Faculty and Staff

Hometown: Carlsbad, New Mexico

» Ph.D. Ore Deposits and Exploration, Stanford University (1987)
» M.S. Ore Deposits and Exploration, Stanford University (1981)
» B.S. Geology, University of California Davis (1977)

Eric Seedorff is Associate Professor, Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, and the first to hold the Lowell Chair in Economic Geology. In addition to fulfilling the traditional roles of a Geosciences faculty member (undergraduate and graduate teaching, advising, research, and service), Eric is accountable for creating a post-graduate education and training program to meet the needs of geologists in the minerals industry. Eric has an adjunct appointment in the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering.

Eric was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and raised in a mining family. He earned a BS degree in Geology from the University of California, Davis, and MS and PhD degrees in the Ore Deposits and Exploration Program, Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University in California. Immediately prior to joining the faculty at the University of Arizona, Eric was an entrepreneur as Vice President Business Development for Specialty Product Systems, where he and two partners attempted to found a new operating copper company. Eric's earlier positions included being an exploration geologist with WestGold and Chevron Resources in Reno, Nevada, Chief Mine Geologist in the Robinson district of eastern Nevada while it was an operating gold mine and a copper-gold development project for Magma Copper Company, Chief Geologist of Magma in Tucson, Arizona, and Vice President Mineral Resources in the Growth and Technology group of BHP Copper in Tucson. In his position with BHP Copper, he was accountable for geologic leadership for BHP Copper, quality of ore reserve estimates, reserve replacement at mines, reserve additions, liaison with Minerals Discovery for copper exploration and exploration joint venture partners, competency and development of people, and was project manager for the Magma Porphyry development project at Superior, Arizona. In the latter two roles, Eric traveled extensively worldwide, including geologic and business trips to Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Mongolia, China, Russia, and South Africa.

Eric joined the faculty of the University of Arizona in January 2002. His principal research interests are in porphyry deposits, extensional tectonics, volcanology, igneous petrology, and geochemistry. Eric has taught and co-taught classes in Volcanology, Physical Geology, Field Mapping of Mineral Deposits, Advanced Techniques in Mineral Deposits, and a seminar on the Origin of Porphyry Deposits. He has also been developing the curriculum for a course "Mineral Development Stages-An Inquiry into Best Practice" and is organizing a 10-day short course on Porphyry Deposits in December 2004 to kick off the Lowell Program.

Eric is a member of more than a dozen geological and mining organizations and is President of the Arizona Geological Society for 2004. His professional service includes having been an Associate Editor of Economic Geology, Councilor of the Society of Economic Geologists, and President of the Geological Society of Nevada.

In association with students and other collaborators Eric's current research projects include the:

• Henderson porphyry molybdenum deposit, Colorado; mineralogy of F-rich minerals, origin of ore fluids, radiometric dating, thermal modeling of the duration of the hydrothermal system, and measurement of the metal content of fluid inclusions.
• Robinson porphyry Cu-(Mo-Au) deposit, Nevada; district- and regional-scale structural reconstruction, and geology of the porphyry copper system and distal gold deposits.
• regional reconstruction of the Laramide arc after restoration of Tertiary extension.
• reconstruction of the geology of northeastern Nevada and vicinity at 40 Ma as a tool for assessing the origin of Carlin-type gold deposits.
• and the development of a mineralogically-based geochemical classification of alteration types.

Courses:

• Physical Geology (GEOS 251): Geologic principles and processes
• Volcanology (GEOS 470R/570R): Physical processes and petrologic applications
• Volcanology (GEOS 470L/570L): Volcanology laboratory and field methods

Selected publications:

• Seedorff, E., and Einaudi, M. T., 2004, Henderson porphyry molybdenum system, Colorado: I. Sequence and abundance of hydrothermal mineral assemblages, flow paths of evolving fluids, and evolutionary style; II. Decoupling of introduction and deposition of metals during geochemical evolution of hydrothermal fluids: Economic Geology, v. 99, p. 3-37.
• Seedorff, E., and Einaudi, M. T., 2004, Henderson porphyry molybdenum system, Colorado: II. Decoupling of introduction and deposition of metals during geochemical evolution of hydrothermal fluids: Economic Geology, v. 99, p. 39-72.
• Gans, P. B., Seedorff, E., Fahey, P. L., Hasler, R. W., Maher, D. J., Jeanne, R. A., and Shaver, S. A., 2001, Rapid Eocene extension in the Robinson district, White Pine County, Nevada: Geology, v. 29, p. 475-478.
• Seedorff, E., 1991, Magmatism, extension, and ore deposits of Eocene to Holocene age in the Great Basin--Mutual effects and preliminary proposed genetic relationships, in Raines, G. L., Lisle, R. E., Schafer, R. W., and Wilkinson, W. H., eds., Geology and ore deposits of the Great Basin: Geological Society of Nevada, Symposium, Reno/Sparks, April 1990, Proceedings, v. 1, p. 133-178.

