Gifford H. Miller

Distinguished Professor • Director, Center for Geochemical Analysis of the Global Environment (GAGE) •
• Quaternary stratigraphy • Geochronology • Paleoclimatology

Geological Sciences

gmiller@colorado.edu

INSTAAR office: 303 492-6962
INSTAAR lab: 303 492-5075

Benson Earth Sciences office: 303 492-8437

Amino Acid Geochronology Lab

Bio

My primary scholarly interests focus on gaining an improved understanding of how the physical earth system operates.

Toward this end, I am specifically interested in using the Quaternary as a means to reconstruct the coupled ocean/atmospheric/ice climate system. By reconstructing past environmental changes it is possible to get a better understanding of the rates and magnitude of natural climate variability and the various feedback mechanisms in the global climate system. I am also interested in the role of humans in the modification of landscapes and ecosystem on Quaternary timescales.

Education

PhD: University of Colorado Boulder, 1975

Awards

Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado System, 2021
Distinguished Career Award, American Quaternary Association, 2018
Elected Fellow, American Geophysical Union, 2009
Elected Foreign Member, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, 2008
Easterbrook Distinguished Scientist Award, Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division, Geological Society of America, 2005
Elected Fellow, Geological Society of America, 1986

Research

My present research is on Quaternary stratigraphy and dating methods; amino acid geochronology and cosmogenic exposure dating; and glacial history of the Arctic, focusing on glacial chronology and ice-sheet dynamics using direct field evidence and quantitative estimates of the timing and magnitude of warm times in the Arctic. I also have research interests in monsoons on Quaternary time scales and the causes of megafauna extinctions.

Publications

Recent publications

Molecular exploration of fossil eggshell uncovers hidden lineage of giant extinct bird

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Grealy A; Miller GH; Phillips MJ; Clarke SJ; Fogel M; Patalwala D; Rigby P; Hubbard A; Demarchi B; Collins M...

Grealy A
Miller GH
Phillips MJ
Clarke SJ
Fogel M
Patalwala D
Rigby P
Hubbard A
Demarchi B
Collins M

Published in: Nature Communications
Publication Date: 2023-02-28
Type: Journal Article

Terrestrial evidence for ocean forcing of Heinrich events and subglacial hydrologic connectivity of the Laurentide Ice Sheet

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Edwards GH; Blackburn T; Piccione G; Tulaczyk S; Miller GH; Sikes C

Published in: Science Advances
Publication Date: 2022-10-21
Type: Journal Article

Intact Polar brGDGTs in Arctic Lake Catchments: Implications for Lipid Sources and Paleoclimate Applications

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H; Sepúlveda, Julio

All Authors: Raberg JH; Flores E; Crump SE; de Wet G; Dildar N; Miller GH; Geirsdottir A; Sepulveda J

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2022-10-01
Type: Journal Article

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Contributions to Sedimentary Plant Waxes in a Modern Arctic Lake Setting

CU Boulder Authors: Sepúlveda, Julio; Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Hollister K; Thomas EK; Raynolds MK; Bultmann H; Raberg JH; Miller GH; Sepulveda J

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2022-08-01
Type: Journal Article

Control of Short-Stature Vegetation Type on Shallow Ground Temperatures in Permafrost Across the Eastern Canadian Arctic

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Evans SG; Raberg JH; Crump SE; Raynolds MK; Sugg MM; Brodie AR; Miller GH

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2022-07-01
Type: Journal Article

Last interglacial lake sediments preserved beneath Laurentide and Greenland Ice sheets provide insights into Arctic climate amplification and constrain 130 ka of ice-sheet history

CU Boulder Authors: Sepúlveda, Julio; Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

MILLER GIFFORDH; WOLFE ALEXANDERP; AXFORD YARROW; BRINER JASONP; BUELTMANN HELGA; CRUMP SARAH; FRANCIS DONNA; FRECHETTE ...

