Micah Jessup
See Also: Jessup website
Research Interest
My research integrates field-and lab-based structural geology with metamorphic geology, geochronology, thermochronology, and isotopic geochemistry to test aspects of the tectonic evolution of orogenic systems. Some examples of recent and ongoing collaborative projects in the Himalayas, Tibet and Colorado include: 1) quantifying the kinematic evolution of shear zones, 2) exhumation of migmatite-cored domes during orogen-parallel extension and 3) interplay between focused denudation and exhumation.
Recent Publications
Cottle, J.M., Jessup, M. J., Newell, D.L., Horstwood, M. S. A., Noble, S.R., Parrish, R.R., Waters, D.J., & Searle, M.P. (2009) Geochronology of granulitized eclogite and associated rocks from the Ama Drime Massif: implications for the tectonic evolution of the South Tibetan Himalaya. Tectonics, 28, TC1002, doi:10.1029/2008TC002256.
Newell, D.L., Jessup, M.J., Cottle, J.M., Hilton, D.R., Fischer, T. & Sharp, Z. (2008) Aqueous and isotope geochemistry of mineral springs along the southern margin of the Tibetan plateau - Implications for fluid sources and regional degassing of CO2. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst, 9,Q08014.
Jessup, M.J., Newell, D.L., Cottle, J.M., Berger, A.L. & Spotila, J.A. (2008) Orogen-parallel extension and exhumation enhanced by focused denudation in the Arun River gorge, Ama Drime Massif, Tibet-Nepal. Geology, 36, 587-590.
Jessup, M.J., Cottle, J.M., Searle, M.P., Law, R.D., Tracy, R.J., Newell, D.L. & Waters, D.J. (2008) P-T-t-D paths of the Everest Series schist, Nepal. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 26, 717-739.
Searle, M.P., Law, R.D., Godin, L., Larson, K., Streule, M.J., Cottle, J.M. & Jessup, M.J. (2008) Defining the Himalayan Main Central Thrust in Nepal. Journal of the Geological Society of London, 165, 523-534.
Cottle, J.M., Jessup, M.J., Newell, D.L., Searle, M.P., Law, R.D., Horstwood, M.S.A. (2007) Structural insights into the early stages of exhumation along an orogen-scale detachment: the South Tibetan Detachment System, Dzakaa Chu section, Eastern Himalaya. Journal of Structural Geology, v. 29, 1781-1797.
Cottle.et.al.2007.pdf
Jessup, M.J., Law, R.D., & Frassi, C. (2007) The Rigid Grain Net (RGN): An alternative graphical approach for estimating mean kinematic vorticity (Wm). Journal of Structural Geology 29, 411-421.
Jessup, Law & Frassi (2007).pdf
Searle, M.P., Law, R.D. & Jessup, M.J. (2006) Crustal structure, restoration and evolution of the Greater Himalaya: implication for channel flow and ductile extrusion of the middle crust. In Law, R.D., Searle, M.P. & Godin, L. (eds) Channel Flow, Extrusion, and Exhumation in Continental Collision Zones. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 268, 355-378.
Searle.et.al.2006.pdf
Jessup, M.J., Law, R.D., Searle, M.P., & Hubbard, M.S. (2006) Structural evolution and vorticity of flow during extrusion and exhumation of the Greater Himalayan Slab, Mount Everest Massif, Tibet/Nepal: implications for orogen-scale flow partitioning. In: Law, R.D., Searle, M.P. & Godin, L. (eds) Channel Flow, Extrusion, and Exhumation in Continental Collision Zones. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 268, 379-414.
Jessup.et.al.2006b.pdf
Jessup, M.J., Jones, J.V., Karlstrom, K.E., Connelly, J.N., Williams, M.L., & Heizler, M.T. (2006) Three Proterozoic orogenic episodes and an intervening exhumation event in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Region, Colorado. Journal of Geology, 114, 555-576.
Jessup.et.al.2006a.pdf
Jessup, M.J., Karlstrom, K.E., Connelly, J.N., Williams, M.L., Livaccari, R., Tyson, A., & Rogers, S.A. (2005) Complex Proterozoic crustal assembly of southwestern North America in an arcuate subduction system: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, southwestern Colorado. In: Karlstrom, K.E. & Keller, R.G. (eds) The Rocky Mountain Region: An Evolving Lithosphere. American Geophysical Union monograph, 154, 21-38.
Jessup.et.al.2005.pdf
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS
Karlstrom, K.E., Whitmeyer, S.J., Williams, M.L., Bowring, S.A. & Jessup, M.J. (2007) Does the arc-accretion model adequately explain the Paleoproterozoic evolution of southern Laurentia: An expanded interpretation--Comment. Geology, e143-144.
Karlstrom.et.al.2007.pdf
Contact Information
Micah Jessup
Assistant Professor
Structural Geology and Tectonics
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
1412 Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-1410
Phone: (865) 974-2366
Email: mjessup@utk.edu