Dr. Robert Miller

Bob Miller in the field I am a structural geologist and tectonicist, and my teaching and research are strongly field oriented. My research and that of my graduate and undergraduate students has focused on the Mesozoic and early Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the North Cascades of Washington and southern British Columbia, and on the construction, emplacement, and structure of granitic plutons in the central and northern Sierra batholith of California. My students and I integrate geologic mapping, outcrop- and micro-scale structural analysis, and geochronology. Current research projects include determining relationships between major flare-ups of arc magmatism, crustal structure, and arc rheology in the North Cascades, and the structure and emplacement of the voluminous Sonora Pass intrusive suite in the north-central Sierra Nevada.

Professor: Structural Geology, Tectonics

Phone: (408) 924-5025
Office: DH 314
Office Hours: by appointment
E-mail: robert.b.miller@sjsu.edu

Education

  • Ph.D. 1980, University of Washington

Research Interests

  • Research is on the tectonic evolution of the North Cascades; emplacement of plutons, and processes in the deep levels of magmatic arcs. Current projects include: kinematics and timing of deformation in the Cascades; pluton emplacement in the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and White Mountains.

Recent Classes

  • Structural Geology (GEOL 125)
  • Tectonics (GEOL 127)
  • Field Geology (GEOL 129)
  • Advanced Structural Geology (GEOL 231)
  • Arc Processes and Tectonics: Evidence from Plutons (GEOL 255)

Recent Activity (2011-2017)

