John Cottle

Professor
Vice-Chair
Graduate Advisor

Office Hours

Anytime

Contact Phone

805-893-7315

Office Location

Webb 2031A

Specialization

Tectonics and Geochronology 

 

Education

D.Phil. Earth Science, University of Oxford. 2008

M.Sc. Geology, University of Otago. 2002

B.Sc. Geology, University of Otago. 2000

Bio

I employ a range of field, petrologic and geochronologic methods to identify and constrain the temporal and spatial scale of processes that serve to modify and/or produce new continental crust. I am particularly interested in better understanding the metamorphic, magmatic and tectonic evolution the Himalaya, Antarctica and New Zealand. In tandem with our Tectonics research, I develop novel Laser Ablation analytical techniques to measure the ages and compositions of minerals.

Click HERE for more info on the UCSB LASS Petrochronology Facility

Interested in Graduate study at UCSB? Click HERE for more informaiton

 

Projects

  • Developing new methods in geochronology

  • Rare Earth Element Mineralization

  • Antarctic Tectonics

  • Himalayan Tectonics

  •  

Publications

 

89. Mottram, C.M., Cottle, J.M., Kylander-Clark, A.R.C. 2018. Along-strike variations in titanite U-Pb petrochronology in the core of the Himalaya. Geoscience Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2018.09.007

88. *Briggs, S.I., Cottle, J.M. 2018. Accessory mineral petrochronology reveals 30 m.y. of partial melting during the separation of Zealandia from eastern Gondwana. GSA Lithosphere.

87. *Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J.M., Kellett, D.A. 2018. Tectonometamorphic evolution of the tip of the Himalayan metamorphic core in the Jajarkot klippe, west Nepal. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmg.12459

86. Schaen, A., Singer, B.S., Cottle, J.M., Garibaldi, N., Schoene, B., Satkoski, A.M., Fournelle, J. 2018. Textural and Mineralogical Record of Low Pressure Melt Extraction and Silicic Cumulate Formation in the late Miocene Risco Bayo-Huemul Plutonic Complex, Southern Andes. Journal of Petrology. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egy087

85. Babazadeh, S., Ghorbani, M.R., Cottle, J.M., Bröcker, M. 2018. Multi-stage tectono-magmatic evolution of the central Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc, south Ardestan, Iran: Insights from zircon geochronology and geochemistry. Geological Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.3306

84. Nelson, D.A., Cottle, J.M. 2018. Zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopes link the Gondwana arc record for West Antarctica, Australia, and South America. Gondwana Research. doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2018.06.002

83. Kellett, D.A., Cottle, J.M., Larson, K.P. 2018. The South Tibetan detachment system: history, advances, definition and future directions. Journal Geological Society Special Publication - Himalayan Tectonics: A Modern Synthesis. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP483.2

82. Cottle, J.M., Larson, K.P., Yakymchuk, C. 2018. Contrasting Accessory Mineral behavior in minimum-temperature melts: empirical constraints from the Himalayan Metamorphic Core. Lithos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2018.05.003

81. Mosolf, J.G., Gans, P.B., Wyss, A.R., Cottle, J.M., Flynn, J.F. 2018. Late Cretaceous to Miocene magmatism and upper crustal deformation in the Principal Cordillera, central Chile: Evidence of protracted arc volcanism and implications for Andean tectonics. GSA Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1130/B31998.1

80. *Braden, Z., Godin, L., Cottle, J.M. Yakymchuk, C. 2018. Renewed late Miocene (< 8 Ma) hinterland ductile thrusting, western Nepal Himalaya. Geology. https://doi.org/10.1130/G40097.1
 
79. *Mazza, S.E., Mako, C., Law, R.D., Caddick, M.J., Krabbendam, M., Cottle, J.M. 2018. Thermobarometry of the Moine and Sgurr Beag thrust sheets, northern Scotland. Journal of Structural Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.05.002

78. Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J.M., Kellett, D.A. 2018. Preservation of the early evolution of the Himalayan middle crust in foreland klippen: insights from the Karnali klippe, west Nepal. Tectonics. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017TC004847
 
