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Alexander Lusk

(he/him)

Alexander Lusk is a Geologist with the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center.

Alexander takes a multidisciplinary approach to reconstructing tectonic histories of active and ancient orogens as well as investigating lithospheric deformation within associated plate boundary-scale fault zones. He uses a combination of geologic mapping, structural and microstructural analysis, petrology, and geophysics to address these research topics from different perspectives and scales.

Professional Experience

  • Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (2022-present)

  • NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2021-2022)

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020-2021)

  • Intern, California Geological Survey (2019-2020)

  • Teaching Assistant and Graduate Research Fellow, University of Southern California (2013-2019)

  • Intern, NAGT/USGS Cooperative Summer Field Training Program (2010)

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Southern California (2019)

  • B.Sc., Geological Sciences, University of Washington (2011)

Science and Products

Non-USGS Publications**

Ratschbacher B. C., Cawood, T., Larrovere, M. A., Alasino, P. H., Lusk, A. D., Memeti, V., 2021. The ≥6-km Cuesta de Randolfo mylonite zone in Ordovician Famatinian peraluminous granites, NW Argentina: Strain-localization as a function of protolith composition. South American Journal of Earth Sciences. doi: 10.1016/j.jsames.2021.103561.
Chatzaras, V., Lusk, A. D., Chapman, T., Aldanmaz, E., Davis, J. R., Tikoff, B., 2021. Transpressional deformation in the lithospheric mantle beneath the North Anatolian fault. Tectonophysics. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2021.228989.
Lusk, A. D., Platt, J. P., and Platt, J. A., 2021. Natural and experimental constraints on a flow law for dislocation dominated creep in wet quartz. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. doi:10.1029/2020JB021302.
Lusk, A. D. and Platt, J. P., 2020. The deep structure and rheology of a plate boundary-scale shear zone: constraints from an exhumed Caledonian shear zone, NW Scotland. Lithosphere. doi:10.2113/2020/8824736.
Nourse, J. A., Swanson, B., Lusk, A. D., Barth, N., Schwartz, J., Vermillion, K., 2020. Recent Advancements in Geochronology, Geologic Mapping, and Landslide Characterization in Basement Rocks of the San Gabriel Mountains Block, GSA Cordilleran Section 2020. doi:10.1130/2020.0059(02).
Lusk, A. D., et al., 2020. Upper-crustal architecture and record of Famatinian arc activity in the Sierra de Narváez and Sierra de Las Planchadas, NW Argentina. South American Journal of Earth Sciences. doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102895.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

link
Mt. Ouray, Colorado with aspen colors

Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West

The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West project was launched with the goal of producing a new digital geologic map database and 3D geologic model of a transect from the Rio Grande rift to the Basin and Range, based on a synthesis of existing geologic maps with new targeted new mapping, subsurface data, and other data sets. This database will integrate disparate map data, resolve...
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
link

Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West

The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West project was launched with the goal of producing a new digital geologic map database and 3D geologic model of a transect from the Rio Grande rift to the Basin and Range, based on a synthesis of existing geologic maps with new targeted new mapping, subsurface data, and other data sets. This database will integrate disparate map data, resolve...
Learn More

Science and Products

  • Publications

    Non-USGS Publications**

    Ratschbacher B. C., Cawood, T., Larrovere, M. A., Alasino, P. H., Lusk, A. D., Memeti, V., 2021. The ≥6-km Cuesta de Randolfo mylonite zone in Ordovician Famatinian peraluminous granites, NW Argentina: Strain-localization as a function of protolith composition. South American Journal of Earth Sciences. doi: 10.1016/j.jsames.2021.103561.
    Chatzaras, V., Lusk, A. D., Chapman, T., Aldanmaz, E., Davis, J. R., Tikoff, B., 2021. Transpressional deformation in the lithospheric mantle beneath the North Anatolian fault. Tectonophysics. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2021.228989.
    Lusk, A. D., Platt, J. P., and Platt, J. A., 2021. Natural and experimental constraints on a flow law for dislocation dominated creep in wet quartz. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. doi:10.1029/2020JB021302.
    Lusk, A. D. and Platt, J. P., 2020. The deep structure and rheology of a plate boundary-scale shear zone: constraints from an exhumed Caledonian shear zone, NW Scotland. Lithosphere. doi:10.2113/2020/8824736.
    Nourse, J. A., Swanson, B., Lusk, A. D., Barth, N., Schwartz, J., Vermillion, K., 2020. Recent Advancements in Geochronology, Geologic Mapping, and Landslide Characterization in Basement Rocks of the San Gabriel Mountains Block, GSA Cordilleran Section 2020. doi:10.1130/2020.0059(02).
    Lusk, A. D., et al., 2020. Upper-crustal architecture and record of Famatinian arc activity in the Sierra de Narváez and Sierra de Las Planchadas, NW Argentina. South American Journal of Earth Sciences. doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102895.

    **Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

  • Science
    link
    Mt. Ouray, Colorado with aspen colors

    Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West

    The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West project was launched with the goal of producing a new digital geologic map database and 3D geologic model of a transect from the Rio Grande rift to the Basin and Range, based on a synthesis of existing geologic maps with new targeted new mapping, subsurface data, and other data sets. This database will integrate disparate map data, resolve...
    By
    Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
    link

    Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West

    The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West project was launched with the goal of producing a new digital geologic map database and 3D geologic model of a transect from the Rio Grande rift to the Basin and Range, based on a synthesis of existing geologic maps with new targeted new mapping, subsurface data, and other data sets. This database will integrate disparate map data, resolve...
    Learn More