This study involves examination of the geomorphic evolution of the Colorado Front Range and Piedmont and investigates the roles of tectonics, climate, end erosionally-driven isostasy in the Tertiary and Quaternary development of the landscape. The project involves GIS analysis of topography and stream systems and low–temperature thermochronology, as well as, field mapping.
Pike Peak standing above late Eocene (?) low-relief Rocky Mountain surface of the southern Colorado Front Range (courtesy of Christine McCluskey)
Publications:
( * denotes Colorado College student co-author)
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Leonard, E.M., 2002, Geomorphic and tectonic forcing of late Cenozoic warping of the Colorado Piedmont: Geology 34, 595-598.
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Leonard, E.M. Hubbard, M.S., Kelley, S.S., Evanoff, E., Siddoway, C.S., Oviatt, C.G., Heizler, M., and Timmons, M., 2002, High plains to Rio Grande Rift: Late Cenozoic evolution of central Colorado; Guidebook for Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 1-35.
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Leonard, E.M., and Langford, R.P., 1994, Post-Laramide deformation along the eastern margin of the Colorado Front Range – a case against significant faulting: Mountain Geologist 31, 45-52.
Abstracts:
- Leonard, E. M., McMillan, M.E., Ouimet, W.B., 2013, The post-orogenic Rocky Mountain Surface on the front ranges of Colorado, USA – its character and possible causes of its deformation. International Association of Geomorphologists, 8th International Conference Abstracts, Paris.
- Miller, S., Sak, P.B., and Leonard, E.M., 2010: Stream speed bumps: how competent bedrock units stall and multiply transient knickpoints: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 42.
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*Nelson, A.D., Wobus, C., Leonard, E., 2006, Stream response to base-level change along the Rocky Mountain front in Colorado and Wyoming, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs v. 38, 26.
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Sak, P.B., Leonard, E.M., Miller, S.R., Biscontini, A.J., and *Jemison, E., 2005, Late Cenozoic Drainage Reorganization Of The Arkansas River, Central Colorado, and History of the Royal Gorge: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs v. 37, 295.
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Leonard, E., 2005, Evaluating tectonic rock uplift and erosion-uplift feedback, western Great Plains, United States: Geophysical Research Letters, 7, 08887.
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Leonard, E.M., and Sak, P., 2005, The late Cenozoic evolution of the enigmatic upper Arkansas River, Colorado: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs v. 37, 16.
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Leonard, E.M., 2003, Evaluating rock uplift-erosion feedback: a case study of the western Great Plains, USA: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 345, 297.
