My research focuses on understanding the processes and time-scales over which brittle faults grow, interact and evolve.  This includes studying: 1) the structure of propagating fault tips, 2) the pattern of displacement accumulation on faults, 3) how fault displacements scale with fault length, and 4) the temporal evolution of faults via basin analysis and geomorphic studies.

 

At the moment, I have ongoing studies of fault evolution and landscape development in within the Eastern California shear zone, and in the northern Basin & Range.  I also have projects in south Louisiana looking at recently active "growth" fault systems, including the contribution of these large fault systems to coastal land loss.

 

Prior to coming to Tulane, I worked as a Research Associate at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.   While in Edinburgh, I worked mainly on the evolution of Late Jurassic normal faults in North Sea, using 3D seismic data.

 

  

Funded Projects

 

Recruitment of superior doctoral students in Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University ( 2005/06-2009/10)

Louisiana Board of Regents' Graduate Fellowship Program

***PhD Fellowship Available*** - Please email or call me @ 504-862-3200.

 

Collaborative Research: Reconciling geologic and geodetic rates of deformation: The role of distributed strain in the upper crust (2004-2007)

National Science Foundation - Tectonics Program
 

 

Can we constrain the evolution of crustal-scale normal fault arrays using geomorphic and structural criteria?  (2002-2006)

National Science Foundation - Tectonics Program
 

 

Fault-related changes in Louisiana coastal geometry  (2003-2005)

Governor's Office of Coastal Activities
 

 

The Baton Rouge growth-fault, Louisiana: Structural evolution, recent activity and impact on sedimentary dispersal systems  (2003-2005)

Petroleum Research Fund, American Chemical Society
 

 

Influence of fault growth and interaction on drainage patterns in extensional basins  (2001-2004)

Louisiana Board of Regents' Support Fund
 

 

Expansion of Tulane's 3D seismic interpretation lab (2002)

Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists' (SIPES) Foundation

 

 

  

 Current & Recent Students
 


Other Recent Activities:

 

AAPG Academic Liaison Committee, 2002-2005

AAPG House of Delegates, 2006-2009 (Alternate, representing New Orleans Geol. Soc)

Alumni Board, University of Kentucky Department of Geological Sciences, 2005-2006

Best Paper Award Committee, 2004-2007, GSA Structural Geology & Tectonics Division

New Orleans Geological Society Board, Secretary, 2004-2005

Special Sessions Convened

       AAPG 2004 Special Poster Session:  Extension and Gravity Flow: Processes and Provinces

       AGU 2003 Special Sessions: Development of Fault Systems Through Time: Process and Rates (2 oral & 2 poster)

       AAPG-SEPM 2001 Special Sessions (3 oral & 2 poster): Sedimentary Responses to Tectonics: Linking Process to Stratigraphy

Tulane Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences Graduate Committee, 2003-2006

Tulane Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Advisor, 2006-Present

Tulane Honor Board, 2002-2005

Tulane School of Science & Engineering Undergraduate Committee, 2006-Present 

Back to Courses Taught & Selected Publications

 

 

  Photos from our Death Valley & Owens Valley Fieldtrip

 

  Photos from Steve's  Colorado Plateau Fieldtrip

 

  Grand Canyon Colloquium Trip Photos - arguably, one of the most unique class experiences one can have at Tulane !!


Back to Courses Taught & Selected Publications