Robert J. Brady

Assistant Professor Department of Geology and Geophysics University of Calgary Calgary Alberta T2N 1N4 Office: ES 570B Phone: (403) 210-8691 Fax: (403) 284-0074 Email: rbrady@ucalgary.ca

Ph.D. California Institute of Technology M.Sc. California Institute of Technology B.Sc. (Hon) University of Calgary

Teaching

GLGY337 Field Methods I
GLGY339 Field Methods II
GLGY341 Structural Geology
GLGY439 Mapping in Igneous and Metamorphic Terrains

2004 GLGY337 Field Methods I Jura Creek, Alberta	2004 GLGY339 Field Methods II Soda Dam, New Mexico

Current Research Projects

• Kinematics of the Maacama Fault Zone, northern California

• Active tectonics of the Baikal Rift using (U-Th)/He dating

• Distribution of radiogenic heat production in tectonically exposed crustal sections

• Kinematics of faulting in the South Virgin Mts., Nevada

• Kinematics and dynamics of transpressional deformation adjacent to the San Andreas Fault

Student Opportunities

My research is focussed on continental tectonics; with an emphasis on the processes that control the geometries and slip rates of extensional and strike-slip fault systems. This research has applications in the fields of petroleum geology, mining geology, and seismic hazard assessment. I am currently seeking students who are interested in conducting research in the following areas:

• Heat Production/Heat Flow Studies
  This research involves geobarometric and geochemical analyses of samples from well-studied, tectonically exhumed, oblique sections through the crust, with the goal of creating empirically constrained models of the distribution of heat producing elements within the continental crust. These models will have implications for regional tectonic processes, crustal rheology, magmagenesis, and patterns of metamorphism. Current field targets include the Sierra Nevada and Santa Lucia Mts., California, the South Virgin Mts., Nevada, and the Coast Ranges of British Columbia. These areas all expose well dated, more-or-less continuous oblique sections through the crust, including rocks that have been exhumed from depths of ~0 km down to >35 km, as well as some xenolith samples which come from lower crust and upper mantle depths. This research involves extensive collaboration with Dr. M. Ducea (U of Arizona), Dr. J. Saleeby (Caltech), Dr. R. Cox (U. Quebec Chicoutimi), and Dr. D. Pattison (U of Calgary). Students interested in petrology, geochemistry, numerical modelling, and regional tectonics are encouraged to enquire about possible involvement in these projects.
  
  

• Fault Kinematics and Dynamics/Regional Tectonics
  This research uses detailed geologic mapping, geochronology, geobarometry, interpretation of remote sensing data, and geophysics to understand the kinematics and dynamics of fault systems, both active and ancient. Current projects are focused on extensional and strike-slip fault systems in the northern and central California Coast Ranges, south-central British Columbia, and the Baikal Rift. Students interested in structural geology, regional tectonics, and neotectonics/seismic hazard assessment are encouraged to enquire about possible involvement in these or related projects.

Selected Publications

Brady, R., Ducea, M., Kidder, S., and Saleeby, J., The distribution of radiogenic heat production as a function of depth in the Sierra Nevada batholith, California, Lithos, in review.

Brady, R., and Spotila, J., Southward younging apatite (U-Th)/He ages in the northern California Coast Ranges due to a northward-migrating crustal welt, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, in review.

Brady, R., 2002, Very high slip rates on continental extensional faults: New Evidence from (U-Th)/He thermochronometry of the Buckskin Mts., Arizona, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 197, p. 95-104.

Brady, R., Wernicke, B., and Fryxell, J., 2002, Kinematic evolution of a large-offset continental normal fault system, South Virgin Mountains, Nevada: Reply, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 114, p. 126-128.

Brady, R., Fryxell, J., and Wernicke, B., 2002, Preliminary Geologic Map of the Iceberg Canyon Quadrangle, Arizona and Nevada, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology OFR 03-18.

Brady, R., Wernicke, B., and Fryxell, J., 2000, Kinematic evolution of a large-offset continental normal fault system, South Virgin Mountains, Nevada, Geol. Soc. Am. Bulletin, v. 112, no. 9.

Brady, R., Wernicke, B., McNutt, M., Mutter, J., and Correa, G., 2000, Results of the Basin and Range Geoscientific Experiment (BARGE): A marine-style seismic reflection survey across the eastern boundary of the central Basin and Range Province, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 1. (http://www.g-cubed.org)

Brady, R., Wernicke, B., and Niemi, N., 2000, Reconstruction of Basin and Range extension and westward motion of the Sierra Nevada block, in: Lageson, D, ed., GSA Field Guide 2 (2000 GSA Annual Meeting): Geological Society of America, Boulder, CO, p. 75-96.

Niemi, N., Wernicke, B., Brady, R., Saleeby, J., and Dunne, G., 2000, Distribution and provenance of the middle Miocene Eagle Mountain Formation, and implications for regional kinematic analysis of the Basin and Range Province, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v.113, p. 419-442.

Reiners, P., Brady, R., Farley, K., Fryxell, J., Wernicke, B., and Lux, D., Helium and argon thermochronometry of the Gold Butte block, South Virgin Mountains, Nevada, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 178/3-4, p. 315-326, 2000.

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Last modified: January 11, 2005

Dr. Robert J. Brady
Department of Geology and Geophysics
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
rbrady@ucalgary.ca