Warren D. Huff , BA, PhD

Clay mineralogy, paleovolcanology, tephrochronology

PhD: University of Cincinnati 1963

B.A.: Harvard 1959

Much of my research deals with the study of K-bentonites, which are the remains of explosively erupted volcanic ash layers. These layers are now altered largely to clay minerals although some original volcanic crystals remain. I study both types of minerals to learn about the nature of the source volcanoes, many of which are over 400 million years old, as well as the natural processes by which the volcanic ash layers have been buried in the earth and altered to their present form.

1963 -To Present Professor Emeritus of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

2005 -2008 NSF High resolution sequence and event stratigraphy of mid Silurian strata in eastern Laurentia and Avalonia

2000 -2001 NSF Chemical fingerprinting of ash beds in the terminal Proterozoic Nama Group of Namibia

1998 -1999 URC Stereomicroscopy and the study of volcanic ash

1998 -1999 American Colloid Co. Cretaceous bentonites of the Sharon Springs Member of the Pierre Shale

1996 -1998 NSF Collaborative study: A test of Ordovician Iapetus paleogeographic models using K-bentonite stratigraphy and geochemistry

1995 -1996 NSF Ordovician studies in the Argentine Precordillera

1994 -1995 NSF Ordovician studies in the Argentine Precordillera

1992 -1995 NSF Ordovician and Silurian explosive volcanism in the Iapetus region: Tectonomagmatic, tectonic, event-stratigraphic & biological implications

1989 -1990 NSF Ordovician K-bentonite stratigraphy of the central Appalachians: Implications for regional stratigraphic and tectonic synthesis

1989 -1992 NSF The tectonomagmatic and event-stratigraphic significance of lower Paleozoic K-bentonites in the Iapetus region of N. America and NW Europe: collaborative research

1985 -1986 NSF Correlation of K-bentonite beds in the British Ordovician and Silurian stratotypes

1984 -1987 NSF Stratigraphy of Middle Ordovician K-bentonites in the central and southern Appalachians

1982 -1983 NSF Correlation of Middle Ordovician K-bentonites of eastern North America on the basis of major and minor element distribution (renewal)

1981 -1982 NSF Correlation of Middle Ordovician K-bentonites of eastern North America on the basis of major and minor element distribution

1978 URC Volcanogenic clays in eastern Bavaria and Austria

1974 -1975 Exxon Design and implementation of TIPS for computer-managed instruction

1971 -1972 National Science Foundation Faculty Fellow

1968 -1969 NSF In-service Institute for Secondary School Earth Science Teachers

1966 -1967 NSF Characteristics of potassium-depleted illite and illite/montmorillonite

1962 -1963 University of Cincinnati Fenneman Fellow

1962 National Science Foundation Summer Fellow

Grant: #EAR-0518511 Investigators:Brett, Carlton; Huff, Warren 07-01-2005 -06-30-2010 National Science Foundation High Resolution Sequence and Event Stratigraphy of Mid Silurian Strats in Eastern Laurentia and Avalonia Role:PI $194,901.00 Closed Level:Federal

Grant: #EAR-0073834-NCE Investigators:Huff, Warren 07-01-2000 -06-30-2002 National Science Foundation Chemical Fingerprinting of Ash Beds in the Terminal Proterozoic Nama Group of Namibia Role:PI $19,999.00 Closed Level:Federal

Grant: #DUE-1022563 Investigators:Ault, Bruce; Cameron, Guy; Huff, Warren; Jackson, Howard; Minda, Carl 08-15-2010 -07-31-2014 National Science Foundation A Coherent Cross-Disciplinary Learning Initiative in STEM Role:Collaborator $249,648.00 Active Level:Federal

Grant: #DUE-1102990 Investigators:Cameron, Guy; Fowler, Thaddeus; Huff, Warren; Jackson, Howard; Kukreti, Anant; Meyer, Helen; Rutz, Eugene 09-01-2011 -08-31-2016 National Science Foundation The Cincinnati Engineering Enhanced Mathematics and Science (CEEMS) Program Role:Collaborator $5,324,587.00 Active Level:Federal

Grant: #DUE-1022563 Investigators:Ault, Bruce; Cameron, Guy; Huff, Warren; Jackson, Howard; Minda, Carl 08-15-2010 -07-31-2014 National Science Foundation A Coherent Cross-Disciplinary Learning Initiative in STEM Role:Collaborator $249,648.00 Closed Level:Federal

Published Abstract

Williams, L.B., Srodon, J., Huff, W.D., and Hervig, R.L., 2007, Volatile light element distributions in Baltic basin bentonites: A potential connection to hydrocarbon sources: Abstracts volume, 44th Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society, Santa Fe, p. 169.

Huff, W.D., Toprak, F.Ö., Bergström, S.M. and Mundil, R., 2007, The Lower Silurian (Llandovery) Osmundsberg K-bentonite in Baltoscandia and the British Isles: Age and correlation: Abstracts volume, 44th Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society, Santa Fe, p. 100.