77. Larson, K.P., Asghar, A., Shrestha, S., Soret, M., Ahmad, R., Cottle, J.M. 2018. Timing of metamorphism and deformation in the Swat valley, northern Pakistan: Insight into garnet-monazite HREE partitioning. Geoscience Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2018.02.008
 
76. Briggs, S.I., Cottle, J.M.,  Smit. M.A. 2018. Record of Gondwana breakup in New Zealand from Lu-Hf garnet geochronology of the Alpine Schist. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jmg.12313

75. Bate Tibang, E.E., Suh, C.E., Cottle, J.M., Ateh, K.I., Tiabou, A.F., Nche, L.A., Che, V.B., Vishiti., A. 2017. Petrology and geochronology of felsic volcanics in the Sabga area (Bamenda Highlands): implications for age variation along the Cameroon Volcanic line. Journal of Geosciences 62, 231-246. Doi: 10.3190/jgeosci.247.

74. Hagen-Peter, G.A., Cottle, J.M. 2017. Evaluating the relative roles of crustal growth versus reworking through continental arc magmatism: A case study from the Ross orogen, Antarctica.  Gondwana Research (invited article). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2017.11.006

73. Nelson, D.A., Cottle, J.M. 2017. Long term geochemical and geodynamic segmentation of the paleo-Pacific margin of Gondwana: insight from the Antarctic and adjacent sectors. Tectonics. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017TC004611

72. Cottle, J.M., Stearns, M.A. 2017. Application of Split Stream Single Shot Laser Ablation Split Stream to Accessory Phase Petrochronology. AGU Monograph (invited article).

71. Tofelde, S., Schildgen, T., Savi, S., Pingel, H., Wiskert, A.D., Bookhagen, B., Wittmann, H., Alonso, R.N., Cottle, J.M. Strecker, M.R. 100-kyr fluvial fill terrace cycles since the Middle Pleistocene in the southern Central Andes, Toro Basin, NW Argentina. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2017.06.001
 
70. Schaen, A.J., Cottle, J.M., Singer, B.R., Keller, C.B., Garibaldi, N., Schoene, B. Complementary crystal accumulation and rhyolite melt segregation in a late Miocene Andean pluton. Geology. https://doi.org/10.1130/G39167.1
 
69. Larson, K.P., Piercey, S. Cottle, J.M., 2017. Preservation of a Paleoproterzoic Rifted Margin in the Himalaya: Insight from the Ulleri-Phaplu-Melung Orthogneiss. Geoscience Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2017.05.010
 
68. Larson, K.P., Camacho, A., Cottle, J.M., Buckingham, H.A., Coutand, I., Ambrose, T.K., Rai, S-M. 2017. Cooling, exhumation and kinematics of the Kanchenjunga Himal, Far East Nepal. Tectonics. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017TC004496
 
67. Braden, Z., Godin, L., Cottle, J.M., 2017. Segmentation and rejuvenation of the Greater Himalayan sequence in western Nepal revealed by in situ U-Th/Pb monazite petrochronology. Lithos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2017.04.023
 
66. Babazadeh, S., Ghorbani, M.R., Brocker, W., D'Antonio, M., Cottle, J.M., Gebbing, T., Mazzeo, F.C., Ahmadi, P. 2017. Late Oligocene–Miocene mantle upwelling and interaction inferred from mantle signatures in gabbroic to granitic rocks from the Urumieh–Dokhtar arc, south Ardestan, Iran. International Geology Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2017.1286613
 
65. Larson, K.P., Cottle, J.M., Lederer, G., Rai, S.M. 2017. Defining shear zone boundaries using fabric intensity gradients: An example from the east-central Nepal Himalaya. Geosphere. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES01373.1
 
64. Hagen-Peter, G.A., Cottle, J.M., 2016. Synchronous alkaline and subalkaline magmatism in the Ross orogen, Antarctica: Insights into magmatic sources and processes within a continental arc. Lithos. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2016.07.

