Jeffrey M. Rahl

Department of Geology

Room 113 Science Addition

Washington and Lee University

116 North Main Street

Lexington, VA 24450

Phone: 540-458-8101

E-mail: rahlj@wlu.edu

 

 

Research Interests

My scientific interests are in tectonics, particularly the processes that control the formation, growth, and erosion of mountain belts. I enjoy incorporating a variety of tools and approaches in my research, including field work, ductile and brittle structural analysis, thermochronology, numerical modeling, and metamorphic petrology. Specific interests include:

 

1)     The tectonic evolution of convergent wedges, including the modern day Hellenic subduction wedge exposed in Crete, Greece; the Mesozoic Otago wedge in the South Island, New Zealand; and the Spanish Pyrenees

2)     Detrital thermochronology as a tool to constrain the long-term erosional history of mountain belts

3)     Ductile deformation and strain analysis, particularly the pressure solution deformation mechanism

 

Education

Ph.D., Geology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2005.

          Advisor: Mark Brandon

M.Phil., Geology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2002.

B.S., Geology, The University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 1999.

          Advisor: Allen McGrew

 

Positions

Assistant Professor, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA (2006 to present)

 

Turner Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan (2005 to 2006)

          Supervisors: Ben van der Pluijm and Todd Ehlers

 

Publications

Rahl, J.M., Ehlers, T.A., and van der Pluijm, B.A., 2007. Quantifying transient erosion of orogens with detrital thermochronology from syntectonic basin deposits. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 256, p. 147-161. PDF

 

Rahl, J.M., Anderson, K., Brandon, M.T., and Fassoulas, C., 2005. Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material thermometry of low-grade metamorphic rocks: calibration and application to high-pressure, low-temperature rocks in Crete, Greece. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 240, p. 339-354. PDF

 

Fassoulas, C., Rahl, J.M., Ague, J.J., and Henderson, K., 2004. Patterns and conditions of deformation in the Plattenkalk nappe, Crete, Greece: A preliminary study. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, v. 36, p. 1626-1635. PDF

 

Rahl, J.M., Fassoulas, C., and Brandon, M.T., 2004.  Exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks within an active convergent margin, Crete, Greece: A field guide.  Field trip guidebook for the 32nd International Geological Congress.

                                          

Rahl, J.M., Reiners, P.W., Campbell, I.H., Nicolescu, S., and Allen, C.M., 2003. Combined single-grain (U-Th)/He and U/Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Navajo Sandstone, Utah.  Geology, v. 31, p. 761-764. PDF

 

Rahl, J.M., McGrew, A.J., and Foland, K.A., 2002.  Transition from contraction to extension in the Northeastern Basin and Range:  new evidence from the Copper Mountains, Nevada. Journal of Geology, v. 110, p. 179-194. PDF

 

Goldman, D., Campbell, S.M., and Rahl, J.M., 2002.  Three-Dimensionally Preserved Specimens of Amplexograptus (Ordovician, Graptolithina) from the North American Midcontinent:  Taxonomic and Biostratigraphic Significance.  Journal of Paleontology. v. 76, p. 921-927. PDF

 

Undergraduate Theses Advised

Barnhart, B., 2008. Microstructural and Lattice-Preferred Orientation Analyses of Ductile Shear Zones: Maggia Nappe, Switzerland. PDF

 

last updated: August 22 nd, 2008