Tectonics, Petrology, & Geochronology University of Alabama

Faculty

• Richard H. Groshong, Jr. (Ph.D., Brown, 1971), Professor Quantitative Structural Geology
• Nathan L. Green (Ph.D. British Columbia, 1978), Associate Professor: Volcanology and Igneous Petrology
• Harold H. Stowell (Ph.D., Princeton 1987), Professor and Chairman: Metamorphic Petrology
• Dennis L. Harry (Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas, 1989), Assistant Professor: Geophysics, Geodynamics, Tectonophysics
• Michael J. Bersch (Ph.D., New Mexico, 1990), Research Specialist and Adjunct Professor: Electron Probe Microanalysis

Programs in Tectonics, Petrology, and Geochronology at the University of Alabama include research into the tectonic, magmatic, and metamorphic processes in orogenic belts, continental rifts and rifted margins, intraplate extensional provinces, foreland sedimentary basins, and convergent plate boundaries. Areas of active research include the Cascadia subduction system, the southeastern Alaska/British Columbia cordillera, the western U.S. and northwestern Mexico Tertiary extensional province, the Ouachita and Appalachian orogenic systems and associated foreland basins, the European Alpine orogen, and various Atlantic rifted continental margins. Research is facilitated by membership in the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, association with the International Ocean Drilling Program, and involvement of domestic and international Petroleum Industry partners. Topics of active research include:

• Volcanology and geochemistry of calc-alkaline volcanic and plutonic rocks in the High Cascades and Garibaldi magmatic arcs in Washington and British Columbia

• Geochemistry and petrogenesis of basalts in the Coast Mountains of SE Alaska

• REE and SM-Nd isotope geochemistry of metamorphic garnets in the Coast Plutonic Complex in SE Alaska and the North Cascades in Washington

• Thermobarometry and pressure-temperature paths of rocks in the Coast Mountains in SE Alaska and Washington

• Numerical modeling of orogenesis and displacement partitioning in the Coast Mountains orogen of southeast Alaska and British Columbia

• Numerical modeling of extension on the non-volcanic Iberia/Grand Banks rifted continental margins

• Seismic, gravity, and well-log based structural and stratigraphic analyses of the Ouachita orogen and Kerr basin in west Texas

• Linkages between Tertiary extension and magmatism in the western North American cordillera

• Geodetic monitoring of active tectonics in the Walker Lane of western Nevada and eastern California

• Extensional structures of the Black Warrior foreland basin

• Balance and kinematic evolution of compressional structures, especially Appalachian

• Structure of the Gilbertown graben system, south Alabama

• 3-D balance and restoration of salt diapirs

Analytical facilities are available for mass spectrometry, ICP spectrometry, graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray emission spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, fluid inclusion microthermometry, and optical microscopy. Analytical work is supported by excellent rock and sample preparation laboratories. Sandbox equipment is available for physical structural modeling experiments, and various software packages are available for structural, tectonic, petrologic, and geodynamic numerical modeling studies. The Department of Geology has a state of the art computing facility that supports numerical modeling and geological and geophysical data processing, interpretation, and visualization. Additional computing facilities are available in the Petroleum Technology Transfer Center, which is housed in the department. Information resources include online global geophysical and geological databases, access to the well log holdings of the nearby Geological Survey of Alabama (located on campus), and access to a variety of core, well log, and seismic data provided by collaborating industry partners, including extensive holdings from the Ouachita and Appalachian fold and thrust belts. See our Research Facilities and Resources page for further information.

Relevant Courses

GEO 514 - Advanced Igneous Petrology. 3 hrs., Green.

GEO 515 - Metamorphic Petrology. 3 hrs., Stowell.

GEO 516 - Volcanology. 3 hrs., Green.

GEO 525 - Seismic Exploration. 3 hrs, Harry The intent of the course is to familiarize students with the application of seismic exploration techniques to solve geologic problems. Students should complete the course with a basic understanding of seismic wave propagation and how seismic methods are used to determine subsurface structure and stratigraphy. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of seismic exploration, including both the seismic reflection and seismic refraction methods. Students will learn the arts of seismic data processing and interpretation through the use of hands-on interpretation and data processing projects that utilize commercial seismic datasets or, if they choose, datasets that are part of their own research.

GEO 541 - Applied Geophysics. 3 hrs, Harry. An introduction to geophysical methods and their application to the exploration of the Earth. Geophysical methods covered in detail include gravity and magnetic methods, seismic reflection and refraction methods, and electromagnetic methods.

GEO 542 - Tectonophysics. 3 hrs, Harry. An introduction to the structure of the Earth's interior and the Theory of Plate Tectonics. Topics include plate motions, isostasy, paleomagnetism, heat flow, and seismicity. The course examines the paleogeographic evolution of the continents and ocean basins, the origin and evolution of the Earth's major tectonic features, and changes in tectonic and magmatic styles on the Earth since the Archean. Emphasis is placed on understanding the processes which govern the evolution of cratons, orogenic belts, volcanic arcs, ocean islands, rifts, and sedimentary basins.

GEO 564 - Quantitative Interpretation of Structural Geometry. 3 hrs., Groshong.

GEO 565 - Comparative Structural Geology. 3 hrs., Groshong.

GEO 650 - Isotope Geology. 3 hrs., Stowell.

GEO 663 - Structural Geology Seminar. 3 hrs., Groshong.