Lynn Moody
Ph.D. 1993
Dissertation Title:
- Pedogenic and Weathering Processes Related to Water Movement and Landscape Development in San Deposits on a Sequence of Marine Terraces, Central California.
Currently:
- Associate Professor of Soil Science, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo
- http://earthsoils.calpoly.edu/faculty.html
Publications from dissertation research:
- Moody, L.E., and R.C. Graham. 1994. Pedogenic processes in thick sand deposits on a marine terrace, central California. p. 41-55. In D.L. Cremeens et al. (ed.) Whole regolith pedology. Spec. Publ. 34., Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI.
- Moody, L.E., and R.C. Graham. 1995. Geomorphic and pedogenic evolution in coastal sediments, central California. Geoderma 67:181-201.
- Moody, L.E., and R.C. Graham. 1997. Silica cemented terrace edges, central California coast. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 61:1723-1729.
Understanding soil and landscape development in coastal environments is important for interpreting earth history and understanding human impact on coastal ecosystems. Lynn studied soils and sediments on four Quaternary marine terraces to interpret soil genesis, landscape evolution, and paths of water movement.
Landscape view at Lynn's field area, Montaņa de Oro State Park on the central coast of California. The dissected surfaces of several marine terraces are visible.
Lynn leading a field trip at her study area and showing a soil on the youngest terrace.
Redox depletions (gray) around cracks and root channels indicate zones of preferential water movement and saturation at the edge of Terrace 4.
Micromorphological analysis of soil thin sections from Terrace 3 revealed oriented clay linings in pores. The clay is mostly kaolin and was deposited from suspension as water flowed preferentially through the pores. The photomicrographs shown here were taken in plane light (A) and cross-polarized light (B). The field of view is 7 mm.
Block diagram showing interpretation of subsurface water movement on Terrace 3, which is dissected by stream channels.