Determining the timing of geologic events is essential for elucidating both Earth history and for understanding rates of Earth processes. Researchers at UM use both thermochronology (U-Th/He methods) and geochronology (U-Pb methods) to undertake absolute dating of geologic materials in order to deepen our understanding of tectonic, petrologic, climatic and biologic processes.

Faculty Specialties Associated Laboratories and Research Groups
Eliel Anttila Field Geology, U-Pb Geochronology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Low-Temperature Geochemistry and Chemostratigraphy, Earth History, Organo-Mineral Interactions  
Marin Clark Landslides, Geomorphology, Earthquakes, Crustal Dynamics, Tectonics Personal Website, Thermochronology Lab
Robert Holder U–Pb Geochronology/Petrochronology, Metamorphism and Its Relationship to Tectonics, Orogenesis, Secular Changes in Plate Tectonics, High-Temperature Metamorphism and Crustal Melting, Laser-Ablation ICP-MS, Chemical Diffusion

Robert Holder Research Group

UM Petrochronology Lab
Nathan Niemi Active Tectonics, Low-Temperature Thermochronology, Field Geology, Structural Geology Personal Website, Thermochronology Lab