63. Woodhead, J., Horstwood, M., Cottle, J.M. LA-ICPMS isotope geochemistry and geochronology of the geological record. Elements. doi: 10.2113/gselements.12.5.317. (invited article)

62. Diedesch, T.F., Jessup, M.J., Cottle, J.M., & Zheng, L. 2016. Tectonic evolution of the middle crust in southern Tibet from structural and kinematic studies in Lhagoi Kangri gneiss dome. GSA Lithosphere. doi: 10.1130/L506.1 

61. Larson, K.P., Kellett, D.A., Cottle, J.M.,, King, J., Lederer, G., Rai, S.M. 2016. Anatexis, Cooling, And Kinematics During Orogenesis: Miocene Development Of The Himalayan Metamorphic Core, East-Central Nepal. GSA Geosphere. doi: 10.1130/GES01293.1

60. Poletti, J. Cottle, J.M., Hagen-Peter, G. 2016. Petrochronologic Constraints on the Origin of the Mountain Pass Carbonatite and Ultrapotassic intrusive Suites, California. Journal of Petrology. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egw050.

59. Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J.M.,Kellett, D.A. 2016. Direct shear fabric dating constrains Early Oligocene onset of the South Tibetan Detachment in the western Nepal Himalaya. Geology. 44 (6), 403-406. doi: 10.1130/G37754.1 

58. Pingel, H., Mulch, A., Alonso, R.N., Cottle, J.M., Hynek, S.A., Poletti, J., Rohrmann, A., Schmitt, A.K., Stockli, D.F., Strecker, M.R. 2016. Surface uplift and convective rainfall along the southern Central Andes (Angastaco Basin, NW Argentina). Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 440, 33-42, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2016.02.009.

57. Jessup, M.J., Langille, J.M., Cottle, J.M., Ahmad, T. 2016. Crustal thickening, Barrovian metamorphism, and exhumation of mid-crustal rocks during doming and extrusion: Insights from the Himalaya, NW India. Tectonics, 34. doi: 10.1002/2015TC003962.

56. Stearns, M.A., Cottle, J.M., Hacker, B.R., Kylander-Clark, A.R.C. 2016. Extracting thermal histories from the near-rim zoning in titanite using coupled U-Pb and trace-element depth profiles by single-shot laser-ablation split stream (SS-LASS) ICP-MS. Chemical Geology, 422, 13-24.  doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.12.011 

55. Hagen-Peter, G. Cottle, J.M., Smit, M.A. 2016. Coupled garnet Lu-Hf and monazite U-Pb geochronology constrain early convergent margin dynamics in the Ross orogen, Antarctica. Journal of Metamorphic Geology.  doi: 10.1111/jmg.12182.

54. Gibson, R., Godin, L., Kellett, D.A., Cottle, J.M., Archibald, D. 2016. Deformation variability along strike of the central Himalayan lower metamorphic core: Strain and geochronologic analyses. GSA Bulletin. doi:10.1130/B31328.1

53. Samperton, K.M., Schoene, B., Cottle, J.M., Keller, B.C., Crowley, J.L., Schmitz, M.D. 2015. Magma emplacement, differentiation and cooling in the middle crust: integrated zircon geochronological–geochemical constraints from the Bergell Intrusion, Central Alps. Chemical Geology, 417, 322-340.

52. Larson, K.P., Ambrose, T.K., Webb, A.A., Cottle, J.M.,, Shrestha, S. 2015. Reconciling Himalayan Midcrustal Discontinuities: The Main Central Thrust System. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 429, 139-146.

51. Cottle, J.M., Larson, K.P.,  Kellett, D.A. 2015. How Does the Mid-crust Accommodate Deformation in Large, Hot Collisional Orogens? A review of recent research in the Himalayan Orogen. Journal of Structural Geology, 78, 119-133. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2015.06.008. (invited article)

50. Nagy, C., Godin, L., Antolin, B., Cottle, J.M., Archibald, D. 2015. Mid-Miocene Initiation of Orogen-Parallel Extension, NW Nepal Himalaya. GSA Lithosphere. doi: 10.1130/L425.1

49. Streit, R.L., Burbank, D.W., Strecker, M.R., Alonso, R.N., Cottle, J.M., & Kylander-Clark, A.R. 2015. Controls on intermontane basin filling, isolation, and incision on the margin of the Puna Plateau, NW Argentina (~23°S). Basin Research. doi: 10.1111/bre.12141 

