Department of Earth Sciences
School of Science
Indiana University~Purdue University, Indianapolis

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Dr. Andrew P. Barth, Professor of Earth Sciences
Associate Chair; Undergraduate Advisor; Editor of the journal Geology


Research
Projects
Publications
CV (.pdf format)
Students
Courses
Fieldtrips
Petrology Lab

Contact Information
Office: SL 118D
Phone: 317-274-1243
Email:
ibsz100@iupui.edu
Departmental Mailing Address

Background
Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1989

Specialties
Petrology, Geochemistry, Tectonics

My research is focused on the tectonic evolution of convergent margins. Research projects generally use the techniques of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology to gain insight into the environments of mineral and rock formation. Detailed geochronologic studies using multiple isotope systems are crucial to success in this type of approach. Student projects involve field mapping followed by detailed geochemical, isotopic and mineralogic analysis of rock suites.

Research Program Course Information
My research focuses on the tectonic evolution of Western North America during the last 3 billion years. My previous work emphasized the evolution of Mesozoic granitic rocks, both as windows into the evolution of magma systems and as indicators of later rock exhumation. Currently I am studying Proterozoic metamorphic rocks and their implications for the origin of continental crust, and the tectonics within the dying Mesozoic continental margin arc system in southern California and western Arizona.

More Research in the Petrology Lab

Course Information and Webpages should be accessed through Oncourse

Fall 2007
G418 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology
Recently Funded Projects Graduate Students/Interns

More Projects in the Petrology Lab

U-Pb geochronology of Precambrian gneisses in southern California: Constraints on Proterozoic plate tectonics of southwestern North America
[Co-principal investigator: D. Coleman, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill]

This project is a geochronologic and geochemical study of the most ancient crustal rocks preserved in southern California. Results will constrain the timing and physical-chemical processes of continent formation in this region, and will help to constrain models of amalgamation of the proposed Late Proterozoic supercontinent.


Timing and mechanism of Late Cretaceous Tertiary collapse of the California continental margin
[Co-principal investigator: C. Jacobson, Iowa State University]

This project is a geochronologic and geochemical study of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks formed along the central and southern California margin in Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary time. Results will constrain the timing and tectonic setting of the Laramide Orogeny in southwestern North America.

Sarah Needy BSMS Program
Production of silica-rich ignimbrites in the Jurassic magmatic arc in California.

Jennifer Roell BSMS Program
Petrology and geochemistry of mantle xenoliths from Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Stacy Yeager - Intern

More Students in the Petrology Lab
Past Earth Sciences Students

Field Trips & Labs

Kentland Impact Structure--Kentland, Indiana (April 2004)--At this location in northwest Indiana, in the part of Indiana where the topography is flatter than flat, an active limestone quarry exposes what geologists believe is a massive impact structure in Paleozoic rocks created by a bolloid (meteor) impact. The impact pushed rocks that should be 1000 feet below the ground to the surface, where a company actively mines the limestone units exposed.
2006 G420 Field Camp
2005 Antarctica
2004 Missouri

Petrology and Mineralogy Laboratory

Recent Publications

Barth, A.P., and Dorais, M.J., 2000, Magmatic anhydrite in granitic rocks: First occurrence and potential petrologic consequences: American Mineralogist 85, 430-435. [check it out]

Jacobson, C.E., Barth, A.P., and Grove, M., 2000, Late Cretaceous protolith age and provenance of the Pelona and Orocopia schists, southern California: Implications for evolution of the Cordilleran margin: Geology 28, 219-222. [check it out]

Barth, A.P., Wooden, J.L., Coleman, D.S., and Fanning, C.M., 2000, Geochronology of the Proterozoic basement of southwesternmost North America, and the origin and evolution of the Mojave crustal province: Tectonics 19, 616-629. [check it out]

Barth, A.P., Wooden, J.L., and Coleman, D.S., 2001, SHRIMP-RG U-Pb zircon geochronology of Mesoproterozoic metamorphism and plutonism in the southwesternmost United States: Journal of Geology 109, 319-327. [check it out]

Barth, A.P., Wooden, J.L., Grove, M., Jacobson, C.E., and Dawson, J.P., 2003, U-Pb geochronology of rocks in the Salinas Valley region of California: A reevaluation of the crustal structure and origin of the Salinian block: Geology 31, 517-520.[check it out]

Barth, A.P., Wooden, J.L., Jacobson, C.E., and Probst, K., 2004, U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the McCoy Mountains Formation, southeastern California: A Cretaceous retroarc foreland basin: Geological Society of America Bulletin 116, 142-153.[check it out]

Barth, A.P., and Wooden, J.L., 2006, Timing of magmatism following initial convergence at a passive margin, southwestern U.S. Cordillera, and ages of lower crustal magma sources: Journal of Geology 114, 231-245.[check it out]

 

IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences
723 West Michigan Street, SL118
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
317.274.7484
(fax) 317.274.7966