Home > Faculty/Staff > Jeff Vervoort
Jeff Vervoort, Ph.D.
Position: |
Associate Professor |
Campus Address: |
School of Earth & Environmental Sciences |
Office: |
Webster Physical Sciences 1048 |
Phone: |
509-335-5597 (office) |
E-mail: |
vervoort@wsu.edu |
Follow Dr. Vervoort's research trip to Antarctica:
http://vervoortantarctica.blogspot.com/
Research interests:
Dr. Vervoort’s area of research is radiogenic isotope geochemistry and geochronology and their applications to solving geological and geochemical problems. Dr. Vervoort uses radiogenic isotopes in two different ways in his research: as natural isotopic tracers of sources and geological processes and as geochronometers to determine the ages of rocks and geological events.
Research statement:
My fundamental interest as a scientist is to understand the Earth from the perspective of geochemistry. Radiogenic isotopes are important tools that enable us to understand how the Earth formed and how it has evolved through its history. Radiogenic isotopes also help constrain the geological processes that are operating on Earth today. To this end, I have worked on a wide range of earth and planetary materials including meteorites, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks of all ages, modern sediments and volcanic rocks, and water samples.
Current research projects and areas of research include:
- determining the chemical evolution of the early Earth using radiogenic isotopes to help understand the formation of the earliest continental crust and differentiation of the mantle
- using the Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotopic composition of meteorites to constrain the isotopic composition of the bulk silicate Earth (collaborators: P. Jon Patchett, University of Arizona and Audrey Bouvier, Arizona State University)
- determining the 176Lu decay constant by comparative U-Pb and Lu-Hf studies of terrestrial magmatic rocks (collaborators: P. Jon Patchett, University of Arizona and Audrey Bouvier, Arizona State University)
- using U-Pb, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, and Pb isotope systems to provide constraints on the timing of formation and evolution of the middle and lower crust (collaborator: Bill Leeman, NSF)
- determining the provenance of sediments using Sm-Nd isotopes in whole rocks and U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology (collaborators: Becky Dorsey, University of Oregon and Todd LaMaskin, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey; Heinrich Bahlburg, University of Münster; Reed Lewis, Idaho Geological Survey).
- using integrated age (U-Pb geochronology) and isotopic tracer (Lu-Hf isotope geochemistry) information from zircons in petrogenetic and provenance studies (work with WSU post-doc Rich Gaschnig and collaborator John Goodge, University of Minnesota, Duluth)
- determining the Hf-Nd-Pb isotopic and trace-element composition of modern marine sediment, its contribution to subduction zones magmatism, and its influence on mantle composition and evolution (collaborator: Terry Plank, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University)
- using Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd garnet geochronology to constrain the timing of metamorphism (WSU MS students Diane Wilford and Ashley Tefft; collaborators: Michael Wells, University of Nevada Las Vegas; Tom Hoisch, Northern Arizona University; Chris Andronicos, Cornell University; Bill McClelland, University of Iowa; Helen Lang, West Virginia University; Timothy Nesheim, North Dakota Geological Survey; N. Alex Zirakparvar and Suzanne Baldwin, Syracuse University; and several visiting collaborators)
- Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic behavior during continental weathering and the role of weathering in controlling the Hf-Nd isotopic composition of seawater (collaborator: Linda Godfrey, Rutgers University).
- U-Pb zircon geochronology by laser ablation-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (internal work with WSU post-docs Victor Valencia and Rich Gaschnig and ICP-MS technical specialist Charles Knaack; WSU MS students Andrew Jansen, Rachel Brewer, and Vince Isakson; collaborative work with Reed Lewis, Idaho Geological Survey; many external visiting students, faculty, and researchers; collaboration/work with many external users).
- Calibration of Lu-Hf garnet ages with U-Th-Pb ages in monazite to enhance their use as metamorphic chronometers (collaborator: Bill McClelland, University of Idaho).
- Hf, Nd, Sr, and Pb isotope geochemistry and their use as petrogenetic tracers in igneous rocks.
