Proterozoic tectonic evolution of southern Africa, and relations to global plate- tectonic reconstructions. This has been a topic of interest since I first lived in Zambia in 1983-85. Recent work in this region has been supported by NSF grants. Paleovolcanology, with emphasis on process-oriented field studies of ancient volcanic sequences, products of submarine volcanism, and relations between volcanism and tectonic environment. I believe that these complex rocks are more common than generally realized and in some cases may play major roles in the facies development of submarine volcanic sequences.
Shorter projects form the basis for undergraduate senior theses.
M.S. students who have carried out field theses in the northern Sierras with me have each spent two to three months in the summer camping out and mapping in the mountains. Students doing senior theses have spent up to six weeks in the field. Graduate students generally take two years, or sometimes a little longer, in completing the M.S. degree. My graduate students generally are teaching assistants in both Mineralogy and Petrology and have responsibility for the lab sessions in those courses. This seems to be an enjoyable experience that provides an excellent review of basics at the same time the student is taking advanced hardrock courses.