Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

Brandon Lutz joined the Department in Fall of 2024 after several years with the U.S. Geological Survey. He received his PhD from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and has professional experience in oil and gas, gold exploration, and government research. Dr. Lutz is the new Field Camp Director and will teach Summer Field Geology. He also teaches Principles of Structural Geology and Tectonics and Geology Field Methods.

Dr. Lutz studies the mechanics and evolution of fault zones. He uses tools such as 3D geological modeling, field-based structural geology, microstructural observations, and finite-element numerical modeling to study fault processes from the plate- to microscopic scales. He also researches how faults and deformation control the distribution and richness of natural resources (e.g., hydrocarbons, gold veins, water, biodiversity).

Education

• Ph.D. from New Mexico Tech
• M.S. from the University of Alabama
• B.S from Ohio University

Research Interests

• Fault Mechanics and Evolution
• Tectonics and Biology
• Intraplate Deformation
• Accretionary Wedges
• Ore Deposits

Courses taught

• GES 1101 - Introduction to Physical Geology (labs)
• GES 1102 - Introduction to Historical Geology (labs)
• GES 2250 - Evolution of the Earth (labs)
• GES 2751 - Geology Field Methods
• GES 3150 - Principles of Structural Geology and Tectonics
• GES 4835 (3751/4751) - Summer Field Geology (Geology Field Methods II &III)

Websites and CV

• Dr. Lutz's website
• Dr. Lutz's curriculum vitae

Recent Publications

View Dr. Lutz's profile on Google Scholar.

• Lutz, B.M., Axen, G.A., 2024, Mylonite, cataclasite, and gouge: Reconstruction of mechanical heterogeneity along a low-angle normal fault: Death Valley, USA, Journal of Structural Geology, 183, 105132,  Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2024.105132.
• Lutz, B.M., Hudson, M.R., Smith, T., Dechesne, M., Spangler, L.R., McCafferty, A.E., Amaral, C. M., Griffis, N., Hirtz, J.A., 2024, Influence of inherited structure on flexural extension in foreland basin systems: evidence from the Arkoma Basin and southern Ozark Dome, USA, Earth Science Reviews, 251, 104715, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104715.
• Lutz, B.M., 2023, Orogenic gold in the Blue Mountains, eastern Oregon, USA. Ore Geology Reviews, 154, 105310. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105310.
• Lutz, B.M., Axen, G.J., van Wijk, J.W. and Phillips, F.M., 2022, Whole-lithosphere shear during oblique rifting. Geology, 50(4), pp.412-416. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G49603.1
• Lutz, B.M., Ketcham, R.A., Axen, G.J., Beyene, M.A., Wells, M.L., van Wijk, J.W., Stockli, D.F. and Ross, J.I., 2021, Thermo-kinematic modeling of detachment-dominated extension, northeastern Death Valley area, USA: Implications for mid-crustal thermal-rheological evolution. Tectonophysics, 808, p.228755. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2021.228755.