Suoya Fan

EDUCATION

Ph.D. (2021)         Geology      University of Houston

• Thesis: A three-dimensional structural, thermal, and dynamical study of the arcuate Himalaya

• Committee: Michael Murphy (advisor)

   John Suppe, Peter Copeland, Joel Saylor, David Whipp, Michael Taylor

M.S. (2015)                     Geology      China University of Geosciences, Beijing

• Thesis: Tectonic evolution of the Xainza area, South Tibet

• Advisors: An Yin (UCLA) and Lin Ding (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

B.S. (2012)                      Geology      China University of Geosciences, Beijing

• Thesis: The geometry and causes of the Qilixia-Wenquanjing arcuate fold in eastern Sichuan

• Advisor: Danping Yan

RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

After Jan 2022: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California, Santa Barbara

• Advisor: Kristin Morell

• Conduct research on continental deformation, active tectonics, tectonic geomorphology, and landscape evolution.

2016-2021: Teaching Assistant & Research Assistant, University of Houston

• Taught Geologic Field Methods, Geology Summer Field Camp, Physical Geology Laboratory, and Introduction to Climate Change Laboratory.

2012-2015: Lab Assistant, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

• Conducted U-Pb geochronologic analyses using LA-ICP-MS.

AWARDS

• Estwing Award – Outstanding Fieldwork (University of Houston, 2021)

• Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in Geology (University of Houston, 2018, 2019, 2020)

• Structural Geology and Tectonics Division Student Research Travel Grant Award (Geological Society of America, 2017)

• Undergraduate Scholarship Awards in Geology (awarded every semester by China University of Geosciences, Beijing; got 1 first-class, 2 second-class, and 4 third-class awards during 2008-2012)

• Honored International Field Trip (Baikal Rift) (top-10 students in undergraduate program were selected and fully supported by China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 2010)

GRANTS

• Kinematic and Paleoseismic Investigation of an Upper-Plate Fault on Chirikof Island: A Potential Tsunami-Seismic Hazard Source within the Alaska Subduction Zone, 2023-2024, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Grant (PIs: Kristin Morell and Suoya Fan)

Student Grants (before 2022):

• Investigation of the timing of shortening in the Lhasa terrane: testing crustal deformation models for the Tibetan orogen, 2017-2018, GSA Graduate Student Research Grant

• Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Brucite Absorbing CO2, 2009-2010, National Innovation Experiment Program (China)

SERVICES

Reviewer for Tectonics, GSA Bulletin, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Journal of the Geological Society, and Acta Oceanologica Sinica 

Guest Associate Editor for

• Frontiers in Earth Science  for an article collection, “Tectonic Faults: Types, Characteristics and Behavior” (2022-2023)

• Journal of Asian Earth Sciences: X for a special issue, “Tectonic evolution of the cratonic blocks and orogenic belts in Asia and associated metallogeny” (2023-2024)

Event Convener

• AGU 2023 - Session: “Filling in the Margins: 3D Architecture of Convergent Margins and the Transferability from Subduction to Collision” (conveners: Andrew Hoxey, Elizabeth Curtiss, Suoya Fan, Clay Campbell)

• AGU 2023 - Session: “Fold-and-Thrust Belts: Evolution and Dynamics at All Spatiotemporal Scales” (conveners: Lin Li and Suoya Fan)

Supervisory Committee

• Kuhn, Brennen M., Master student, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2022-2025 

(Started to advise since 2021 on an undergraduate research fellowship project)

PUBLICATIONS

Manuscripts

• Fan, S., Murphy, M.A., and Whipp, D.M., Development of strain-partitioning regional structures facilitated by mechanical heterogeneity and arcuate wedge shape in the Himalaya (in revision for Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth) link to a talk

• Fan, S., Morell, K., Fisher, D., Low-Temperature Thermochronology Reveals Paleogene to Recent Exhumation Related to Upper Plate Thrust Faulting above the Downdip Edge of the Seismogenic Zone, Kodiak Island, Alaska Subduction Zone  (in preparation) link to a poster

