Examining ultramafic rocks in Baltimore, August 2019
Examining ultramafic rocks in Baltimore, August 2019

Welcome.

Let's talk about how we can use rocks to understand the Earth.

On Earth, the locations of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and mountains are all controlled by a process unique to our planet: plate tectonics. This process describes the subdivision of Earth's rigid outer shell (like the skin on an apple) into variably sized plates that move at around the rate your fingernails grow. 

As well as being an important control of geologic phenomena, plate tectonics facilitates our planet's habitability, and it is a fundamental driver of evolution. Ultimately, it is a key part of why we are here today.

But... we don't know how and when plate tectonics emerged on Earth. 

We don't understand what tectonic processes predominated before plate tectonics. 

And it is unclear whether plate tectonic processes have changed through geologic time.

My research at Towson University aims to help answer these questions, using the rocks that are all around us, from the cliffs and creek beds, to the walls and buildings in our cities. 


To learn more about my research, please check out the Research Themes tab.

For Towson undergraduates looking for a thesis project: click on the "For TU undergrads" tab to read about my currently available projects. 

If you are new to geology and want to learn more, please read my WhatTheRock series.


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