Dr. Eric Horsman
Associate Professor
Graham 310
252 328 5265
horsmane@ecu.edu
http://myweb.ecu.edu/horsmane/index.html
Education
- A. Geology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 1999
- S. Geology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2003
- D. Geology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2006
- Post-doctoral Research, University of California – Berkeley, 2006-2007
- Mendenhall Post-doctoral Scholar, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, 2008-2009
Research Interests
I am a structural geologist interested in rock deformation processes at scales ranging from the crystal lattice to tectonic plates. At all these spatial scales, I use a combination of field and laboratory observations, geophysical techniques, and quantitative analysis to critically assemble and evaluate models of complex deformation. I am particularly interested in studying processes that control how geological systems operate. Working toward this goal necessarily requires understanding what happened. Extensive field work is therefore fundamental to all of my research. I supplement field observations with laboratory data from a wide of different techniques. Each project requires the application of a distinct suite of techniques but some I commonly rely upon include quantitative fabric and texture analysis (e.g. shape-preferred orientation of mineral grains, crystal size distribution, etc.), geophysics (especially rock magnetism and gravity), major and trace element geochemistry, and petrography. Regardless of the topic studied or techniques used, all of my research involves the active participation of graduate and undergraduate students from ECU and collaborators’ institutions.
Since starting work at ECU, much of my research has focused on studying the emplacement of igneous intrusions in the upper few kilometers of Earth’s crust. Magmatism in the shallow crust interests me both because of the complex interrelated geological processes involved, and also for its important societal implications. Not all of my research, however, is focused on magmatism in the upper crust. I also study a variety of other topics, including the development of fracture networks, relationships between magmatism and tectonics in the crust, the application of rock magnetic analysis techniques to sedimentary environment analysis, and development of student spatial thinking skills
Recent Publications (students in italics)
Twarog, M. R., Culver, S.J., Mallinson, D.J., Leorri, E., Horsman, E., Donovan, B., Harrison, E.I., Hindes, H., Reed, D., Shazili, N.A.M., Parham,P.R., 2021. Depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy of post-last glacial maximum incised valley-fill, Malay Basin, Sunda Shelf, offshore peninsular Malaysia. Marine Geology 436, doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106457.
Giorgis, S.D., Horsman, E., Burmeister, K., Rost, R., Herbert, L., Pivarunas, A., & Braunagel, M., 2019. Constraints on emplacement rates of intrusions in the shallow crust based on paleomagnetic secular variation. Geophysical Research Letters, 46. DOI: 10.1029/2019GL084025
Horsman, E., Broda, R.J., Gwyn, N.Z., Maurer, E.A., Thornton, E.D., & Ward, M.D., 2018. Progressive construction of laccolithic intrusive centers, Henry Mountains, Utah, U.S.A. In: Breitkreuz, C. & Rocchi, S. (eds), Physical Geology of Shallow Magmatic Systems, 327-347.
Morgan, S.S., Jones, R., Conner, J., Student, J., Schaner, M., Horsman, E., & de Saint Blanquat, M., 2017. Magma sheets defined with magnetic susceptibility, Maiden Creek sill, Henry Mountains, Utah, USA. Geology, 45: 599-602.
Zaremba, N., Mallinson, D., Leorri, E., Culver, S.; Riggs, S.; Mulligan, R., Horsman, E. & Mitra, S., 2016. Controls on the stratigraphic framework and paleoenvironmental change within a Holocene estuarine system: Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, USA. Marine Geology, 379: 109-123.
Manda, A. & Horsman, E., 2015. Fracturesis jointitis: Causes, symptoms, and treatment in groundwater communities. Groundwater, 53: 836-840
http://myweb.ecu.edu/horsmane/vitae/index.html