Luc's research focuses on large scale, tectonic questions, specifically the dynamic structural and geodynamical evolution of continental and oceanic rifts as well as collisional environments. To address these questions, he has used and developed numerical techniques to model tectonic processes on crustal and lithospheric scales. Luc uses a variety of geophysical and geological data to constrain and quantify tectonic processes. These different studies led to the development of parametrizations to understand such phenomena as the localization of deformation and the initiation of subduction.

Areas of Expertise

Tectonics; the structural and geodynamical evolution of continental and oceanic rifts, as well as collisional environments; numerical techniques to model tectonic processes on crustal and lithospheric scales; deformation; subduction


Graduate Students

Guangliang Wu, Ph.D., expected 2015
I focus on tectonics, geodynamics and basin analysis. I also have interests in relatively small scale phenomena, such as anisotropy, fracturing, faulting and strain softening/weakening.