Gautam Mitra

Gautam Mitra

Professor Emeritus

PhD, Johns Hopkins University, 1977

Telephone
(585) 275-5816
Web Address

Curriculum Vitae

Research Overview

  • Field-based structural studies aimed at understanding the tectonic evolution of mountain belts
  • Finite strain and strain history analysis aimed at defining deformational patterns and kinematics of structures at all scales
  • Microstructural and textural studies to determine grain-scale deformation mechanisms in rocks and their implications for large-scale mechanics of deformation
  • Geometrical, theoretical and mathematical modeling studies to place constraints on kinematics and mechanics of deformation
  • Current research is focused on understanding the role of fluids and fluid flow in the evolution of fold-thrust belts through the use  of various structural and geochemical tools

Research Interests

  • Tectonic evolution of mountain belts
  • Finite strain and strain history analysis
  • Deformation mechanisms in rocks

Courses Offered (subject to change)

  • EES 208:  STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (Every year)
  • EES 285/485 :  STRUCTURE AND TECTONICS OF MOUNTAIN BELTS (Every other year)
  • EES  288/488:  GEOMETRY AND MECHANICS OF THRUST FAULTS (every other year)
  • EES 480:  MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF DEFORMED ROCKS
  • EES 481:  MICROTECTONICS
  • EES 484:  STRESS AND STRAIN IN ROCKS
  • EES 489:  TOPICS IN ADVANCED STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY

Selected Publications

  • Goteti, R., Mitra, G., Becene, A., Sussman, A., Lewis, C. (2013):Three-dimensional finite element modeling of fault interactions in rift-scalenormal fault systems: Implications for the late Cenozoic Rio Grande rift of north-central New Mexico. Geological Society of America Special Paper 494,157-184.
  • Kwon, S., Mitra, G. (2012): An alternative interpretation for the map expression of"abrupt" changes in lateral stratigraphic level near transverse zones infold-thrust belts. GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS 3, 401-406.
  • Mitra, G., Bhattacharyya, K., Mukul, M.  (2010): The Lesser Himalayan duplex in Sikkim: Implications for variations in Himalayan shortening. Journal Geol. Soc. of India 75, 289-301.
  • Bhattacharyya,K., Mitra, G. (2009): A new kinematic evolutionary model for the growth of a duplex – an example from the Rangit duplex, Sikkim Himalaya, India. Gondwana Research 16, 697-715.
  • Mookerjee, M., Mitra, G. (2009): Understanding kinematic data from the Moine thrust zone in terms of a kinematics-based mathematical model of deforming thrust wedges. Journal of Structural Geology 31, 1556-1572.
  • Kwon, S., Sajeev, K., Mitra, G., Park, Y., Kim, S. W., Ryu, I-C.  (2009): Evidence for Permo-Triassic collisionin Far East Asia: the Korean collisional orogen. Earth & Planetary ScienceLetters 279, 340-349.
  • Kwon,S., Mitra, G., Perucchio, R. (2007): The Effect of Predeformational Basin Geometry in the Kinematic Evolution of a Thin-skinned Orogenic Wedge: Insights from Three-dimensional Finite Element Modeling of the Provo Salient, Sevier FTB, Utah. Journal of Geophysical Research 112, B02403.
  • Ismat,Z., Mitra, G. (2005): Folding by cataclastic flow: evolution of controlling factors during deformation.  Journal of Structural Geology, 27, 2181-2203.
  • Ismat,Z., Mitra, G. (2005): Fold-thrust belt evolution expressed in an internal thrust sheet, Sevier orogen: The role of cataclastic flow.  Geological Society of America Bulletin 117, 764-782.
  • Kwon,S., Mitra, G. (2004): Strain distribution, strain history and kinematic evolution associated with the formation of arcuate salients in fold-thrust belts: the example of the Provosalient, Sevier orogen, Utah.  In "Orogenic Curvature: Integrating Paleomagnetic and Structural Analyses", eds. A. J. Sussman & A. B.Weil, Geological Society of America Special Paper 383, 205-223.
  • Kwon,S., Mitra, G. (2004): Three-dimensional finite-element modeling of a thin-skinned fold-thrust belt wedge: Provo salient, Sevier belt, Utah. GEOLOGY 32, 561-564.
  • Mitra, G., Ismat, Z. (2001):  Microfracturing associated with reactivated fault zones and shear zones: what can it tell us about deformation history? In "The Nature and Tectonic significance of Fault Zone Weakening", eds. R. E.Holdsworth, R. A. Strachan, J. F. Magloughlin & R. J. Knipe, Geological Society of London Special Publication 186, 113-140.
  • Ismat,Z., Mitra, G. (2001):  Folding by cataclastic flow at shallow crustal levels in the Canyon Range, Sevier orogenic belt, west-central Utah. Journal of Structural Geology 23, 355-378.
  • Gray,M. B., Mitra,G. (1999):  Ramifications off our-dimensional progressive deformation in contractional mountain belts. Journal of Structural Geology 21, 1151-1160.
  • Mukul,M., Mitra, G. (1998): Finite strain and strain variation analysis in the Sheep rock thrust sheet, an internal thrust sheet in the Provo salient of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, central Utah. Journal of Structural Geology 20, 385-406.
  • Mitra, G. (1997): Evolution of salients in a fold-and-thrustbelt: the effects of sedimentary basin geometry, strain distribution and critical taper, p. 59-90.  In "Evolution of Geological Structures in Micro- to Macro-scales", edited by S. Sengupta. Chapman & Hall, London.
  • Mitra, G., Sussman, A. J.  (1997):  Structural evolution of connecting splay duplexes and their implications for critical taper: an example based on geometry and kinematics of the Canyon Range culmination, Sevier Belt, central Utah. Journal of Structural Geology 19, 503-521.
  • McNaught, M., Mitra, G. (1996):  The use of finite strain data in constructing a retro deformable cross section of the Meade thrust sheet, southeastern Idaho. Journal of Structural Geology 18, 573-583.
  • DeCelles,P. G., Mitra, G. (1995): History of the Sevier orogenic wedge in terms of critical taper models, northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming. Geological Society of America Bulletin 107, 454-462.
  • Srivastava, P., Mitra, G. (1994):  Thrust geometries and deep structure of the Outer and Lesser Himalaya, Kumaon and Garhwal (India):  Implications for evolution of the Himalayan fold-and-thrust belt. Tectonics, 13, 89-109.
  • Mitra, G. (1994): Strain variation in thrust sheets and across the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt (Idaho -Utah - Wyoming): Inplications for section restoration and wedge taper evolution. Journal of Structural Geology 16, 585-602.
  • Newman,J., Mitra, G. (1994): Fluid-influenced deformation and recrystallization of dolomite at low temperatures along a natural fault zone, Mountain City Window, Tennessee. Geological Society of America Bulletin 106, 1267-1280.
  • Newman,J., Mitra, G. (1993):  Lateral variations in fault zone thickness as influenced by fluid-rock interactions, Linville Falls fault, North Carolina. Journal of Structural Geology 15, 849-863.
  • Gray, M. B., Mitra, G. (1993):  Migration of deformation fronts during progressive deformation:  Evidence from detailed structural studies in the Pennsylvania Anthracite region, U.S.A. Journal of Structural Geology 15, 435-449.
  • Mitra, G. (1992):  Deformation of granitic basement rocks along fault zones at shallow to intermediate crustal levels. In "Structural Geology of Fold and thrust Belts", eds. S. Mitra and G.W.Fisher, 123-144.
  • Protzman, G. M., Mitra, G. (1990):  Strain fabric associated with the Meade thrust implications for cross-section balancing. Journal of Structural Geology 12, 403-417.
  • Wojtal, S., Mitra, G. (1986): Strain hardening and strain softening in fault zones from foreland thrusts. Geological Society of America Bulletin 97, 674-687.
  • Mitra, G., Boyer, S.E.  (1986):  Energy balance and deformation mechanisms of duplexes.  Journal of Structural Geology 8, 291-304.
  • Mitra, G., Yonkee, W.A.  (1985):  Relationship of Spaced Cleavage to folds and thrusts in the Idaho-Utah-Wyoming thrust belt.  Journal of Structural Geology 7, 361-373.
  • Mitra, G. (1984):  Brittle to ductile transition due to large strains along the White Rock thrust, Wind River Mountains, Wyoming:  Journal of Structural Geology 6, 51-61.
  • Mitra, G., Elliott, D. (1980):  Deformation of basement in the Blue Ridge and the development of the South Mountain cleavage.  Proceedings "Caledonides in the USA:  I.G.C.P. Project 27:  Caledonide Orogen, Va. Polytech. Inst. and State Univ. Memoir 2, 307-312.
  • Mitra, G. (1979):  Ductile deformation zones in Blue Ridge basement rocks and estimation of finite strains. Geological Society of America Bulletin Part I, 90, 935-951.