Welcome.

Let's talk about how we can use rocks to understand the Earth.

On Earth, the locations of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and mountains are all controlled by a tectonic mode unique to our planet: plate tectonics. This process describes the subdivision of Earth's rigid outer shell (like the skin on an apple) into variably sized plates that move at around the rate your fingernails grow. 

As well as being an important control of geologic phenomena, plate tectonics facilitates our planet's habitability, and it is a fundamental driver of evolution. Ultimately, it is a key part of why we are here today.

My research aims to help us understand.

     1) How and when plate tectonics emerged on Earth. 

     2) What tectonic processes predominated before plate tectonics. 

     3) Whether plate tectonic processes have changed through geologic time.

To learn more about my research, please check out the Research Themes tab.

If you are new to geology and are wondering how rocks can help us understand these questions, please read my WhatTheRock series, or check out the Media section of this website.