The University of Toledo

Professor of Geology
Department Chair, Environmental Sciences

Research and Teaching Interests:

• Geomorphology
• Glacial and Quaternary Geology
• Quaternary History of the Great Lakes

(419) 530-2009 | timothy.fisher@utoledo.edu

Research is primarily focused on:

Reconstructing the history, timing, and magnitude of discharge from the outlets of Lake Agassiz. This data can be considered baseline information for a variety of scientific disciplines. Importantly, oceanographers and climate modelers require this data to understand past climate changes (e.g. Younger Dryas) that may have been triggered by outlet switching.

Documenting and reconstructing paleo lake levels in the Great Lakes, specifically in the Lake Michigan basin. Work is ongoing along the western coastline of Michigan and on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with Dr. Ed Hansen of Hope College, and Dr. Walt Loope of the USGS.

Resolving triggering mechanism to coastal sand dunes along the Great Lakes. This work requries reconstructing sand dune history as well as resolving aeolian proxy records from lakes downwind of the dunes. 

    >> View Dr. Fisher's Google Scholar page for complete list. 

2012

2011

2010

• EEES 1010 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY [3 hours]
  Introduction to classification and origins of rocks and minerals, surficial processes and landscape development, groundwater and other natural resources, geologic structures, earthquakes and the earth's interior, plate tectonics, and geologic time. No credit if EEES 2100 is taken. [Fall, Spring, Summer] Natural Sciences core course.
   
• EEES 3100 SURFICIAL PROCESSES [3 hours]
  Description and study of the earth's surface features from the point of view of their origin including landforms created by volcanism, tectonics, and erosional/depositional processes. Field trip required. [Fall] Prerequisite: EEES 1010 or 2100.
   
• EEES 4100 / 5100 GLACIAL GEOLOGY [3 hours]
  To understand glaciers and glacial landscapes. Topics include mass balance, ice flow, hydrology, erosion, deposition, landforms, glacial lakes and development of the Ohio glacial landscape. Field trip is mandatory. [4100: Spring; 5100: Spring, odd years] Prerequisite: EEES 3100 or consent of instructor.
   
• EEES 4200 / 5200 QUATERNARY GEOLOGY [3 hours]
  To provide understanding of such cyclical events as climate change, sea level fluctuations, vegetation change and ice sheet paleogeography during the Quaternary Period and to explore future changes for planet Earth. [4200: Spring; 5200: Spring, even years] Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
   
• EEES 6100 GLACIAL STRATIGRAPHY AND GEOPHYSICS [3 hours]
  To integrate glacial sedimentology and stratigraphy, with near-surface, geophysical methodologies. Field work to collect a variety of field data to analyze in the lab is mandatory. Data to be presented as posters. [Fall, every year; Fisher & Krantz] Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
   
• EEES 4980 / 6980 SPECIAL TOPICS [1 - 4 hours]
  4980: An advanced undergraduate course covering some aspect of the environmental sciences not covered in the formal upper-division undergraduate curriculum. Student may repeat the course for different topics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor; 6980: A graduate course covering some aspect of the environmental sciences not covered in the formal graduate curriculum. Students may repeat the course for credit as topics vary. [Taught on demand; staff] Prerequisite: consent of instructor.