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Nathan Toke

Faculty Member

Dr. Nathan Toke

Biography

I am an Earth scientist that is interested in fundamental and applied questions related to active tectonics, geomorphology, and interactions between tectonics, humans, and landscapes. Active tectonics and geologic hazards are exciting research areas. Equally exciting to me is realizing that today we are living in what could be thought of as the Anthropocene. We humans are now moving earth materials at rates comparable to that of global tectonics! Our imprint on the active landscape of Earth is expanding and we need to make smart decisions leading to societal sustainability. Which is one of many reasons why we need more students to be broadly trained as Earth Scientists (geologists, environmental scientists, geographers, etc.). I am interested in mentoring students on projects related to geomorphology, tectonics, geologic hazards, GIS/remote sensing, and urban geography. Please stop by my office or make an appointment to talk to me more about these issues.

Education

PhD, Arizona State University , 2011

Major: Geological Sciences

MS, Arizona State University, 2005

Major: Geological Sciences

BS, University of Vermont, 2003

Major: Geology

Teaching

GEO 3500

Geomorphology, Fall 2024

GEO 3505

Geomorphology Lab, Fall 2024

GEOG 3600

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Fall 2024

GEO 202R

Science Excursion, Fall 2024

GEO 202R

Science Excursion, Fall 2024

GEO 4600

Field Experience, Summer 2024

GEOG 3650

Advanced Geographic Information Systems, Spring 2024

GEO 495R

Independent Study, Spring 2024

GEO 1010

Introduction to Geology PP, Spring 2024

GEOG 3110

Urban Geography WE, Spring 2024

Presentations

Toke, Nathan , Johnson, David , Utah Quaternary Fault Parameters Working Group Meeting, "The Most Recent Rupture of the Thousand Lake Fault (Post LGM) – Examining Rupture Length and Average Displacement using Southern Utah Lidar Data", Utah DNR, Salt Lake City . (February 5, 2024)
Farnworth, Parker , Richards, Veronica , Toke, Nathan , Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, "Using Lidar to Measure Vertical Separation of Holocene Landforms and Map Slip Distribution along the Nephi Segment of the Wasatch Fault", American Geophysical Union (AGU), San Francisco, California. (December, 2023)
Toke, Nathan , CSU LA Department Seminar , "Complexity with Slip along Active Faults and Implications for Paleoseismology and Fault Zone Regulations", CSU Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California . (December, 2023)
Munsey, David , Toke, Nathan , Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, "Imaging Subsidence and Landscape Change in Cedar Valley, Utah from Lidar Differencing over 10 years and Comparison with INSAR", American Geophysical Union (AGU), San Francisco, California. (December 14, 2023)
Johnson, David R. , Toke, Nathan , Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, "Mapping the Extent and Magnitude of Slip in the Most Recent Earthquakes of the Thousand Lake Fault, Central Utah, USA", American Geophysical Union (AGU), San Francisco, California. (December 13, 2023)
Toke, Nathan , Richards, Veronica , Farnworth, Parker , Munsey, David , Johnson, David , UVU Earth Science Seminar , "Lidar topographic analysis for studies of past earthquakes and land subsidence due to groundwater pumping in Utah.", UVU Earth Science, Orem, Utah. (November 28, 2023)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Ferrarini, Federica , Toke, Nathan , Carafa, Michele , Arrowsmith, J Ramon , (2021) "Editorial: Unveiling Active Faults_ Multiscale Perspectives and Alternative Approaches Addressing the Seismic Hazard Challenge" (vol. 9). Frontiers in Earth Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.738164
Toke, Nathan , Phillips, J , Langevin, C , Kleber, E , DuRoss, C B, Hiscock, A I, McDonald, G , Wells, J D, Carlson, J K, Horns, Daniel , (2021) "The Traverse Ridge Paleoseismic Site and Ruputres Crossing the Boundary Between the Provo and Salt Lake City Segments of the Wasatch Fault Zone – Utah, USA" (vol. 9). Frontiers in Earth Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.607018
Scott, Chelsea , Bunds, Michael , Shirzaei, Manoochehr , Toke, Nathan , (2020) "Creep Along the Central San Andreas Fault From Surface Fractures, Topographic Differencing, and InSAR" (Issue: 10, vol. 125). Journal of Geophysical Research - Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB019762
DuRoss, Christopher B, Bunds, Michael , Gold, Ryan D, Briggs, Richard W, Reitman, Nadine G, Personius, Stephen F, Toke, Nathan , (2019) "Variable normal-fault rupture behavior, northern Lost River fault zone, Idaho, USA" (Issue: 6, vol. 15). Geosphere. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02096.1
Carlson, J. Kade, Bemis, Sean P., Toke, Nathan , Bishop, Bradley , Taylor, T. Patrick, (2018) "Documentation of Seven Earthquakes over the Past similar to 7000 Years on the West-Central Denali Fault at the Nenana River, Alaska" (Issue: 1, vol. 108). BULLETIN OF THE SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120170070
Toke, Nathan , Boone, Christopher G., Arrowsmith, J. Ramon, (2014) "Fault zone regulation, seismic hazard, and social vulnerability in Los Angeles, California_ Hazard or urban amenity?" (Issue: 9, vol. 2). EARTHS FUTURE. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014EF000241

Awards

Sabbatical

Utah Valley University - July, 2018

I was awarded a sabbatical for Earthquake Geology research and collaborations for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Dean's Award for Excellence in Scholarship

UVU College of Science and Health - April, 2015

2014-2015 Dean's Award for Scholarship in the College of Science and Health at UVU.

NSF GK-12 Fellowship

Arizona State University and the National Science Foundation - July, 2010

Graduate Teaching Fellowship for working with K-12 STEM Education, sponsored by the NSF and ASU's Engineering Program

GSA Diversity Scholarship

Geological Society of America - October, 2009

A graduate scholarship for research for scientists from diverse backgrounds awarded by the Geological Society of America.

Troy L. Pewe Award

School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University

Award for graduate scholarship in Quaternary Geology from the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University.

NSF IGERT Fellowship in Urban Ecology

Arizona State University and the National Science Foundation - August, 2006

Integrative Graduated Education and Research Training Fellowship providing full tuition and fees and a stipend for four years of my PhD 2006-2011.