Tectonics, Petrology & Structural Geology at Florida State University

Students may choose to concentrate in several specialties under the broad framework of tectonics, including structural geology, petrology, and sedimentary or isotope geology applied to tectonics. Current research at FSU covers a broad range of topics including: petrogenesis of igneous suites in the context of tectonic setting, quantification of environmental conditions associated with regional metamorphism, structural evolution of orogenic core and terrane evolution, geochronological studies focused on the timing of orogenic activity, fabric evolution in metamorphic tectonites, and processes operating in active collisional orogens.


The department owns a fleet of field vehicles that can be used in connection with field studies and field trips. Analytical and sample preparation facilities are described under the Geochemistry program. The department also has a large digitizer and plotter for use in the preparation of geologic maps. Microcomputers and mainframe computers are available for research projects, as are several research grade petrographic microscopes.


Dr. Stephen A. Kish	Igneous and Metamorphic petrology applied to the study of ore deposits; igneous petrology studies in the Appalachians and southern Rocky Mountain regions; use of isotopes in geochronological and geochemical studies.
Dr. Neil Lundberg	Convergent margin tectonics and sedimentation; synorogenic sedimentation at collision zones; petrology of clastic deposits in tectonically active settings; and deformational fabrics at active margins.
Dr. Leroy Odom	Geochronology, radiogenic isotopes, radiation dosimetry.
Dr. Paul C. Ragland	Petrology and geochemistry of Lower Mesozoic igneous rocks in eastern North America; secondary alteration of igneous rocks; petrogenesis of mafic igneous rocks; numerical and graphical analysis of igneous processes.
Dr. Vincent Salters	Investigations of mantle evolution and MORB magma generation using isotopic tracers. Lu-Hf isotopic systematics and the evolution of the continental crust.
Dr. James F. Tull	Structural and metamorphic core evolution, thrust belt evolution, successor basin formation and genesis, tectonic modeling of Paleozoic orogenic belts, emphasis on Appalachian and Caledonian mountain systems.
Dr. Alan Zindler	Isotope geology applied to the study of the differentiaiton and evolution of the Earth, global change, and the environment.