Dr. David Furbish: The theory and measurement of soil creep illustrating a century of Asimov’s relativity of wrong

This is a virtual event, please join via zoom. 

Meeting ID: 997 2477 2096

Note: A password is required to join this meeting. Please call the Geology office (706-542-2652) and speak with a representative to obtain the code. Alternatively, a code request can be made to UGA Geology.

About the Speaker:

My research is currently centered on the statistical physics of sediment particle motions and transport in Earth surface systems, including hillslopes and rivers. It combines theoretical, experimental, computational and field-based approaches. A growing aspect of my work involves examining the epistemology of Earth surface science within the context of critical rationalism and our tepid relationship with probability. I have taught courses in geology, hydrology and geomorphology, transport processes in Earth and environmental systems, fluid dynamics, and probability and statistics. I wrote the text Fluid Physics in Geology (Oxford University Press) and I am currently writing a text entitled Transport Processes in Earth and Environmental Systems: The basic physics and mathematics of how stuff works.

The reference to Isaac Asimov’s “relativity of wrong” reflects my growing interest in the epistemology of Earth surface science.  The history of the study of soil creep is a clear example of the how critical rationalism actually works.

Host: Paul Schroeder