Ph.D. position in studying the initiation of magmatically accommodated extension in the rifting environments of terrestrial planets
From: Tyrone Rooney <rooneyt@xxxxxxx>
**************************************************************************************************
The Department of Geological Sciences, Michigan
State
University, invites applications for the following Ph.D. position:
The Initiation of Magmatically Accommodated Extension in the
Rifting
Environments of Terrestrial Planets – January start date.
Project Summary
Extensional geologic features such as rifts are found on planets with active plate tectonics (i.e. Earth) and on those that appear to lack such processes (e.g. Mars, Venus). Despite the differing crustal thicknesses on these planets, mechanical characteristics such as elastic thickness and fault segment lengths can be very similar, and as a consequence rift environments represent an important class of tectonic feature that can be utilized to probe the lithospheric evolution of multiple bodies. The accommodation of extension during continental rifting results in lithospheric stretching and the development of rift border faults, and as rifting proceeds towards maturity extension migrates towards rift-centered zones of focused magmatic intrusion. Precisely which extensional mechanism dominates a rift however, and when, is not well constrained at present. This Ph.D. project is focused on a geochemical and petrological study of dike-associated, small-volume eruptions along the flank of the Main Ethiopian Rift. These data will be integrated with remote sensing data to address larger questions related to the distribution of strain in these environments.
Funding
This 1 year NASA funded project has research assistantship support for the successful candidate and will be supplemented with endowed departmental funds.
Qualifications
We are seeking a candidate with a demonstrated strong interest in
petrology and
geochemistry. Some exposure to remote sensing is desirable but not
essential.
Interested candidates are encouraged to send a letter of interest
and a
detailed C.V. as soon as possible to Dr. Tyrone Rooney (rooneyt@xxxxxxx). This
position will begin in
January 2012.
Michigan State University
The department of Geological sciences at MSU is well instrumented with a modern automated XRF, and a newly arrived excimer laser and ICPMS system. Founded in 1855, Michigan State University has over 47,000 students on a 5000 acre campus close to Lansing - the capital of the State of Michigan. More information may be found at http://www.glg.msu.edu/
-- _____________________________________ Tyrone Rooney Assistant Professor Department of Geological Sciences 211 Natural Sciences Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824. Phone: +1 517 432 5522
==============================================================
To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message: signoff volcano to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxx.
To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to: volcano@xxxxxxx. Please do not send attachments.
==============================================================