Hometown: Washington, DC

» Assistant/Associate Professor, University of California, Los Angeles (1984-1990)
» Post-doc, Geophysical Lab, Carnegie Institution of Washington (1981-1983)
» Ph.D. Geology, University of Chicago (1981)
» M.S. Geology, Virginia Tech (1978)
» B.S. Geology, Virginia Tech (1977)

Mark Barton's research interests deal with understanding of energy and mass transfer in the Earth's lithosphere, and their applications to natural resources. His current research focuses on the magmatic evolution and its links with hydrothermal deposits, the role of surficial conditions in mass transfer systems, and the regional and global patterns of mineralization through time. Studies have centered on southwestern North America and Pacific Rim porphyry, skarn, Fe-oxide(-REE-Cu-Au), and other igneous-related systems.

Mark is involved in projects with currrent and former students, post-docs, and colleagues. Research in progress where he has a leading role includes:

• Porphyry Cu Lifecycles in southwestern North America and its broader crustal context (CMR project, joint with USGS).
• Regional geologic framework and origin of Carlin-type gold deposits (with Eric Seedorff and Greg Ghidotti).
• Characteristics and origin of Fe-oxide(REE-Cu-Au) mineralization (with David Johnson).
• Granite petrogenesis and lithophile element mineralization in the Great Basin.
• Metallogenic synthesis of Mexico and adjoining regions (with Lukas Zürcher, David Johnson, Sergio Castro, Julie Hamblock & others). In addition, he is working on other research projects with David Maher, Eric Jensen, Carlotta Chernoff, Frank Mazdab, Chao Li, and Mark Rollog.

Courses:

• Physical Geology (GEOS 251): Geologic principles and processes
• Advanced Ore Deposit Geology (GEOS 646A): Geology and Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids I
• Advanced Ore Deposit Geology (GEOS 646B): Geology and Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids II

Selected publications:

• Barton, M. D., Dilles, J. H., Einaudi, M. T., Johnson, D. A., 2000, Contrasting Styles of Intrusion-Associated Hydrothermal Systems - A Preface: in Dilles, J. H., Barton, M. D., Johnson, D. A., Proffett, J. M., and Einaudi, M. T., eds., 2000, Contrasting Styles of Intrusion Associated Hydrothermal Systems: Society of Economic Geologists Guide Book Series, v. 32, p. 1-7.
• Barton, M. D., 1996, Granitic magmatism and metallogeny of southwestern North America: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Earth Sciences, v. 87, 261-280.
• Barton, M. D., and Johnson, D. A., 1996, An evaporitic-source model for igneous-related Fe-oxide(-REE-Cu-Au-U) mineralization: Geology, v. 24, p. 259-262.

» Ph.D. Geology, University of Michigan (1983)
» MS, Geology, University of Michigan (1980)
» B.S. Chemistry, University of Miami (1977)
» B.Sc. Geology, University of Miami (1977)

As a geoscientist Joaquin Ruiz is well known for his research involving the formation of metallic ore deposits. In particular, he studies the factors responsible for the origin of ore-forming elements in copper and gold ore deposits at or near the earth’s surface. His work has revealed that gold deposits also offer a method for studying the evolution of the atmosphere, specifically how the oxygen concentration has changed through time. Joaquin is an expert in the tectonic evolution of southern Mexico. His research team addresses problems ranging from the origin of life to present-day climate change.

Joaquin is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists. He is a member of the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science and the Governing Board of the Instituto Nacional de Astronomía, Óptica y Electrónica in Mexico. Joaquin has served as Secretary of the Volcanology Section of the American Geophysical Union, as Councilor of the Geological Society of America, and as Member of the National Science Foundation Panel for the Instrumentation and Facilities Program and the Centers for Excellence in Science and Technology Program.

Joaquin joined the University of Arizona as an assistant professor of geosciences in 1983 and became professor of geosciences in 1993. He was named head of the Department of Geosciences in 1995. In 2000, Joaquin was appointed Dean of the College of Science. As Dean of the College of Science, he has been instrumental in creating a framework to encourage high technology economic development in Mexico through the formation of binational consortia.

