Christopher Seminack, Ph.D.
Area(s) of Expertise: Coastal geology, geomorphology, sedimentology, stratigraphy
Courses Taught
- GEOL 4110K - Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 3300K/GEOG 3300K - Process Geomorphology
- GEOL 1122K - Historical Geology
- GEOL 1121K - Physical Geology
Education
- Ph.D., Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 2016
- M.S., Geology, Temple University, 2011
- B.A. , Geology, La Salle University, 2007
Research/Special Interests
Dr. Seminack's research deals with analyzing the geologic framework of coastal environments, specifically the barrier islands along the U.S. Atlantic coast. He is especially interested in storm impacts on barrier islands and tidal inlet dynamics. He focuses on reconstructing former tidal inlets along barrier islands using a multi-proxy approach. Techniques that he employs include the analysis of aerial photography and historic nautical charts, remote sensing, geophysical surveying, sediment coring, and geochronology. His other areas of interest are climate change, sea-level change, and ancient coastal environments in the rock record.
Publications
- Seminack, C.T. and McBride, R.A., 2019. New Perspectives on the geomorphic, sedimentologic, and stratigraphic signatures of former wave-dominated tidal inlets: Assateague Island, Maryland, USA. Journal of Sedimentary Research 89, 312-334.
- Seminack, C.T. and McBride, R.A., 2018. A life-cycle model for wave-dominated tidal inlets along passive margin coasts of North America. Geomorphology, 304. 141-158.
- McBride, R.A. and Seminack, C.T., 2016 Coastal Zones. In: The International Encyclopedia of Geography: People, the Earth, Environment, and Technology.
- Seminack, C.T. and McBride, 2015. Geomorphic history and diagnostic features of former tidal inlets along Assateague Island, Maryland-Virginia: a life-cycle model for inlets along wave-dominated barrier islands. Shore and Beach, 83(3), 3-24.
- McBride, R.A., Fenster, M.S., Seminack, C.T., Richardson, T.M., Hanley, J.T., Bundick, J.A., and Tedder, E., 2015. Holocene barrier-island geology and morphodynamics of the Maryland and Virginia open-ocean coasts: Fenwick, Assateague, Chincoteague, Wallops, Cedar, and Parramore Islands. In: Brezinski, D.K., Halka, J.P., and Ortt, R.A., Jr., eds., Tripping from the Fall Line: Field Excursions for the GSA Annual Meeting, Baltimore, 2015: Geological Society of America, Field Guide 40, p. 309-423.
- Buynevich, I.V., Curran, H.A., Wiest, L.A., Bentley, A.P.K., Kadurin, S.V., Seminack, C.T., Savarese, M., Bustos, D., Glumac, B., Losev, I.A., Near-surface (GPR) imaging of biogenic structures in siliciclastic, carbonate, and gypsum dunes (2014). In Hembree, D., Smith, J., and Platt, B. (eds.), Experimental Approaches to Understanding Fossil Organisms, Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, p. 405-415.
- Seminack, C.T. and Buynevich, I.V., 2013. Sedimentological and geophysical signatures of a relict tidal inlet complex along a wave-dominated barrier: Assateague Island, Maryland. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 83(2), 132-144.
- Buynevich, I.V., Darrow, J.S., Grimes, Z.T.A., Seminack, C.T., and Griffis, N., 2011. Ungulate tracks in coastal sands: recognition and sedimentological significance. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 64, 334-338.
Work Experience
- Postdoctoral Scholar; National Park Service/George Mason University; Fairfax, VA; 2016
- Field Geologist, Gould Environmental; Morrisville, PA; 2007-2009
Personal Information
Dr. Seminack's favorite thing about the north Georgia region is spending time in the outdoors rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, and camping.