calcsilicate migmatite

Log Jam schist

Research Interests

Gary S. Solar, Ph.D.

Director, Laboratory for Orogenic Studies
Associate Professor of Geology

Department of Earth Sciences and Science Education
State University of New York, College at Buffalo
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14222

(716) 878-4900 (office)
(716) 878-6731 (Dept. office)
(716) 878-4524 (fax)

solargs@buffalostate.edu



RESEARCH - G.S. Solar


My primary research interests relate to the application of multi-disciplinary techniques to elucidate orogenic processes. Along with my collaborators, I use field relations of structures and stratigraphic sequences, and supporting petrology, to erect models that are then tested using laboratory methods including microtectonic fabric analysis, geochronology (U-Pb and Rb-Sr systems) and geochemistry (REE patterns, major and trace element composition). Where possible, supporting laboratory work is performed by me and my students in collaboration with laboratory personnel at other colleges and universities, such as the Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory at Syracuse University (S. Samson, supervisor), the Geochemistry Laboratory at the University of Maryland (Prof. R.J. Walker, supervisor), and the Geochronology Laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (Prof. R.D. Tucker, supervisor). All of my research is heavily dependent upon student involvement, primarily at the undergraduate level (see abstracts list below).

 Transfer of granite magma through the crust

One focus is on the processes and controls of melt transfer through the crust during progressive deformation in contractional and transcurrent orogens. This research is an investigation of the likely link between granite in migmatitic rocks (leucosomes and schlieric granite) and granite in larger bodies (e.g., plutons). If there is such a link, this relation illustrates the crustal plumbing between granite melt sources and sinks in the orogenic system. Recent collaboration with P.B. Tomascak (geochemist, SUNY Oswego) has resulted in focused research into the possible connection between granite emplacement and transpressional structures (in southern Maine). This work has been supported by the NSF (EAR-0510726, $153,650, 2005-2007).

Click here for more details on NSF EAR-0510726.

 Grenvillian tectonics of the Adirondacks and Hudson Highlands of New York State

I have a strong interest in orogenic processes recorded in Grenville rocks (southern Adirondacks and Hudson Highlands, NY; work begun in 2001 in collaboration with D.W. Valentino, SUNY Oswego, and J. Chiarenzelli, SUNY Potsdam). The granitic L-S tectonites of the southern Adirondacks show spectacular strain partitioning during the waning of the geotherm associated (apparently) with the Ottawan phase of the Grenville orogeny.

 Grain-scale record of deformation partitioning in the central and northern Appalachians, western Connecticut, western and southern Maine, northern New Hampshire and southeastern Pennsylvania)

My students and I have focused our attention to the grain-scale record of orogenic deformation through detailed studies of porphyroblast-matrix relations in metamorphic rocks of parts of the Appalachian orogen. These studies have generated detailed data sets of garnet, staurolite and kyanite crystallographic orientation documentation, and the documentation of associated microstructures.

Related process-oriented research

Age and relative timing of displacements along high strain zones, Appalachian tectonics, spatial and temporal strain partitioning, structural lithic unit and sequence stratigraphic control on the localization of strain at non-metamorphic to upper amphibolite facies conditions, timing of deformation v. metamorphism, and transpressional orogenesis.

 Areas of Field Work

Central and Southern Adirondacks and the Hudson Highlands, New York; Central Maine Belt, west central Maine; Norumbega Shear Zone System, southern and coastal Maine; western Acadian belt, western Connecticut; central Appalachian Piedmont, SE Pennsylvania; Hudson Valley Thrust and Fold Belt, New York State, western Massachusetts; Alleghany Thrust and Fold Belt, central Pennsylvania and western Maryland.

 Areas of Field Excursion

Appalachians (Maine to Virginia, USA); Brittany (NW France); European Alps (France, Italy, Switzerland); Opatica Belt (Quebec); southern Superior Province (southern Ontario); Ruby Mountains (NE Nevada); Selkirk Mountains, Canadian Cordillera (British Columbia, Canada); Tuolomne Intrusive Suite, Yosemite National Park (NE California).


PUBLICATIONS

 

Peer-Reviewed Publications   (go here for paper pdfs)

Tomascak, P.B., Brown, M., Solar, G.S., Becker, H.J., Centorbi, T.L. and Tian, J (2005), Source contributions to Devonian granite magmatism near the Laurentian border, New Hampshire and western Maine, USA. Lithos, 80, 75-99.

Stallard, A. and Solar, G., 2005, Introduction: Linked processes of metamorphism and deformation. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 23, Special Issue (#6), 409-410.

Gates, A.E., Valentino, D.W., Chiarenzelli, J.R., Solar, G.S. and Hamilton, M. 2004, Himalayan-type syntaxis in the Grenville orogen, northeastern Laurentia, southern Adirondacks and Hudson Highlands, New York, USA., Journal of Geodynamics, 37, 337-359.

Johnson, T.E., Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2003, Low-pressure subsolidus and suprasolidus phase equilibria in the MnNCKFMASH system. Constraints on conditions of regional metamorphism in western Maine, northern Appalachians. American Mineralogist, 88, 624-638.

Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 2001, Deformation partitioning during transpression in response to Early Devonian oblique convergence, northern Appalachian orogen, USA. Journal of Structural Geology, 23, 1043-1065.

Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 2001, Petrogenesis of stromatic and inhomogeneous migmatite in Maine, USA: potential source of peraluminous granite? Journal of Petrology, 42, 789-823.

Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 2000, The classic high-T – low-P metamorphism of west-central Maine, USA: Is it post-tectonic of syn-tectonic? Evidence from porphyroblast-matrix relations: Reply. Canadian Mineralogist, 38, 1007-1026.

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 1999, The mechanism of ascent and emplacement of granite magma during transpression: a syntectonic granite paradigm. Tectonophysics, 312, 1-33.

        **Paper nominated to receive the Geological Society of America, Structural Geology and Tectonics Division, 2002 award for “Best Paper in Structural Geology and Tectonics”.

Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 1999, The classic high-T -- low-P metamorphism of west-central Maine, USA: Is it post-tectonic of syn-tectonic? Evidence from porphyroblast-matrix relations. Canadian Mineralogist, Kretz Volume, 37, 311-333.

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 1998, Shear zones and melts: feedback relations and self-organization in orogenic belts. Journal of Structural Geology, 20, 211-227.

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 1998, Granite ascent and emplacement during contractional deformation in convergent orogens. Journal of Structural Geology, 20, 1365-1393.

Solar, G.S., Pressley, R.A., Brown, M., and Tucker, R.D., 1998, Granite ascent in convergent orogenic belts: Testing a model. Geology, 26, 711-714.

Published Field Guides

Gorring, M.L., Valentino, D.W., Solar, G.S. and Gates, A.E., 2003. Late Ottawan ductile shearing and granitoid emplacement in the Hudson Highlands, NY. in Johnson, E. (ed.), Guidebook for Field Trips for the Annual Meeting of the New York State Geological Association, 75, Trip B7, 26p.

Piaschyk, D., Valentino, D.W. and Solar, G.S., 2005. Variations in L- and S-tectonite on the northern boundary of the Piseco Lake shear zone, western Adirondack mountains, New York. in Valentino, D.W. (ed.), Guidebook for Field Trips for the Annual Meeting of the New York State Geological Association, 77, Trip B2, 20p.

Solar, G.S.,1996. Relationship between ductile deformation and granite magma transfer, Tumbledown Mountain area, west-central Maine. in van Baalen, M.R. (ed.), Guidebook to field trips in northern New Hampshire and adjacent regions of Maine and Vermont, New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference, 88, 341-362.

Solar, G.S., Brown, M. and Tomascak, P.B., 2001, Deformation, metamorphism, and granite ascent in western Maine. in West, D.P., Jr. and Bailey, R.H. (eds.), Guidebook for Geological field trips in New England, 2001 Annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Boston, Massachussetts, Trip Q, 30p.

Solar, G.S., Tomascak, P.B. and Brown, M., 2006, Metamorphism, deformation, melting and granite melt transfer in the Rangeley-Rumford area. in Gibson, D., Daly, J. and Reusch, D. (eds.), Guidebook to field trips in Maine in Honor of Charles V. Guidotti, New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference, 98, Trip C-3, 26p.

Valentino, D.W., Solar, G.S., Chiarenzelli, J.R., Gates, A.E., Freyer, P. and Price, R.E., 2004. L- versus S-tectonite fabric variations within the southern Adirondack shear zone system: Progressive deformation associated with a sinistral conjugate to a Grenville syntaxis. in Badger, R. (ed.), Guidebook for Field Trips for the Annual Meeting of the New York State Geological Association, 76, Trip B1, 33p.


Published Abstracts, last 5 years (* = Solar Presenter; ** = Student Presenter)

1999

**invited contribution

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 1999, A matter of scale of observation: syntectonic granite ascent and emplacement during the Acadian orogeny. EOS Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 80.

**invited contribution

*Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 1999, Structural control of syntectonic melt flow paths during Devonian (Acadian) orogenesis, west-central Maine. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 31, 000.

**invited contribution

*Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 1999, Contrasting patterns of strain and kinematic partitioning of flow during Devonian oblique contraction in the Central Maine belt, northern Appalachian orogen, U.S.A. EOS Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 79, S356.

2000

**invited contribution

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2000, Feedback relations between deformation and melt, the evolution from weakening to hardening in transpressive orogens. in "(Un)coupled 2000: Continental Collision and the Tectonosedimentary Evolution of Forelands: Mechanics of Coupling and Far-Field Deformation," The European Geophysical Society Conference, Abstract Volume, Journal of the Czech Geological Society, 45, 215-216.

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2000, Do multistage processes link leucosomes and smaller-volume granites in migmatites to leucogranite in plutons - an example from the Acadian orogen, western Maine? Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 32.

