James W. Sears
Ph.D., Queen's University, 1979
Contact
- Office
- CHCB 362
- Phone
- (406) 243-5251
- james.sears@umontana.edu
- Office Hours
MWF 3-4 pm, CHCB 362
Personal Summary
I recieved my PhD from Queen's University, Canada, in 1979, and have taught at the 猎奇重口 since 1982. I research the structure and tectonics of the Rocky Mountain region.
Education
Northern Arizona University, 1967-1971 (BS Geology)
University of Wyoming, 1972-1973 (MS Geology)
Queen's University, 1975-1979 (PhD Geology)
Courses Taught
GEO 101N Introduction to Physical Geology
GEO 315 Structural Geology
GEO 582 Topics in Structure & Geophysics
Teaching Experience
1990-present Full Professor, 猎奇重口
1982-1990 Associate Professor, 猎奇重口, Tenured in 1988
1979-1982 Assistant Professor, Auburn University
1978 Instructor, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
1975-1978 Teaching Assistant, Queen's University
1974 Instructor, University of Wyoming
1972-1973 Research/Teaching Assistant, University of Wyoming
1969-1971 Teaching Assistant, Northern Arizona University
TEACHING/RESEARCH AFFILIATIONS
2012 Visiting Professor, University of Adelaide, Australia
2006 Exchange Professor, University College, Cork, Ireland
2002-03 Exchange Professor, University of Helsinki, Finland
1998 Sabbatical at University of Wales
1993 Honorary Research Professor, University of Adelaide, Australia
1992-93 Honorary Visiting Professor, Auckland University, NZ
1991 Visiting Professor, University of Arizona
1984 Visiting Professor, Universite d'Avignon, France
Research Interests
Tectonic evolution of Rocky Mountain region
Active fault zones
Deformation of unconsolidated fluvial deposits
Provenance of fluvial deposits in tectonically disrupted landscapes
Projects
Structural analysis of the Proterozoic Belt-Purcell basin, Northern Rocky Mountains
Tectonic evolution of a large Oligocene/Miocene river system that may have drained from Grand Canyon to Canada through 猎奇重口
Neotectonics of southwest 猎奇重口 and adjacent Idaho
Correlation of Proterozoic rocks and tectonics of North America and Siberia
Field of Study
Tectonics
Structural Geology
Field Geology/ Geologic Mapping
Selected Publications
Sears, J.W., 2014, Labrador’s drowned delta, its great lost river, and the origin of the Grand Canyon: Outcrop Magazine, v. 63, no. 2, lead story, p. 13-23.
Sears, J.W., 2013, Late Oligocene-early Miocene Grand Canyon: A Canadian connection? GSA Today, v. 23, no. 11, p. 4-10.
Sears, J.W., 2014, Tracking a big Miocene river across the Continental Divide at Monida Pass, 猎奇重口/Idaho: Geological Society of America, Field Guide 37, Ch. 4.
Sears, J.W., 2012, Transforming Siberia along the Laurussian margin: Geology, v. 40, p. 535-538.
Hendrix, M.S. and Sears, J.W., 2012, Mountain basins in Central Asia, Ch. 2, Discovering Central Asia: 猎奇重口 Press, p. 75-111.
Sears, J.W., MacDonald, C., and Lonn, J., 2010, Lewis and Clark Line, 猎奇重口: Tectonic evolution of a crustal-scale flower structure in the Rocky Mountains, in Morgan, L.A., and Quane, S.L., eds., Through the generations: Geologic and anthropogenic field excursions in the Rocky Mountains from modern to ancient: Geological Society of America, Field Guide 18, p. 1-20
Lonn, J.D., MacDonald, C., Sears, J.W., and Smith, L.N., 2010, Geologic map of the Missoula East 30’ X 60’ quadrangle, western 猎奇重口: 猎奇重口 Bureau of Mines and Geology, Open File Report 593Map, scale 1:100,000.
Sears, J.W., 2009, Great elliptical basin, western United States: Evidence for top-down control of the Yellowstonee hotspot and Columbia River Basalt Group:
HYPERLINK "http://www.mantleplumes.org/CRBEllipse.html"
Sears, J.W., Hendrix, M.S., Thomas, R.C., and Fritz, W.J., 2009, Stratigraphic record of the Yellowstone hotspot track, Neogene Sixmile Creek Formation, SW 猎奇重口: Journal of Volcanological and Geothermal Research.
