Jan Tullis conducts experimental investigations of the deformation mechanisms, microstructures and rheology of single and polyphase rocks over a wide range of conditions, equivalent to those from the shallow to the deep crust and upper mantle. By characterizing the stress and strain dependence of deformation microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientations, and determining flow laws and piezometer relations, a powerful set of tools is available to interpret the thermomechanical history of naturally deformed rocks and to model crustal and upper mantle deformation under various conditions. Together with collaborators her experiments also investigate the influence of fluids and chemical environment on deformation and the mutual interactions of deformation and phase changes. (Brown University)

Holger Stünitz combines field structural geology with experimental rock deformation. His research focuses on the processes and mechanisms of deformation, including the interaction of deformation and mineral reaction (or chemical change) in rocks. He employs light and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) to assess the preservation of microstructures in naturally and experimentally deformed rocks, and examines how post-deformation annealing, grain growth and diffusion may modify dynamic microstructures. Together with members of the Rock Deformation group at the University of Basel in Switzerland, Holger works to develop reliable tools for the recognition of deformation mechanisms, processes, and conditions in natural systems. (University of Basel)

Scott Johnson combines field-based structural and microstructural studies, analog modeling and numerical experiments to understand the relationships among the deformation and metamorphism of polymineralic rocks and the evolution of their microstructures. Information gained from these studies is used to explore the influence of changing strain and metamorphic regimes on the time-dependent rheological behavior of Earth. Scott works with other members of the Geodynamics and Crustal Studies Group at the University of Maine towards bridging the gap between microdynamics and geodynamics, exploring topics such as the role of metamorphic strengthening and weakening on the distribution and longevity of shear zones and the resulting topographic evolution of orogens. (Geodynamics and Crustal Studies at the University of Maine)

Sandy Cruden is concerned with developing a quantitative understanding of structural and tectonic processes at a variety of scales. Recent work has focused on combining field- and geophysics-based observations and high-precision geochronology with theoretical and laboratory modeling to investigate 1)mechanisms of pluton growth in the North and South American Cordillera; 2)the nature of crustal deformation and growth in the Achaean; and 3)the dynamics of hydrothermal and magmatic mineralization systems. Members of Sandy's Tectonic modeling lab at the University of Toronto have also been developing new rheologically appropriate analogue materials and deformation visualization techniques, with applications in modeling subduction processes, tectonics-erosion feedback mechanisms and strain localization phenomena. (University of Toronto modeling lab)

Luc Lavier research focuses on large scale, tectonic questions, specifically the dynamic structural and geodynamical evolution of continental and oceanic rifts as well as collisional and strike-slip environments. To address these questions, he has used and developed numerical techniques to model tectonic processes on crustal and lithospheric scales. Luc uses a variety of geophysical and geological data to constrain and quantify tectonic processes. These different studies led to the development of parameterizations to understand such phenomena as the localization of deformation in the continental crust, the initiation of subduction and continental breakup. (University of Texas – Institute for Geophysics)

Steve Quane conducts deformation experiments on analogue and natural volcanic materials to determine how they deform under conditions relevant to volcanic eruptions. He employs image analysis and physical property measurements on experimental end products and natural volcanic materials to determine the mechanisms for strain accumulation during volcanic events. The resulting data is used to develop constitutive laws for the rheology of volcanic products during deformation. These laws are used in subsequent models to better predict the timing and nature of volcanic processes. University of British Columbia

In addition to his interest in volcanology, Steve is investigating how science and scientists interact with federal policy. He is currently working on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Tom Udall as an American Association for the Advancement of Science/American Geological Institute Congressional Science Fellow.

Christine Siddoway is a structural and metamorphic geologist enamored with migmatites, as a record of the influence of partial melts upon deformation in the middle crust during tectonism. During the summer school, though, Christine's contribution will be in the realm of brittle rheology in the field, with a look at deformation behavior of granular materials (Mz sandstones) in a zone of distributed deformation in the footwall of Laramide reverse fault bounding the Front Range. Christine teaches structural geology and metamorphic petrology at Colorado College under the one-course-at-a-time schedule (Block Plan) implemented at CC, and conducts research in West Antarctica. http://www.coloradocollege.edu/dept/GY/faculty_christine_siddoway.asp.