48. Faisal, S., Larson, K.P., King, J., & Cottle, J.M. 2015. Rifting, subduction and collisional records from pluton petrogenesis and geochronology in the Hindu Kush, NW Pakistan. Gondwana Research, . doi:10.1016/j.gr.2015.05.014 

47. Holder, R.M.,Hacker, B.R., Kylander-Clark, A.R., Cottle, J.M. 2015. Monazite trace-element and isotopic signatures of (ultra)high-pressure metamorphism: Examples from the Western Gneiss Region, Norway. Chemical Geology. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.04.021.

46. Cottle, J.M., Searle, M.P., Jessup, M.J., Crowley, J.L., & Law, R.D. 2015. Rongbuk Re-visited: Geochronology of Leucogranites in the Footwall of the South Tibetan Detachment System, Everest Region, Southern Tibet. Lithos. doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2015.03.019.

45. Ambrose, T.K., Larson, K.P., Guilmette, C., Cottle, J.M., Buckingham, H., Rai, S. 2015. Lateral extrusion, underplating and out-of-sequence thrusting within the Himalayan metamorphic core, Kanchenjunga, Nepal. GSA Lithosphere.  doi: 10.1130/L437.1

44. Larson, K.P. & Cottle, J.M. 2015. Initiation of crustal shortening in the Himalaya. Terra Nova. doi/10.1111/ter.12145.

43. McKinney, S.T., Cottle, J.M., Lederer, G. 2015. Evaluating Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralization mechanisms in Proterozoic gneiss, Music Valley, California. GSA Bulletin. doi:10.1130/B31165.1

42. Stevens, L.M., Baldwin, J.A., Cottle, J.M., Kylander-Clark, A.R.C. 2015. Phase equilibria modeling and LASS monazite petrochronology: P-T-t constraints on the evolution of the Priest River core complex, northern Idaho. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. doi: 10.1111/jmg.12125. 

41. Hagen-Peter, G. Cottle, J.M., Tulloch, A.J., Cox, S.C.  2015. Mixing between lithospheric mantle and crustal components in a short-lived subduction-related magma system in the Dry Valleys area, Antarctica: Insights from U-Pb and Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry. GSA Lithosphere. doi:10.1130/L384.1

40. Langille, J.M., Jessup M.J., Cottle, J.M., Ahmad, T. 2014. Kinematic and thermal studies of the Leo Pargil Dome: Implications for the tectonic evolution of extension in the northwest Indian Himalaya. Tectonics, 33, 1766-1786. doi: 10.1002/2014TC003593. 

39. From, R., Larson, K.P., Cottle, J.M. Metamorphism and Geochronology of the Exhumed Himalayan Mid-crust, Likhu Khola Region, East-central Nepal: Recognition of a Tectonometamorphic Discontinuity. GSA Lithosphere, 6, 361-376. doi:10.1130/L381.1.

38. Faisal, S., Larson, K.P., Cottle, J.M., Lamming, J. 2014. Building the Hindu Kush: monazite records of terrance accretion, plutonism, and the evolution of the Himalaya-Karakoram-Tibet orogeny. Terra Nova. 5, 395-401. DOI: 10.1111/ter.12112.

37. Cottle, J.M. 2014. In-situ Geochronology of Uranothorite. American Mineralogist. 99, 1985-1995. doi: 10.2138/am-2014-4920  

36. Larson, K.P. & Cottle, J.M. 2014. Midcrustal Discontinuities and the Assembly of the Himalayan mid-crust. Tectonics. DOI: 10.1002/2013TC003452  ‘Honorable mention’ for the best Structural Geology and Tectonics paper in Canada for 2014.

35. Kellett, D.A., Cottle, J.M., Smit, M.A. 2014. Eocene Deep Crust at Ama Drime Tibet: Early Evolution of the Himalayan Orogen. GSA Lithosphere.

