David P. Dethier

Photo of David P. Dethier

Edward Brust Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, Emeritus

Professional Experience

  • 1993-present–Professor, Dept. of Geosciences, Williams College
  • 2000-2006–Chair, Dept. of Geosciences, Williams College
  • 1998-1999– Visiting Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
  • 1992-1993– Visiting Scientist, Friday Harbor Marine Labs, Univ. of Washington
  • 1990-1992– Director, Bronfman Science Center and Chairman of the Science
    Executive Committee, Williams College
  • 1989-1993– Associate Professor, Dept. of Geosciences, Williams
  • 1988-1989– Acting Director, Center for Environmental Studies, Williams
  • 1987-present–Director, Hopkins Memorial Forest
  • 1982-1989– Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geosciences, Williams
  • 1985-1986– Assistant Professor leave, Los Alamos National Laboratory as Associated Western Universities scholar
  • 1981-1982– Staff Member, Los Alamos National Laboratory. Research included studies of the stratigraphy and deformation of Quaternary deposits and surfaces in a portion of the Rio Grande rift, and geochemical investigations of the experimental, hot, dry rock (HDR) geothermal system, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
  • 1979-1981– Acting Assistant Professor, Inst. for Environmental Studies,
    Univ. of Washington
  • 1977-1981– Project Geologist and Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey (Seattle)

Research Interests

  • Geochemistry and hydrology of surface and ground water systems
  • Glacial history of the Puget lowland, Washington
  • Rates, mechanisms, and effects of surficial processes, particularly the chemistry of weathering and effects of acid deposition on that chemistry
  • Soil-chemical characteristics
  • Quaternary stratigraphy and chronology of the Espa–ola basin, New Mexico

Courses Taught at Williams

  • Energy: Science and Society
  • Environmental Geology
  • Environmental Geology and the Earth’s Surface
  • Geologic Sources of Energy
  • Geomorphology
  • Glacial Geology
  • Water and the Environment
  • Interpreting the Surface of the Earth
  • Weather and Climate
  • Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems

Recent Theses Students

  • 2013 Claudia Corona, Gabe Lewis, Ian Nesbitt, Sarah Rowe
  • 2011 Evan Dethier, Keith Kantack, James McCarthy
  • 2010 James Trotta
  • 2009 Eirik Buraas
  • 2008 Ansel Bubel
  • 2007 Andy Stevenson
  • 2006 Andrea Burke
  • 2005 Jen Campbell, Robert Hahn