Geology & Geophysics
The Geology and Geophysics group at Purdue focuses on the dynamics of the processes that shape our planet, from the motion of tectonic plates, the development of mountain ranges and oil-bearing sedimentary basins, to the triggering of earthquakes. To do so, we use a combination of modern observational techniques (e.g., cosmogenic isotopes, space geodesy, basins analysis) and develop theoretical models that integrate these observations in consistent physical frameworks.
Affiliated Faculty & Research Area
| Brenda Bowen | Sedimentary geology and geochemistry, formation and evolution of redbeds, diagenesis and fluid flow, basin evolution, geologic remote sensing, Mars geology and analog research |
| Larry Braile | Seismology, crustal and upper mantle structure, inversion of geophysical data, intraplate earthquakes, Earth science education |
| Eric Calais | Dynamics of continental deformation, strain distribution and stress transfer at plate boundary zones, rheology of the Earth's lithosphere, GPS geodesy |
| Lucy Flesch | Kinematics and dynamics of continental deformation, lithospheric rheology, shear wave splitting, mantle/lithosphere interaction |
| Andy Freed | Finite element analysis of transient processes: earthquake triggering, viscous rheology, evolution of extraterrestrial surfaces, subduction zones |
| Hersh Gilbert | Crust and upper mantle dynamics: continental lithospheric structure, upper mantle heterogeneity, crustal anisotropy, seismic imaging and waveform modeling |
| Darryl Granger | Tectonic geomorphology, landscape evolution, cosmogenic nuclides applied to geomorphology and surface processes, environmental geosciences |
| Saad Haq | Modeling of oblique collision and plateau growth, understanding mechanics of thin-skinned deformation in response to strain partitioning |
| Jennifer Haase | Seismic hazard, strong ground motion and new earthquake observation techniques |
| Jay Melosh | Tectonic deformation of planetary lithospheres, including the Earth's, and the physics of earthquakes, landslides and large, rapid mass movements |
| Bob Nowack | Seismic imaging of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, geophysical inverse theory |
| Jim Ogg | Paleomagnetics, ocean histroy, sedimentary geology |
| Ken Kidgway | Basin analysis, tectonics, sedimentary petrology, petroleum geology |
| Eric Riggs | Structural geology, rock deformation, fracture morphology and shear localization, mineral physics, geoscience education |
| Terry West | Geologic hazards including slope stability, environmental and engineering geology, groundwater contamination |