The Department of Geology at Kent State University offers a strong program in the interdisciplinary fields of petrology, structural geology, and tectonics leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.  Research in these areas focuses on integrating advanced laboratory techniques with rigorous data collection in the field to better understand rates and processes involved in plutonism, metamorphism, and continental deformation.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the thermal, metamorphic, and rheologic consequences of tectonism throughout the earth's history. 

RESEARCH

Opportunities for research are diverse, involving integrated field, analytical, and theoretical approaches to modern problems in petrology, tectonics, and structural geology.  Research currently underway by faculty and students within the program include pressure-temperature-time evolution in a variety of tectonic regimes in both the Phanerozoic and Precambrian (California, Minnesota, Montana, Norway, South Dakota, and Utah); petrologic and geochemical studies of Archean cordierite-bearing rocks and quartzofeldspathic gneisses (Montana); trace-element studies of Proterozoic metasomatism (Black Hills, South Dakota); mapping and kinematic studies of extensional regimes (Death Valley region, California); timing, nature, and mechanisms of orogenic collapse (Norway, Minnesota, California); and thermochronologic and thermobarometric studies of metamorphic core complexes (Basin and Range Province).

FACILITIES

The Department of Geology houses modern, well-equipped laboratories for structural analysis, prep facilities for fission-track dating, elemental analysis (both ICP and graphite-furnace AAS), scanning-electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, liquid-ion chromatography, paleomagnetic analysis, petrography, computer analysis (HP Workstation plus IBM-compatible and MacIntosh PC's), rock and thin-section preparation, and mineral separation.  In addition, cooperative arrangements with other universities permit routine Ar-Ar and K-Ar dating (through access to mass spectrometers), in situ rock and mineral analysis (by electron microprobe), and trace-element analysis (by neutron-activation analysis).

COURSES

Tectonics and Orogeny, Well Logging, Optical Petrography, Advanced Structural Geology, Precambrian Geology., Exploration Geophysics, Remote Sensing, Scientific Method in Geology, Advanded Geochemistry, Radiogenic Isotope Geology, Selected Instrumental Methods of Geochemcial Analysis, X-Ray Crystallography, Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Sedimentary Petrology, Clay Mineralogy, Geochemical Exploration, Tectonics and Sedimentation, Advanced Stratigraphy

FACULTY in the broad disciplines of petrology, structural geology, and tectonics include: 

PETER S. DAHL, Ph.D., Indiana University, 1977.  Metamorphic geology, high-temperature geochemistry, thermobarometry, Precambrian geology of the Wyoming craton.
DAVID B. HACKER, Ph.D., Kent State University, 1998. Structural Geology, Tectonics. 
RICHARD A. HEIMLICH, Ph.D., Yale University 1959.  Igneous petrology, petrogenesis and geochronology of Archean rocks of Wyoming, petrology and emplacement modes of ultramafic rocks.
DANIEL K. HOLM, Ph.D., Harvard University, 1992.  Structural geology, thermochronology, extensional tectonics, tectonics of the Superior craton.
JOSEPH D. ORTIZ, Ph.D., Oregon State University, 1995. Stable isotope geochemistry, stratigraphy, marine sedimentology, climatic change.
DONALD F. PALMER, Ph.D., Princeton University, 1968.  Geophysics, paleomagnetism, crustal structure of the eastern mid-continent. 
NEIL A. WELLS, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1984.  Clastic sedimentology, sedimentary environments.