Gary Axen Associate Professor of Geology Department Chair of Earth & Environmental Science Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science New Mexico Tech Socorro, NM 87801 Office: MSEC 344 Phone: (575) 835-5178 Fax: (575) 835-6436 Email: gaxen at ees.nmt.edu PhD, Harvard University

I am new to New Mexico Tech--I moved from UCLA in July, 2005. Tech is a fantastic place to do research because of the breadth of excellent colleagues and analytical facilities. New Mexico is a great place to teach and learn geology because of the broad variety of rock types and long tectonic history. Socorro is a wonderful place to live, with many recreational opportunities, an excellent climate, a quiet lifestyle, and an active local music scene.

Teaching
Structural Geology (Earth 353); Metamorphic Petrology (Earth 319); Field Methods in Earth Science (Earth 480/482); Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting (Geol/Geophys 558).

Research Interests
I am a structural geologist with research interests in fault mechanics, continental tectonics (extensional, convergent, and strike-slip), shear-zone evolution, and thermochronology. My research into fault mechanics focuses on low-angle normal faults. Recent tectonic projects focus on the complex 3-D evolution of oblique rifting and collision. Studies in low-angle normal fault terrains have led to projects to advance thermochronologic methods.

My research, and that of my students, typically includes diverse approaches: geologic mapping, structural/mechanical analysis, sedimentology, metamorphic petrology, geo- and thermochronology, fluid-inclusion analysis, numerical modeling, and paleomagnetism.

• Research Projects
• Publications
• Abstracts, past 5 years
• Student Advisees
• Professional Experience
• NMT Press Releases:
  • Axen Secures NSF Grant for Low-Angle Fault Research (12 June 2008)