These research efforts center around the Radiogenic Isotope and Geochronology Laboratory (RIGL) at WSU. Research within the RIGL uses: the radiogenic isotope clean laboratory to dissolve samples and perform chemical separations; the ThermoFinnigan Neptune MC-ICPMS for isotopic measurements; the ThermoFinnigan Element2 HR-ICPMS for elemental analysis. The New Wave Nd-YAG 213nm laser ablation system can be used in conjunction with the Element2 for in situ U-Pb geochronology of zircons and in conjunction with the Neptune MC-ICPMS for in-situ Hf isotope analysis of zircons. The Neptune, Element2, and Nd-YAG laser are part of WSU’s GeoAnalytical Laboratory. The Radiogenic Isotope and Geochronology Laboratory at WSU is a full-service radiogenic isotope laboratory. We have the capability to perform chemical separations of several important isotope (Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, and U-Pb) and elemental systems (e.g., HFSE, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mo). In conjunction with our calibrated Rb-Sr, Lu-Hf, and Sm-Nd isotopic spikes we can analyze the full range of earth and planetary materials: from mud to meteorites and everything in between.
Courses:
- Geol 230 Introductory Oceanography
- Geol 480 Introductory Geochemistry
- Geol 583 Radiogenic Isotopes and Geochronology
- Geol 588 Modern Analytical Methods in Radiogenic Isotopes
Graduate Student:
- Richard Gaschnig
- Victor Valencia
Current Graduate Students:
- Diane Wilford
- Andrew Jansen
- Vince Isakson
- Rachel Brewer
- Ashley Tefft
Selected Publications:
(*indicates graduate student or post-doctorate co-author)
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Jaramillo, C., Ochoa D., Contreras, L., Pagani M., Carvajal-Ortiz H.,Pratt L.M., Krishnan, S, Cardona A., Romero M., Quiroz, L., Rodriguez, G., Rueda M.J., Parra F., Moron, S., Green, W., Bayona, G., Montes, C., Quintero O., Ramirez, R., Mora G., Schouten S., Bermudez H., Navarrete R., Parra F., Alvarán M., Osorno J., Crowley, J., Valencia V., Vervoort, J., 2010, Effects of Rapid Global Warming at the Paleocene-Eocene Boundary on Neotropical Vegetation, Science, v. 330, p. 957-961. DOI: 10.1126/science.1193833.
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Yogodzinski, G.M., Vervoort, J.D., *Brown, S.T., and, *Gerseny, M.G., published on-line in 2010, Subduction Controls of Hf and Nd Isotopes in Lavas of the Aleutian Island Arc. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2010.09.035.
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Lewis, R., Vervoort, J., Burmester, R., and *Oswald, P., 2010, Detrital zircon analysis of Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of north-central Idaho: implications for development of the Belt-Purcell basin. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences., v. 47, p. 1383-1404. doi:10.1139/E10-049.
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Cheng, H., DuFrane, A., Vervoort, J.D., Nakamura, E., and Zhou, Z., 2010, Protracted oceanic subduction prior to continental subduction: new Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology of oceanic-type high-pressure eclogite in the western Dabie orogen. American Mineralogist, v. 95, p. 1214-1223.
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Kemp, A.I.S., Wilde, S.A., Hawkesworth, C.J., Coath, C.D., Nemchin, A., Pidgeon, R.T., Vervoort, J.D., and DuFrane, A., 2010, Hadean crustal evolution revisited: new constraints from Pb-Hf isotope systematics of the Jack Hills zircons. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 296, p. 45-56.
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Cheng, H., *DuFrane, A., Vervoort, J.D., Nakamura, E., Li., Q., and Zhou, Z., 2010, The Triassic age for oceanic eclogites in the Dabie orogen: Entrainment of oceanic fragments in the continental subduction. Lithos, v. 117, p. 82-98.
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*Zirakparvar, N., Vervoort, J., Lewis, R., and McClelland, W., 2010, Insights into the Thermal Evolution of the Belt-Purcell Basin; Evidence from Lu-Hf Garnet Geochronology. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 47, p 161-179.
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*Gaschnig, R.M., Vervoort, J.D., Lewis, R. and McClelland, W., 2010, Migrating Magmatism in the northern US Cordillera: in situ U-Pb geochronology of the Idaho batholith, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. DOI 10.1007/s00410-009-0459-5
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*Wolf, D.E., Andronicos, C.L., Vervoort, J.D., Mansfield, M.R., and Chardon, D., 2010, Application of Lu-Hf garnet dating to unravel the relationships between deformation, metamorphism and plutonism: An example from the Prince Rupert area, British Columbia. Tectonophysics, v. 485, p. 62–77.