*Student author

Published Papers

  • Chan, C.F., Shea, E.K., Kent, A.J.R., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., and Bowring, S.A., 2017, Formation of a sheeted intrusive complex within the deep-crustal Tenpeak pluton: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 5, doi: 10.1130/GES01323.1.
  • Eddy, M.P., Umhoefer, P.J., Miller, R.B., Donaghy, E.E., Gundersen, M., and *Senes, F.I., 2017, Sedimentary, volcanic, and structural processes during triple-junction migration: Insights from the Paleogene record in Central Washington; in Haugerud, R.A., and Kelsey, H.M., eds., From the Puget Lowland to East of the Cascade Range: Geological Excursions in the Pacific Northwest: Geological Society of America Field Guide 49, p. 143-173.
  • Gordon, S.M., Miller, R.B., and Sauer, K.B., 2017, Incorporation of sedimentary rocks into the deep levels of continental magmatic arcs: Links between the North Cascades arc and surrounding sedimentary terranes, in Haugerud, R.A., and Kelsey, H.M., eds., From the Puget Lowland to East of the Cascade Range: Geological Excursions in the Pacific Northwest: Geological Society of America Field Guide 49, p. 101-141.
  • Sauer, K.B., Gordon, S.M., Miller, R.B., Vervoort, J.D., and Fisher, C.M., 2017, Evolution of the Jura-Cretaceous North American Cordilleran margin: Insights from detrital-zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopes of sedimentary units of the North Cascades Range, Washington: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 6, p. 2094-2118, doi: doi.org/10.1130/GES01501.1.
  • Sauer, K.B., Gordon, S.M., Miller, R.B., Vervoort, J.D., and Fisher, C.M., 2017, Transfer of metasupracrustal rocks to midcrustal depths in the North Cascades continental magmatic arc, Skagit Gneiss Complex, Washington: Tectonics, 10.1002/2017TC004728.
  • Eddy, M.P., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., and Tepper, J.H., 2016, Rapid assembly and crystallization of a fossil large-volume silicic magma chamber: Geology, v. 44, p. 341-344.
  • Eddy, M.P., Bowring, S.A., Umhoefer, P.J., Miller, R.B., McLean, N.M., and Donaghy, E.E., 2016, High-resolution temporal and stratigraphic record of microplate accretion and ridge-trench interaction preserved in non-marine sedimentary basins in central and western Washington: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 128, p. 425-441.
  • Miller, R.B., Gordon, S.M., Bowring, S.A., *Doran, B.A., *Michels, Z., *Shea, E.K., and Whitney, D.L., 2016, Linking deep and shallow crustal processes during regional transtension in an exhumed continental arc, North Cascades, northwestern Cordillera (USA): Geosphere, v. 12, p. 900-924; DOI: 10.1130/GES01262.1
  • Metzger, E.P., Miller, R.B., Harper, G.D., and MacDonald, J.H., 2016, Synthesis of geochemical data for mafic rocks in the crystalline core of the North Cascades and potential correlatives: Tectonic implications, in Cheney, E., ed., The geology of Washington and beyond: Seattle, University of Washington Press, p. 156-180.
  • *Shea, E.K., Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., Bowring, S.A., and *Sullivan, K.M., 2016, Growth and maturation of a mid- to shallow-crustal intrusive complex, North Cascades, Washington: Geosphere, v. 12, p. 1489-1516, DOI:10.1130/GES01290.1.
  • Metzger, E.P., Miller, R.B., Harper, G.D., and MacDonald, J.H. Jr., 2015, Geochemistry of mafic rocks in the Crystalline core of the north Cascades and possible correlatives: Tectonic implications: in, Cheney, E.S., ed., the Geology of Washington and Beyond: from Laurentia to Cascadia: University of Washington Press, p. 156-180.
  • Paterson, S.R., Lackey, J.S., Memeti, V., Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., Mundil, R., and Putirka, K.D., 2013, Field Forum Report: Formation of the Sierra Nevada batholith: Magmatic and tectonic processes and their tempos: GSA Today, v. 23, no. 2, p. 15-17.
  • Rioux, M., Bowring, S., Kelemen, P., Gordon, S., Miller, R.B., and Dudas, F., 2013, Tectonic development of the Samail ophiolite: High-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology and Sm-Nd isotopic constraints on crustal growth and emplacement: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 118, p. 1–17, doi:10.1002/jgrb.50139.
  • Memeti, V., Paterson, S.R., Economos, R., Erdman, S., and Miller, R.B., 2012, Geology of the Benson Lake pendant, Western Yosemite National Park, Central Sierra Nevada: Geological Society of America Digital Map and Chart Series 13, doi: 10.1130/2012 DMCHO13.
  • Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., and Stock, G., 2012, Day 3, Sentinel Granodiorite, Yosemite Creek Granodiorite and Yosemite Valley Intrusive Suite: western host units of the Tuolumne Intrusive Complex, in Paterson, S.R., Lackey, J.S., Memeti, V., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., Mundil, R., and Putirka, K. convenors, Formation of the Sierra Nevada batholith: Magmatic and tectonic processes and their tempos: Geological Society of America Field Forum Field Trip Guidebook, p. 3-1–3-15.
  • Rioux, M., Bowring, S., Kelemen, P., Gordon, S., Dudas, F., and Miller, R., 2012, Rapid crustal accretion and magma assimilation in the Oman-U.A.E. ophiolite: High precision U-Pb zircon geochronology of the gabbroic crust: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 117, doi: 10.1029/2012JB009273.
  • Paterson, S.R., Okaya, D., Memeti, V., Economos, R., and Miller, R.B., 2011, Magma addition and flux calculations of incrementally constructed magma chambers in continental margin arcs: Combined field, geochronologic, and thermal modeling studies: Geosphere, v. 7. p. 1439-­1468; doi: 10.1130/GES00696.1.

Grants

  • Miller, R.B., "Movement History of the Pasayten Fault Zone: implications for Large-scale Transport of Terranes Along the Margin of Western North America", SJSU RSCA ($4999, 6/1/2017-5/31/2018).
  • Miller, R.B., "Incorporation of Metasedimentary Rocks into the Deep Levels of Continental Arcs: Insights From the North Cascades", National Science Foundation ($79,956, 8/1/2014-7/31/2018).
  • Miller, R.B., "Incorporation of Metasedimentary Rocks into the Deep Levels of Continental Arcs: Insights From the North Cascades", National Science Foundation ($79,956) 08/2014—07/2017.
  • Miller, R.B., "Structure and Construction of Cretaceous plutons in the North-Central Sierra Nevada Batholith, California", U.S. Geological Survey (EDMAP) ($25,173) 06/2015—08/2016.
  • Miller, R.B., "Evaluating the Influence of Eocene Ridge Subduction on Magmatism, Deformation, and Basin Evolution in the Pacific NW", National Science Foundation ($96,000) 01/2012—12/2015.
  • Miller, R.B., "Tectonic Links, Magma Fluxes, and Single Mineral Geochemistry in Plutonic Systems From 5-30 km Depth, Cascades Core, Washington", National Science Foundation ($171,532) 06/2010—05/2015.
  • Miller, R.B., "Structure and Construction of the Sonora Pass Intrusive Suite, Sierra Nevada, California", U.S. Geological Survey (EDMAP) ($11,448, 6/1/2013-5/31/2014).
  • Miller, R.B., "Collaborative Research: Tectonic Links, Magma Fluxes, and Single Mineral Geochemistry in Plutonic Systems From 5-30 km Depth, Cascades Core, Washington" (with J.S. Miller, SJSU), National Science Foundation ($171,532, 6/1/2010–5/31/2014).

