GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Catherine Ross is studying for a PhD in Geology. She studies punctuated events in Earth’s history using field observations, geo/thermochronology, microstructural analysis, and geochemistry. Her broader interests lie in how deformation and sedimentation on the seconds to days timescales are expressed in the rock record.

Her doctoral project focuses on the geochemistry of the Chicxulub impact event, with implications on the global atmospheric and environmental impacts of the extinction event. Her geochemical dating of crater material gathered by IODP 364 is the first comprehensive detrital zircon dataset for key K-Pg boundary sections, and could be used to develop zircon (U-Th)/He as a viable chronometer for impact craters.

She is passionate about diversifying geosciences and works actively to break down barriers between art and STEM through the Geoscience Ambassadors Program.

INTERESTS

Shock metamorphism, geo/thermochronology, microstructural analysis, geochemistry, impact craters, earthquakes.

SUPERVISORS

Daniel Stockli
Sean Gulick

ACADEMICS

B.S., Earth and Planetary Science, McGill University
M.S., Geology, McGill University

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Constraints on Carboniferous Arc Magmatism in the Chicxulub Impact Crater
• Helium diffusion kinetics of shock-metamorphosed zircon
• K-Pg boundary sections in North America

PAST RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Multi-surface ruptures preserved in ancient fault zones
• Wallrock recovery after an earthquake: Stress changes around pseudotachylyte fault veins

HIGHLIGHTS