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Bahlburg, H., Vervoort, J., *DuFrane, S.A., Bock, B., and Augustsson, C., 2010, Plate tectonic significance of middle Cambrian and Ordovician siliciclastic rocks of the Bavarian Facies, Armorican Terrane Assemblage, Germany – U-Pb and Hf isotope evidence of detrital zircons. Gondwana Research 17, nos 2-4, 223–235. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2009.11.007.
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Mathur, R., Brantley, S., Anbar, A., Munziga, F., Maksaev, V., Newberry, R, Vervoort, J., Hart, G., 2010, Variation of Mo isotopes from molybdenite in high-temperature hydrothermal ore deposits. Mineralium Deposita, v. 45, p. 43-50.
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*Corrie, S.L., Kohn, M.J, and Vervoort, J.D., 2010, Young eclogite from the Greater Himalayan Sequence, Arun valley, eastern Nepal: P-T-t path and tectonic implications. Earth Planetary Science Letters, v. 289, p. 406-416.
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Bahlburg, H., Vervoort, J., *DuFrane, S.A., Bock, B., and Augustsson, C., 2009, Timing of crust formation and recycling in accretionary orogens: Insights learned from the western margin of South America. Earth Science Reviews, 97, p. 227–253.
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*Mulcahy, S., *King, R., and Vervoort, J., 2009, Lawsonite Lu-Hf geochronology: A powerful new geochronometer for subduction-zone processes. Geology, v. 37, p. 987-990.
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Godfrey, L.V., Zimmermann, B., Lee, D.-C., King, R., Vervoort, J.D., Sherell, R.M., Halliday, A.N., 2009, Hafnium and neodymium isotope variations in NE Atlantic seawater. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 10, no. 9, doi:10.1029/2009GC002508.
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Cheng, H., *King, R., Nakamura, E., Vervoort, J., Zheng, Y.-F., Ota, T., Wu, Y.-B., Koyayashi, K., and Zhou, Z.-Y., and Zhou, Z., 2009, Transitional time of oceanic to continental subduction in the Dabie orogen: Constraints from U–Pb, Lu–Hf, Sm–Nd and Ar–Ar multichronometric dating, Lithos, v. 110, p. 327-342.
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Mathur, R., Titley, S., Barra, F., Brantley, S., Wilson, M., Phillips, A., Munizaga, F, Maksaev, V., Vervoort, J., Hart, G., 2009, Exploration potential of Cu isotope fractionation in porphyry copper deposits. J. Geochemical Exploration, v. 102, p. 1-6.
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LaMaskin, T., Dorsey, R., and Vervoort, J., 2008, Tectonic controls on mudrock geochemistry, Mesozoic rocks of eastern Oregon and western Idaho, U.S.A.: Implications for Cordilleran tectonics, Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 78, p. 787-805, doi: 10.2110/jsr.2008.087.
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Goodge, J., Vervoort, J., Brecke, D., Fanning, C., Farmer, G., Williams, I., Myrow, P. and DePaolo, D., 2008, A Positive Test of East Antarctica–Laurentia Juxtaposition Within the Rodinia Supercontinent. Science, v. 321, p. 235-240.
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Cheng, H., *King, R., Nakamura, E., Vervoort, J., and Zhou, Z., 2008, Coupled Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd geochronology constrains prograde garnet growth in ultrahigh-pressure eclogites from the Dabie orogen, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 26, p. 741-758.
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*Bouvier, A., Vervoort, J.D., and Patchett, P.J., 2008, The Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic composition of CHUR: constraints from unequilibrated chondrites and implications for the bulk composition of terrestrial planets, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 273, p. 48-57.
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*Ryskamp, E.B., Abbott, J.T., Christiansen, E.H., Keith, J.D., Vervoort, J.D., Tingey, D.G., 2008, Age and petrogenesis of volcanic and intrusive rocks in the Sulphur Spring Range, central Nevada: Comparisons with ore-associated Eocene magma systems in the Great Basin: Geosphere, v. 4; no. 3; p. 496-519; DOI: 10.1130/GES00113.
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*Pullen, A., Kapp, P., Gehrels, G., Vervoort, J., and Lin, D., 2008, Triassic continental subduction in central Tibet and Mediterranean-style closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, Geology, v. 36, p. 351-354.
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Kohn, M.J. and Vervoort, J.D., 2008, U-Th-Pb dating of monazite by single-collector ICP-MS: Pitfalls and potential, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9, Q04031, doi:10.1029/2007GC001899.
