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Geodynamics and Tectonics
The Geodynamics research group studies the origin, evolution, and rates of (de)formation of the Earth's crust. Studies focus on geophysical, geochemical and geological understanding of plate tectonics and use of inter-disciplinary data to predict and develop models of lithospheric deformation, magmatism, mass fluxes, sedimentation and fluid flow. The group maintains and operates state-of-the-art XRF and ICP-MS labs and geophysical equipment, and uses a number of specialized instruments at MSU's Center for Advanced Microscopy.
Faculty
Kazuya Fujita — Global Tectonics, Earthquake Seismology
Brian Hampton — Clastic sedimentology, Tectonics
Julie C. Libarkin — Paleoaltimetry
Tyrone O. Rooney — Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry
Duncan F. Sibley — Geochemistry, sedimentary petrology
Michael A. Velbel — Clastic sedimentary petrology
Thomas A. Vogel — Igneous Petrology
Emeritus Faculty
William F. Cambray — Petrology, Mineralogy, Structural Geology
Adjunct Faculty
Lina C. Patino — Analytical Geochemistry
Research Staff
David Szymanski — Igneous Petrology, Geochemistry, ICP-MS Lab manager
Selected Research Topics:
Intraplate activity in northeast Siberia and northern Alaska
We use seismic waveform and travel-time analysis of teleseismic, Russian regional and Alaskan local network data, to study intraplate activity in northeast Siberia and northern Alaska. In cooperation with the Yakut Science Center, Russia, and the University of Alaska, we have deployed digital recording systems in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia.
Seismology and tectonics of eastern Russia, western Alaska, the Arctic, and Michigan is studied using multiple data sets, including seismicity, seismotectonics, travel-time analysis, image and map interpretation, geology, and geochronology. These results are applied to earthquake prediction, nuclear monitoring, resource evaluation, plate interactions, seismic hazards, crustal structure, and tectonic evolution.
Related Publications:
Rautian, T., Khalturin, V., Fujita, K., Mackey, K., and Kendall, A., 2007. Origins and methodology of the Russian energy K-class system and its relationship to magnitude scales: Seismological Research Letters, v. 78(6), in press.
Hindle, D., Fujita, K., and Mackey, K., 2006. Current deformation rates and extrusion of the northwestern Okhotsk plate, northeast Russia: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 33, doi:10.1029/2005GL024814.
Mountain uplift and Paleoaltimetry
Tectonics-oriented research is geared towards a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in creating topographic features such as mountains and plateaus, as well as other structures related to uplift.
Related Publications:
BOOK CHAPTER: Libarkin, J.C. and Riihimaki, C., In Press. Ch. 12. Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides as Paleoaltimetric Proxies, Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry volume; Paleoelevation: geochemical and thermodynamic approaches, Edited by M. Kohn.
Farley, K.A., Libarkin, J., Mukhopadhyay, S., and Amidon, W., 2006. Cosmogenic 3He in apatite, titanite, and zircon: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 248, 436-446.
Libarkin, J.C., and Chase, C.G., 2003. Timing of Colorado Plateau Uplift: Initial constraints from vesicular basalt-derived paleoelevations: Comment and Reply: Geology, v. 31, 191-192.
Current projects in seismotectonics include the study of the North American plate boundary in Asia and intraplate activity in northeast Siberia and northern Alaska using seismic waveform and travel-time analysis of teleseismic, Russian regional and Alaskan local network data. In cooperation with the Yakut Science Center, Russia, and the University of Alaska, we have deployed digital recording systems in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia.
Current projects in petrology/volcanology are involved with evolution of magmas in arc settings (Central America, Cascades, Philippines), evolution of the continental crust in Central America; effects of slab composition on the composition of arc magmas; weathering effects on the composition arc volcanic rocks; origin and evolution of silicic magmas.
Current projects in tectonics are Mid-continent Rift System (USA); Proterozoic geology of the Mid-continent USA; use of kinematic indicators in the analysis of rock deformation; tectonic development of Siberia; and emplacement of magmas in the Earth's crust.
Other research areas that are peripheral, but overlap those of the Solid Earth Program, are in the areas of sedimentology/stratigraphy and sedimentary petrology, and mineral-water interactions.
