Robert Diffendal
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Hi, I’m Bob Diffendal, and I’m a geologist and professor emeritus in the School of Natural Resources.
While I formally retired in September of 2003, I remain quite active in the School and University, particularly in writing and public speaking about Earth science.
The most significant publishing that I have done recently was as first author with five other researchers of a geologic map and accompanying text for a major part of north-central Nebraska completed in late 2008. The "Geologic Map of the O’Neill 1º x 2º Quadrangle, Nebraska, with Configuration Maps of Surfaces of Formations" was published at a scale of 1:250,000 by the UNL School of Natural Resources’ Conservation and Survey Division as GMC-34. My co-authors on this project were Michael Voorhies, Emeritus UNL; Jane Voorhies, H.E. LaGarry, Oglala Lakota College; C.L. Timperley, University of Texas at Austin; and M.E. Perkins, University of Utah. Additional information with the maps and text includes descriptions of all major geologic formations exposed in the map area and locations of landslides, possible earthquake faults, some quarries and pits and volcanic ash sites. The geologic development of the area is described in some detail. Most works on the area published through 2008 on geology, soils, paleontology, groundwater and other natural resources and geologic hazards are cited in the text and noted in the references section. Information on GMC-34 is available through the School of Natural Resources at (402) 472-3471 or by email at snrsales@unl.edu.
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During my active career, my major research emphases were on geologic mapping of various parts of Nebraska, as well as other geological research resulting in the publication of maps, articles and public educational materials. I have continued these emphases since my retirement. I also continue to give talks on the geology of Nebraska and elsewhere, and I still lead field trips to sites in Nebraska for people of all ages.
My specific research interests have to do with the geology of western and north-central Nebraska; Upper Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic geology, mostly in Nebraska, and invertebrate fossils. I also have done research on the geology of parts of China. I have had a long-standing interest in the culture, people and landscape of China and have made seven trips there over the last 25 years to teach, tour, and do research.
Other current professional service activities include:
- Editor of Great Plains Research, a social and natural sciences journal published through the Center for UNL Great Plains Studies
- Member of the UNL Chancellor’s Speaker’s Bureau
Previously, I served as:
- SNR coordinator in Hardin Hall, including coordinating input into and keeping people informed of progress on the School’s new building
- Executive secretary of the North-Central Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA)
- Associate editor and editorial board member of the Journal of Geosciences of China
- Member of the GSA Annual Program Committee
- Chair and organizer of the 1995 combined North-Central/South-Central Regional Meeting of GSA
- President of the UNL Faculty Senate in 1988-89
- First assistant director of the School of Natural Resources
Key Publications
- Diffendal, R.F., Jr., Diffendal, A.P., 2003. Lewis and Clark and the Geology of Nebraska and Parts of Adjacent States (available from Maps & More as EC-18)
- Diffendal, R.F., Jr., Diffendal, A. P., 2003. Lewis and Clark and the Geology of the Great Plains (available from Maps & More as EC-17)
- Huang, P-H. and R.F. Diffendal, Jr.. 1998. Mountain Evolution and Environmental Changes of Huangshan, China. Scientia Geographic Sinica. 18:401-408.
- Joeckel, R.M., R.F. Diffendal, Jr., 2004. Geomorphic and Environmental Change Around a Large, Aging Reservoir: Lake C.W. McConaughy, Western Nebraska, USA. Environmental and Engineering Geology, 10: 69-90.
- Pabian, R.K. and R.F. Diffendal, Jr. 2003. Late Pennsylvanian and Earliest Permian Cyclic Sedimentation and Paleoecology in Southeastern Nebraska. Missouri Geological Survey Special Publication. 11:35-52.
- Huang, P-H, R.F. Diffendal, Jr. and M. Yang. 2002. Structural and Geomorphic Evolution of Hangshan (Yellow Mountain), Anhui Province, China. TER-QUA Symposium Series. 3:109-124.
- Diffendal, R.F., Jr.. 1999. Earth in Four Dimensions - Development of the Ideas of Geologic Time and History. Nebraska History. 80:95-104.
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| SNR Faculties | Geology & Soils |
| Areas of Interest | Emeritus; Nebraska Geologic Mapping, Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Geomorphology, Paleogeography and Paleontology; Geology of western/north-central Nebr.; Upper Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic geology; invertebrate fossils; field guides; geology of parts of China |
| Contact Preference | Phone or Email |
| Notable Website | http://csd.unl.edu |
| Notable Website | http://snr.unl.edu |
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