LAWRENCE H. TANNER
Department of Biological Sciences
Professor, Natural Systems
Science
Director, Center for the Study of Environmental Change
Le Moyne College
1419 Salt Springs Road
Syracuse,
NY 13214
(315) 445-4537 (office)
Email:
tannerlh@lemoyne.edu
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Doctor of Philosophy, major: geology, 1990.
University of Tulsa
Master of Science, major: geology, 1980.
Williams College
Bachelor of Arts, major: geology, cum laude, 1978.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Teaching
Le Moyne College
Professor 2008 - Present
Associate Professor 2006 - 2008
Adjunct/Visiting Professor 2004 – 2006
Courses taught: Paleobiology of Dinosaurs, Earth: History and Inhabitants,
Global Ecosystems, Global Systems Science, Physical Geology, Earth's Surface
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Professor 1999 - 2005
Associate Professor 1996 - 1998
Assistant Professor 1992 - 1996
Courses taught: Sedimentation and Stratigraphy, Earth Materials, Volcanoes, Natural
Disasters, Physical Geology, Environmental Geology, Historical Geology.
Colgate University
Visiting Assistant Professor 1991 - 1992
Courses taught: Sedimentation and Stratigraphy, Petroleum Geology, Hydrogeology.
Colby College
Visiting Assistant Professor 1990 - 1991
Courses taught: Stratigraphy, Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Environmental Geology.
University of Massachusetts
Lecturer 1990, 1991 (summer)
Course taught: Dynamic Earth
Industry
Cities Service Oil and Gas Corp., Tulsa, Oklahoma
Production Geologist 1981 - 1986
Teaching Interests
Most of my courses support the majors in Natural Systems Science and Environmental Studies. The former is our uniquely science-based version of Environmental Science (click here for link to the program page). The latter is a policy oriented version of the study of environmental issues (click here for link to program page). Currently I direct both of these programs, and also serve as Director for the Center for the Study of Environmental Change, the hub that links environmental curricula, research and outreach at Le Moyne (click here for link to Center web page).
At the classic K/T boundary section near Gubbio, Italy

Volcanology. A secondary interest is in volcanology, particularly the recognition of volcanic processes through the study of volcanoclastic deposits. Most of my work in this area has been concentrated on the volcanoes of southern Italy (like Etna), where I have worked for some years with Dr. Sonia Calvari of the INGV in Catania, Sicily; we are completing work on another text, Volcanoes and Our Dynamic Planet. I am also deeply interested in the effects on the climate and environment of large-scale volcanic eruptions, such as those of large igneous provinces.
On the summit of Etna, looking into the Bocca Nuova crater in 2002.
Our Environment. Finally, I have passionate concern for our Earth environment. The realization that modern climate change is already having a significant impact on the ecology has motivated me to start a new line of research investigating changes in soil structure and composition in such diverse locations as Iceland and Costa Rica.
Reindeer
grazing in front of Hoffelsjökull in southern Iceland.
Click here for complete CV to see list of over 60 papers and books and 70 or so meeting abstracts.
Selected recent publications
Tanner, L.H., in press. Cyclostratigraphic record of the Triassic: a critical examination. The Triassic Timescale, a special publication of the Geological Society, London.
Tanner, L.H., in press. The Triassic isotope record. The Triassic Timescale, a special publication of the Geological Society, London.
Tanner, L.H.,
2010. Terrestrial carbonates as indicators of palaeoclimate. In: Alonso-Zarza, A.M.
and
Tanner, L.H. (Eds), Carbonates in Continental Environments: Geochemistry,
Diagenesis and
Applications.
Elsevier Developments in Sedimentology Series vol. 62., pp. 180-214.
Cirilli, S., Marzoli, A., Tanner, L.H., Bertrand, H., Buratti, N., Jourdan, F., Bellieni, G., Kontak, D., Renne, R.P., 2009. The onset of CAMP eruptive activity and the Tr-J boundary: Stratigraphic constraints from the Fundy Basin, Nova Scotia. Earth and Planetary Science Letters (pdf).
