16, doi: 10.1130/GES02135.1
Huang, S., Meijers, M.J.M., Eyres, A., Mulch, A., Fritz, S.A. (2019) Unravelling the history of biodiversity in mountain ranges through integrating geology and biogeography. Journal of Biogeography. 6, 1777–1791
Meijers, M.J.M., Brocard, G.Y., Cosca, M.A., Lüdecke, T., Teyssier, C., Whitney, D.L., Mulch, A. (2018) Rapid Late Miocene Surface Uplift of the Central Anatolian Plateau Margin. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 497, 29-41.
Mulch, A. (2016) Stable isotope paleoaltimetry and the evolution of landscapes and life. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Invited Frontiers Article 433, 180-191.
Mulch, A., Sarna-Wojcicki, A.M., Perkins, M.E., Chamberlain, C.P. (2008) A Miocene to Pleistocene climate and elevation record of the Sierra Nevada, California. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105, 19, 6819-6824
Mulch, A., Graham, S.A., and Chamberlain, C.P. (2006) Hydrogen Isotopes in Eocene River Gravels and Paleoelevation of the Sierra Nevada. Science 313, 87-89