Sedimentary Responses to Salt Tectonics and Non-Uniformitarian Tectonics

Position Description: The Earth may not have had plate tectonics throughout all of its history. Instead, crustal motion may have been driven by density instabilities and dominated by vertical forces over 3 billion years ago. To gain insight into what this might have looked like in the geologic record, we are compiling evidence from a modern analogue for diapir-driven tectonism: salt minibasins. For this project, your primary responsibility will be to conduct a comprehensive literature review of various salt minibasins to determine consistent geologic features across them, such as sedimentary deposits, expected stratigraphy, and structural features. You will work closely with an advisor to gain an understanding of the current state of knowledge about the evolution of the Earth's crust and to understand the implications of your salt minibasin findings for our understanding of early tectonism.

Project Dates: June 5-June 23, 2023

Number of Available Positions: 1

Location: Remote

Pay Rate: $700 stipend at completion of program

Qualifications/Requirements:

• No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary

• Computer and internet connection required

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) welcomes everyone and aims for a diverse and inclusive community.  Preference will be given to freshman and sophomore students, but we encourage all interested students to apply. Students who are already working with members of the EPS community and non-Harvard students are not eligible for this position.