Michael Smith

About

Dr. Michael Elliot Smith is an Associate Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where he has been a faculty member since 2014. He leads the Sedimentary Research Group and specializes in understanding tectonic and landscape processes as recorded in terrestrial and marine sedimentary basins.

Research Interests

Paleoclimatology and Ancient Climate Records

• Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) climate records in terrestrial strata
• High-resolution climate records from sedimentary sequences
• Integration of terrestrial and marine climate records

Sedimentary Geology and Basin Analysis

• Geochronology of sedimentary basins and depositional systems
• Deep time stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy
• Lacustrine and marine sedimentary environments
• Chemical sediments and evaporite deposits
• Sedimentary facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction

Geomorphology and Landscape Evolution

• Tectonic controls on landscape development
• River system evolution and geomorphic responses
• Marine and coastal geomorphology
• Fluvial-littoral-submarine sediment transport systems

Education

• Ph.D. Geology - University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.S. Geology - University of Wisconsin-Madison
• B.S. Geology - Carleton College

Professional Experience

Academic Positions

• Professor, Northern Arizona University (2014-present)
• Associate Director, School of Earth and Sustainability, NAU

Research Impact

Dr. Smith has made significant contributions to sedimentary geology and paleoclimatology with over 2,900 citations of his research. His work on ancient climate records and sedimentary basin analysis has advanced geologic understanding of past climate change and landscape evolution.

Sedimentary Research Group

Dr. Smith leads NAU’s Sedimentary Research Group, which focuses on:

Research Themes

• Interface studies between sedimentary geology, geomorphology, and geochronology
• Terrestrial and marine basin analysis across multiple time scales
• Tectonic and climate controls on sedimentation patterns
• Modern and ancient sedimentary systems sedimentology

Methodological Approaches

• Field-based sedimentary analysis and stratigraphic measurement
• Geochronological dating techniques and age model development
• Geochemical analysis including isotope geochemistry
• Remote sensing and GIS applications to sedimentary systems

Current Research Focus

Dr. Smith’s ongoing research emphasizes:

• High-resolution geochronology of paleoclimate records from exceptional sedimentary sequences
• Submarine canyon evolution and sediment transport with hydrography and provenance applications
• Provenance of modern and ancient sediment using composition and isotopes

Graduate Student Supervision

Dr. Smith mentors graduate students in:

• Sedimentary geology and stratigraphy
• Paleoclimatology and paleoenvironmental analysis
• Geochronological methods and applications
• Field research techniques and data collection
• Scientific writing and research communication

Professional Service

Editorial and Review Activities

• Reviewer for major geological and paleoclimate journals
• Grant review panels for NSF and other funding agencies
• Conference session organizer for professional meetings
• Editorial board service for GSA Bulletin

Professional Organizations

• Geological Society of America - Active member and presenter
• SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) - Research contributions and meetings
• International Association of Limnogeology - Treasurer and board member

Awards and Recognition

• NSF Research Grants - Multiple competitive awards
• High Citation Impact - Over 2,900 research citations
• GSA Fellow - Geological Society of America
• William Dickinson Award recipient - SEPM mid-career medal

Research Philosophy

Dr. Smith’s approach emphasizes guiding students through the integration of multiple analytical techniques and temporal scales to understand Earth system processes. His work bridges fundamental research using sediments and sedimentary rock to understand interactions between ancient landscapes, tectonics, and climate systems.