Research in progress includes:

• Evaluation of stable isotope ratio variations in nature of Cu, Mo and Sn
• Tectonic Evolution of Mexico
• Origin of Stratiform Copper Deposits
• Re-Os and U-Pb studies of the Witwatersrand Goldfields

Courses:

• Geosciences 400/500, Introduction to Geochemistry

Selected Publications:

• Ruiz, J., and Mathur, R., 1999, Metallogenesis in continental margins: Re-Os evidence from porphyry copper deposits in Chile, in Lambert, D.C., and Ruiz, J., eds., Application of Radiogenic Isotopes to Ore Deposit Research and Exploration: Reviews in Economic Geology 12, p. 59-72.
  Mathur, R., Ruiz, J., and Munizaga, F., 2000, Relationship between copper tonnage and Os isotopic ratios of base metal deposits of Chile: Geology, v. 28, p. 555-558.
• Kirk, J., Ruiz, J., Chesley, J., Titley, S., and Walshe, J., 2001, A detrital model for the origin of gold and sulfides in the Witswaterrand basin based on Re-Os isotopes: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 65, no. 13, p. 2149-2159.
• Kirk, J., Ruiz, J., Chesley, J., Walshe, J., and England, G., 2002, A major Archean Gold and crust forming event in the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa: Science, v. 13, no. 297, p. 1856-1858.
• Chesley, J., Ruiz, J., Righter, K., Ferrari, L., and Gomez-Tueno, A., 2002, Source Contamination versus Assimilation: An example from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 195, p. 211-221.
• Righter, K., Chesley, J., and Ruiz, J., 2002, Genesis of primitive arc basalt: constraints from Re, Os and Cl on the depth of melting and the role of fluids: Geology, v. 30, no. 7, p. 619-622.
• Mesa-Figueroa, D., Ruiz, J., Talavera-Mendoza, O., and Ortega-Gutierrez, F., 2003, Tectonometamorphic evolution of the Acatlan Complex eclogites (southern Mexico): Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 40, p. 27-44.
• Valencia-Moreno, M, Ruiz, J., Ochoa-Landin, L., Martinez-Serrano, R., and Vargas-Navarro, P., 2003, Geochemistry of the Coastal Sonora Batholith, northwestern Mexico: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 40, p. 819-831.
• Chesley, J., Righter, K., and Ruiz, J., 2004, Large-Scale mantle metasomatism: a Re-Os perspective: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 219, p. 49-60.

Hometown: Denver, Colorado, USA

» Ph.D. Geology, University of Arizona; Physical Chemistry Minor (1958)
» B.S. Geological Engineering, Mining Geology, Colorado School of Mines (1951)

Spencer Titley has taught courses across a broad spectrum of geological subjects since beginning teaching at the University of Arizona in 1955. Following a year of industrial work in 1959, he resumed teaching in 1960. The primary focus of his course work has been in Economic Geology and closely related subjects including mineralogy, structural geology, field and outcrop geology, and petrology/petrography. He has brought to teaching some 5 years of combined industrial fieldwork, both in exploration and operational geology. Almost yearly, consulting work carried out world-wide during summers and leave time has sustained his contact with industry and the changing aspects of applied geology. This consulting activity, which has included short courses presented to many corporate groups, has taken him to South Africa, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He was also a Fulbright Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Para, Brazil.

Spencer's research interests and publications have covered many regions and subjects in Economic Geology. His principal interest has been the geology of porphyry copper deposits, and he has also carried out subsidiary research in the geology of base metal carbonate replacement deposits as well as gold and iron ores. His publications have addressed these subjects both generally and specifically. Regional metallogenesis and mineral resources have been of continuing interest with the scale of approach ranging from regional geological history through isotope geology.

Recent (published) geological research with graduate students has been directed toward:

• unraveling the history of mineralization and secondary enrichment of the porphyry copper deposit at Morenci, Arizona.
• the development of the history of formation of the porphyry copper deposit at Escondida, Chile.
• and the study of the origin and mineralization history of the Ertsberg Diorite in the porphyry copper deposit of the Ertsberg/Grasberg district, West Papua, Indonesia.