MILLER GIFFORDH
WOLFE ALEXANDERP
AXFORD YARROW
BRINER JASONP
BUELTMANN HELGA
CRUMP SARAH
FRANCIS DONNA
FRECHETTE BIANCA
GORBEY DEVON
KELLY MEREDITH

Published in: Journal of Quaternary Science
Publication Date: 2022-06-09
Type: Journal Article

Near-universal trends in brGDGT lipid distributions in nature

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H; Sepúlveda, Julio

All Authors: Raberg JH; Miller GH; Geirsdottir A; Sepulveda J

Published in: Science Advances
Publication Date: 2022-05-20
Type: Journal Article

Modern Eastern Canadian Arctic Lake Water Isotopes Exhibit Latitudinal Patterns in Inflow Seasonality and Minimal Evaporative Enrichment

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Gorbey DB; Thomas EK; Sauer PE; Raynolds MK; Miller GH; Corcoran MC; Cowling OC; Crump SE; Lovell K; Raberg JH...

Gorbey DB
Thomas EK
Sauer PE
Raynolds MK
Miller GH
Corcoran MC
Cowling OC
Crump SE
Lovell K
Raberg JH

Published in: Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology
Publication Date: 2022-05-01
Type: Journal Article

Southern Baffin Island mean annual precipitation isotopes modulated by summer and autumn moisture source changes during the past 5800 years

CU Boulder Authors: Sepúlveda, Julio; Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Gorbey DB; Thomas EK; Crump SE; Hollister K; Raynolds MK; Raberg JH; Sepulveda J; Miller GH; De Wet G...

Gorbey DB
Thomas EK
Crump SE
Hollister K
Raynolds MK
Raberg JH
Sepulveda J
Miller GH
De Wet G

Published in: Journal of Quaternary Science
Publication Date: 2021-11-03
Type: Journal Article

Pulsebeat of early Holocene glaciation in Baffin Bay from high-resolution beryllium-10 moraine chronologies

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Young NE; Briner JP; Miller GH; Lesnek AJ; Crump SE; Pendleton SL; Schwartz R; Schaefer JM

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2021-09-21
Type: Journal Article

Recurrent outburst floods and explosive volcanism during the Younger Dryas-Early Holocene deglaciation in south Iceland: evidence from a lacustrine record

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Geirsdottir A; Miller GH; Harning DJ; Hannesdottir H; Thordarson T; Jonsdottir I

Published in: Journal of Quaternary Science
Publication Date: 2021-07-12
Type: Journal Article

Revised fractional abundances and warm-season temperatures substantially improve brGDGT calibrations in lake sediments

CU Boulder Authors: Sepúlveda, Julio; Miller, Gifford H; Kopf, Sebastian H

All Authors: Raberg JH; Harning DJ; Crump SE; de Wet G; Blumm A; Kopf S; Geirsdottir A; Miller GH; Sepulveda J

Published in: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2021-06-17
Type: Journal Article

Ancient plant DNA reveals High Arctic greening during the Last Interglacial

CU Boulder Authors: Sepúlveda, Julio; Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Crump SE; Frechette B; Power M; Cutler S; de Wet G; Raynolds MK; Raberg JH; Briner JP; Thomas EK; Sepulveda J...

Crump SE
Frechette B
Power M
Cutler S
de Wet G
Raynolds MK
Raberg JH
Briner JP
Thomas EK
Sepulveda J

Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
Publication Date: 2021-03-30
Type: Journal Article

David Quentin Bowen: A memorial

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Andrews JT; Bridgland DR; Clark PU; Cronin TM; Hillaire-Marcel C; Maddy D; Miller GH; Muhs DR; Murray-Wallace CV...

Andrews JT
Bridgland DR
Clark PU
Cronin TM
Hillaire-Marcel C
Maddy D
Miller GH
Muhs DR
Murray-Wallace CV

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2020-12-15
Type: Journal Article

Holocene history of landscape instability in Iceland: Can we deconvolve the impacts of climate, volcanism and human activity?