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*Bouvier, A., Blichert-Toft, J., Vervoort, J., Gillet, P. and Albarède, F., 2008, The case for old basaltic shergottites, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 266, p. 105-124.
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Vervoort, J., Wirth, K., *Kennedy, B., *Sandland, T., and Harpp, K., 2007, The Magmatic Evolution of the Midcontinent Rift: New Geochronologic and Geochemical Evidence from Felsic Magmatism. Precambrian Research, v. 157, p. 235-268.
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Craddock, J.P., *Anziano, J., Wirth, K., Vervoort, J., Singer, B. and Zhang, X., 2007, Structure, Geochemistry and Geochronology of a Penokean Lamprophyre Dike Swarm, Archean Wawa Terrane, Little Presque Isle, Michigan, USA. Precambrian Research, v. 157, p. 50-70.
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Lewis, R.S., Vervoort, J.D., Burmester, R.F., McClelland, W.C., and *Chang, Z., 2007, Age of metasedimentary rocks northwest of the Idaho batholith based on detrital zircons and intrusive sills. SEPM Special Publication no. 86, p. 37-53.
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*Lyons, J., Geist, D., Harpp, K., *Diefenbach, B., Olin, P., and Vervoort, J.D., 2007, Crustal growth by magmatic overplating in the Galápagos, Geology, v. 35, p. 511-515.
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*Bouvier, A., Blichert-Toft, J., *Moynier, F., Vervoort, J., and Albarède, F., 2007, Pb-Pb dating constraints on the accretion and cooling history of chondrites, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 71, p. 1583-1604.
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*Prytulak, J., Vervoort, J.D., Plank, T., and *Yu, C., 2006, Astoria Fan sediments, DSDP Site 174, Cascadia Basin: Hf-Nd-Pb Constraints on Provenance and Outburst Flooding. Chemical Geology. v. 233, p. 276-292.
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Goodge, J.W. and Vervoort, J.D., 2006, Origin of Mesoproterozoic A-type granites in Laurentia: Hf isotope evidence. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 243, p. 711-731.
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*Chang, Z., Vervoort, J.D., Knaack, C., and McClelland, W.C., 2006, U-Pb dating of zircon by LA-ICP-MS. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 7, no. 5, p. 1-14, Q05009, doi:10.1029/2005GC001100.
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Stern, R.J., Kohut, E. , Bloomer, S.H., Leybourne, M.,Fouch, M., and Vervoort, J., 2006, Depth ProfilingOutputs of the Subduction Factory: The Guguan Cross-chain in the southern Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology., v. 151, p. 202-221.
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*Bouvier, A., Blichert-Toft, J., Vervoort, J., and Albarède, F., 2005, The age of SNC meteorites and the antiquity of the Martian surface, EPSL, v. 240, p. 221-233.
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*Söderlund, U., Isachsen, C.E., Bylund, G., Heaman, L.M., Patchett, P. J., Vervoort, J. D. and Anderson, U.B., 2005, U-Pb baddeleyite age constraints for Meso- and Neoproterozoic mafic magmatism in the Fennoscandian Shield, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 150, p. 174-194.
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Vervoort, J.D., Patchett, P. J., *Söderlund, U. and Baker, M., 2004, The isotopic composition of Yb and the precise and accurate determination of Lu concentrations and Lu/Hf ratios by isotope dilution using MC-ICP-MS. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 5, Q11002, doi:10.1029/2004GC000721.
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Patchett, P. J., Vervoort, J. D., Söderlund, U., and Salters, V.J.M., 2004, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic systematics in chondrites and their constraints on the Lu-Hf properties of the Earth, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v. 222, p. 29-41.
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*Schmitz, M.D., Vervoort, J.D., Bowring, S.A., Patchett, P.J., 2004, Decoupling of the Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic systems during the evolution of granulitic lower crust beneath southern Africa, Geology, v. 32, p. 405-408.
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Klepeis, K.A., Clarke, G.L., Dazko, N., Gehrels, G.E., Vervoort, J.D., 2004, Processes controlling vertical coupling and decoupling between the upper and lower crust of orogens: results from Fjordland, New Zealand, Journal of Structural Geology, v. 26, p. 765-791.
