Robert S. Anderson
Fellow of INSTAAR; Univ. of Colorado at Boulder
INSTAAR - Institute of Arctic & Alpine Research
Anderson's INSTAAR page
Professor of Geological Sciences; Univ. of Colorado at Boulder
CU-Boulder - University of Colorado at Boulder
Ph,D. , University of Washington, 1986
I am a geomorphologist interested in the evolution of landscapes, with particular emphasis on alpine landscapes. I focus on processes, including glacial, coastal and fluvial erosion of bedrock. I employ cosmogenic radionuclides to constrain rates and timing in the landscape, field studies to document the specific processes acting, and numerical modeling to knit it all together.
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CZO Publications
Papers/Books
2020
Orographic controls on sub-daily rainfall statistics and flood frequency in the Colorado Front Range, USA . Rossi, MW, Anderson, RS, Anderson, SP (2020): Geophysical Research Letters 47, e2019GL085086,
2018
Climate driven coevolution of weathering profiles and hillslope topography generates dramatic differences in critical zone architecture. Anderson, R. S., Rajaram, H., Anderson, S. P. (2018): Hydrological Processes . 2018;1 – 16.
2018
Quasi-steady evolution of hillslopes in layered landscapes: An analytic approach . Glade, R and Anderson, RS (2018): JGR Earth Surface 123, 26-45
2017
Dating of river terraces along Lefthand Creek. Foster, M.A., Anderson, R.S., Gray, H.J., and Mahan, S.A (2017): Geomorphology
2017
Block-controlled hillslope form and persistence of topography in rocky landscapes. Glade, R. C., Anderson, R. S., and Tucker, G. E. (2017): Geology, First published on 2017-01-23 12:45:18, doi:10.1130/G38665.1
2017
Block-controlled hillslope form and persistence of topography in rocky landscape. Glade, RC, Anderson, RS, and Tucker, GE (2017): Geology (2017) 45 (4): 311-314. Cross-CZO
2016
Assessing the effect of a major storm on 10Be concentrations and inferred basin-averaged denudation rates. Foster, M.A. and Anderson, R.S. (2016): Quaternary Geochronology 34: 58-68
2016
The 2016 Kirk Bryan field trip: Quaternary landslides, fluvial terraces, and recent geomorphic events along the Colorado Front Range. Foster, M.A., Anderson, R.S., Rindfleisch, P.R., Birkeland, P.W., Redwine, J.R., Pitlick, J., and *Glade, R.C. (2016): In Keller, S.M., and Morgan, M.L., eds., Unfolding the Geology of the West: Geological Society of America Field Guide 44, p. 267–289
2016
Hillslope-derived blocks retard river incision. Shobe, C., G.E Tucker, and R.S. Anderson (2016): Geophysical Research Letters 43
2016
Gophers as geomorphic agents in the Colorado Front Range . Winchell, E.W., Anderson, R.S., (2016): Geomorphology 264: 41-51
2015
Particle trajectories on hillslopes: Implications for particle age and 10Be structure. Anderson, R.S. (2015): JGR-Earth Surface 120: 1626–1644
2015
Pinched topography initiates the critical zone: Geophysical imaging provides a clearer picture of how rock turns into soil . Anderson, R. S. (2015): Science 350: 506-507
2015
Force of nature: A monumental flood gives CU-Boulder researchers a rare opportunity to study the effects of extreme weather on erosion. Anderson, R. S., Anderson, S., Anderson, S. P. (2015): Research and creative work 2014–15, PG.3-5
2015
Exhumation by debris flows in the 2013 Colorado Front Range storm. Anderson, S.W., Anderson, S. P., and Anderson, R. S. (2015): Geology, Geological Society of America
2015
Using 10Be to deduce rates of landscape evolution and mobile-regolith residence times in Gordon Gulch, Boulder Creek CZO. Foster, M.A., Anderson, R.S., Wyshnytzky, C.E., Ouimet, W.B., Dethier, D.P (2015): GSA Bulletin 127 (5/6): 862–878
2015
Evidence for climatic and hillslope-aspect controls on vadose zone moisture and saprolite weathering. Langston, A. L., Tucker,G. E., Anderson, R. S. and Anderson, S. P. (2015): ESPL, 40 1254-1269
2015
