Professor Peter Cawood

Tectonics Special Research Centre
School of Earth and Geographical Sciences (M004)
The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009

Telephone: +61- 8- 6488 3422
Fax:            +61- 8- 6488 1037
E-Mail:         pcawood@tsrc.uwa.edu.au 

Research Affiliations

• Tectonics Special Research Centre

Research

Peter's research interests are with the role of collisional tectonics in lithospheric development and in particular the interplay of subduction and exhumation processes in understanding the structural fabric and present exposure level of orogenic belts.

Current projects focus on the importance of ophiolite massifs in recording the initial cycle of mountain belt assembly and the deformational and metamorphic patterns of mid-crustal fold and thrust belts in understanding the incorporation and exhumation (particle paths) of crustal material through an orogen.

The ophiolite project has established the role of collision tectonics not only in ophiolite obduction but also in their generation whereas the latter project has shown how simple observations on the relative (and absolute) timing of metamorphic and deformational events can be used to unravel the accretionary history of an orogen.

I have undertaken research in a variety of Paleozoic and Mesozoic orogens around the world, and in their modern analogues from the S.W. Pacific, with work over the last few years moving into Archean and Proterozoic belts of Western Australia and China. Work in all regions has been based on detailed field investigations. In addition to structural geology and tectonics, topics covered by this research include stratigraphy, geochronology, geochemistry, and sedimentology.

 Click here for a list of publications.