| |
Metamorphic
Petrology & Tectonics
Much of Dr. Craig Dietsch’s
research centers on integrating petrology, geochemistry, geochronology,
and tectonics. Dietsch and his students solve problems related to tectonics
and the thermo-tectonic evolution of the interior parts of mountain belts.
Tectonic problems are addressed by understanding the petrology, structure,
geochemistry, and geochronology of crystalline rocks. Polyphase metamorphic
rocks are of particular interest, and unraveling the evolution of domes
is of long-standing interest, too.
Fieldwork has centered on the New England Appalachians and the Variscan
chain of northwest Spain. Recent research projects have been related to
the deciphering the tectonic setting, plate tectonic evolution, provenance,
and thermal and structural evolution of the Gneiss Dome and Hartland Belts
of western Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Working relationships with colleagues in other departments and at the
USGS provide access to the state-of-the-art electron microprobe analysis,
TIMS U-Pb dating of zircon, electron microprobe U-Pb dating of monazite,
and argon age-spectrum thermochronology. Geochemical analysis is done
at home using our own XRF spectrometer. The Department has complete mineral
separation facilities and has a long-standing tradition in petrography,
now updated with digital imaging. Current projects include single-grain
electron microprobe U-Pb age-mapping and dating of monazite from migmatites
in domes of western New England in collaboration with colleagues at the
University of Massachusetts.
|
EMPA X-ray compositional maps
of Y in monazite grains from high-grade metasediments from the Waterbury
Dome, western CT. Grains are about 50 microns across.
|
