Structural geology graduate projects: Past, Present and Future

Current graduate student projects in structural geology

Past structural geology theses and dissertations

The following project descriptions are examples of potential MS or Ph.D. studies that would be part of the ongoing northern Alaska research program by the Tectonics and Sedimentation Research Group. While these projects reflect the current interests and research focus of the UAF faculty, students can work with their supervisor to design other projects that incorporate the individual student's interests.

Fracture distribution and character in detachment-folded carbonates

Catherine L. Hanks, supervisor

The Carboniferous Lisburne Group is both an important element of the Brooks Range fold-and-thrust belt and an important reservoir in the North Slope surface, where naturally-occurring fractures provide a significant amount of reservoir permeability. Fracture character, distribution and frequency are a function of carbonate lithology and structural position. This ongoing project focuses on the distribution and character of fractures in Lisburne carbonates that have been deformed into detachment folds, a common fold type in the northeastern Brooks Range.

For more information on this project, contact Dr. Catherine Hanks

Geometry and kinematics of thrust-truncated detachment folds

Wesley K. Wallace, supervisor

In the northern Brooks Range, detachment folds that have been truncated by thrust faults are the dominant type of fault-related fold. This type of fold is relatively little-known compared with the more familiar fault-bend and fault-propagation folds. Excellent exposures and a transition from unfaulted detachment folds to thrust-truncated detachment folds offer an excellent opportunity to study this type of fold in the Brooks Range. This Ph.D. project would involve studying examples of thrust-truncated detachment folds in the field, documenting their geometry and internal structure, and developing models for their kinematic evolution.

For more information on this project, contact Dr. Wesley K. Wallace

Geometry of a duplex in the north-central Brooks Range

Wesley K. Wallace, supervisor

If the horses in a duplex are stacked directly on top of one another, the duplex forms an "anticlinal stack". Such an anticlinal stack is exposed near the Dalton Highway in the north-central Brooks Range. This M.S. project offers the opportunity for a wilderness backpacking experience in the Alaskan arctic while mapping the duplex, followed by the construction of balanced cross sections to understand how it evolved.

For more information on this project, contact Dr. Wesley K. Wallace

 

Structure theses and dissertations, 1989-2005

Anderson, A.V., 1993, Stratigraphic variation across a Middle Devonian to Mississippian rift-basin margin and implications for subsequent fold and thrust geometry, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 276 p.

Atkinson, P.K., 2001, A geometric analysis of detachment folds in the northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska, and a conceptual model for their kinematic evolution: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, 209 p.

Brinton, J., 2002, Natural fracturing of carbonate rocks as a function of lithology and structural position: examples from the northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 158 p.

Broadwell, M.S., 2001, Geometry and kinematics of the Yakataga anticline, Icy Bay, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Chmielowski, R.M., Structural geometry and evolution of the Toyuk thrust zone, Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 92 p.

Glenn, R.K., 1991, Range-front structure and lithostratigraphy of the Atigun Gorge area, northcentral Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 86 p.

Grischkowsky, Elizabeth A., 2002, Thrust-breakthrough of folds southwest of Galbraith Lake, central Brooks range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 106 p.

Hanks, C.L., 1991, A comparative study of contrasting structural styles in the range-front region of the northeastern Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 271 p.

Hayes, M.R., 2004, The influence of mechanical stratigraphy on the development of detachment folds and associated mesoscopic structures: an example from the Lisburne Group carbonates, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 173 p.

Homza, T.X., 1992, A detachment fold-truncation duplex, southwest Bathtub Ridge, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 110 p.

Homza, T.X., 1995, Detachment folds of the northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska-a basis for geometric and kinematic models of detachment folds: Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 335 p.

McMullen, B.S., 1989, Structural geometry and evolution of the western Shublik Mountains, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 171 p.

Meigs, A.J., 1989, Structural geometry and sequence in the eastern Sadlerochit Mountains, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 220 p.

Pavia, E.A., 1997, Lithostratigraphy and structural evolution of the northeastern Okpilak batholith area, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 189 p.

Peapples, P.R., 1994, Timing and controls on fold-and-thrust deformation of the Jago stock, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 95 p.

Rogers, J.A., 1992, Lateral variation of range-front structures and structural evolution of the central Shublik Mountains and Ignek Valley, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 128 p.

Shackleton, J.R., 2003, The relationship between fracturing, asymmetric folding and normal faulting in Lisburne Group carbonates: West Porcupine Lake Valley, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 189 p.

Ziegler, J.A., 1989, A detailed structural analysis across a regional unconformity, forks of the Canning River, Franklin Mountains, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Master of Science thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 302 p.

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Last updated on January 2006