Geology Faculty

Name &Title

Credentials

Focus

At NAU

David M. Best, Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., M.S., Ph.D., University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill 1977)

Mathematical geology, geophysics (gravity and magnetics) and computer modeling, geophysical modeling of the transition zone of central Arizona

NAU 1978

Ronald C. Blakey, Ph.D., Professor,

(B.S., University of Wisconsin; M.S., University of Utah; Ph.D., University of Iowa 1973)

Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic stratigraphy, sedimentology, sedimentation and tectonics, basin analysis, continental and shallow marine depositional systems on the Colorado Plateau with special emphasis on eolian processes and depositional systems

NAU 1975

David S. Brumbaugh, Ph.D., Professor, Director of Arizona Earthquake Information Center

(B.S., University of Florida; M.S., Ph.D., Indiana University 1972)

Mechanics of normal and thrust faulting; seismology and geophysics, Cenozoic tectonics of the southern Colorado Plateau and transition zone

NAU 1972

Ernest M. Duebendorfer, Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., University of California–Berkeley; M.S., University of California–Santa Barbara; Ph.D., University of Wyoming 1986)

Structural geology emphasizing crystalline terranes, Precambrian geology, Basin and Range extension, ductile deformation

NAU 1993

David K. Elliott, Ph.D., Professor

(B.Sc., University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Ph.D., University of Bristol, United Kingdom 1979)

Vertebrate paleontology, emphasizing vertebrate origins and agnathans, Paleozoic biostratigraphy, general paleontology, paleoecology of trace fossils, and taphonomy

NAU 1981

Thomas D. Hoisch, Ph.D., Professor

(B.A., Pomona College; M.S., Vanderbilt University; Ph.D., University of Southern California 1985)

Metamorphic petrology and mineralogy emphasizing geothermobarometry, phase equilibria, fluid-to-rock interaction, computer modeling of crustal thermal evolutions, field studies

NAU 1987

Darrell S. Kaufman, Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., B.A., University of California–Santa Cruz; M.S., University of Washington; Ph.D., University of Colorado 1991)

Quaternary geology and geomorphology; geochronology and paleoclimatology; glacier, sea-level, and lake fluctuations; amino acid geochronology

NAU 1998

James I. Mead, Ph.D., Professor, Director of Quaternary Sciences Program

(B.A., M.S., Ph.D., University of Arizona 1983)

Quaternary paleontology, osteology of mammals and reptiles, paleoecology of western North America

NAU 1985

Larry T. Middleton, Ph.D., Associate Professor

(B.S., University of Maryland; M.S., Idaho State University; Ph.D., University of Wyoming 1980)

Sedimentology, sedimentary petrology, sedimentary mechanics, sedimentary tectonics, basin analysis, sedimentary petrology, analysis of coarse-grained depositional systems, Precambrian sedimentary geology

NAU 1980

Michael H. Ort, Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., University of California–Santa Cruz; Ph.D., University of California–Santa Barbara 1991)

Recent volcanology of southwestern United States, South America, and Italy, isotope geochemistry, volcanic petrology

NAU 1991

Roderic A. Parnell Jr., Ph.D., Professor, Chair of Department of Environmental Sciences and Education, Director of Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

(A.B., Middlebury College; M.S., University of Massachusetts; Ph.D., Dartmouth College 1982)

Low-temperature geochemistry and clay mineralogy, acidification of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, geochemistry of weathering processes, soils and ground and surface waters of the Colorado Plateau, geochemistry of Mesozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Colorado Plateau

NAU 1984

Mary R. Reid, Ph.D., Professor, Department Chair

Mary.Reid@nau.edu

(B.A., B.S., University of California–Santa Cruz; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1987)

Isotope and trace-element geochemistry, emphasizing Quaternary time scales constrained by U-series and cosmogenic nuclides; ion microprobe studies or crystal growth and magma chamber processes; chemical and tectonic dynamics of lithosphere in North America and China; ocean island volcanism; subduction-related mass transfer

NAU 2002

Nancy R. Riggs, Ph.D., Professor

(B.A., University of California–Santa Barbara; M.S., University of Arizona; Ph.D., University of California–Santa Barbara 1991)

Facies analysis and geochronology of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, relationship of volcanism to plate tectonics, volcaniclastic processes

