Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

Dr. 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, mineral exploration, and government. Dr. Lutz's interest are in structural geology and tectonics. He studies (and teaches about) the geometry, kinematics, and mechanics of faulting in different parts of the lithosphere (the upper part of the earth that moves & breaks rigidly) at different scales.  He uses field data, digital geologic mapping tools, advanced kinematic modeling, numerical simulations, and microstructural analysis to understand how faults evolve through space and time. Faults and shear zones often drive the formation of mountain ranges and sedimentary basins. Therefore, they tend to influence the locations and richness of natural resources (e.g., biodiversity, water, energy resources, minerals). A component of Dr. Lutz's work attempts to understand the interplay between tectonics, biological evolution, and the formation of natural resources. Dr Lutz's research and teaching support the Department's Geology majors as well as several Environmental Science concentrations.

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 - Summer Field Geology

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.