• Fan, S., Morell, K., Murphy, M.A., Dal Zilio, L., Ding, X., Orographic Climate and Crustal Duplexing in the Formation of High-Elevation, Low-Gradient Orogenic Plateaus: Implications for Dynamic Transient Landscape and Erosion (in preparation) link to a poster

• Fan, S., Murphy, M.A., Taylor, M.H., Bemis, S.P., Styron, R., et al., Inherited heterogeneities control active oblique splay fault system in the thrust wedge of the western Nepal Himalaya (in preparation)

Published Papers

• Bian, S., Tan, X., Liu, Y., Fan, S., Gong, J., Zhou, C., Shi, F., and Murphy, M. A., 2024, Orographic rainfall drives the Himalaya drainage divide to move north: Geomorphology, p. 108952, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2023.108952. 

• Penserini, B. D., Morell, K. D., Codilean, A. T., Fülöp, R. H., Wilcken, K. M., Yanites, B. J., Kumar, A., Fan, S., and Mearce, T., 2023, Magnitude and timing of transient incision resulting from large‐scale drainage capture, Sutlej River, Northwest Himalaya: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5705. 

• Wang, S., Zhang, S., Fan, S., Liu, Y., Wang, S., Song, L., 2023. Back-arc suture zone along the north margin of the eastern Cimmerian continent: Lithos 456-457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2023.107290. 

• Fan, S., Murphy, M. A., Whipp, D. M., Saylor, J. E., Copeland, P., Hoxey, A. K., Taylor, M. H., and Stockli, D. F., 2022, Megathrust Heterogeneity, Crustal Accretion, and a Topographic Embayment in the Western Nepal Himalaya: Insights From the Inversion of Thermochronological Data: Tectonics, v. 41, no. 7, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021tc007071.

- AGU Research Spotlight. News coverage: Derouin, S. (2022), Uncovering the formation of the western Nepal embayment, Eos, 103, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EO220408. Published on 24 August 2022.

• Wang, S., Liu, Y., Fan, S., Tang, W., and Wu, Z., 2022, Branches of the Karakoram fault in Eastern Pamir: International Geology Review, p. 1-19, https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2022.2053887. 

• Wang, S., Fu, X., Liu, Y., Fan, S., Wang, J., and Wu, Z., 2021, Bitu ophiolite in eastern Tibet: The last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the Paleotethyan regime along the eastern Cimmerian continental margin: Lithos, v. 406-407, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106520.

• Baltz, T., Murphy, M., Fan, S., and Champlagain, D., 2021, Geometry, kinematics, and magnitude of extension across the Thakkhola graben, central Nepal: Journal of Nepal Geological Society, v. 62, p. 1-17, https://doi.org/10.3126/jngs.v62i0.38691. 

• Fan, S., and Murphy, M. A., 2021, Three-dimensional strain accumulation and partitioning in an arcuate orogenic wedge: An example from the Himalaya: GSA Bulletin, v. 133, no. 1-2, p. 3-18, https://doi.org/10.1130/b35528.1.

• Wu, C., Liu, C., Fan, S., Zuza, A. V., Ding, L., Liu, W., Ye, B., Yang, S., and Zhou, Z., 2019, Structural analysis and tectonic evolution of the western domain of the Eastern Kunlun Range, northwest Tibet: GSA Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1130/b35388.1.

• Fan, S., Ding, L., Murphy, M. A., Yao, W., and Yin, A., 2017, Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic evolution of the Lhasa Terrane in the Xainza area of southern Tibet: Tectonophysics, v. 721, p. 415-434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2017.10.022.