Published Abstracts

  • Attila, S., Paterson, S.R., Jiang, D., and Miller, R.B., 2017, Deformation partitioning: The missing link between outcrop-scale observations and orogen-scale processes: Fall Meeting, AGU, New Orleans, LA.
  • *Budimirovic, N., and Miller, R.B., 2017, Displacement history of the Pasayten fault zone in the North Cascades, Washington and British Columbia: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 4.
  • Gordon, S.M., Sauer, K.B., Miller, R.B., Vervoort, J.D., and Fisher, C.M., 2017, Contributions of metasedimentary rocks to small scale melts within the deep levels of continental arcs: Insights from the Swakane and Skagit metasedimentary rocks and associated melt generations: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Miller, R.B., *Bryant, K., *Doran, B., Eddy, M.P., *Sylva, N., *Raviola, F., and Umhoefer, P.J., 2017, Eocene transtension and strain patterns from dike swarms and strike-slip faults in the Washington Cascades: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Sauer, K.B., Gordon, S.M., Miller, R.B., Vervoort, J.D., and Fisher, C.M., 2017, Incorporation of metasedimentary units into the deepest exposed levels of the North Cascades continental arc: Comparison of the Skagit and Swakane Gneisses: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Shea, E.K., Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., Chan, C., and Kent, A.J., 2017, Geochemical evidence for the development of a garnet-bearing crustal root in the Cretaceous North Cascades magmatic arc, WA: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Umhoefer, P.J., Donaghy, E.E., Eddy, M.P., and Miller, R.B., 2017, Stratigraphic record of the middle Eocene fault-bounded Chumstick basin, central Washington, synchronous with an episode of major strike-slip faulting across the Cascades: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Umhoefer, P.J., Eddy, M.P., Miller, R.B., Tepper, J., and Skinner, L.A., 2017, Upper plate response to ridge and plateau subduction, Washington Cascades, USA: Implications for plate tectonic evolution of the Pacific Northwest: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Cruze, R.W., Kent, A.J.R., Miller, R.B., and *Shea, E.K., 2016, U-Pb zircon age of dykes in the roof of the Black Peak Intrusive Complex, North Cascades: American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2016, abstract V53D-3159.
  • *Godfrey, K., Miller, R.B., Gordon, S.M, and Sauer, K.B., 2016, Structure and tectonic origin of the Swakane Gneiss in the Wenatchee block, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 48, no. 4.
  • Gunderson, M., Umhoefer, P.J., Smith, M., and *Senes, F.I., 2016, Sedimentology and provenance of the early Eocene Swauk Formation, Central Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 48, no. 4
  • *Hogan, L.D., Sauer, K.B., and Miller, R.B., 2016, Origins and relationships of units in and adjacent to the Ross Lake fault zone, North Cascades, Washington: Implications for burial of meta-supracrustal rocks to deep levels of arcs: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 48, no 4.
  • *Loeb, K., and Miller, R.B., 2016, Structure, construction, and emplacement of the northern part of the Cretaceous Sonora Pass intrusive suite, Central Sierra Nevada batholith, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 48, no. 4.
  • Sauer, K., Gordon, S.M., Miller, R.B., 2016, Detrital zircon U-Pb and Hf results from the Swakane Gneiss and Pelona-Orocopia-Rand Schists: Mechanisms of sediment incorporation into arc systems and implications for margin-parallel translation: American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2016, abstract V13D-2876.
  • Sauer, K.B., Gordon, S.M., and Miller, R.B., 2016, U-Pb and Hf isotope signature of detrital zircons from the Swakane Gneiss of the North Cascades, WA: Implications for rapid burial and margin-parallel translation: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 48, no. 4.
  • *Senes, F.I., Miller, R.B., and Gunderson, M., 2016, Ages and provenance of the Swauk and Chumstick Formation units near the Eocene Leavenworth fault zone, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 48, no. 4.
  • *Turner, G., and Miller, R.B., 2016, Structure and construction of Cretaceous plutons in the Sonora Pass Region of the North-Central Sierra Nevada batholith, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 48, no. 4.
  • Eddy, M.P., Bowring, S.A., Umhoefer, P.J., and Miller, R.B., 2015, Precise temporal constraints on Eocene strike-slip faulting in Washington and its relationship to triple-junction migration and terrane transport: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 4, p. 50.
  • Miller, R.B., Eddy, M., Gordon, S.M., Umhoefer, P.J., and Sauer, K., 2015, Strike slip in the Southern Coast Mountains – Cascades Orogen: The Ross Lake fault system and implications for “Baja BC”: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 4, p. 50.
  • Miller, R.B., Gordon, S.M., and Sauer, K.B., 2015, Flow and deformation in deep-arc crust: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 7, p. 495.
