Current & Recent Research Projects
2021-2024
GALMAR - Testing models for the Late Jurassic Nevadan Orogeny: Age, provenance, and structural evolution of the Galice and Mariposa basins, OR and CA
This is a recently funded NSF project to evaluate tectonic models for the formation and evolution of Late Jurassic marginal basins along the western margin of the North American Cordillera in California and Oregon. This project involves field, structural, strain, and detrital zircon analysis, in collaboration with Prof. Kathy Surpless at Trinity University, of deformed basinal deposits with the goal of establishing links between various terranes in the orogen and evaluating subduction polarity and strain partitioning during orogenesis. Funded through 2024.
On-going...
Kinematics and timing of gypsum vein formation based on coupled structural analysis and river terrace geomorphology.
This project is focused on detailed mapping of Permo-Triassic and Tertiary and Quaternary rocks and sediments around the Cap Rock escarpment of the Southern High Plains with the following objectives:
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Characterize the kinematics of gypsum veins in the Permian Quatermaster Fm.
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Establish the relative timing of vein formation based on cross cutting relations.
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Map river terraces to test hypotheses about geomorphic drivers for rock exhumation, vertical dilation and vein emplacement.
On-going...
Field geology of the Southern High Plains – developing an integrated GIS of surficial deposits and bedrock geology along the Cap Rock Escarpment.
A mixture of regional mapping, local very detailed mapping, and GIS work to characterize some very interesting yet overlooked geology in the Southern High Plains. And, yes, you can do field work on a mountain bike!
Always on-going will never be done...
Structure & strain evolution of a Proterozoic orogen, Manzano Mountains, NM – Tons of field and microstructural work!
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Past project but still of interest...
Microstructures of oceanic gabbros from the Southwest Indian Ridge & Ophiolite.
Much of this work is from past ophiolite studies and Jeremy Deans' PhD completed in 2015.
In various stages of writing but always interested in returning.
Structural, petrologic, and tectonic studies in the Uppermost Allochthon, Norwegian Caledonides
For 20 years Prof. Cal Barnes & I have been working in Norway on all aspects of the geology in the Velfjord region of central Norway. A number of students have participated in this work. Much is in the processes of being written up but there are many projects to still consider. The above pic shows BS and MS student Heather Anderson. See pubs for more info.
Always on-going...
Geology & stonemasonry in the Poetics of 20th century poet Robinson Jeffers
This research explores the connections between science and literature in the poetry and stone masonry of 20th century American poet Robinson Jeffers.
Always interesting...
Magma emplacement in the crust
This was the bread and butter of my initial research and I continue to do various things with plutons. The space problem is alive and well, in spite of some people's claims.
On the job benefits...
Always nice to be outside...
nothing here except a pretty picture...