NAU 1991

James C. Sample, Ph.D., Professor

James.Sample@nau.edu

(A.B., Cornell University; Ph.D., University of California–Santa Cruz 1986)

Low-temperature geochemistry in sedimentary rocks, isotope geochemistry, fluid flow in fault systems, marine geology and tectonics, accretionary wedges, tectonics and structural geology, plate margins, geosciences education, technology and geosciences education

NAU 2002

Abe Springer, Ph.D., Professor

(B.A., College of Wooster; M.S., Ph.D., Ohio State University 1994)

Hydrogeology, environmental geology, saturated and unsaturated flow and transport modeling, contaminant hydrogeology, remediation and reclamation of groundwater and soil waters, riparian hydrogeology

NAU 1994

Paul J. Umhoefer, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate Coordinator

(B.S., M.S., University of Wisconsin–Madison; Ph.D., University of Washington 1989)

Tectonics, basin analysis, structural geology emphasizing active plate margins and brittle deformation

NAU 1992

Adjunct Faculty

Theodore E. Bunch, Ph.D.

(B.A., M.S., Miami University; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh 1966)

Planetary geology, cosmochemistry

NAU 1999

Wendell A. Duffield, Ph.D.

(B.A., Carleton College; M.S., Ph.D., Stanford University 1967)

Volcanic geology, geothermal energy, volcanic hazards

NAU 1994

David D. Gillette, Ph.D.

(B.S., Michigan State University; Ph.D., Southern Methodist University 1974)

Vertebrate paleontology, evolutionary biology, biostratigraphy

NAU 1999

Gordon B. Haxel, Ph.D.

(Ph.D.,University of California–Santa Barbara 1978)

Tectonics of the Cordillera, igneous petrology

NAU 1992

Ivo Lucchitta, Ph.D.

(B.S., California Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University 1967)

Geomorphology, evolution of Colorado Plateau, tectonics

NAU 1981

Gerardo Carrasco Nunez, Ph.D.

(B.A., M.S., Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Ph.D., Michigan Technological University 1993)

Active volcanism, hazard assessment and explosive volcanism; transport mechanism and eruptive processes in pyroclastic flows, lahars, debris avalanches and lava flows; geothermal exploration and evolution of large andesitic stratovolcanoes, including processes of collapse and instability

NAU 2002

Jeffrey B. Plescia, Ph.D.

(B.S., Miami University; M.S., Ph.D., University of Southern California 1985)

Planetary geology and geophysics

NAU 1998

John H. Sass, Ph.D.

(Ph.D.,Australian National University 1962)

Exploration seismology and gravimetry, computer programming, continental scientific drilling

NAU 1996

A. Wesley Ward, Ph.D.

(Ph.D.,University of Washington 1978)

Eolian processes, volcanic geology

NAU 1986

Faculty Emeriti

Larry D. Agenbroad, Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., University of Arizona 1967)

Quaternary geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, archaeogeology, distribution and interpretation of Quaternary megafauna

NAU 1978 (retired 2003)

Charles W. Barnes, Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., University of Oklahoma; M.S., University of Idaho; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin 1965)

Structural geology of monoclines, polyphase deformation, structural evolution of Colorado Plateau, oblique-slip fault mechanics, planetary geology

NAU 1968 (retired 2003)

Stanley S. Beus, Ph.D., Regents’ Professor

(B.S., M.S., Utah State University; Ph.D., University of California–Los Angeles 1963)

Paleozoic biostratigraphy, paleontology and paleoecology emphasizing Devonian-Mississippian studies, geology of Grand Canyon

NAU 1962 (retired 1992)

Augustus S. Cotera Jr., Ph.D., Professor

(B.S., M.S., Ph.D., University of Texas 1962)

NAU 1967 (retired 1992)

Richard F. Holm, Ph.D., Associate Professor

(B.A., University of Colorado; M.S., University of Idaho; Ph.D., University of Washington 1969)

Volcanic geology and igneous petrology, volcanic geology, volcano stratigraphic evolution of central Arizona

NAU 1970 (retired 2000)

J. Dale Nations, Ph.D., Regents’ Professor

(B.S., Arizona State University; M.S., University of Arizona; Ph.D., University of California–Berkeley 1969)

Cretaceous and Cenozoic biostratigraphy, paleoecology, micropaleontology, vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, Cretaceous and Cenozoic basin evolution, coal stratigraphy and energy resources

NAU 1969 (retired 2000)