  • *Pence, J.E., and Miller, R.B., 2015 Structural analysis and evolution of the Entiat fault zone, a major Eocene structure of the North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 4, p. 59.
  • Ratajeski, K., Barth, A.P., Miller, R.B., and Pignotta, G., 2015, How deep was the Intrusive Suite of Buena Vista Crest? Contrasting results from hornblende-plagioclase thermobarometry of granodiorites and zircon geochronology of broadly coeval volcanics (Minarets and Merced Peak Complexes), Sierra Nevada batholith: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 4, p. 47.
  • Sauer, K.B., Gordon, S.M., and Miller, R.B., 2015, Hf characterization of detrital zircons from the metasedimentary rocks of the North Cascades crystalline core, WA: Implications for sedimentary incorporation into arc systems: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 7, p. 766.
  • *Senes, F.I., Miller, R.B., and Umhoefer, P.J., 2015, Deformation in and near the Eocene Leavenworth fault zone, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 47, no. 4, p. 60.
  • Umhoefer, P.J., Skinner, L.A., Miller, R.B., Eddy, M.P., and Bowring, S.A., 2015, Eocene paleogeography of the Washington – Vancouver Island region during strike-slip faulting before and after a major 50 Ma transition: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 47, no. 7, p. 444.
  • Buerer, B., and Miller, R.B., 2013, Foliation development and intrusive relationships in the Cretaceous Wrights Lake and Jurassic Pyramid Peak plutons of the northern Sierra Nevada batholith, Desolation Wilderness, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, no. 6, p. 12.
  • Dustin, K.N., and Miller, R.B., 2013, Construction and relationships of mafic and tonalitic rocks in the Seven Fingered Jack pluton, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, no. 6, p. 12.
  • Elkins, S.W., and Miller, R., 2013, Structure and construction of the highly elongate, Cretaceous Seven-Fingered Jack pluton in the Devil’s Smokestack area, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, no. 6, p. 12.
  • Leopold, M., Sendek, C., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., and Baker, N., 2013, Field observations from the Sonora Pass Intrusive Suite: structure and construction of a Cretaceous zoned intrusive suite in the central Sierra Nevada Batholith, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 45, No. 7, p. 390.
  • Miller, R.B., 2013, Structure of the Yosemite Valley Intrusive Suite: Regional strain fields and influence on emplacement of younger intrusions in the central Sierra Nevada batholith: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, no. 6, p. 12.
  • Miller, R.B., and Umhoefer, P.J., 2013, Evidence for collision of Siletzia in the central and North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, no. 7, p. 166.
  • Sauer, K., Gordon, S., and Miller, R.B., 2013, Sediment incorporation into arc systems: A detrital zircon study: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, no. 7, p. 812.
  • Shea, E.K., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., and Miller, J.S., 2013, Magmatism at different crustal levels in the ancient North Cascades magmatic arc: Abstract V13E-2656, 2013 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco.
  • Chan, C.F., Kent, A.J., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., Shea, E.K., and Paterson, S.R., 2012, Construction of a sheeted magmatic complex within the lower arc crust: Insights from the Tenpeak pluton, North Cascades, Washington: Abstract V33B-2864, American Geophysical Union Meeting.
  • Dustin, K.N., Miller, R.B., and Shea, E., 2012, Intrusive relationships and deformation of mafic and tonalitic rocks in part of the Seven Fingered Jack pluton, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 3, p. 2.
  • MacDonald, J.H. Jr, Miller, J.S., Dragovich, J.D., Miller, R.B., and Harper, G.D., 2012, Detrital zircon age populations and geochemistry of selected Late Jurassic sedimentary basins in the North American Cordillera: Links Between the Klamath and Cascade Mountains: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 383.
  • Shea, E.K., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., and Miller, J.S., 2012, Punctuated growth of a ca 90 Ma shallow-crustal intrusive complex, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 322.
  • Shea, E.K., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., Kent, A.J., and Chan, C.F., 2012, The role of mush in construction of magmatic complexes at different crustal levels: Abstract V43D-2875, American Geophysical Union Meeting.
  • Dustin, K.N., Miller, R.B., and Shea, E.K., 2011, Intrusive relationships and deformation of mafic and tonalitic rocks in part of the Seven Fingered Jack pluton, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 3, p. 2.
  • Miller, R.B., DeBari, S.M., and Paterson, S.R., 2011, Deep-crustal plutonism and the development of arc magmatic systems: Tenpeak pluton, NW USA: Abstract #T53A-2489, American Geophysical Union.

