Research: Graduate Student Profile

 

Snapshots...

Robert Bialas
Marine Geology & Geophysics, LDEO

B.A. Earth Science, Dartmouth College, 2004.

"I enjoy the abundance of opportunities here at Lamont to do interdisciplinary work. The ability to interact and collaborate with people in such diverse disciplines in the geosciences from hard-rock geologists and geophysicists to geochemists and climatologists provides an exciting and interesting environment. The pervasive curiosity towards the earth and beyond that exists at Lamont makes it a remarkable place to work and learn."

Geodynamics of Continental Extension and Subduction.

I explore the processes involved in rifting thickened crust using a two dimensional finite difference code. By modeling the earth, we can investigate the effects and interactions of processes that take millions of years to complete. By comparing the model results to the geological and geophysical data from the earth as it is today, we can learn about the dynamic behavior of the earth both today and in its past.

My work has focused on discerning how different processes such as erosion and subduction can affect the style of extension. My main focus areas are the history of the West Antarctic Rift System and Transantartic Mountains and the Woodlark Basin. The West Antarctic Rift System is interesting because it is bounded by the largest rift flank in the world, the Transantarctic Mountains. Modeling provides a great tool to study this region because its harsh climate limits data availability. By matching models to known data, we can provide insight on what other types of measurements would be useful to understand the region. The Woodlark Basin has a complex subduction history, but now the area is extending. We are modeling different ways to rapidly exhume rocks from 100 km in depth through processes such as reverse subduction or slab detachment.

Advisors: Roger Buck, Jeff Weissel.