Dr. Thomas D. Hoisch

Professor

Education

PhD in Geological Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985
MS in Geology, Vanderbilt University, 1982
BA in Geology Pomona College, 1979

Contact

Office: Geology (bldg #12), room 227
Phone: 928-523-1904
E-mail: Thomas.Hoisch@nau.edu
Personal Website

Research Interests

Dr. Hoisch pursues studies in the area of Metamorphic Petrology with the goal of inferring the tectonic processes associated with burial and exhumation. He has conducted research throughout the western US, focusing on problems related to Cordilleran orogenesis. Dr. Hoisch integrates several approaches, thermodynamic modeling of mineral chemistries to establish pressure-temperature (P-T) paths, 2-d numerical thermal modeling of thrusts and detachments, thermochronology, and field relationships. In addition, he utilizes several techniques to evaluate P-T conditions and paths (thermobarometry, calculation of pseudosections, differential thermodynamics).  In order to place P-T paths into a quantifiable tectonic context, he performs numerical simulations of the thermal effect of thrusting and exhumation using planar and listric fault geometries using computer codes he has published. Various geochronologic techniques are employed to determine the timing of garnet growth and the cooling of an area. Cooling histories are determined mainly by Ar-Ar thermochronology. In recent studies, he has determined garnet ages using the Lu-Hf method and the in situ dating of co-crystallized monazite inclusions.  The geochronologic data combine with the P-T path data to provide the constraints necessary to prepare numerical simulations of thermal history and infer both rate the rate of slip and dip along faults that buried the rocks, leading to their metamorphism, and their subsequent exhumation.

Publications

Wells, M.L., and Hoisch, T.D, 2012, Reply to comment by E.L. Miller, A. Konstantinou, and A. Strickland on “Geodynamics of synconvergent extension and tectonic mode switching: constraints from the Sevier-Laramide orogeny.”  Tectonics, 31, TC4016, doi:10.1029/2012TC003136.

Wells, M.L., Hoisch, T.D., Cruz-Uribe, A.M., and Vervoort, J.D., 2012, Geodynamics of synconvergent extension and tectonic mode switching:  constraints from the Sevier-Laramide orogen:  Tectonics,,v. 31, TC1002, doi:10.1029/2011TC002913, 2012, 20 p.

Hoisch, T.D., Austin, B.A., Newell, S., and Manone, M.F., 2010, Application of tablet PCs to lecture demonstrations on mineral optics:  J. Geoscience Education, v. 58, p. 221-231.

Hoisch, T.D., and Bowie, J.I., 2010, Assessing factors that influence the recruitment of majors from introductory geology classes at Northern Arizona University. J. Geoscience Education, v. 58, p. 166-176.

Hoisch, T.D., 2010, Student perceptions of geology and implications for choosing among different science majors:  Geoscience Currents #36, American Geological Institute.  http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/Currents/Currents-036-StudentPerceptionsNAU.pdf

Hoisch, T.D, Wells, M.L., and Grove, M., 2008, Age trends in garnet-hosted monazite inclusions from upper amphibolite facies schist from the Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah.  Geochim. Cosmochim Acta, v. 72, p. 5505-5520.

Wells, M.L., Spell, T.L., Hoisch, T.D., and Zanetti, K.A., 2008, Laserprobe ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of strain fringes:  Mid-Cretaceous synconvergent orogen-parallel extension in the interior of the Sevier orogen:  Tectonics, v. 27, TC3012, doi:10.1029/2007TC002153.

Everett, B.C., and Hoisch T.D, 2008, Conditions of metamorphism of the Colorado Yule Marble:  Mountain Geologist, v. 45, p. 69-76.

Wells, M.L., and Hoisch, T.D., 2008, The role of mantle delamination in widespread Late Cretaceous extension and magmatism in the Cordilleran orogen, western United States:  Geological Society of America Bull., v. 120, p. 515-530.

Harris, C.R., Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2007, Construction of a composite pressure-temperature path:  revealing the synorogenic burial and exhumation history of the Sevier hinterland, U.S.A.:  Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 25, p. 915-934

For a complete list of publications and additional information, please download Thomas Hoisch's CV.