Interpreting climate-modulated processes of terrace development along Colorado Front Range using a landscape evolution model. Langston, A.L., G.E. Tucker, R.S. Anderson (2015): JGR-Earth Surface 120: 2121-2138
2014
The effects of interannual climate variability on the moraine record. Anderson, L., Roe, G., and Anderson R. (2014): Geology 42(1): 55-58
2014
Evolution of lumpy glacial landscapes. Anderson, R. S. (2014): Geology 42(8): 679–682
2014
Aspect control of water movement on hillslopes near the rain-snow transition of the Colorado Front Range, USA . Hinckley, E-L S., Ebel, B.A., Barnes, R.T., Anderson, R.S., Williams, M.W. and Anderson. S.P. (2014): Hydrological processes 28: 74-85
2013
Rock damage and regolith transport by frost: an example of climate modulation of the geomorphology of the critical zone. Anderson, R.S., Anderson, S.P., and Tucker, G.E. (2013): EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS Earth Surf. Process. Landforms
2013
Critical zone evolution: Climate and exhumation in the Colorado Front Range. Anderson, S.P., Anderson, R.S., Tucker, G.E., and Dethier, D.P. (2013): In Abbot, L.D. and Hancock, G.S., eds., Classic Concepts and New Directions: Exploring 125 Years of GSA Discoveries in the Rocky Mountain Region: Geological Society of America, Field Guide 33, p. 1-18
2013
Tree root mounds and their role in transporting soil on forested landscapes. Benjamin S. S. Hoffman and Robert S. Anderson (2013): EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS Earth Surf. Process. Landforms
2012
Far-flung moraines: Exploring the feedback of glacial erosion on the evolution of glacier length. Anderson, R. S., Dühnforth, M., Colgan, W. and Anderson, L. (2012): Geomorphology 2012 v.179 pp. 269-285
2012
Landscape scale linkages in critical zone evolution. Anderson, S.P., Anderson, R.S., and Tucker, G.E. (2012): Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 344: 586-596
2012
Punctuated incision of streams bounding the Colorado Front Range from measurements of meteoric and in situ 10Be. Duhnforth, M., Anderson, R.S., Ward, D.J., and Blum, A.E. (2012): Journal of Geophysical Research(117):F01023
2012
Unsteady late Pleistocene incision of streams bounding the Colorado Front Range from measurements of meteoric and in situ 10Be. Dühnforth, M., R. S. Anderson, D. J. Ward and A. Blum (2012): JGR-Earth Surface 117, F01023
2011
Seismic constraints on critical zone architecture, Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado. Befus, K.M., Sheehan, A.F., Leopold, M., Anderson, S.P., and Anderson, R.S (2011): Vadose Zone Journal 10: 915-927
2011
Exploring Links between Vadose Zone Hydrology and Chemical Weathering in the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory. Langston, A.L., Tucker, G.E., Anderson, R.S., and Anderson, S.P. (2011): Applied Geochemistry 26(S1): S70-S71.
2011
Solving a conundrum of a steady-state hillslope with variable soil depths and production rates, Bodmin Moor, UK . Riggins, S.G., Anderson, R.S., Anderson, S.P., and Tye, A.M. (2011): Geomorphology, 128: 73-84.
2010
Geomorphology: The Mechanics and Chemistry of Landscapes. Anderson, R. S., and Anderson, S. P. (2010): Cambridge University Press, 340 pp. (Textbook; weathering chapter presents the critical zone description of the earth surface.)
2010
Twentieth-century changes in the thickness and extent of Arapahoe Glacier, Front Range, Colorado. Haugen, B.D., Scambos, T.A., Pfeffer, W.T., and Anderson, R.S. (2010): Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 42 (2): 198-209.
2010
Does climate change create distinctive patterns of landscape incision?. Wobus, C.W., Tucker, G.E., and Anderson, R.S. (2010): JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 115, F04008. 2010
2009
Numerical modeling of cosmogenic deglaciation records, Front Range and San Juan mountains, Colorado,. Ward, D. J., Anderson, R. S., Guido, Z. S., Briner, J. P. (2009): J. Geophys. Res., 114, F01026
Papers and books that explicitly acknowledge a CZO grant are highlighted in PALE ORANGE.
