Research interests
I am a structural geologist interested in understanding the evolution of the continents and quantifying continental deformation. To address these topics, I employ traditional field-based structural geology methods—such as geologic mapping, balanced cross section construction, seismic data analysis, microstructural observations, and petrology—as well as modern analytical techniques, including EBSD analyses, geochronology, thermochronology, thermobarometry, analogue modeling, and analysis of satellite images and geodesy data.
Currently, my research group is working on several intriguing continental dynamics issues, including orogenic plateau evolution during plate convergence, the thermal structure of the crust in modern and ancient settings and how this affects deformation rates and styles, and regional reconstructions of western North America and central Asia.
Our research is supported by a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation and USGS.
Please see some details of my ongoing projects below. Also, feel free to visit ResearchGate to see these research directions and to access most of our publications.
Currently, my research group is working on several intriguing continental dynamics issues, including orogenic plateau evolution during plate convergence, the thermal structure of the crust in modern and ancient settings and how this affects deformation rates and styles, and regional reconstructions of western North America and central Asia.
Our research is supported by a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation and USGS.
Please see some details of my ongoing projects below. Also, feel free to visit ResearchGate to see these research directions and to access most of our publications.
Growth and evolution of orogenic plateaus
Our group is interested in the timescales and styles of orogenic plateau construction, where regions of anomalously thick continental crust result in high surface elevations. Plate boundaries and plateau-margin thrust belts must support such thickened crust, and changes in these boundaries can cause (over)thickened crust to extend and thin. Our primary study sites include the Mesozoic Nevadaplano in the western US and the Tibetan Plateau in central Asia.
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Some related publications:
- Cheng, F., Zuza, A. V., Haproff, P. J., Wu, C., Neudorf, C., Chang, H., ... & Li, B. (2021). Accommodation of India–Asia convergence via strike-slip faulting and block rotation in the Qilian Shan fold–thrust belt, northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Journal of the Geological Society, 178(3).
- Zuza, A. V., Henry, C. D., Dee, S., Thorman, C. H., & Heizler, M. T. (2021). Jurassic–Cenozoic tectonics of the Pequop Mountains, NE Nevada, in the North American Cordillera hinterland. Geosphere, 17(6), 2078-2122.
- Zuza, A. V., Thorman, C. H., Henry, C. D., Levy, D. A., Dee, S., & Long, S. P. (2020). Pulsed Mesozoic deformation in the Cordilleran hinterland and evolution of the Nevadaplano: Insights from the Pequop Mountains, NE Nevada. Lithosphere, 2020(1).
- Bian, S., Gong, J., Zuza, A. V., Yang, R., Tian, Y., Ji, J., ... & Yu, X. (2020). Late Pliocene onset of the Cona rift, eastern Himalaya, confirms eastward propagation of extension in Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 544, 116383.
- Say, M. C., & Zuza, A. V. (2021). Heterogenous late Miocene extension in the northern Walker Lane (California-Nevada, USA) demonstrates vertically decoupled crustal extension. Geosphere, 17(6), 1762-1785.
- Zuza, A. V., Wu, C., Wang, Z., Levy, D. A., Li, B., Xiong, X., & Chen, X. (2019). Underthrusting and duplexing beneath the northern Tibetan Plateau and the evolution of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Lithosphere, 11(2), 209-231.
- Zuza, A. V., Cheng, X., & Yin, A. (2016). Testing models of Tibetan Plateau formation with Cenozoic shortening estimates across the Qilian Shan–Nan Shan thrust belt. Geosphere, 12(2), 501-532.
Regional extension and metamorphic core complex generation
The Basin and Range province in the western US is a classic study site to explore continental extension. We are most interested in understanding the distribution, rates, and drivers of this extension. This work has also led to some exciting side projects, including exploring non-lithostatic pressure and kinematic vorticity in shear zones.
Some related publications:
- Zuza, A. V., Levy, D. A., Dee, S., DesOrmeau, J. W., Cheng, F., & Li, X. (2022). Structural architecture and attenuation of the ductile lower plate of the Ruby Mountain‐East Humboldt Range metamorphic core complex, northeast Nevada. Tectonics.
- Zuza, A. V., Henry, C. D., Dee, S., Thorman, C. H., & Heizler, M. T. (2021). Jurassic–Cenozoic tectonics of the Pequop Mountains, NE Nevada, in the North American Cordillera hinterland. Geosphere, 17(6), 2078-2122.
- Zuza, A. V., Levy, D. A., & Mulligan, S. R. (2022). Geologic field evidence for non-lithostatic overpressure recorded in the North American Cordillera hinterland, northeast Nevada. Geoscience Frontiers, 101099.
- Say, M. C., & Zuza, A. V. (2021). Heterogenous late Miocene extension in the northern Walker Lane (California-Nevada, USA) demonstrates vertically decoupled crustal extension. Geosphere, 17(6), 1762-1785.
- Zuza, A. V., Thorman, C. H., Henry, C. D., Levy, D. A., Dee, S., & Long, S. P. (2020). Pulsed Mesozoic deformation in the Cordilleran hinterland and evolution of the Nevadaplano: Insights from the Pequop Mountains, NE Nevada. Lithosphere, 2020(1).
