Graduate Students

Marie Barlett

Research Interests

My research is centered around the last major megathrust earthquake to occur along the Cascadia subduction zone in AD1700. Using fossil foraminiferal assemblages from three sites on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, I will estimate the coseismic subsidence associated with the AD1700 earthquake by comparing pre- and post-seismic paleo marsh elevations. High resolution subsidence estimates at the northern end of the Cascadia subduction zone are needed to refine earthquake dislocation models and gauge future hazard risk.

About Me

I am a second-year master’s student with a B.S. in Geology from the University of Georgia. I’m pursuing a M.S. in Marine Science and am interested in continuing to work in the fields of coastal geology and natural hazards after graduating from UNCW.

James Arnuk

Research Interests

My research involves sea-level reconstructions along the Cascadia subduction zone, where reconstructing pre and post-earthquake sea levels is a useful tool for quantifying subsidence estimates. My work in this category involves sediment grain size analysis, bulk geochemical analysis, and foraminifera analysis. Additionally, I am interested in the geomorphological response of Masonboro Island after the recent land-falling hurricane Florence.

About Me

I’m a second year Masters student with a B.S. in Earth Science from Salisbury University. I have always been a self-described “coastal junkie” and am thrilled to be given the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the coastal scientific world through Dr. Hawkes’ Sea Level Research Lab at UNCW.

Sarah Baker

Research Interests

My research is part of a larger UNC Wilmington study focusing on the impacts of Hurricane Florence on nearby Masonboro Island. I will be using grain size analysis, and potentially foraminiferial analysis, to study both the initial and long-term geomorphic and sedimentary responses of Masonboro Island to the hurricane.

About Me

I am a first-year master’s student with a B.S. in Geology from the College of William & Mary. While I enjoy studying rocks for the sake of learning about rocks, I love studying coastal environments and their response to different forcings (e.g. storm events and sea-level rise) in the hopes of better understanding their potential impact on coastal communities.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Center for Marine Science

Contact

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences
Center for Marine Science
Tel: (910)-962-2350
email: hawkesaATuncw.edu