Tectonics & Structural Geology
Faculty
and staff at UIUC address a number of issues pertaining
to the nature, evolution and behavior of the lithosphere at a variety of
depths and temporal scales. Steve Marshak uses field
studies to address issues pertaining to the origin of mountain belts, the
character of deformation in continental interiors, and the interpretation
of mesoscopic structural fabrics. Recent projects have addressed the origin
of dome-and-keel structure in Archean and Paleoproterozoic crust, the tectonic
evolution of Neoproterozoic orogens in Brazil, the three-dimensional structural
architecture of fold-thrust belts, and the kinematic interpretation of
rock cleavages. More recently, he has been involved in projects pertaining
to neotectonics in continental interiors. Stephen Hurst works on the tectonics
of rifts and oceanic spreading centers. He is interested in the interaction
of tectonic deformation and magmatism during crustal formation.
Wang-Ping Chen, a seismologist, studies the tectonics of continental lithosphere,
and the process of plate subduction.
He recently directed Project HiClimb, to analyze the character of the Himalayan
collision zone, and of the adjacent Tibetan Plateau. Alison Anders and
Jonathan Tomkin study aspects of the interaction between tectonic and erosional
processes.
- Prof. Alision Anders surficial processes
- Prof. W.-P. Chen seismogenesis of subduction/collision zones, mantle structures, active mountain building, rheology of the lithosphere, and intraplate earthquakes.
- Dr. Steve Hurst extensional areas including ophiolites, continental and oceanic rifts, spreading centers
- Prof. Steve Marshak field structural geology and tectonics
- Prof. Jonathan Tomkin surficial processes and geodynamics