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H; Harning, David John

All Authors: Geirsdottir A; Harning DJ; Miller GH; Andrews JT; Zhong Y; Caseldine C

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2020-12-01
Type: Journal Article

Glacier expansion on Baffin Island during early Holocene cold reversals

CU Boulder Authors: Anderson, Bob; Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Crump SE; Young NE; Miller GH; Pendleton SL; Tulenko JP; Anderson RS; Briner JP

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2020-08-01
Type: Journal Article

Reply to Carlson (2020) comment on "Deglaciation of the Greenland and Laurentide ice sheets interrupted by glacier advance during abrupt coolings"

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Young NE; Briner JP; Schaefer JM; Miller GH; Lesnek AJ; Crump SE; Thomas EK; Pendleton SL; Cuzzone J; Lamp J...

Young NE
Briner JP
Schaefer JM
Miller GH
Lesnek AJ
Crump SE
Thomas EK
Pendleton SL
Cuzzone J
Lamp J

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2020-07-15
Type: Journal Article

Lipid Biomarkers Quantify Holocene Summer Temperature and Ice Cap Sensitivity in Icelandic Lakes

CU Boulder Authors: Harning, David John; Miller, Gifford H; Sepúlveda, Julio

All Authors: Harning DJ; Curtin L; Geirsdottir A; D'Andrea WJ; Miller GH; Sepulveda J

Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
Publication Date: 2020-02-16
Type: Journal Article

Deglaciation of the Greenland and Laurentide ice sheets interrupted by glacier advance during abrupt coolings

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors:

Young NE; Briner JP; Miller GH; Lesnek AJ; Crump SE; Thomas EK; Pendleton SL; Cuzzone J; Lamp J; Zimmerman S...

Young NE
Briner JP
Miller GH
Lesnek AJ
Crump SE
Thomas EK
Pendleton SL
Cuzzone J
Lamp J
Zimmerman S

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2020-02-01
Type: Journal Article

Vegetation response to climate warming across multiple interglacials inferred from High Arctic lake sediment

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H; Sepúlveda, Julio

All Authors:

Crump S; Fréchette B; Miller G; Power M; De Wet G; Thomas E; Sepulveda Arellano J; Briner J; Bounce M...

Crump S
Fréchette B
Miller G
Power M
De Wet G
Thomas E
Sepulveda Arellano J
Briner J
Bounce M

Publication Date: 2019-12-10
Type: Conference Proceeding

The influence of anoxia on downcore brGDGT paleotemperature reconstructions – evidence over the Holocene from Baffin Island lake sediment records

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H; Sepúlveda, Julio

All Authors: De Wet G; Raberg J; Thomas E; Miller G; Sepulveda Arellano J

Publication Date: 2019-12-10
Type: Conference Proceeding

Assessing Change in Summer Arctic Moisture Source and Aridity over the Past 7,000 Years Using Leaf Wax δ2H in Baffin Island Lake Sediment

CU Boulder Authors: Sepúlveda, Julio; Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Sepulveda Arellano J; Gorbey D; Thomas E; Crump S; De Wet G; Raberg J; Miller G

Publication Date: 2019-12-10
Type: Conference Proceeding

Distinguishing the Sources of brGDGTs at Lake Qaupat, Baffin Island Using Intact Polar Lipids

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H; Sepúlveda, Julio

All Authors: Raberg J; Crump S; De Wet G; Dildar N; Miller G; Sepulveda Arellano J

Publication Date: 2019-12-10
Type: Conference Proceeding

Hudson Bay was not deglaciated during MIS-3

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Miller GH; Andrews JT

Published in: Quaternary Science Reviews: the international multidisciplinary research and review journal
Publication Date: 2019-12-01
Type: Journal Article

The age of Wolfe Creek meteorite crater (; Kandimalal; ), Western Australia

CU Boulder Authors: Miller, Gifford H

All Authors: Barrows TT; Magee J; Miller G; Fifield LK

Published in: Meteoritics and Planetary Science
Publication Date: 2019-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Teaching

Current courses

GEOL 5420: Quaternary Dating Methods
CVEN 5838-001: Rockfalls and Avalanches

Past courses

GEOL 1060-003: Global Change: An Earth Science Perspective
GEOL 5700: Holocene Nonlinearities
GEOL 3040-003: Geological Record of Global Change
GEOL 5420-003: Quaternary Geochronology/Quaternary Stratigraphy
GEOL 5700-001: Volcanism in the Arctic System

Jonathan Raberg

Postdoctoral Scholar •
• Paleoclimatology • Organic geochemistry • Quaternary research • Spectroscopy

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Outreach

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News

Elephant bird eggshells lie exposed on a beach in Madagascar. Photo by Giff Miller.

