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

Ph D, Arizona State University , 2011

Major: Geological Sciences

MS, Arizona State University, 2005

Major: Geological Sciences

BS, University of Vermont, 2003

Major: Geology

Teaching

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 , Smith, Kristen , Basin and Range Earthquake Summit, "Evidence for Recent Faulting ~1000 m above the Bonneville Highstand, Along the Northern Provo Segment of the Wasatch Fault", Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, UT. (October 17, 2022)
Smith, Kristen , Toke, Nathan , Johnson, David , Czajka, Doug , Nelson, Daren , Hiscock, Adam , Basin and Range Earthquake Summit, "The West Mountain Site, Genola North Fault, Utah_ Paleoseismic History and Connectivity with Utah Lake Faults", Utah Geological Survey , Salt Lake City, UT. (October 17, 2022)
Smith , Kristen , Toke, Nathan , Johnson, David , Czajka, Doug , Nelson, Daren , Hiscock, Adam , 2022 GSA Annual Meeting, "The West Mountain Site, Genola North Fault, Utah_ Paleoseismic History and Connectivity with Utah Lake Faults", Geological Society of America , Denver, Colorado . (October 9, 2022)
Toke, Nathan , 2022 Southern California Earthquake Center Annual Meeting, "Inherent Asymmetry in Reporting in Geologic Slip Rates", Southern California Earthquake Center, Palm Springs, California . (September 10, 2022)

Scholarly/Creative Works

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
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
Haddad, David E., Akciz, Sinan O., Arrowsmith, J. Ramon, Rhodes, Dallas D., Oldow, John S., Zielke, Olaf , Toke, Nathan , Haddad, Amanda G., Mauer, Juergen , Shilpakar, Prabin , (2012) "Applications of airborne and terrestrial laser scanning to paleoseismology" (Issue: 4, vol. 8). GEOSPHERE. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES00701.1
Toke, Nathan , Arrowsmith, J. Ramon, Rymer, Michael J., Landgraf, Angela , Haddad, David E., Busch, Melanie , Coyan, Joshua , Hannah, Alexander , (2011) "Late Holocene slip rate of the San Andreas fault and its accommodation by creep and moderate-magnitude earthquakes at Parkfield, California" (Issue: 3, vol. 39). GEOLOGY. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31498.1
El-Ashmawy , L , Toke, Nathan , Arrowsmith, J R, (2009) "Geologic Investigations of Urban Sedimentation in Tempe, AZ using retention structures" . Phoenix, Arizona : Arizona Hydrological Society Proceedings (2009). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280722103_GEOLOGIC_INVESTIGATIONS_OF_URBAN_SEDIMENTATION_IN_TEMPE_AZ_USING_RETENTION_STRUCTURES

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.