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
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