- Zuza, A. V., Cao, W., Hinz, N. H., DesOrmeau, J. W., Odlum, M. L., & Stockli, D. F. (2019). Footwall rotation in a regional detachment fault system: Evidence for horizontal‐axis rotational flow in the Miocene Searchlight pluton, NV. Tectonics, 38(7), 2506-2539.
Thermal structure of the crust and controls on deformation
The thermal structure of the crust controls how it deforms. In the simplest way, hot crust is weaker and cold crust is stronger. However, geology is more complex, and different rocks deform differently, geotherms vary in time and space, and extrapolation of theory to reality has limitations. We explore this topic through a variety of lenses, including field geology, microstructural analysis, RSCM, regional tectonic integration, and analysis of seismic data.
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Some related publications:
- Zuza, A. V., Cao, W., Rodriguez-Arriaga, A., DesOrmeau, J., & Odlum, M. L. (2022). Strain localization at brittle-ductile transition depths during Miocene magmatism and exhumation in the southern Basin and Range. Journal of Structural Geology, 104709.
- Xu, X., Zuza, A. V., Yin, A., Lin, X., Chen, H., & Yang, S. (2021). Permian plume-strengthened Tarim lithosphere controls the Cenozoic deformation pattern of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Geology, 49(1), 96-100.
- Zuza, A. V., Levy, D. A., & Mulligan, S. R. (2022). Geologic field evidence for non-lithostatic overpressure recorded in the North American Cordillera hinterland, northeast Nevada. Geoscience Frontiers, 101099.
- Zuza, A. V., & Cao, W. (2020). Seismogenic thickness of California: Implications for thermal structure and seismic hazard. Tectonophysics, 782, 228426.
- Zuza, A. V., Cao, W., Hinz, N. H., DesOrmeau, J. W., Odlum, M. L., & Stockli, D. F. (2019). Footwall rotation in a regional detachment fault system: Evidence for horizontal‐axis rotational flow in the Miocene Searchlight pluton, NV. Tectonics, 38(7), 2506-2539.
Kinematics and dynamics of intra-plate deformation
Continental deformation extends far into plate interiors, as exemplified by deformation in central Asia and across the Basin and Range of the western US. We are interested in better understanding intra-plate deformation, its causes, and how some regions are uniquely strengthened while others are greatly weakened. Parallel and evenly-spaced strike-slip fault systems occur widely in nature, including in the the San Andreas and Walker Lane fault systems, numerous systems in Asia, and even the Tiger Stripe Fractures on Enceladus. These fault systems can help us better understand the strength of the crust. Our work also bears on processes of craton generation, including the possibility that plume impingement may strengthen the lithosphere.
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Some related publications:
- Cheng, F., Zuza, A. V., Haproff, P. J., Wu, C., Neudorf, C., Chang, H., ... & Li, B. (2021). Accommodation of India–Asia convergence via strike-slip faulting and block rotation in the Qilian Shan fold–thrust belt, northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Journal of the Geological Society, 178(3).
- Sun, C., Li, Z., Zuza, A. V., Zheng, W., Jia, D., He, Z., ... & Yang, S. (2022). Controls of mantle subduction on crustal-level architecture of intraplate orogens, insights from sandbox modeling. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 584, 117476.
- Xu, X., Zuza, A. V., Yin, A., Lin, X., Chen, H., & Yang, S. (2021). Permian plume-strengthened Tarim lithosphere controls the Cenozoic deformation pattern of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Geology, 49(1), 96-100.
- Xu, X., Zuza, A. V., Chen, L., Zhu, W., Yin, A., Fu, X., ... & Yang, S. (2021). Late Cretaceous to Early Cenozoic extension in the Lower Yangtze region (East China) driven by Izanagi-Pacific plate subduction. Earth-Science Reviews, 221, 103790.
- Zuza, A. V., Gavillot, Y., Haproff, P. J., & Wu, C. (2020). Kinematic evolution of a continental collision: Constraining the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen via bulk strain rates. Tectonophysics, 797, 228642.
- Bian, S., Gong, J., Chen, L., Zuza, A. V., Chen, H., Lin, X., ... & Yang, R. (2020). Diachronous uplift in intra-continental orogeny: 2D thermo-mechanical modeling of the India-Asia collision. Tectonophysics, 775, 228310.
- Zuza, A. V., Wu, C., Reith, R. C., Yin, A., Li, J., Zhang, J., ... & Liu, W. (2018). Tectonic evolution of the Qilian Shan: An early Paleozoic orogen reactivated in the Cenozoic. GSA Bulletin, 130(5-6), 881-925.
- Zuza, A. V., Yin, A., Lin, J., & Sun, M. (2017). Spacing and strength of active continental strike-slip faults. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 457, 49-62.
- Zuza, A. V., & Yin, A. (2016). Continental deformation accommodated by non-rigid passive bookshelf faulting: An example from the Cenozoic tectonic development of northern Tibet. Tectonophysics, 677, 227-240.