Collaborative Research: The Tectonothermal Evolution of a Convergent Orogen

要理解造山作用及其与地幔对流和板块构造的关系，需要对变形、变质和岩浆作用过程之间的相互关系进行综合研究。阿巴拉契亚造山带北部保存完好的一部分为对强烈影响造山作用的中地壳过程的演化进行真正综合研究提供了一个杰出的实验室。该项目利用构造、显微构造、岩石学和温压分析，以及化学和同位素测年，在时间和空间上将造山带递进生长过程中的变形、变质和岩浆作用联系起来。这些信息被用来为耦合的3-D热/力学模型设置约束和边界条件，结合地质观测，这些模型被用来深入了解造山带的演化和相关的板块动力学。

Understanding of orogenesis and its relations to mantle convection and plate tectonics relies on integrated studies of the interrelations among processes of deformation, metamorphism and magmatism. A well preserved portion of the northern Appalachian orogen is providing an outstanding laboratory for a truly integrative study of the evolution of mid-crustal processes that strongly influence orogenesis. This project is employing structural, microstructural, petrologic and thermobarometric analyses, and chemical and isotopic dating, to temporally and spatially link deformation, metamorphism and magmatism during the progressive growth of this orogenic belt. This information is being used to set constraints and boundary conditions on coupled, 3-D thermal/mechanical models that, in tandem with the geological observations, are being used used to gain insights into the orogen's evolution and associated plate dynamics.