D. J. Jerolmack

University of Pennsylvania, University of the Sciences

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

D. J. Jerolmack is a pioneering geoscientist whose research bridges aeolian processes, soil mechanics, and robotic field instrumentation. His work centers on understanding how wind and water shape landscapes, with a particular focus on sediment transport and soil erodibility. Jerolmack’s major contributions include developing groundbreaking robotic tools for in situ measurement, such as a field-deployable robot that rapidly characterizes soil erodibility (2019, 17 citations) and a ground robotic system for measuring aeolian processes (2017, 24 citations). These innovations overcome the limitations of traditional event-based experiments, enabling high-resolution, real-time data collection across diverse environments. His recent work on a rapid robotic rheometer (2024, 6 citations) reveals downslope weakening of soil, linking soil strength to hillslope stability and erosion—a novel insight with implications for hazard prediction. Beyond instrumentation, Jerolmack explores the epistemology of field science, examining how scientists make data-foraging decisions (2021, 7 citations). With over 50 citations across his key papers, his impact lies in transforming field geomorphology through robotics, offering students and researchers a model for integrating technology with fundamental Earth science questions.