34. Cottle, J.M., Burrows, A.J., Kylander-Clark, A., Freedman, P.A. & Cohen, R. 2013. Enhanced sensitivity in laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. doi: 10.1039/C3JA50216C 

33. Lederer., G., Cottle, J.M., Jessup, M.J., Langille, J., Ahmad, T. 2013. Time-scales of partial melting in the Himalayan Middle-Crust: insight from the Leo Pargil Dome, Northwest India. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology. doi: 10.1007/s00410-013-0935-9

32. Rose, C.V., Maloof, A.C., Schoene, B., Ewing, R.C., Linnemann, U., Hofmanm, M., Cottle, J.M. 2013. The end Cryogenian glaciation of South Australia. Geoscience Canada.

31. Stearns, Hacker, B.R., Ratschbacher, L., Lee, J., Cottle, J.M.,, and Kylander-Clark, A.R.C. 2013. Synchronous Oligocene-Miocene metamorphism of the Pamir and North Himalaya driven by plate-scale dynamics. Geology, 41, 1071-1074. doi: 10.1130/G34451.1. 

30. Kylander-Clark, A.R.C., Hacker, B.R., Cottle, J.M. 2013. Laser-Ablation Split-Stream ICP Petrochronology. Chemical Geology, 345, 99-112. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2013.019.

29. MacFadden B.J., Zeitler, P.K., Anaya, F., and Cottle, J.M. 2013. Confirmation of the middle Pleistocene age of the fossiliferous sedimentary sequence at Tarija, Bolivia. Quaternary Research. 79, 268-273. doi: 10.1016/jyqres.2012.12.009.

28. Spencer, K., Hacker, B.R., Kylander-Clark, A.R.C., Andersen, T., Cottle, J.M., Stearns, M.A., Poletti, J., and Seward, G. 2013. Campaign-Style Titanite U-Pb Dating by ICP: Implications for Crustal Flow, Phase Transformations and Titanite Closure. Chemical Geology, 341, 84-101. doi: 10.1016/j/chemgeo.2012.11.012.

27. Kellett, D.A., Grujic, D., Coutand, I., Cottle, J.M., Mukul, M. 2013. The South Tibetan detachment system, Sikkim Himalaya facilitates ultra rapid cooling of granulite-facies rocks. Tectonics. doi: 10.1002/tect.20014. 

26. Cottle, J.M.,Kylander-Clark, A.R.C., Vrijmoed, J.C. 2012. U-Th/Pb Geochronology of Detrital zircon and monazite by Single Shot Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SS-LA-ICPMS). Chemical Geology, 332-333, 136-147. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.09.035.

25. Langille, J.M., Jessup M.J., Cottle, J.M., Lederer, G., Ahmad, T. 2012. Timing of metamorphism, melting, and exhumation of the Leo Pargil dome, NW India. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 30, 769-791. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2012.00998.x.

24. Mantilla, F.L.C., Bissig, T., Cottle, J.M., Hart, C. 2012. Remains of Early Ordovician mantle-derived magmatism in the Santander Massif (Colombian Eastern Cordillera). Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 38, 1-12.

23. Streule, M.J., Carter, A., Searle, M.P., Cottle, J.M., 2012. Brittle field exhumation of the Everest-Makalu section of the Greater Himalayan Sequence constrained by fission track data. Tectonics, 31, TC3010, doi:10.1029/2011TC003062.

22. Rose, C.V., Swanson-Hysell, N.L., Husson, J.M., Poppick, L.N., Cottle, J.M., Schoene, B., Maloof, A.C. 2012. Constraints on the origin and relative timing of Trezona d13C anomaly below the end-Cryogenian glaciation. Earth and Planetary Science letters, 319, 241-250. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2011.12.027

21. Schmidt, J., Hacker, B.R., Ratschbacher, L., Stubner, K., Sterns, M., Kylander-Clark, A.R., Cottle, J.M., Webb, A.R., Gehrels, G., Minaev, V. 2011. Cenozoic deep crust in the Pamir. Earth & Planetary Science Letters, 312, 411-421. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2011.10.034.

20. Law, R.D., Jessup, M.J., Searle, M.P., Francsis, M.K., Waters, D.J., Cottle, J.M. 2011. Telescoping of isotherms beneath the South Tibetan Detachment System, Mount Everest Massif. Journal of Structural Geology. 33, 1569-1594.