How 1,200-year-old eggs from a 9-foot tall, 1,500-pound bird led to a scientific breakthrough (USA Today)

March 11, 2023

Towering over nine feet tall and weighing over 1,500 pounds, the now-extinct aepyornis lived more than 1,200 years ago and was Madagascar’s largest land animal. Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder and Curtin University in Australia recently discovered a new lineage of the birds using eggshell remnants, as well as isotope geochemistry and protein extraction. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

The field team in May 2007, while i Madagascar where the samples in the paper were collected. From left to right: Ramil, lead guide from the National Museum in Antananarivo; Gifford Miller; Steve DeVogel; and guide Nemad. Photo courtesy Gifford Miller.

Giant eggshells reveal the secrets of Madagascar's elephant birds (NPR)

March 8, 2023

Before they were driven to extinction, giant elephant birds roamed Madagascar, weighing up to 2,000 pounds and towering 10 feet tall. A new analysis of DNA in their eggshells gives new information about the birds and identifies a previously unknown lineage. The story is a 2-minute listen on National Public Radio.

Surface scatter of Aepyornis eggshell exposed by active wind erosion of sand dunes in which the birds nested. Photo by Gifford Miller.

Ancient eggshells unlock discovery of extinct elephant bird lineage (CU Boulder Today)

March 1, 2023

More than 1,200 years ago, elephant birds roamed the island of Madagascar. While these ostrich-like giants are now extinct, new research from CU Boulder and Curtin University in Australia reveals that their eggshell remnants hold valuable clues about their time on Earth. Published today in Nature Communications, the study describes the discovery of a previously unknown, separate lineage of elephant bird that roamed the wet, forested landscapes on the northeastern side of Madagascar—a discovery made without access to any skeletal remains.

The giant bird Genyornis went extinct in Australia around 50,000 years ago. Illustration provided by Gifford Miller.

How we cracked the mystery of Australia’s prehistoric giant eggs (The Conversation)

Jan. 25, 2023

Gifford Miller and collaborators Matthew James Collins and Beatrice Demarchi tell the story of the ancient eggshell fragments found in eroding Australian sand dunes, the controversy around their origins, and how new techniques and AI helped solve the mystery. A summary chapter in the evolving story of Genyornis and the probable causes of its extinction.

Drawing of Genyornis newtoni, a thunderbird from the pleistocene of Australia

Egg-eating humans helped drive Australia’s ‘thunder bird’ to extinction (Science)

May 27, 2022

The giant bird Genyornis newtoni disappeared from Australia 45,000 years ago, and researchers have long puzzled over whether human hunters or climate change was the culprit. Now, a new analysis of ancient eggshells—the leftovers of a prehistoric feast—suggests humans were responsible. Study led by Giff Miller. Illustration by Nobu Tamura.

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Gifford H. Miller

Bio

Education

Awards

Research

Publications

Vegetation response to climate warming across multiple interglacials inferred from High Arctic lake sediment

The influence of anoxia on downcore brGDGT paleotemperature reconstructions – evidence over the Holocene from Baffin Island lake sediment records

Assessing Change in Summer Arctic Moisture Source and Aridity over the Past 7,000 Years Using Leaf Wax δ2H in Baffin Island Lake Sediment

Distinguishing the Sources of brGDGTs at Lake Qaupat, Baffin Island Using Intact Polar Lipids

Pages

Teaching

Current courses

Past courses

Outreach

News