Jacob Sewall

Assistant Professor of Geosciences

+1.540.231.6248 (Phone)

+1.540.231.3386 (FAX)

4044 Derring Hall (0420)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Ph.D., Earth Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2004
B.S., Geology, Washington and Lee University, 1998

Research Interests:

As a Computational Earth System Scientist I use numerical models to study the climate history, change, and dynamics of our planet. My research focuses on understanding the history of the earth and climate system as represented in the rock record and exploring the potential for future climate system changes. I am particularly interested in high latitude climate change, long-period interactions between climate and the solid and deep Earth, and the interactions between climate and societies – past, present, and future.

I am developing a dynamic research group focused on understanding the history, details and connections of the earth and climate system and working to expand Virginia Tech’s research efforts in Integrated Earth Systems. I anticipate building a graduate group that includes students with diverse backgrounds and an interest in understanding the dynamics of the earth and climate system. Please contact me for further information.

Recent Publications:

Sewall, JO and Sloan, LC, 2006, Come a little bit closer: A high-resolution climate study of the early Paleogene Laramide foreland. Geology, v. 34, p.81 - 84.

Sewall, JO, 2005, Precipitation shifts over western North America as a result of declining Arctic sea ice cover, the coupled system response, Earth Interactions, v. 9, p. 1 - 23.

Sewall, JO and Sloan, LC, 2004, Less ice, Less tilt, Less chill: The influence of a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean and changing obliquity on early Paleogene climate, Geology, v. 32, p. 477-480.

Sewall, JO and Sloan, LC, Disappearing Arctic sea ice reduces available water in the American West, Geophysical Research Letters, v. 31, L06209, doi:10.1029/2003Gl019133, 2004.