Joseph White

Current research interests

Fracture, Friction and Flow

The geometry, kinematics and processes of deformation form the core of the research program, with special emphasis on application of electron-beam techniques to microstructural and microchemical studies. Transmission electron microscopy forms a significant component of the research.

Large-scale fault zones commonly act as study areas, with projects along the Minas fault zone, Nova Scotia, and the Denali fault system, Yukon. Microstructural studies from various fault zone drilling projects currently include the San Andreas Fault (SAFOD), the Alpine Fault, NZ (DFDP) and plate margin megathrust of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake, Japan (JFAST).

Selected publications

Zibra, I., White, J.C., Menegon, L., Dering, G., and Gessner, K. 2018.  The ultimate fate of synmagmatic shear zone: interplay between rupturing and ductile flow in a cooling granite pluton.  Journal of Structural Geology 110, 1-23.

Phillips, N.J., and White, J.C. 2017.  Grain size dependent strength of phyllosilicate-rich gouges in the shallow crust: Insights from the SAFOD site.  J. Geophys. Res. Soild Earth, 122, 5789-5812, doi: 10.1002/2016JB013828

Siman-Tov, Shalev, Brodsky, E.E., Stock, G.M., and White, J.C. 2017.  The capping shear-layer of glacial polish.  Geology 45 (11): 987-990.  doi: https//doi.org/10.1130/G39281.1.

Milles, S.G., Gerbi, C., Marsh, J.H., Yates, M.F., Seaman, S.J., and White, J.C. 2017.  Tectonic and chemical implications of cathodoluminescent microstructures in quartz, Parry Sound domain, Ontario, Canada.  Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 54(6): 677-692, doi:10.1139/cjes-2016-0168.

Rogowitz, A., White, J.C., and Grasemann, B. 2016.  Strain localization in ultramylonite marbles by simultaneous activation of dislocation motion and grain boundary sliding (Syros, Greece).  Solid Earth, 7, 355-366.

Hadizadeh, J., Tullis, T.E., White, J.C. and Konkachbaev, A.I. 2015.  Shear localization, velocity weakening behavior, and development of cataclastic foliation in experimental granite gouge. Journal of Structural Geology 71, 86-99.

Kushnir, A.R.L., Kennedy, L.A., Misra, S., Benson, P. and White, J.C. 2015.  The mechanical and microstructural behaviour of calcite-dolomite composites: An experimental investigation.  Journal of Structural Geology, 70, 200-216.

Kirkpatrick, J.D., Rowe, C.D., White, J.C. and Brodsky, E.E. 2013. Silica gel formation during fault slip: Evidence from the rock record. Geology 41, 1015–1018.

White, J.C. 2012. Paradoxical pseudotachylyte – Fault melt outside the seismogenic zone. Journal of Structural Geology 38, 11-20.

Presentations

White, J.C. 2018.  Micromechanical signatures of co-existing fracture and flow in naturally deformed rocks.  Geophysical Research Abstracts, vol. 20, EGU2018-10654.

White, J.C., and Lin, Aiming, 2017.  Slip Zone versus Damage Zone Micromechanics, Arima-Takasuki Tectonic Line, Japan.  In: Properties of Active Fault Damage Zone and Fault Dating, Am.  Geophyss. Un. Abstract T14D-03.  Fall Mtg., New Orleans.

Calhoun, L., White, J.C., and Jefferson, C. 2017.  Paradoxical mid-crustal displacements, transposition and stratigraphic continuity: an integrated geological and geophysical study of tectonic evolution of the Paleoproterozoic Amer Group, Nunavut, Canada.  21st International Conference on Deformation Mechanisms, Rheology & Tectonics, Inverness, Scotland.

White, J.C. 2017.  Localization in Naturally Deformed Systems - the Default State? Geophysical Research Abstracts, vol. 19, EGU2017-10763.

Rogowitz, A., Grasemann, B., Morales, Luiz, F.G., Huet, B., and White, J.C. 2017.  Strain rate dependent activation of slip systems in calcite marbles from Syros (Cyclades, Greece).   Geophysical Research Abstracts, vol. 19, EGU2017-12324.

White, J.C., and Lin, Aiming, 2016.  Ultracataclasites and Tectonic Fluidization Along Active Faults, Arima-Takasuki Tectonic Line, Japan - A TEM Study.  In: Properties of Active Fault Damage Zone and Fault Dating, Am. Gerophys. Un. Abstract T42A-02.  Fall Mtg., San Francisco.

White, J.C., Zibra, I. and Mengon, L. 2016.  Deformation processes along the Moyagee Fault, Western Australia - a subtle interplay of fracture, flow and mineralizing fluids.  Geophysical Research Abstracts, vol. 18, EGU2016-10806.

White, J.C. 2015.  Grain Boundary and Interface Phenomena in Deformed Rocks - Implications for Creep Processes in the Lithosphere.  Am.  Geophys. Un. Abstract T41C-2906.  Fall Mtg., San Francisco.

White, J.C. 2015.  Nano-particulates, silicification and fluid pressure transitions - fluid flow versus mineralization, Kiggavik Region, Nunavut, Canada.  Proc. 1st TIGeR Conference.

White, J.C. 2015.  Grain boundary sliding in rocks: Necessity, characterization and implications.  20th International Conference on Deformation Mechanisms, Rheology & Tectonics, Geotectonic Research, vol. 97, p.168.

Rogowitz, A., Grasemann, B., and White, J.C. 2015.  Strain localization in ultramylonitic calcite marbles by dislocation creep-accommodated grain boundary sliding.  Geophysical Research Abstracts, vol. 17, EGU2015-11757.