Abstracts

• Fan, S., Morell, K., Fisher, D., Low-Temperature Thermochronology Reveals Paleogene to Recent Exhumation Related to Upper Plate Thrust Faulting above the Downdip Edge of the Seismogenic Zone, Kodiak Island, Alaska Subduction Zone: AGU Fall Meeting 2023

• Fan, S., Morell, K., Murphy, M., Dal Zilio, L., Ding, X., Orographic Climate and Crustal Duplexing in the Formation of High-Elevation, Low-Relief Orogenic Plateaus: Implications for Dynamic Transient Landscape and Erosion: AGU Fall Meeting 2023

• Fan, S., Murphy, M.A., and Whipp, D.M., 2022, Geodynamics of strain partitioning facilitated by mechanical heterogeneity and oblique convergence in the arcuate Himalaya, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Denver, Colorado, USA, Vol 54, No. 5, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-378494

• Fan, S., Murphy, M. A., Whipp, D. M., Saylor, J. E., Copeland, P., Hoxey, A. K., Taylor, M. H., and Stockli, D. F., 2021, Megathrust Heterogeneity, Crustal Accretion, and a Topographic Embayment in Western Nepal Himalaya: Insights from the Inversion of Thermochronological Data: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, AGU.

• Kuhn, B., Fan, S., Murphy, M. A., Daniel, M., and Hoxey, A. K., 2021, Active Faulting, Seismicity and Their Relationship With Megathrust Ramps and Inherited Structures in Western Nepal: Insights From a Three-Dimensional Model: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, AGU.

• Daniel, M., Murphy, M. A., Taylor, M. H., Bemis, S. P., Styron, R., Fan, S., Kuhn, B., Hoxey, A. K., Curtis, E., and Adhikari, B. R., 2021, Utilizing Deformation Along the Western Nepal Fault System to Characterize the Initiation, Kinematics, and Development of a Splay Fault in a Thrust Wedge: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, AGU.

• Curtiss, E. R., Bemis, S. P., Vadman, M., Murphy, M. A., Taylor, M. H., Styron, R., Hoxey, A. K., Fan, S., Daniel, M., and Adhikari, B. R., 2021, Paleoseismic Excavations Across a Releasing Bend of the Western Nepal Fault System Reveal Previously Undocumented Earthquakes: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, AGU.

• Hoxey, A. K., Taylor, M. H., Murphy, M. A., Bemis, S. P., Styron, R., Curtis, E., Daniel, M., Fan, S., Adhikari, B. R., and Chamlagain, D., 2021, Active Faulting in the High Himalaya of West Nepal: Quaternary Slip Rates Along the Western Nepal Fault System: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, AGU.

• Hoxey, A. K., Taylor, M. H., Murphy, M. A., Bemis, S. P., Styron, R. H., Fan, S., Adhikari, B. R., and Chamlagain, D., 2020, Active Deformation and its Topographic Expression in the High Himalaya of West Nepal: AGU Fall Meeting 2020, AGU.

• Hoxey, A. K. R., Taylor, M. H., Murphy, M. A., Bemis, S. P., Styron, R. H., Fan, S., Adhikari, B. R., Chamlagain, D., 2020, Topographic expression of transform faulting in the high Himalaya of west Nepal: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, online, Volume 52, No. 6, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2020AM-353737 

• Fan, S., and Murphy, M. A., 2019, 3D strain partitioning and accumulation in an arcuate orogenic wedge: An example from the Himalaya: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Volume 51, No. 5, p. 292-214, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2019AM-335529.

• Fan, S., and Murphy, M. A., 2018, Along-strike strain variations in the western and central Himalayan orogen: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, Volume 50, No.6, p. 197-121, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2018AM-324135.

