Professor of Geology
Professor of Civil Engineering
Chair, Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences

I work on problems involving modeling of earth surface processes, such as the effects of erosion, weathering and creep, typically using cellular automata methods. Recently, I have become interested in neogeomorphology, the study of the change of the earth’s surface as a result of human activity. Today the surface of the earth is undergoing a change as profound as that that occurred in the Silurian with the emergence of vegetation onto the continents. By an incredible stroke of luck (for a geomorphologist), we are alive at a time when it is possible to observe the rare phenomenon of a global transformation of the earth’s outermost layer as neogeomorphology redefines classical geomorphology. 

 

A second area of interest is the changing technological environment. As technology accelerates, the technological sphere exerts an increasing influence on humans relative to the natural sphere. Our technological environment is expanding while our natural environment is contracting. Part of my work is devoted to understanding the implications for human beings of this difference in rate of change.

 

I am also interested in the philosophy and practice of modeling and prediction. The ability of science to predict lies at the base of social support for science (including earth science), and in a rapidly changing world prediction of the future behavior and form of the surface of the earth is increasingly required. I am interested in the extent to which limitations on our predictive abilities lie in the models we make of earth systems, versus the extent to which such limitations lie in the nature of earth surface processes themselves.

Contact Information:

 

Peter K. Haff

Chairman

Professor of Geology

Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences

Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina 27708-0230

phone: 919-684-5902

fax: 919-684-5833

email: haff@duke.edu

 

Research and Abstracts

 

Masters of Environmental Management: Projects in Environmental Security

Current Graduate Students:

Mark Strudley

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Recent Graduate Students:

Lonny Boring

Lesley Glass

Courses

 

Fall 2001

EOS 122: The Earth and Planets TODAY!

 

Spring 2002

EOS 243S: Advanced Geomorphology – Humans as Geomorphic Agents

 

Fall 2002

EOS 295S: Complexity and the Technological Environment 

EOS 240: Introduction to Modeling in the Earth Sciences

More information on Earth Surface Processes.