19. Larson, K.P., Cottle, J.M., Godin, L. 2011. Geochronologic record of the upper Greater Himalayan sequence, Manaslu-Himal Chuli Himalaya, west-central Nepal. GSA Lithosphere.

18. Warren, C.J.,Grujic, D., Cottle, J.M., Rogers, N.W. 2011. Constraining cooling histories: rutile and titanite chronology and diffusion modelling in NW Bhutan. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2011.00958.x.

17. Warren, C.J., Kellett, D.A., Cottle, J.M., Jamieson, R.A. & Galley, K.S. 2011. Probing the depths of the India-Asia collision: U-Th-Pb monazite chronology of granulites from NW Bhutan. Tectonics. TC002738

16. Cottle, J.M., Waters, D.J., Riley, D., Beyssac, O., Jessup, M.J. 2011. Metamorphic history of the South Tibetan Detachment System, Mt. Everest Region, Revealed by RSCM Thermometry and Phase Equilibria Modeling. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2011.00930.x

15. Kellett, D.A., Grujic, D., Warren, C., Cottle, J.M., Jamieson, R.,& Tenzin, T. 2010. Metamorphic history of a syn-convergent orogen-parallel detachment: The South Tibetan detachment system, Bhutan Himalaya. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1314.2010.00893.x

14. Jessup, M.J. & Cottle, J.M. 2010. Progression from South-Directed Extrusion to Orogen-Parallel Extension in the Southern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau, Mount Everest Region, Tibet. Journal of Geology

13. Langille, J.M., Jessup, M.J., Cottle, J.M., Newell, D.L., & Seward, G. 2010. Kinematic evolution of the Ama Drime detachment: Insights into orogen-parallel extension and exhumation of the Ama Drime Massif, Tibet-Nepal. Journal of Structural Geology. 

12. Searle, M.P., Cottle, J.M., Streule, M.J., & Waters, D.J. 2010. Crustal melt granites and migmatites along the Himalaya: melt source, segregation, transport and granite emplacement mechanisms. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Hutton VI Special volume 100, 219-233

11. Cottle, J.M., Searle, M.P., Horstwood, M.S.A., and Waters, D.J. 2009c: Timing of Mid-crustal metamorphism, melting and deformation in the Mt. Everest region of southern Tibet revealed by U(-Th)-Pb geochronology.  Journal of Geology vol. 117, no. 6 doi: 10.1086/605994 

10. Cottle, J.M., Horstwood, M.S.A., and Parrish, R.R. 2009b: A new approach to single shot laser ablation analysis and its application to in-situ geochronology.  Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. doi: 10.1039/b821899d  

9. Cottle, J.M., Jessup, M.J., Newell, D.L., Horstwood, M.S.A., Searle, M.P., Parrish, R.R., Waters, D.J., and Searle, M.P. 2009a: Geochronology of granulitized eclogite from the Ama Drime Massif: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the South Tibetan Himalaya, Tectonics, 28, TC1002, doi:10.1029/2008TC002256.

8. Searle, M.P., Law, R.D., Godin, L., Larson, K.P., Streule, M.J., Cottle, J.M., & Jessup, M.J. 2008: Defining the Himalayan Main Central Thrust in Nepal. Journal of Geological Society of London, v.165, p.523-534 doi: 10.1144/0016-76492007-081

7. Newell, D.L., Jessup, M.J., Cottle, J.M., Hilton, D.R., Fischer, T. & Sharp, Z. 2008. Geochemistry of mineral springs of the southern Tibetan Plateau, Mount Everest region; a geochemical window into three structural levels. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.,  doi:10.1029/2008GC002021

6. Jessup, M.J., Cottle, J.M., Searle, M.P., Law, R.D., Tracy, R.J., Newell, D.L. & Waters, D.J. 2008. P-T-t-D paths of the Everest Series schist, Nepal. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2008.00784.x

5. Jessup, M.J., Newell, D.L., Cottle, J.M.,  Berger, A.L, & Spotila, J.A 2008. Orogen-parallel extension and exhumation enhanced by denudation in the Trans-Himalayan Arun River gorge, Ama Drime Massif, Tibet-Nepal. Geology, 36, 7 587-590.