Other CZO Publications
2019
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual report 2019 . Anderson, S.P., Anderson, R.S., Molotch, N.P., Rajaram, H., Tucker, G.E. (2019): NSF Award #1331828
2018
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual report 2018. Anderson, S.P., Anderson, R.S., Molotch, N.P., Rajaram, H., Tucker, G.E. (2018): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2017
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual report 2017. Anderson, S. (2017): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2017
Gilbert’s soil production paradigm and a critical zone’s size-dependent fractionation of particles. Richter, D.deB., J. Austin, R. Anderson, A. Bacon, S. Brantley, Z. Brecheisen, A. Cherkinsky, W.S. Holbrook, V. Marcon, J.Pachon, P. Schroeder, A. Thompson, and A. Wade (2017): Critical Zone Science: Current Advances and Future Opportunities, Arlington, VA, 4-6 June, 2017 Cross-CZO
2017
Gilbert's soil production paradigm applied to a critical zone's fractionation of particle sizes. Richter, Daniel deB., Jason Austin, Robert S Anderson, Allan R Bacon, Susan L Brantley, Zachary Brecheisen, Paul A Schroeder, Anna Wade, W. Steven Holbrook, Virginia Marcon, Aaron Thompson (2017): American Geophysical Union 2017 Fall Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, 11-15 December 2017 Cross-CZO
2016
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory (BcCZO-II) Annual report 2016. Anderson, S. (2016): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2015
Trajectories of soil particles on a hillslope conveyor: Implications for particle age and Be-10. Anderson, R. S. (2015): EP34A-05 Landscape Evolution from a Critical Zone Science Perspective III,
2015
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory (BcCZO-II) Annual report 2015. Anderson, S. (2015): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2015
Weathering, exhumation, and sediment production in granite steeplands. Anderson, SP, Foster, MA, Anderson, RS, and Anderson, SW (2015): 25th Goldschmidt, Prague, August 16-21, 2015.
2015
Absolute Dating of Strath Terraces along the Western High Plains Reveals Complicated History of Occupation and Incision. Foster, M.A., Anderson, R.S., Gray, H., and Mahan, S (2015): EP53A-0951 Earth and Planetary Surface Processes: General Contributions Posters, presented at 2015 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 14-18 Dec.
2015
Honoring the Reality of Blocky Hillslopes: Case Study of a Vertical Dike at Shiprock, New Mexico. Glade, R., and Anderson, R.S. (2015): EP53B-1023 Erosion and Sediment Transport in Steep Landscapes III Posters, presented at 2015 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 14-18 Dec.
2015
Big Blocks and River Incision: A Numerical Modeling Perspective. Shrobe, C., Tucker, G.E., and Anderson, R.S. (2015): EB53B-1022 Erosion and Sediment Transport in Steep Landscapes III Posters, presented at 2015 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 14-18 Dec.
2015
Exploring the landscape evolution of the subalpine meadow-forest system driven by the geomorphic work performed by the Northern Pocket Gopher. Winchell, E., Anderson, R. S., Lombardi., E., and Doak, D. (2015): EP41C-0936 Mechanistic Underpinnings of Damage, Disruption, and Downslope Transport of Rock and Regolith Posters, presented at 2015 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 14-18 Dec.
2015
Putting weathering into a landscape context: Variations in exhumation rates across the Colorado Front Range. [Invited] Anderson, SP, Foster, MA, Anderson, SW, Dühnforth, M., and Anderson, RS (2015): Geophysical Research Abstracts 17, EGU2015-7992.
2014
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory (BcCZO-II) Annual report 2014. Anderson, S. (2014): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2013
Boulder Creek CZO II: Evolution, Form, Function, and Future of the Critical Zone. Anderson, R., Anderson, S., Molotch, N., Rajaram, H., Tucker, G. (2013): Submitted to NSF Solicitation NSF 12-575
2013
Tree root mounds and their role in transporting soil on forested landscapes. Benjamin S. S. Hoffman and Robert S. Anderson (2013): EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS Earth Surf. Process. Landforms
2012
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual report 2012. Anderson, S. (2012): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2011
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual Report 2011 . Anderson, S. (2011): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
2010
Future Directions for Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) Science. Anderson, R.S., Anderson, S., Aufdenkampe, A.K., Bales, R., Brantley, S., Chorover, J., Duffy, C.J., Scatena, F.N., Sparks, D.L., Troch, P.A., Yoo, K. (2010): CZO Community, December 29, 2010 Cross-CZO National
2010
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual Report 2010 . Anderson, S. (2010): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder Cross-CZO
2009
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual Report 2009. Anderson, S. (2009): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder, NSF Award #724960
2008
Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory Annual Report 2008. Anderson, S. (2008): Boulder Creek CZO, University of Colorado Boulder
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Models
10Be on hillslopes
Models of 10Be on hillslopes require acknowledgement of transport within the mobile regolith
Cosmogenic radionuclide concentrations in hillslopes evolve by production, decay, and lateral transport of nuclides in regolith.