Nicklen, B.L., Bell, G.L. Jr. and Huff, W.D., 2007, Ancient ash beds in the type area of the Middle Permian, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, west Texas, USA: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, no. 6, p. 148.

Phansalkar, N., Burns, D., Hauber, J., Huff, W., McFaddin, J., Minges, G., Mosbaugh, E., Musselman, J., Nash, D., and Nicklen, B., 2007, Mineral and chemical characteristics of some Quaternary clays and their relation to standard engineering properties: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, no. 6, p. 136.

Huff, W.D., 2007, Podcasts and WebPush: Teaching an Online Course in Geology: Abstracts volume, Ohio Digital Commons for Education 2007 Conference, Columbus, p. 17.

Leslie, S.A., Bergström, S.M., and Huff, W.D., 2006, Volcanic ash beds discovered in the upper Bromide Formation and Womble Shale (Ordovician) in Oklahoma; the westernmost occurrences of the Millbrig and Deicke K-bentonites?: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 38, p. 31.

Milawski, J.E., Michaels, J., Dendramis N., McFaddin, J., Redder, M., Huff, W.D. and Lowell, T.V., 2006, Sedimentary processes associated with deglaciation near Sioux Pond Lookout, northwest Ontario: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of American, v. 38, no. 7, p. 70.

Huff, W.D., 2005, Explosive volcanism and its contribution to mudrock genesis: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 37, p. 74.

Huff, W.D., Histon, K., Klein, P., and Schoenlaub, H.P., 2005, Paleozoic k-bentonites from the Carnic Alps (Austria): Program and Abstracts - Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society, v. 42, p. 56.

Leslie, S.A., Bergström, S.M., and Huff, W.D., 2005, Volcanic ash beds discovered in the Upper Bromide Formation and Womble Shale (Ordovician) in Oklahoma: The westernmost occurrences of the Millbrig and Deicke K-bentonites?: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 38, p. 67.

Marker, P.G., and Huff, W.D., 2005, What is a K-bentonite?: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 37, p. 143.

Saglam, Z.J., Huff, W.D., and Kilinc, A., 2005, The origin of chert at K-bentonite-limestone contacts: a preliminary report: Program and Abstracts - Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society, v. 42, p. 94.

Toprak, F.O., and Huff, W.D., 2005, Constraining the potential respiratory health hazard of clay sized particles from large volcanic eruptions: Program and Abstracts - Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society, v. 42, p. 105.

Brockman, T.L., Barrow, J.R., Bonilla, A., DeSantis, M.K., Huff, W.D., Ponnaboyina, H.-P., and Reuter, C.J., 2004, Mineralogical and compositional variation of glauconite: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 36, p. 225.

Huff, W.D., Müftüoglu, E., Bergström, S.M., and Kolata, D.R., 2004, Resolving questions of consanguinity between the late Ordovician Deicke, Millbrig and Kinnekulle K-bentonites in North America and Baltoscandia: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, p. 246.

Su, W.-B., He, L.-Q., Baum, G.R., Huff, W.D., and Li, Z.-M., 2004, K-bentonites near the Ordovician-Silurian boundary in South China: contributing factors to the terminal Ordovician multiple-sphere crises?: Abstracts Volume, 32nd International Geological Congress: Florence, Italy, p. 989.

Davidson, M.M., Bullard, R.G., Davis, C., Davis, T., DeSantis, M.K., Hamilton, R., Huff, W.D., Londono, A.C., Merk, B., and Wysong, E., 2003, Clay mineral development on terrestrially deposited tephras: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 35, p. 320.

Histon, K., Klein, P., Schönlaub, H.P., and Huff, W.D., 2003, Ordovician And Silurian K-Bentonites from the Carnic Alps (Austria): Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, p. 174.

Other Publication

Bertog, J., Huff, W.D. and Martin, J.E., 2007, Geochemical and mineralogical recognition of the bentonites in the lower Pierre Shale Group and their use in regional stratigraphic correlation: In: J.E. Martin and D.C. Parris (Eds.) The Geology and Paleontology of the Late Cretaceous Marine Deposits of the Dakotas: Geological Society of America Special Paper, no. 427, p. 23-50.

Huff, W.D., 2005, Ordovician K-bentonites: In: Ludvigson, G.A. and Bunker, B.J., 2005, (Eds.) Facets of the Ordovician geology of the Upper Mississippi Valley region: Iowa Geological Survey Guidebook Ser. No. 24: Guidebook for the 35th Annual Field Conference of the Great Lakes Section, Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), p. 50-53.

Huff, W.D., Müftüoglu, E., Bergström, S.M. and Kolata, D.R., 2005, Biotite as a discriminator between the Late Ordovician Deicke, Millbrig, and Kinnekulle K-bentonites: In: Ludvigson, G.A. and Bunker, B.J. (Eds.) Facets of the Ordovician geology of the Upper Mississippi Valley region: Iowa Geological Survey Guidebook Ser. No. 24: Guidebook for the 35th Annual Field Conference of the Great Lakes Section, Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), p. 62-64.