4. Cottle, J.M., Jessup, M.J., Newell, D.L., Searle, M.P., Law, R.D. Horstwood, M.S.A. 2007. Structural insights into the early stages of exhumation along an orogen-scale detachment: the South Tibetan Detachment System, Dzakaa Chu section, Eastern Himalaya. Journal of Structural Geology, 29(11), p.1781-1797 doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2007.08.007  - Awarded "Top-50 most cited articles" Journal of Structural Geology 2005-2010

3. Searle, M.P., Noble, S.R., Cottle, J.M., Waters, D.J., Mitchell, A.H., Hlaing, T., & Horstwood, M.S.A. 2007: Tectonic evolution of the Mogok metamorphic belt, Burma (Myanmar) constrained by U-Th-Pb dating of metamorphic and magmatic rocks. Tectonics, 26,

2. Cottle, J.M., & Cooper, A.F. 2006b: Geology, geochemistry and geochronology of an A-type granite in the Mulock Glacier Area, southern Victoria land, Antarctica.  New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics v.49(2) p.191-202.

1. Cottle, J.M., & Cooper, A.F. 2006a: The Fontaine Pluton: an early calc-alkaline gabbro from southern Victoria Land, Antarctica.  New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics v.49(2) p.177-189.
 

Courses

EARTH 157 / 257 Plate Tectonics

Prerequisite: Earth 2; upper-division standing. one year of university-level mathematics and physics.

Introduction to sea floor spreading, plate tectonics, and continental drift. Geometry and evolution of present day plates. Measurement and calculation of plate motions. Geophysical and geological implications of resulting relative motions at plate boundaries.

 

EARTH 124 / 224 Geochronology

Prerequisite: Chem 1A; and, Earth 2, or 3, or 4, or 4S; Earth 114.

Principles of radiogenic isotope geochronology, and applications of the major geochronological methods to terrestrial and extraterrestrial problems ranging from global climate change to petrology to tectonics to solar system evolution. This is a five week course.

 

EARTH 124T / 224 Introductory Thermodynamics

Prerequisite: Chem 1C; Math 3B; Earth 2.

Introduction to thermodynamics and kinetics of rock-water systems. Calculation of mineral equilibria as a function of pressure temperature and fluid compositions. Applied problems at surface and subsurface conditions.

 

EARTH 115 Analytical Methods in Geomaterials

Prerequisite: Earth 114

Optical properties of inorganic crystals; techniques of mineral identification using the polarizing microscope; strategies for studying rocks in thin section. Fundamental theory and application of electron- and ion-beam instruments in quantitative characterization of geomaterials.

 

EARTH 177 / 277 Ore Deposits and Mineral Resources

Prerequisite: Earth 2; Earth 114.

Distribution and characteristics of major classes of mineral deposits - their geologic framework, mineralogy, and structure. Lectures explore petrogenetic models for ore-formation. Laboratory exercises and field trips stress recognition of ore and accessory minerals, zoning, and exploration strategies.

 

EARTH 118 / 119 Summer Field Geology

Prerequisite: Earth 103, 104A & 104B; one course from Earth 102A/L-B/L-C/L. All prerequisites require a grade of C- or better.

Intensive hands-on training in the collection, interpretation, and presentation of geologic field data. Preparation of geologic maps, sections, and a professional report as tools to understanding geologic processes. Area and focus of investigation changes each year.

 

EARTH 270 Mass spectrometry for earth scientists

Mass spectrometry plays an integral role in modern earth science research with broad application in fields including geochemistry, oceanography, hydrology, petrology and tectonics. The overarching goal of this course is to enable students to develop a solid understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of mass spectrometry whilst building analytical skills appropriate to their research interests. This course is intended to be largely practical in nature, providing exposure to a number of plasma-, gas- and thermal-source instruments in the department. Practical exercises will be supplemented by lectures, discussions and literature reviews, presenting background on the theory and application of mass spectrometry techniques.