Department of Geology
Eastern Washington University
Professor John Buchanan
I joined the faculty at EWU in 1984, and primarily teach courses related to hydrogeology, geologic hazards, sedimentology and stratigraphy, and in general geology. My eighth-grade earth science teacher turned me on to geology at a young age, so I dedicated myself to the academic pursuit of geology straight away. I completed my B.S. at Southern Illinois University in 1979, my M.S. degree at Colorado State University in 1982, and my Ph.D. at the same institution in 1985.
The focus of my research has been toward delineating regional aquifer systems and directing reconnaissance level hydrogeologic and groundwater quality investigations. My research program has been well funded by federal, state and local agencies, and this has kept a small army of graduate students quite busy in the last decade. In addition, I have engaged in a variety of consulting projects in a similarly directed field, and have provided expert testimony in court cases dealing with sensitive water issues.
I am fortunate in that some of my research indeed takes me into world-class cave systems, which I find both intellectually stimulating as well as physically challenging! I also enjoy mountaineering, climbing, bicycling, and astronomy. In fact, I've built a small astronomical observatory in my back yard! So when I'm not underground mapping, investigating and exploring cave systems, I can usually be found in my office in Science 120. Please stop by!