Tectonics is the study of the evolution of the continental crust. Our research interests range from shallow-level crustal processes to deep-crustal and upper mantle tectonics. A largely unresolved problem in geology is the role of deeper crustal layers during orogenic events. Much of our current efforts are aimed at deciphering the deep-crustal composition of island and continental arcs, the tectonic processes involved in arc buildup such as the mechanisms of crustal thickening, and the relevance of associated magmatic processes to continental growth.
Faculty
Susan Beck - Seismology and tectonics
Barbara Carrapa - Sedimentary geology and low-T thermochronology
George Davis - Structure, tectonics
Peter DeCelles - Sedimentology, tectonics, regional structure
Mihai Ducea - Tectonics
George Gehrels - Tectonics, geochronology
Paul Kapp - Structure, tectonics
Ananya Mallik- experimental petrology, geochemistry, subduction zone magmatic processes
Peter Reiners - Geochemistry, thermochronology, applications in earth & planetary science
George Zandt - Geophysics, tectonics (Emeritus)
Pranabendu Moitra – Volcanology, fluid dynamics
Faculty with related interests
Roy Johnson - Reflection seismology, crustal and lithospheric structure
Jonathan Patchett (Emeritus) - Radiogenic isotopes
Jay Quade - Soil geochemistry
Facilities, Equipment, and Resources
- Computing Facilities
- Apatite Fission Track Laboratory
Electron Microprobe - Micro-sampling Facility
- Mineral Separation
- Petrography
- SEM
- Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS)
- (U-Th)/He Dating Lab