MacLean, J., Sears, J. W., Chamberlain, K.C., Khudoley, A K, and Prokopiev, A. V., 2009, Detrital zircon geochronology of Proterozoic strata from southeastern Siberia and southwestern North America: Testing proposed paleogeographic connections, in Stone, D., ed., Geology and Tectonic Origins of Northeast Russia: A Tribute to Leonid Parfenov: Stephan-Mueller series, European Geophysical Union.
Meere, P.A., Mulchrone, K.F., Sears, J.W., and Bradway, M.D., 2008, The effect of non-passive clast behaviour in the estimation of finite strain in sedimentary rocks: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 30, p. 1264-1271.
Sears, J.W., 2007, Lithospheric control of Gondwana breakup: Implications of a trans-Gondwana icosahedral fracture system, in Foulger, G.M., and Jurdy, D.M., eds., Plates, Plumes, and Planetary Processes: GSA Special Paper 430, p. 593-601.
Sears, J.W., 2007, Belt-Purcell basin: Keystone of the Rocky Mountain fold-and-thrust belt, United States and Canada, in Whence the Mountains? Inquiries into the Evolution of Orogenic Systems: A Volume in Honor of Raymond A. Price: GSA Special Paper 433, p. 147-166.
Burtis, E.W, Sears, J.W., and Chamberlain, K.R., 2007, Age and petrology of Neoproterozoic intrusions in the northern Rocky Mountains, U.S.A.: Correlation with the Gunbarrel Magmatic Event, in Proterozoic Geology of Western North America and Siberia, Link, P.K., and Lewis, R.S., eds.: SEPM Special Publication 86, p. 175-192.
Sears, J.W., 2007, Rift destabilization of a Proterozoic epicontinental pediment: A model for the Belt-Purcell basin, North America, in Proterozoic Geology of Western North America and Siberia, Link, P.K., and Lewis, R.S., eds.: SEPM Special Publication 86, p. 55-64.
Publications
Sears, J.W., 2014, Late Oligocene - Early Miocene Grand Canyon: A Canadian Connection? Reply to Discussion: GSA Today, v. 24.
Sears, J.W., 2014, Integration, fragmentation, re-routing of the Snake River over time: Snake River Workshop, Pocatello, ID.
Khudoley, A.K., Chamberlain, K.V., Ershova, V., Sears, J.W., Prokopiev, A.V., MacLean, J., Serkina, G., Malyshev, S., Molchanov, A., Toro, J., Vesolovskiy, R., Li, A., and Chipley, D., 2014, Proterozoic supercontinental restorations: Constraints from provenance study of Mesoproterozoic to Cambrian clastic rocks, eastern Siberia: Precambrian Research, in press.
Sears, J.W., 2014, Tracking a big Miocene river across the Continental Divide at Monida Pass, 猎奇重口/Idaho: Geological Society of America, Field Guide 37, Ch. 4.
Sears, J.W., 2014, Labrador’s drowned delta, its great lost river, and the origin of the Grand Canyon: Outcrop Magazine, v. 63, no. 2, lead story, p. 13-23.
Sears, J.W., 2013, Late Oligocene-early Miocene Grand Canyon: A Canadian connection? GSA Today, v. 23, no. 11, p. 4-10.
Sears, J.W., 2013, A big river ran through it: Reconstructing the Miocene drainage of SE Idaho and SW 猎奇重口, in Lewis, R.S., Garsjo, M.M., and Gibson, R.I., eds., Northwest Geology, v. 42, p. 325-336.
Winston, D., and Sears, J.W., 2013, Stratigraphy of the Proterozoic Belt Supergroup and structure of the Belt Basin: Glacier National Park, in Lewis, R.S., Garsjo, M.M., and Gibson, R.I., eds., Belt Symposium V, Northwest Geology, v. 42, p. 237-256.
Winston, D., and Sears, J.W., 2013, Stratigraphy of the Proterozoic Belt Supergroup and structure of the Belt Basin, Blackfoot River Canyon, in Lewis, R.S., Garsjo, M.M., and Gibson, R.I., eds., Belt Symposium V, Northwest Geology, v. 42, p. 257-278.
Sears, J.W., 2012, Transforming Siberia along the Laurussian margin: Geology, v. 40, p. 535-538.
