Richard A Ketcham
Chevron Centennial Professorship in Geology (Holder)
Mailcode: C1100
My research spans a wide range of geological problems, with a common thread being developing computational methods to address all stages of the scientific process, from data acquisition and processing to information mining to numerical modeling. I have two primary research areas. One is the application of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography to a diverse spectrum of disciplines, including paleontology, petrology, hydrogeology, structural geology, economic geology and planetary science. The other is theory and practice of apatite fission-track (AFT) thermochronology, and thermal history inversion from AFT, (U-Th)/He, and vitrinite data. I am putting together a state-of-the-art fission-track lab intended for both experimental and field-problem-oriented work.
Other current research interests include numerical depiction of diffusion-controlled crystal growth during prograde metamorphism on geological time scales, and characterizing the thermal structure of continents.
I am always looking for motivated students, especially quantitative and creative ones who are not afraid to do something totally new.
Areas of Expertise
High-resolution X-ray computed tomography, CT scanning, 3D image analysis, fission-track dating, thermochronology, thermal history inversion, structural geology, tectonics, digital morphology, trabecular bone
Research Locations
Martin Dodson Prize - International Standing Committee on Thermochronology (2020)
Fellow - Mineralogical Society of America (2017)
Joseph C. Walter, Jr. Excellence Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2015)
Faculty Science Performance Award for an Associate Professor - Jackson School of Geosciences (2014)
Exceptional Reviewer - Review of Scientific Instruments (2013)
Exceptional Reviewer - GSA Bulletin (2012)
G. Moses and Carloyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award; Introductory-level teaching - Jackson School of Geosciences (2011)
GSA Fellow - Geological Society of America (2010)
Research Excellence Fellow - Jackson School of Geosciences (2007 - 2009)
Scientist Fellow - Jackson School of Geosciences (2006 - 2007)
Research Fellow - Jackson School of Geosciences (2005 - 2006)
Houston Geological Society Outstanding Student Award - University of Texas at Austin, Department of Geological Sciences (1995)
Best Ph.D. Technical Sessions Presentation - University of Texas at Austin, Department of Geological Sciences (1994)
Graduate Student Service Award - University of Texas at Austin, Department of Geological Sciences (1994)
Graduate Students
Scott Eckley, Ph.D., 2022
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Megan Flansburg, Ph.D., 2022
(Committee Member)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Murat Tamer, Ph.D., 2019 (Supervisor)
Maragret Odlum, Ph.D., 2019
(Committee Member)
University of Texas at Austin
Adam Goldsmith, Ph.D., 2018 (Co-supervisor)
Emily Cooperdock, Ph.D., 2017 (Committee Member)
Jordan Hildebrandt, M.S., 2016 (Supervisor)
Undergraduate Students
Annabelle Cunningham
Rachel Ruthven
Emily Kay Pease
"Measurement and modeling of fission-track annealing in apatite: where we are, and where to go from here", 9th Chinese National conference on Nuclear Track in Solids and International Workshop on Fission Track Thermochronology, Datong, China (2007)
"Three-dimensional imaging, visualization and characterization of pore structure in natural and man-made materials using X-ray CT", 2nd International Workshop on Moisture Induced Damage of Asphalt Mixes, Texas A&M University (2007)
"Low temperature thermochronology and thermal history inversion: Two steps forward, 100 Ma back", Mineralogical Society of America Short Course on Thermochronology, Snowbird, Utah (2005)
"Measurement and interpretation of fabrics in 3D, from trabecular bone to crystals", George Washington University, George Washington Universit (2003)
"Inter-calibrating apatite fission-track and (U,Th)/He geothermometers: a progress report. Symposium 18-1 (Fission Tracks, Thermoluminescence, Eletron Spin Resonance and Cathodoluminescence)", Donelick, R.A. (Donelick Analytical, Inc.), Reiners, P.W. (Wa, 31st International Geological Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2000)
"The distribution of radiogenic heat production in continental crust, and the thermal structure of the southern Basin and Range", Rice University, Texas (2000)
"New insights concerning the calibration of apatite fission-track annealing", Rice University, Texas (1998)
| Year | Semester | Course | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 391 | Advanced Thermochronology |
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 172H | Honors Research Methods II |
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 303 | Introduction To Geology |
| 2023 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2023 | Fall | GEO 376C | Isotope Geology |
| 2023 | Fall | GEO 173H | Honors Research Methods III |
| 2023 | Fall | GEO 171H | Honors Research Methods I |
| 2023 | Spring | GEO 303 | Introduction To Geology |
| 2023 | Spring | GEO 660A | Field Geology |
| 2023 | Spring | GEO 172H | Honors Research Methods II |
| 2023 | Spring | GEO 393D | 3d Analysis Of Volumetric Data |
| 2022 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2022 | Fall | GEO 376C | Isotope Geology |
| 2022 | Fall | GEO 173H | Honors Research Methods III |
| 2022 | Fall | GEO 171H | Honors Research Methods I |
| 2022 | Summer | GEO f660A | Field Geo-Tx/Nm/Wy |
| 2022 | Spring | GEO 303 | Introduction To Geology |
| 2021 | Spring | GEO 391 | 3d Analysis Of Volumetric Data |
| 2020 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2020 | Spring | GEO 391 | Advanced Thermochronology |
| 2020 | Spring | GEO 303 | Introduction To Geology |
| 2019 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2019 | Spring | GEO 391 | 3d Analysis Of Volumetric Data |
| 2018 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2018 | Fall | GEO 376C | Isotope Geology |
| 2018 | Fall | GEO 303 | Introduction To Geology |
| 2018 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2017 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2016 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2016 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2016 | Fall | GEO 376C | Isotope Geology |
| 2016 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Computational Methods |
| 2016 | Spring | GEO 391 | Adv & Numrl Thermochronology |
| 2015 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2015 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2015 | Fall | GEO 376C | Isotope Geology |
| 2015 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Computational Methods |
| 2014 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Computational Methods |
| 2014 | Fall | GEO 388L | Isotope Geology |
| 2014 | Fall | GEO 376C | Isotope Geology |
| 2014 | Summer | GEO f660A | Field Geo-Tx/Nm/Co/Wy/Mt/Id/Ut |
| 2014 | Spring | GEO 391 | Adv & Numrl Thermochronology |
| 2014 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Computational Methods |