The thermochronology and tectonics research group employs a number of radiometric methods to determine the thermal and tectonic evolution of the Earth’s lithosphere and planetary materials. Our interests are broad and include research on:

1) the timing and rates of plate boundary processes
2) the evolution of orogenic systems
3) the timing of planetary processes (e.g. impact events, surface processes). Laboratory facilities are available in the Department of Earth Sciences for 40Ar/39Ar, fission track, and (U-Th/He) thermochronology studies.

Methods and Applications

• Noble gas thermochronology: 40Ar/39Ar, (U-Th)/He
• Fission track thermochronology
• In situ dating of zircon via ion microprobe in conjunction with trace and REE analyses
• Structural geology, petrology, and tectonics
• Pressure-temperature-time-deformation (P-T-t-D) paths
• Timing and rates of tectonic processes
• Thermal evolution of crustal terranes
• Landscape evolution
• Exhumation of high and ultrahigh-pressure rocks
• Timing of fabric development in tectonites

Regional Expertise

• South Pacific: Papuan Peninsula, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Misima Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand
• Antarctica: Transantarctic Mountains
• Eastern and Central Asia: Qinling-Dabie-Sulu Orogen, southeastern Mongolia
• Mediterranean region: Pyrenees, Aegean
• North America: Alaska, Basin and Range, Baja California, Adirondacks
• Caribbean: Barbados