Hendrix, M.S. and Sears, J.W., 2012, Mountain basins in Central Asia, Ch. 2, Discovering Central Asia: 猎奇重口 Press, p. 75-111.
Sears, J.W., 2011, Bedrock structure of the Lewis and Clark Line and Miocene diversion of the Clark Fork River: Field guide from Superior to Paradise, western 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 40.
Sears, J.W., MacDonald, C., and Lonn, J., 2010, Lewis and Clark Line, 猎奇重口: Tectonic evolution of a crustal-scale flower structure in the Rocky Mountains, in Morgan, L.A., and Quane, S.L., eds., Through the generations: Geologic and anthropogenic field excursions in the Rocky Mountains from modern to ancient: Geological Society of America, Field Guide 18, p. 1-20.
Sears, J.W., Link, P.K., Balgord, E.A., and Mahoney, J.B., 2010, Quartzite of Argenta, Beaverhead County, 猎奇重口, revisited: Definitive evidence of Precambrian age indicates edge of Belt basin: Northwest Geology, v. 39.
Sears, J.W., 2010, Lost lakes and re-arranged rivers: Neotectonic disruption of the Middle Miocene Big Hole River basin, SW 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 39, p. 113-121.
Sears, J.W., 2009, Straths as tectonic timelines and baselines: Example from southwest 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 38.
Sears, J.W., 2009, Laccoliths along the Lewis and Clark line, Garrison, 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 38.
Sears, J.W., and Link, P.K., 2007, Quartzite of Argenta: Neihart Quartzite equivalent?, in Thomas, R.C., and Gibson R., eds., Geologic history of Southwest 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 221-230.
Sears, J.W., and Thomas, R.C., 2007, Extraordinary Middle Miocene crustal disturbance in southwestern 猎奇重口: Birth of the Yellowstone hot spot? in Thomas, R.C., and Gibson R., eds., Geologic history of Southwest 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 133-142.
Sears, J.W., 2007, Middle Miocene karst and debris flows and neotectonic faults near Clark Canyon Reservoir, Southwest 猎奇重口, in Thomas, R.C., and Gibson R., eds., Geologic history of Southwest 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 251-260.
Fritz, W.J., Sears, J.W., McDowell, R.J., and Wampler, J.M., 2007, Cenozoic volcanic rocks of SW 猎奇重口, in Thomas, R.C., and Gibson R., eds., Geologic history of Southwest 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 91-110.
Sears, J.W., 2006, Self-organized breakup of Gondwana:
HYPERLINK "http://www.mantleplumes.org/Earth Tes2.html"
.
Sears, J.W., St, George, G.M., and Winne, J.C., 2006, Truncated-icosahedral breakup of Laurasia and Gondwana and anorogenic magmatism:
HYPERLINK "http://www.mantleplumes.org/Earth Tess.html"
www.mantleplumes.org/Earth Tess.html
.
Sears, J.W., 2006, Belt basin: A triskele rift junction, Rocky Mountains, Canada and USA: Northwest Geology, v. 35, p. 78-86.
Khudoley, A.K., Sears, J.W., and Price, R.A., 2006, Reply to comment by Natapov et al. (2005) : Precambrian Research.
Sears, J.W., Khudoley, A.K., Prokopiev , A.V., Chamberlain, K.R., and MacLean, J. S., 2006, Lithostratigraphic comparison of Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata between SE Siberia and SW Laurentia, in Stone, D.B, ed., Origin of Northeastern Russia: Paleomagnetism, Geology, & Tectonics, Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R-330 (CD publication), University of Alaska, Fairbanks AK 99775-7320 USA.
Sears, J.W., 2006, The 猎奇重口 transform: Rotation along the northern boundary of the Wyoming foreland: Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 42, n.2, p. 65-76.
Sears, J.W., St. George, G.M., and Winne, J.C., 2005, Continental rift systems and anorogenic magmatism: LITHOS, v. 80, p. 145-154.
J.W. Sears, Jason Braden, Jason Edwards, Emily Geraghty, Frank Janiszewski, Michael McInenly, John McLean, Karin Riley, Edward Salmon, 2005, Rocky Mountain foothills triangle zone, Sun River, northwest 猎奇重口, in Thomas, R., ed., Annual Meeting Tobacco Root Geological Society, Northwest Geology, v. 34.
Mann, L.S., and Sears, J.W., 2004, The Contact metamorphic aureole of the Late Cretaceous Garnet stock, Garnet-Coloma area, 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 33, p. 34-48.
