Professor

Teaching and Research

As a member of the UVM faculty for 35 years, I conduct research and teach classes in the areas of stratigraphy and sedimentology. My great interest is in the evolution of the Northern Appalachians, particularly how the rocks of this region record the history of ocean basin opening, closing, and the formation of mountains.

My classes range from the introductory level, "Introduction to Earth System Science" for geology majors and non-scientists alike, as well as the core course for Geology majors and minors, "Earth, Environments and Life Through Time." I also teach "Stratigraphy and Sedimentation" for advanced undergraduates and also frequently co-teach the regional geology summer field class.

I find great satisfaction in working with colleagues in Maine on rocks that record the collision of a volcanic arc with North America more than 350 million years ago, as well as with colleague Keith Klepeis on his research on the origin of the Andes Mountains in Southern Chile. Another passion is facilitating workshops for National Science Foundation-sponsored programs to improve undergraduate geoscience education. In 1993 I was so proud to receive the George V. Kidder award, the university's highest award for excellence in teaching.

Publications

Recent Publications

Barbara J. Tewksbury*a, Elhamy A. Tarabees*b, and Charlotte J. Mehrtens*c   2017, Origin of an Extensive Network of Non-tectonic Synclines in Eocene Limestones of the Western Desert, Egypt, Journal of African Earth Sciences, in press.


Selected Publications

  • Barbara J. Tewksbury, John P. Hogan, Simon A. Kattenhorn, Charlotte J. Mehrtens, Elhamy A. Tarabees, 2014, Polygonal faults in chalk: insights from extensive exposures of the Khoman Formation, Western Desert, Egypt, Geology, vol. 49, pp 479-482.
  • Barbara J. Tewksbury, John P. Hogan, Tucker T. Keren, Carolyn M. Tewksbury-Christle, Charlotte J. Mehrtens, 2012, Deformation Bands and the Expression in Siliciclastic Cover Rocks of Slip on Long-Lived Basement Faults in Southern Egypt, Geological Society America, abstracts with programs, vol. 43, no. 7
  • McAtamney, J. K. Klepeis, C. Mehrtens, S.Thomson, P. Betka, L. Rojas, and S. Snyder. 2011, Along-strike variability of rift basin collapse and the initiation of sedimentation in the Magallanes foreland basin, southernmost Andes (53 – 54.5 S)” Tectonics, vol. 30, 26pp.
  • Tewksbury, Barbara J., Hogan, John P., Kemp, Stephen Michaels, Keren, Tucker T., Tewksbury-Christle, Carolyn M., Schultz, Richard A., and Mehrtens, Charlotte, 2010, Deformation bands and the expression in siliciclastic cover rocks of slip on basement faults in southern Egypt: Geological Society of America, abstracts with programs, v. 41, no. 7.
  • Mehrtens, C. and R. Cuffey, 2003, Paleoecology of the Day Point Formation (Lower Chazy Group, Middle-Upper Ordovician) and its Bryozoan Reef Mounds, Northwest Vermont and Adjacent New York, Northeastern Geology, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 313-329.
  • Mehrtens, C., B. Rosenheim, M. Modley, R. Young, 2001, Reef Morphology and Sediment Attributes, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, Carbonates and Evaporites, vol. 16, no.2, pp. 131-140.
  • Cherichetti, L, B. Doolan and C. Mehrtens, 1998, The Pinnacle Formation: A Late Precambrian Rift Valley Fill with Implications for Iapetus Basin Evolution, Northeastern Geology, vol. 20, no. 3, pp.175-185.
Char Mehrtens

Areas of Expertise and/or Research

Stratigraphy and Sedimentology

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1979

Contact

Email:

cmehrten@uvm.edu

Phone:
  • (802) 656-0243
Office Location:

Delehanty Hall, Room 207

Office Hours:

Thursdays 11:30-2:00 or by appointment

Website(s):
  1. Char's website