Landscape linkages
Hillslopes between rapidly downcutting streams steepen in the wake of propagating knickpoints
Hillslopes between rapidly downcutting streams steepen in the wake of propagating knickpoints.
Front Range schema
The geomorphic systems of the Front Range and the High Plains
The geomorphic systems of the Front Range and the High Plains are linked.
VS2Di
Using VS2Di to study aspect-related controls on vadose-zone moisture
2D model of subsurface moisture dynamics in the vadose zone. Model written by R. Healy, USGS.
Thermal hillslope
Numerical hillslope model and its thermal state
Computes evolution of topography, soil thickness, and damage in the underlying rock driven by spatial variations in the surface
Root deformation
Particle model to simulate soil deformation associated with roots
Employs the discrete element model LIGGGHTS to compute displacement of particles in near-surface soil
Alpine glaciers 1&2D
Numerical models of alpine glaciers in 1 and 2 dimensions
Computes glacial ice motion including internal deformation and sliding in flowline (1D) or in planview (2D) in an alpine valley
Digital glacier bed
Digital model of glacier bed
Computes evolution of a glacial bed at the 1-meter scale , mimicking both abrasion and block removal by quarrying
Hillslope trajectory
Hillslope trajectory model
Combination of analytical and numerical methods captures soil particle trajectories on a steady state hillslope
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News
Korean KNU CZO visit great success!
01 Feb 2016 - BcCZO had a great visit from the KNU CZO in South Korea. A new CZO that has been funded for about 5 months...
Boulder Creek CZO has the honor of a visit from a South Korean CZO!
25 Jan 2016 - We are very excited to announce that a group of 8 scientists from Kangwon University, South Korea, will visit us this week to learn about how our...
CZOs at AGU 2015
14 Jan 2016 - CZOs at AGU 2015: Award recipients and agenda
Robert Anderson one of four faculty members receive high honor for research, teaching, and service
06 Nov 2015 - Leaders in science, medicine are newest University of Colorado Distinguished Professors
New study suggests bedrock weathering based on topography
30 Oct 2015 - St. Clair et al. suggest tectonic stresses interact with topography to influence bedrock weathering.
Anderson Receives 2015 G. K. Gilbert Award
17 Sep 2015 - From the Eos LogoEarth & Space Science News. Robert Anderson will receive the 2015 G. K. Gilbert Award at the 2015 American Geophysical Union...
Geology paper about Boulder flood on release picked up by the press.
01 Apr 2015 - The Boulder Creek CZO and coauthors are highlighted in recent articles for their analysis of flooding and debris flows from the historic 2013...
Congratulations Bob Anderson! He is the recipient of the 2014 Hazel Barnes Prize!
18 Apr 2014 - Professor Robert S. Anderson of the University of Colorado Boulder’s geological sciences department and Institute of Arctic and Alpine...
BcCZO at the American Geophysical Union’s 46th annual Fall Meeting!
01 Dec 2013 - Join the BcCZO and more than 22,000 Earth and space scientists, educators, students, and other leaders in San Francisco, California, 9-13 December,...
CZO researchers present at GSA in Denver
04 Nov 2013 - CZO researchers presented the results of various scientific studies at the 125th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America.
The Colorado Storm and Flood of 2013
25 Oct 2013 - Persistent, heavy rains in the Colorado Front Range broke several rainfall records and led to catastrophic flooding and geomorphic activity.
Fresh landslides triggered during September’s deluge
03 Oct 2013 - Heavy Rainfall and the Geomorphic Response During the week of September 9th, 2013, several days of continuous rainfall caused widespread...
Boulder Creek CZO responds to record-breaking Colorado rainfall and flooding
13 Sep 2013 - Investigators and staff rush into action to collect samples and observe impacts
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Events
CZO brown-bag lunches
Main Campus, Benson 240D.Graduate seminar series 2015, Geomorphic weathering
Graduate seminar on Geomorphic weathering in the Critical Zone, Spring 2015. 1 credit class based upon critical discussion of readings, with guest lectures-Geol-5702
Room 380 in the Benson Building on main campus..
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