Bill Kean

Professor

348 Lapham Hall
(414) 229-5231
wkean@uwm.edu

PhD: University of Pittsburgh
BS: Canisius College

Specializations: Geology of Wisconsin, geomagnetism, paleomagnetism

Research:

Baraboo Rocks:

Over the past two years, I have been reevaluating the paleomagnetic studies that Dave Mercer and I did more than 20 years ago on the Baraboo quartzite. Several geologists at UW Madison have recently provided new incites to the history of the region and some good age dates as well, which is helping us to understand some of the inconsistencies in Dave Mercer’s results. Of particular interest are the phyllite layers that occur between the quartzite. My interest is in the origin, and origin time of the magnetic minerals associated with the phyllites. It turns out they are very magnetic multidomain hematite. I hope to resolve some of these issues while I am on sabbatical this semester.

Pre-Illinoinan Tills:

I am also working with Chuck Rover, one of our past Ph.D. students who is now at Southwestern Missouri State University, on correlation of Pre-Illinoinan tills. Chuck is looking at the mineralogy of the tills, and I am looking at their magnetic signature. These tills are old enough, that some are reversely polarized, which helps in the correlation.

GPR of Sand Bars:

This last summer we ventured into new waters so to speak. John Isbell, Andy Mumpy (graduate student) and I collected some exciting GPR data on a sand bar in the Wisconsin River. We were using equipment and expertise from Harry Jol, a colleague from UW Eau Clair. However we are working n getting our own equipment at UWM, if and when I can raise the money, or write a good grant.

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