In her presentation, Tewksbury will discuss geology and geologic processes andtheir relationship to historical, cultural, political and economic events inAfrica. Topics that she will consider include: gold deposits and the origin ofblack oppression in South Africa; long-term fluctuations of river activity andthe rise and fall of dynasties along the Nile; climate change and the historyof habitation in the Sahara and Nile Valley; development of the East AfricanRift and the evolution of primate mammals; and modern hydrogeology in theSahara and Sahel and the future for economic growth in North Africa.
Two years ago, Tewksbury received a grant from the National Science Foundationto introduce these ideas to students in her introductory geology courses. Theclasses involve both rigorous studies of geology and geologic processes, andtheir underlying effects on relevant human issues. Students uncover therelationship of human history to the actions and accidents of geologicprocesses, and the relevance of geologic studies to recovering the human past,understanding the present and predicting the future.
The Geological Society of America is a professional association of earthscientists from academia, government, businessand industry. Its membership totals more than 15,000 fellows, members, andstudent associates.