*Solar, G.S. and Brown, M., 2000, Using porphyroblast-matrix relations to unravel mechanisms of strain accommodation during orogenesis - an example from the Acadian orogen, western Maine. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 32.

2001

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2001, Processes that link fertile protolith, melt-depleted crust and peraluminous granite. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2001, Three dimentional spatial and temporal evolution of rheology in orogens: a field perspective. EOS Tranactions, American Geophysical Union, 82.

Chiarenzelli, J.R., Valentino, D.W., *Solar, G.S. and McLelland, J., 2001, Evidence for retrogression during progressive deformation in the Piseco Lake tectonite zone, southern Adirondacks, New York. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

**undergraduate student contribution

Chmura, S.M and Solar, G.S., 2001, The record of granite magma flow through deforming rocks, comparative meter-scale mapping of contrasting types of migmatite in western Maine, USA. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

**undergraduate student contribution

Kerr, S.D. and Solar, G.S., 2001, Documentation of the transition between contrasting structural zones in western Maine, USA: testing a model. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

**undergraduate student contribution

Klauk, E.E. and Solar, G.S., 2001, Quantifying the strain record in naturally deformed conglomerate, Silurian Rangeley Formation, western Maine. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

*Solar, G.S. and Tomascak, P.B., 2001, Is there a relation between transpressive deformation and pluton emplacement in southern Maine? Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

Tomascak, P.B., Brown, M., Becker, H., Solar, G.S. and Tian, J., 2001, Multiple sources and multiple processes: unraveling Acadian magmatism. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 33.

Tomascak, P.B. and Solar, G.S., 2001, Integrated structural/geochemical studies of granite magmatism, Maine Appalachians. EOS Tranactions, American Geophysical Union, 82.

2002

**undergraduate student contribution

Bestine, J.P. and Solar, G.S., 2002, Structural analysis of preferred orientations of kyanite in the "log-jam" schist, western Connecticut. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs. 34.

Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2002, Connecting pieces of the Acadian puzzle in the northern Appalachians.  Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs. 34.

**undergraduate student contribution

Centorbi, T.L., Tomascak, P.B.*, Brown, M., Solar, G.S. and Tian, J., 2002, Nature of the crust near the Grenville border in northern New England: New Pb isotope data from the Mooselookmeguntic Igneous Complex, Maine. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 34.

Johnson, T.E., Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2002, Petrogenesis of Acadian metapelitic migmatites, western Maine - quantitative investigations in the NCKFMASH model system. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs. 34.

*Solar, G.S. and Tomascak, P.B., 2002, Transpression and granite magmatism in southern Maine: Integrated structural and geochemical studies. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs. 34.

2003

**undergraduate student contribution

Freyer, P.*, Valentino, D.W. and Solar, G.S., 2003. Deformation spannin high- to low-grade in the Piseco Lake shear zone, Speculator, New York. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 35.

**undergraduate student contribution

Price, R.E.*, Valentino, D.W., Solar, G.S. and Chiarenzelli, J.R., 2003. Greenschist facies metamorphism associated with the Piseco Lake shear zone, central Adirondacks, New York. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 35.

*Solar, G.S., Valentino, D.W. and Chiarenzelli, J.R., 2003, The southern Adirondack shear zone system: Proterozoic (Grenville) progressive strain partitioning. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 35.

*Solar, G.S. and Valentino, D.W., 2003. L‑tectonites: What do they tell us about deformation history? Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 35.

Tomascak, P.B., Brown, M. and Solar, G.S., 2003. Consistent isotopic signatures of Acadian granites from the Laurentian border. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 35.

2004

**undergraduate student contribution

Bauer, M., Valentino, D.W., Chiarenzelli, J.R. and Solar, G.S., 2004. Metamorphic petrology and unit distribiton in the Oliver Hill dome, eastern Adirondack mountains, New York. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 36.

**undergraduate student contribution

Fissler, D.A. and Solar, G.S., 2004. Variations in porphyroblast-matrix fabrics associated with high-temperature deformation, Roxbury, Connecticut, USA. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 36.

Gorring, M.L, Gates, A.E., Valentino, D.W., Solar, G.S. and Chiarenzelli, J.R., 2004. Late Ottawan ductile shearing and granitoid emplacement in the Hudson Highlands, NY. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 36.

**undergraduate student contribution

Smith, N., Valentino, D.W., Chiarenzelli, J.R. and Solar, G.S., 2004. Distribution of L- and L-S tectonite in the Oliver Hill dome, eastern Adirondack mountains, New York. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 36.

2005

**undergraduate student contribution

Skotnicki, S. and Solar, G.S., 2005.Fabric variations and the record of Grenvillian strain partitioning in rocks of the Southern Adirondack shear zone system, Hooper garnet mine, New York. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 37.


2006

**undergraduate student contribution
Hirtzel, A. and Solar, G.S., 2006. Preliminary mapping of glacial erratics south of Buffalo, New York. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 38.

Solar, G.S., 2006. Migmatites, granites and shear zones: The signature of Appalachian sutures. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, 38.


last updated December 14, 2005 - GSS