PROMOTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN INDIA AND THE U.S.
Geology and Geochemistry
Worked on several aspects/methods of tectonics and structural geology (field-based, analogue and analytical models, microstructures etc.). Touched diverse tectonic regimes (collisional, conservative and extensional) and rock types (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary). Worked on both terrain-specific and terrain-nonspecific conceptual issues. My long-term aim is to develop broad research knowledge in several pure and applied sub-disciplines of tectonics and structural geology rather than becoming a super specialist on a very focused research/geographic area. Still then, most of my works deal with shear zones, ductile shear zones in particular, from collisional setting. Following the ongoing trend, I have used (elementary) fluid mechanics and statics to explain ductile deformation phenomena and stability issues. I have worked on age old research issues (shear zone kinematics) as well as participated in recent debates (crustal channel flow), and issues on rheology (viscosity, rock behaviour at depth) and thermodynamics (shear heating). I have been reorienting as per research students’ keen interest on specific topics. Exploring interlink between structural geology and other aspects of geosciences, sometimes alone and sometimes with multidisciplinary teams (mathematicians, civil and mechanical engineers and geographers).