Jourdan, F., Marzoli A., Bertrande, H., Cirilli, S., Tanner, L.H.,
Kontak, D.J., McHone, G.,
Renne, P.R., Bellieni, G., 2009. 40Ar/39Ar ages of
CAMP in North America: implications for the
Triassic-Jurassic boundary and the 40K decay constant bias. Lithos
110-167-180 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H.,
Kyte, F.T. and Walker, A.E.*, 2008. Multiple Ir
anomalies in uppermost
Triassic to Jurassic-age strata of the Blomidon Formation, Fundy
basin, eastern Canada. Earth
and Planetary Science Letters. 274, 103-111 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H., Smith, D.L., and Allan, A.*, 2007. Stomatal response of
swordfern to
volcanogenic CO2 and SO2 from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii.
Geophysical Research Letters 34:
L15807, doi:10.1029/2007GL030320 (pdf).
Lucas, S.G. and Tanner, L.H.,
2007. The nonmarine Triassic-Jurassic
boundary in the
Newark Supergroup of eastern North America. Earth-Science
Reviews 84: 1-20 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H. and Lucas, S.G., 2007. The Moenave Formation: Sedimentologic
and stratigraphic
context of the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in the Four Corners area,
southwestern U.S.A.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoecology, Palaeoclimatology 244: 111-125 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H. and Lucas, S.G., 2006. Calcretes of the Upper Triassic
Chinle Group, Four
Corners region, southwestern U.S.A.: climatic implications, in Alonso-Zarza,
A.M. and
Tanner, L.H., eds., Special Paper 416: Paleoenvironmental Record and
Applications of
Calcretes and Palustrine Carbonates: Geological Society of America, pp.
53-74 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H.
and Kyte, F.T., 2005. Anomalous iridium enrichment in sediments at the
Tanner,
L.H.,
and Calvari, S., 2004. Unusual sedimentary deposits on the SE side of
Stromboli
volcano, Italy: products of a tsunami caused by the c. 5,000 years b.p. Sciara del Fuoco
collapse? Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Resources 137, 329-340 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H., Lucas, S.G., and
Chapman, M.G., 2004. Assessing the record and causes of
Late Triassic extinctions. Earth-Science Reviews 65, 103-139 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H., Hubert, J.F., Coffey,
B.P., and McInerney, D.P., 2001. Stability of atmospheric
CO2 levels across the Triassic/Jurassic boundary. Nature 411: 675-677 (pdf).
Tanner, L.H., 2000.
Palustrine/lacustrine and alluvial facies of the Norian Owl Rock Formation
(Chinle Group), Four Corners region, southwestern USA: Implications for Late Triassic
paleoclimate. Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 70. No. 5.
FAMILY LIFE
Even I know that research isn’t everything. I wouldn’t be doing all the neat stuff without the support of my great family. Emily, now in high school, is a talented pianist, and loves animals and reading. My wife Linda LeMura, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Le Moyne , is a noted researcher in the field of physiology, with a specialty in the study of pediatric obesity. I’m fortunate to have them accompany me (occasionally) in the field. We all enjoy attending the concerts of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the crown jewel in the firmament of Syracuse cultural life. When we’re away from the house, Checkers the Cat holds down the fort and keeps the neighborhood rodent-free.
Emily at the keys of the Yamaha (see a clip of Emily's Spring 2009 recital here).
On vacation in Boston in July, 2009
Don't let the relaxed posture fool you; he is always vigilant for rodents!
OTHER INTERESTS
My family and I are ardent supporters of the amazingly active and diverse Syracuse cultural scene. We are huge fans and season ticket holders of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (see the web site here), truly a gem for a city this small, and also regularly attend the Syracuse Opera, the Chamber Music series, Syracuse Stage, as well as the many events at Le Moyne College (Gifford Family Theater, Piano in the Panasci, etc.).