EAST TENNESSEE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
December 2024 Field Trip
Saturday,
December 7, 2024
8:30 am - 8:30 pm
December Field Trip
Journey to the Lower
Appalachian Lower Middle Crust
By
Dr. Robert D. Hatcher, Jr.
Distinguished Scientist and Professor Emeritus
Earth and Planetary Sciences
UT-Knoxville
Abstract
Tentatively, we will leave at 8:30
a.m. from Oak Ridge and drive south on I-75 to the Calhoun exit (TN
163) and take 163E to US 411 to US 64 and turn east on 64 then stop
at Ocoee #1 Dam. Our traverse to the lower middle crust begins with
sandstone of the Chilhowee Group that disappears immediately to the
West of the dam parking area, because its base is cut off by the 400
km displacement Great Smoky fault (not exposed here). We will move
eastward across the western and central Blue Ridge of TN and NC and
end immediately west of Franklin, NC. Our progress from the upper
crust into the middle then the lower middle crust will be marked by
the changes in minerals present in similar rock types (sandstone and
shale) until melt starts to appear to the east.
Biography
Education: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee B. A. 1961 (majors:
geology, chemistry; minor math), M. S. 1962 (geology), University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Ph. D. 1965 (structural geology; two
foreign languages required)
Professional Employment: Geologist, Humble Oil and Refining Company
(1965-66), Clemson University (1966-78, Assistant Professor to Full
Professor), Florida State University (1978-80, Full Professor),
University of South Carolina (1980-86, Full Professor), and
University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Distinguished Scientist (1986-2000), UT Distinguished Scientist and
Professor (2000-2018). University of Tennessee Distinguished
Scientist and Professor Emeritus 2018- Present.
Research Interests: Primary research goal is to gain a better
understanding of the evolution of continental crust, mostly through
the study of mountain chains and mature crust. Most of my research
has been concentrated in the southern and central Appalachians, but
large amounts of time have been spent visiting and studying other
mountain chains, and Precambrian continental crust. My primary
interest is in the mechanics and kinematics of large faults, which
form a natural transition into a related long-term interest in the
geologic controls of petroleum occurrence in the Appalachians,
radioactive waste management, the causes of intraplate seismicity
and geologic evidence for determination of recurrence intervals for
intraplate earthquakes. While I am a structural geologist, most of
my research is interdisciplinary, integrating stratigraphic,
geochronologic, geochemical, and geophysical data into structural
studies. I am primarily a field geologist, however, and field data
form the basis for all other supporting studies. I have been
involved for many years with geophysicists and geologists in other
academic institutions and the USGS in the geologic interpretation of
seismic reflection and potential field (aeromagnetic and gravity)
data.
Research Support: Received over $5M in grants and contracts from the
National Science Foundation, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S.
Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the Interior, state
geological surveys, and private industry.
Professional Service (Abbreviated): Editor (with W. A. Thomas)
Geological Society of America Bulletin (1982-88); President,
Geological Society of America (1993); President, American Geological
Institute (1996); Trustee, GSA Foundation (1999-2007), Chair of the
GSA Foundation Board (2005-07); National Academy of
Sciences/National Research Council Board on Radioactive Waste
Management (1990-96); Federal Advisory Committee on Nuclear Reactor
Safety Research (Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 1993-96); Federal
Advisory Committee for the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping
Program (Department of the Interior, 1996-2006); Federal Advisory
Committee Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board (2009-2015; have
also served on numerous committees of GSA, AAPG, AGU, and other
organizations. Fellow: AAAS, Geological Society of America,
Geological Association of Canada.
Medals and Awards: Geological Society of America Distinguished
Service Award (1988, the first ever awarded), AAPG I. C. White Award
(1997), honorary citizen of West Virginia (by the Governor, 1998),
John T. Galey Award by the Eastern Section of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists (2001), American Geological
Institute Ian Campbell Medal (2006), Geological Society of America
Penrose Medal (2006), and American Geological Institute Marcus
Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal (2014). The latter three medals
constitute the highest levels of career recognition/achievement
possible in my profession.
Publications: Author or co-author of >200 scientific publications,
including 10 books.
Graduate Students: 53 M. S. theses and 18 Ph. D. dissertations
completed since began working in graduate departments in 1978.
ETGS News:
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We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.
ETGS is a volunteer organization. We need your help to
continue serving those interested in the geology of East
Tennessee and beyond. Please email us at
etgs@live.com
if you would consider assisting in one of the following open
positions. It is a great opportunity to expand your personal
and professional network.
President
David Carlone
Vice
President
Open
Secretary
J.
Brad Stephenson
Treasurer
Seaira Stephenson
Webmaster/Social Media Coordinator
Bob
Gelinas
Page updated December 08, 2024 |