Saltzman, M.R., Bergström, S.M., Huff, W.D., and Kolata, D.R., 2003, Conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy and the Ordovician (Early Chatfieldian, Middle Caradocian) d13C excursion in North America and Baltoscandia: implications for the interpretation of the relations between the Millbrig and Kinnekulle K-bentonites, in Albanesi, G.L., Beresi, M.S., and Peralta, S.H., eds., Ordovician from the Andes: Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on the Ordovician System, INSUGEO: Serie Correlacion Geologica, v. 17, p. 137-142.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Huff, W.D, 2008, Ordovician K-bentonites: Issues in interpreting and correlating ancient tephras: Quaternary International, v. 178, p. 276-287.

Su, Wen-Bo, Li, Zhi-Ming, Ettensohn, F.R., Johnson, M.E., Huff, W.D., Wang, W., Ma, C., Li, L., Zhang, L., And Zhao, H-J., 2007, Distribution of black shale in the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations (Ordovician-Silurian), South China:Major controlling factors and implications: Earth Science-Journal of China University of Geosciences, v. 32, no. 6, p. 819-827.

Su Wen-bo, Li Zhi-ming, Frank R. Ettensohn, Markes E. Johnson, Warren D. Huff, Wang Wei, Ma Chao, Li Lu, Zhang Lei, and Zhao Hui-jing, 2007, Tectonic and eustatic control on the distribution of black-shale source beds in the Wufeng and Longmaxi formations (Ordovician-Silurian), South China: Frontier of Earth Science in China, v. 1, no. 4, p. 470-481.

Goldman, D., Leslie, S.A., Nõlvak, J., Young, S., Bergström, S.M. and Huff, W.D., 2007, The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Katian Stage of the Upper Ordovician Series at Black Knob Ridge, Southeastern Oklahoma, USA: Episodes, v. 30, no. 4, p. 258-270.

Histon, K., Klein, P., Schönlaub, H.P., and Huff, W.D., 2007, Lower Palaeozoic K-Bentonites from the Carnic Alps, Austria: Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 100, p. 26-42.

Huff, W.D., 2006, Volcanism and its Contribution to Mudrock Genesis: Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 15, p. 111-122.

Su Wen-Bo, Li Zhi-ming, Shi Xiao-ying, Zhou Hong-rui, Huang Si-ji, Liu Xiao-ming, Chen Xiao-yu, Zhang, Ji-en, Yang Hong-mei, Jia Liu-jing, Huff, W.D., and Ettensohn, F.R., 2006, K-bentonites and black shales from the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations (Early Paleozoic, South China) and Xiamaling formation (Early Neoproterozoic, North China) – implications for tectonic processes during two important transitions: Earth Science Frontiers, v. 13, no. 6, p. 82-95.

Saylor, B.Z., Poling, J.M., and Huff, W.D., 2005, Stratigraphic and chemical correlation of volcanic ash beds in the terminal Proterozoic Nama Group: Geological Magazine, v. 142, p. 1-20.

Bergström, S.M., Huff, W.D., Kolata, D.R., Leslie, S.A., and Saltzman, M.R., 2004, The greatest volcanic ash falls in the Phanerozoic; Trans-Atlantic relations of the Ordovician Millbrig and Kinnekulle K-bentonites:, v., p.: Sedimentary Record, v. 2, p. 4-8.

Bergström, S.M., Huff, W.D., Saltzman, M.R., Kolata, D.R. and Leslie, S.A., 2004, The greatest volcanic ash falls in the Phanerozoic: Trans-Atlantic relations of the Ordovician Millbrig and Kinnekulle K-bentonites: The Sedimentary Record, v. 2, no. 4, p. 4-8.

Pellenard, P., Deconinck, J.-P., Huff, W.D., Thierry, J., Marchand, D., Fortwengler, D., and Trouille, A., 2003, Characterization and correlation of Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian) bentonite deposits in the Paris Basin and the Subalpine Basin, France: Sedimentology, v. 50, p. 1035-1060.

Clauer, N., Fallick, A.E., Eberl, D.D., Honty, M., Huff, W.D. and Aubert, A., 2013, K-Ar dating and d18O-dD characterization of nanometric illite from Ordovician K-bentonites of the Appalachians: Illitization and the Acadian-Alleghenian tectonic activity. American Mineralogist, v. 98, p. 2144-2154. 

Symposium

SU Wenbo, Warren D. Huff, Frank R. Ettensohn, LIU Xiao-ming, CHEN Xiao-yu, ZHANG Ji-en, YANG Hong-mei, Liu Dewen d, LI Zhi-ming, HUANG Si-ji (2007. ) K-bentonites and Black Shales from the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation (Lower Paleozoic, South China) and Xiamaling Formation (Lower Neoproterozoic, North China): Implications for Tectonic Processes during Two Important Transitions .Fukuoka, Japan.