Structural geology and tectonics in the Bureau at UNROur group researches continental deformation around the world--including Tibet, the Himalaya, and the western US--at a variety of times scales. We apply a variety of traditional field-based structural geology methods—such as geologic mapping, balanced cross section construction, microstructural analysis, seismic data analysis, and petrology—as well as modern analytical techniques, including geo/thermo-chronology, thermobarometry, EBSD analysis, analog modeling, and analysis of satellite images and geodesy data.
This research can lead to improvements in assessing seismic hazard, locating precious mineral and energy resources, and interpreting the complex interactions between tectonics, erosion, and climate change in Earth’s history. If you are a student interested in working on similar projects as part of a Masters or PhD, please contact me ([email protected]). |
Current people
Andrew Zuza |
I received my BS from Cornell University in 2011 and PhD from UCLA in 2016. My PhD research was focused primarily on the evolution of the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, including the Paleozoic configuration of different arc systems that make up this region and the Cenozoic deformation that uplifted this part of the plateau. I am broadly interested of topics related to crustal deformation--see the Research page--with projects focused in western North America and parts of Asia.
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Past members
Drew Levy
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Thesis title: "Timescales and mechanisms of crustal thickening and post-orogenic extension in the
North American Cordillera" Drew explored the timing and character of deformation in the North American Cordillera through geologic mapping, microstructural analyses, thermochronology, and geochronology. See his website. |
Feng Cheng
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Feng Cheng's research focuses on the intersection of tectonics, stratigraphy and sedimentology, geochronology, basin analysis, and paleoclimate. He interrogates the geologic evolution of sedimentary basins to understand the exhumation and topographic growth history of the mountain belts, as well as regional and global paleoclimate variations.
See his ResearchGate profile. |
Angelica Rodriguez
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Thesis title: "Characterization of the deformation across a brittle-ductile transition zone: geologic mapping and microstructures in the Ireteba pluton in the southern Basin and Range"
Angie worked on structural fabrics associated with pluton emplacement and subsequent extensional strain, comparing deformation of variable lithologies at different temperature domains. Co-advised by Prof. Wenrong Cao. Currently employed by Luhdorff & Scalmanini Consulting Engineers. |
Mike Say
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Thesis title: "Late Miocene transition between Basin and Range extension and Walker Lane tectonics, northern Pine Nut Mountains, Nevada: New insights from geologic mapping and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology"
Mike completed mapping in the Pine Nut Range in western Nevada to tease out the volcanic and structural history in this region that straddles the transition between the Sierra Nevada, Walker Lane, and Basin and Range. Currently an exploration geologist at Extrados Exploration. |