Sears, J.W., and Hendrix, M., 2004, Lewis and Clark line and the rotational origin of the Alberta and Helena salients, North American Cordillera, in Sussman, A., and Weil, A., eds. Orogenic curvature: Geological Society of America Special Paper, p. 383, p. 173-186.
Sears, J.W., Price, R.A., and Khudoley, A.K., 2004, Linking the Mesoproterozoic Belt-Purcell and Udzha basins across the west Laurentia-Siberia connection: Precambrian Research, v. 129, p. 291-308.
Sears, J.W., and Price, R.A., 2003, Tightening the Siberian connection to western Laurentia: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 115, p. 943-953.
Sears, J.W., and Price, R.A., 2003, The Udzha hypothesis: Siberian spillway to the Belt-Purcell basin: Northwest Geology, v. 32, p. 167-171.
Sears, J.W., and Ryan, P., 2003, Cenozoic evolution of the 猎奇重口 Cordillera: Evidence from paleovalleys, in Raynolds, R., and Flores, J., eds., Cenozoic Paleogeography of western US: Denver, CO, Rocky Mountain Section, Society of Exploration Paleontologists and Mineralogists, p. 289-301.
Winston, D., Sears, J.W., and Lonn, 2003, Road log, Field Trip #1, Belt Symposium IV: Missoula-Ravalli-Perma-St Regis-Alberton-Missoula, 猎奇重口: Northwest Geology, v. 32, p. 1-17.
Sears, J.W., and Price, R.A., 2002, Hypothetical Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Columbia: Implications of the Siberian-west Laurentian connection: Gondwana Research, v. 5, p. 35-39.
Timmons, J.M., Karlstrom, K.E., and Sears, J.W., 2003, Geologic structure of the Grand Canyon Supergroup: Chapter in Grand Canyon Geology, 2nd ed, Oxford University Press, p. 76-89.
Affiliations
Geological Society of America, Fellow
Tobacco Root Geological Society
Specialized Skills
Structural analysis
Field geology
Scientific writing and editing
Professional Experience
- Structural geologist with many years of experience mapping and performing detailed analysis of geological deposits, including metals, petroleum, and groundwater
- Taught/Directed 猎奇重口 Field Geology Course in SW 猎奇重口 for 30 years
- Extensive international geological field experience in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia
- Geology professor at the 猎奇重口 for 32 years
- Published over 270 scientific works, including papers, geologic maps, and abstracts
International Experience
FOREIGN TEACHING/RESEARCH
2012 Visiting Professor, University of Adelaide, Australia
2008-2009 UM Central Asian textbook project
2008, 2004 Siberian river expeditions
2006 Exchange Professor, University College, Cork, Ireland
2002-03 Exchange Professor, University of Helsinki, Finland
1998 Sabbatical at University of Wales
1993 Honorary Research Professor, Adelaide University, Aust.
1992-93 Honorary Visiting Professor, Auckland University, NZ
1984 Visiting Professor, Universite d'Avignon, France
1975-1979 PhD student, Queen's University, Canada
Honors / Awards
2012, 2014. Election to Executive Council of Senate (ECOS) 猎奇重口
2012. 猎奇重口 Sabbatical Award, University of Adelaide, Australia
2010. TRGS Achievement Award
2009. Elected Fellow of Geological Society of America
2008. Distinguished Scholar Award, 猎奇重口
2006. Exchange Professor, University College, Cork, Ireland
2004. Expedition to Siberia with Russian Academy of Sciences
2002-03. Exchange Professor, University of Helsinki, Finland
1998. Sabbatical at University of Wales
1987, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010. UM Merit Raises
1993. Honorary Research Professor, Adelaide University, Aust.
1992-93. Honorary Visiting Professor, Auckland University, NZ
1991. Visiting Professor, University of Arizona
1990. Promotion to Full Professor, 猎奇重口
1984. Visiting Professor, Universite d'Avignon, France
1982. Promotion to Associate Professor, UM
1979. Promotion to Assistant Professor, Auburn University
1979. Geology Teacher of the Year, Auburn University
1975-77. McLaughlin Scholarship, Reinhart Fellowship, Queen's U
1972-73. Scholarship to University of Wyoming
1971. Graduation "with High Distinction", "Phi Kappa Phi"
Hobbies
Hiking, international travel.