Dr. John M. Dixon, Director

Position: Associate Vice-Principal (Academic & International) Queen's University

Research Interests: Physical analogue (centrifuge) modelling of the evolution of fold-thrust structures. Determining the influence of stratigraphic features, such as competent strata and lateral facies changes, and structural heterogeneities, such as basement topography and basement structures and early normal (growth) faults, on the nucleation and propagation of folds and thrusts. Investigating the relationships between strike-length and displacement of thrusts, the influence of thrust ramp geometry on hangingwall folds and the distribution of strain within displacement-transfer zones.

Teaching Involvement: Structural geology and tectonics.

Administrative Positions: Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in the Department, 1984-1985; Head of Department, 1986-1993; Associate Dean of Arts and Science, 1993-2000; and Associate Vice-Principal (Academic), 2000-2005.

 

Thrust reactivation of facies boundary. Model TA17 has a massive plasticine refeal unit (black-yellow-red sequence) and a laminated off-reef dipping unit (red and pink laminae), with the facies boundary dipping at 90o and striking perpendicular in the shortening direct. The figure on the left shows a plan view of top surface of TA17 after stage 1 (illuminated from left).
 

Transverse sections of TA17 after stages I, II, and III. The relative positions of the sections are indicated on the edge of the plane view in the above figure. 

 

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