Courses:

• Mineral and Energy Resources (GEOS 346)
• Economic Mineral Deposits (GEOS 446/546)
• Advanced Ore Depsit Geology (GEOS 646A)
  

Other Relevant Course Specialties:
Mining Geology Methods, Exploration and Project Geology, Interpretation of Outcrop, Field, Pit and Underground Mapping Techniques

Selected Publications:

• Titley, S. R., l982, (ed.) Advances in Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits, Southwestern North America: Tucson, University of Arizona Press, 560 pages.
• Titley, S. R., 2001, Crustal affinities of metallogenesis in the American Southwest: Economic Geology, v.96, p.1323-1342.
• Padilla-Garza, R. A., Titley, S. R., and Pimental-B., F., 2001, Geology of the Escondida porphyry copper deposit, Antofogasta region, Chile: Economic Geology, v. 96, p. 307-234.
• Lang, J. R., and Titley, S. R., 1998, Isotopic and geochemical characteristics of Laramide magmatic systems in Arizona and implications for the genesis of porphyry copper deposits: Economic Geology, v. 93, p. 138-170.
• Titley, S. R., and Marozas, D. C., 1995, Processes and products of supergene copper enrichment, in Pierce, F. W., and Bolm, J. G., eds., Porphyry Copper Deposits of the American Cordillera: Tucson, Arizona Geological Society Digest, v.20, p.156-158.

Hometown: Newport News, Virginia

» B.S. Computer Science, The University of Arizona, current

Aaron Fortner has participated in the creation of the Lowell Program in Economic Geology since 2002. His responsibilities include maintenance of the Lowell Program web site, generation of audio-visuals, brochures, scientific article figures (see cover of Economic Geology, v. 99, no. 1), educational materials, and GIS graphics.

Aaron is a computer science student working toward becoming a graphic artist and 3D modeling programmer. His primary interests are geared toward applying his experience in photography to the digital computer arena (i.e., web based media).

Hometown: Zurich, Switzerland

» Ph.D. Geosciences, The University of Arizona; Mineral Economics Minor (2002)
» M.S. Geosciences, The University of Arizona (1994)
» B.S. Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Environmental Sciences
   Minor (1985)

Lukas Zürcher is collaborating with Eric Seedorff in the creation of the Lowell Program in Economic Geology, a new post-graduate education and training program for professionals in the minerals industry.

Lukas' principal interests lie in the development and application of information synthesis techniques to ore discovery. His areas of expertise include geologic mapping, structural geology, igneous and hydrothermal geochemistry, statistical methods, mineral potential probability mapping, and geographic information systems. He is also interested in the preparation of geologists for management in the international arena.

Lukas' current geologic research is centered on the investigation of the sources and evolution of the hydrothermal system associated with the Chicxulub impact event in Yucatán, Mexico.

His Ph.D. topic focused on the regional controls and magmatic evolution of Laramide porphyry copper systems in western Mexico. The objective of this project was to identify the relative influence of regional and local geologic variables on the development of Laramide porphyry copper systems. Combined regional lithologic, geophysical, and radiogenic isotope results provided an improved picture of the distribution of tectonic boundaries, the composition of contrasting basements, and the evolution of magmatism in Sinaloa and Sonora. A complex but systematic relationship between provincial and local controls was further indicated by deposit-scale geologic, geochemical, structural, and alteration studies conducted at representative porphyry systems across the different tectonic settings.

Selected Publications:

• Seedorff, E., Zurcher, L., Stavast, W. J. A., Barton, M. D., Johnson, D. A., Dilles, J. H., Proffett, J. M., and Einaudi, M. T., [submitted], Porphyry-Related Deposits: Characteristics and Origin of Hypogene Features: Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume.
• Harris, D., Zurcher, L., Stanley, M. C., and Marlow, J. E., 2003, A Comparative Analysis of Favorability Mappings by Weights of Evidence, Probabilistic Neural Networks, Discriminant Analysis, and Logistic Regression: Natural Resources Research, v. 12, no. 4, p. 241-255.
• Zurcher, L., Ruiz, J., and Barton, M. D., 2001, Paragenesis, Elemental Distribution, and Stable Isotopes at the Peña Colorada Iron Skarn, Colima, Mexico: Economic Geology, v. 96, p. 535-557.
• Barton, M. D., Staude, J. M. G., Zurcher, L., and Megaw, P. K. M., 1995, Porphyry Copper and other Intrusion-Related Mineralization in Mexico, in Pierce, F. W., and Bolm, J. G., eds., Porphyry Copper Deposits of the American Cordillera: Arizona Geological Society, v. 20, p. 487-524.