INVITED TALKS

• Preliminary Survey Results Revealing Recent Exhumation and Active Normal Faulting in the Alaska Subduction Zone Forearc, “News from the Alaska Subduction Zone” Virtual Seminar Series (https://sites.google.com/view/newsfromtheaksubzone/), Online, USA, 2023

• Bridging the Gap between Deep Crustal Tectonics and Hinterland Plateau Landscapes in an Orogenic Wedge, Department Colloquium, University of Nevada, Reno, USA, 2023

• Using Convergence Research to Connect the 3D architecture of the Himalayan thrust wedge to the seismic hazard and risk in Western Nepal, Webinar Series, Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction, Nepal, 2020

• Along-strike strain variations in the western and central Himalayan orogen, Geoscience Seminar Series, University of Helsinki, Finland, 2019

VISITING EXPERIENCES

2019         University of Helsinki                         3 weeks

2018-2019   University of California, Los Angeles        multiple 2-3-weeks visits

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED

2023

• 2023 InSAR Processing and Analysis (ISCE+) Short Course, offered by EarthScope Consortium, online, August 21-25, 2023

• Spring 2023 OpenTopography Webinar Series, weekly hour-long webinar series, March 15 - May 3, 2023 (8 weeks/8 hour-long virtual meetings)

• Jump-Start SAR Data Analysis in the Cloud with ASF’s OpenSARLab, NASA Earthdata webinar, January 25, 2023

2022

• Regular Course - GEOG 137/237 Quantitative Geomorphology, a 10-week course offered by Dr. Vamsi Ganti in Spring 2022 at the University of California, Santa Barbara

2021

• Python Programming Summer Workshop 2021, offered by HPE Data Science Institute at University of Houston, online, August 9-12, 2021 (16 hours with assignments)

2020

• Exploring Surface Processes using Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System Modeling Tools: How to Build Coupled Models, at GSA 2020, online, October 23, 2020

2018

• Structure from Motion: a transformative 3D capability for structural geology and tectonics, at the 5th Biennial Structural Geology and Tectonics Forum, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, January 6, 2018

• Geometric statistics for geologic data, at the 5th Biennial Structural Geology and Tectonics Forum, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, January 4, 2018

2016

• Modeling earth surface dynamics with Landlab, offered by Dr. Nicole Gasparini from Tulane University, University of Houston, Texas, September 8, 2016

FIELD EXPERIENCES

2023

• Chirikof Island, Alaska, US (2 weeks): forearc upper-plate neotectonic and paleoseismic investigation (USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Grant).

• California, US (1 week): California Geology field camp with the instructors and students from San Diego State University

2022

• Kodiak Island, Alaska, US (2 weeks): forearc deformation of a subduction zone (NSF project).

2021

• Western Nepal (about 1.5 months): neotectonics of western Nepal Himalaya (NSF project).

2019-2016

• Western Nepal (1 month): neotectonics of western Nepal Himalaya (NSF project).

• Red Lodge, Yellowstone, and Dillon areas in MT, US (5 weeks of TA, 2018, 2019): continued structural geology research started in 2017.

• Block Mt, Dillon, MT, US (2 weeks in 2017): geological mapping and structural analysis.

• Big Bend National Park, TX, US (field TA during spring breaks of 2017, 2018)

2013

• Xainza, Tibet, China (2 weeks): research on the tectonic evolution of northern Lhasa terrain.

• Lhasa and Sangri, Tibet, China (1 month): field assistant to work on magmatism in South Tibet.

• Lhatse and Xigaze area, Tibet, China (1 month): field assistant to work on the Cenozoic deformation and sedimentation in South Tibet.

2012

• Qilian, Qinghai, China (about 2.5 months): geological mapping in the Qilian mountains (funded by China Geological Survey).

2011

• Sichuan and Chongqing, China (about 1 month): research on the geometry and kinematics of the arc-shaped folds in thin-skinned fold and thrust belt in eastern Sichuan (B.S. thesis).

2010

• Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China (2 weeks): geological mapping (funded by China Geological Survey).

• Baikal Lake area, Russia (2 weeks): a field camp on geology of Baikal rift (an honor international exchange program with Irkutsk State Technical University for top-10 undergraduates in geology, funded by China University of Geosciences, Beijing)

• Zhoukoudian, Beijing, China (4 weeks): a comprehensive geology field camp

2009

• Suolun & Zhalantun, Inner Mongolia, China (1 month): geological mapping (internship)

• Beidaihe, Hebei, China (2 weeks): an intro-level geology field camp