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*Söderlund, U., Patchett, P. J., Vervoort, J. D. and Isachsen, C. E., 2004, The 176Lu decay constant determined by Lu-Hf and U-Pb isotope systematics of Precambrian mafic intrusions, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., v. 219, p. 311-324.
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*Kidder, S., Ducea, M.N., Gehrels, G.E., Patchett, P.J., and Vervoort, J., and Metcalf, J., 2003, Tectonic and magmatic development of the Salinian Coast Ridge Belt, California, Tectonics, v. 22, no. 5, 1058, doi:10.1029/2002TC001409.
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Ducea, M.N., Lutkov, V., Minaev, V.T., Hacker, B., Ratschbacher, L., Luffi, P., Schwab, M., Gehrels, G.E., McWilliams, M., Vervoort, J., and Metcalf, J., 2003, Building the Pamirs: The view from the underside, Geology, v. 31, p. 849-852.
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Samson, S.D., D'Lemos, R.S., Blichert-Toft, J., Vervoort, J., 2003, U-Pb geochronology and Hf-Nd isotope compositions of the oldest Neoproterozoic crust within the Cadomian orogen: new evidence for a unique juvenile terrane, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 208, p. 165-180.
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Finney, S.C., Gleason, J., Gehrels, G.E., Peralta, S.H., and Vervoort, J., 2003, U/Pb geochronology of detrital zircons from Upper Ordovician Las Vacas, La Cantera, and Emposada formations, NW Argentina, in Albanesi, G.L., Beresi M.S. and Peralta S.H. (Eds.) Orovician from the Andes, INSUGEO, Serie Correlación Geológica, 17:191-196.
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Vervoort, J.D., Patchett, P.J., Blichert-Toft, J., and Albarède, F., Downes, H. and Rudnick, R., 2000, Hf-Nd isotopic evolution of the lower crust. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 181, p. 115-129.
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Albarède, F., Blichert-Toft, J., Vervoort, J.D., Gleason, J.D., and Rosing, M., 2000, Hf-Nd isotope evidence for a transient dynamic regime in the early terrestrial mantle. Nature, v. 404, p. 488-490.
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Vervoort, J.D., Patchett, P.J., Blichert-Toft, J., and Albarède, F., 1999, Relationships between Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic systems in the global sedimentary system. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 168, p. 79-99.
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Vervoort, J.D. and Blichert-Toft, J., 1999, Evolution of the depleted mantle: Hf isotope evidence from juvenile rocks through time. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 63, p. 533-556.
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Albarède, F., Simonetti, T., Vervoort, J.D., Blichert-Toft, J., Abouchami, W., Goldstein, S., 1998, Hf-Nd isotopic correlation in ferromanganese nodules. Geophysical Research Letters, v. 25, p. 3895-3898.
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Vervoort, J.D. and Green, J.C., 1997, Origin of evolved magmas in the Midcontinent rift system, northeast Minnesota: Nd-isotope evidence for melting of Archean crust. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 34, p. 521-535.
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Wirth, K.R., Vervoort, J.D., and *Naiman, Z.J., 1997, The Chengwatana Volcanics, Wisconsin and Minnesota: petrogenesis of southernmost volcanic rocks exposed in the Midcontinent rift. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 34, p. 536-548.
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Vervoort, J.D. and Patchett, P.J., 1996, Behavior of hafnium and neodymium isotopes in the crust: constraints from Precambrian crustally derived granites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 60, p. 3717-3723.
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Vervoort, J.D., Patchett, P.J., Gehrels, G.E., and Nutman, A.P., 1996, Constraints on early Earth differentiation from Hf isotopes. Nature, v. 379, p. 624-627.
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Wirth, K.R., and Vervoort, J.D., 1995, Nd isotopic constraints on mantle and crustal contributions to Early Proterozoic dykes of the southern Superior Province. In Physics and Chemistry of Dykes, G. Baer and A. Heimann (eds.) Balkema, Rotterdam, p. 237-249.
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Vervoort, J.D., White, W.M., and Thorpe, R.I., 1994, Nd and Pb isotope ratios of the Abitibi greenstone belt: new evidence for very early differentiation of the Earth. Earth Planetary Science Letters, v. 125: 215-229.
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Vervoort, J.D., White, W.M., Thorpe, R.I., and Franklin, J.M., 1993, Post-magmatic thermal activity in the Abitibi greenstone belt: evidence from whole-rock Pb isotopic data. Econ. Geol., v. 88, p. 1598-1614.