Technical Presentations

  • Miller, R.B., April, 2012, National Science Foundation, GeoPrisms Cascadia Workshop, Portland, OR; presentation on importance of basement on modern Cascadia volcanism and seismicity.

Reviewing and Editorial Service

  • Miller, R.B., Editorial Service
    • Associate Editor of Geosphere
    • Geology Editorial Board – 2010-2012
  • Miller, R.B., Journal reviewer for:
    • Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
    • Geology
    • Journal of Metamorphic Geology
    • Tectonophysics
  • Miller, R.B., Peer Reviewer:
    • Economic Geology
    • Geological Society of America Bulletin
    • Geological Society of America Special Paper
    • Geology
    • Geosphere (3)
    • Journal of Structural Geology
    • Lithos (2)
    • Lithosphere (2)
    • National Science Foundation (8)
    • Petroleum Research Fund
    • Tectonics
    • Tectonophysics

Other Professional Service

  • Miller, R.B., June-August 2017, Field research in Washington Cascades and Coast Mountains of southern British Columbia; conducted with two SJSU M.S. students and colleagues from Northern Arizona University and the Geological Society of Canada.
  • Miller, R.B., September 2017, Evaluated tenure application for Idaho State University.
  • Miller, R.B., October 2017, Co-led a post-meeting 3-day field trip (~25 professional participants) to the central Washington Cascades associated with the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America.
  • Miller, R.B., October 2017, Co-led a pre-meeting 3-day field trip (~30 professional participants) to the North Cascades associated with the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America.
  • Miller, R.B., December 2017, Evaluated application for promotion to professor at the CSU Northridge.
  • Miller, R.B., December 2017, Nominating Committee for vice-chair of Cordilleran Section of the Geological Society of America.
  • Miller, R.B., June - September 2013, Conducted field research for 7 weeks in Washington Cascades and Sierra Nevada with 4 M.S. students, 1 B.S. student, and colleagues from MIT, Northern Arizona University, Oregon State University, and the University of Southern California.
  • Miller, R.B., October 2013, Co-Convenor for session entitled “Rates and thermomechanical characteristics of processes controlling the rheologic evolution of arc systems” for annual Geological Society of America Meeting in Denver.
  • Miller, R.B., November 2013, Ph.D. thesis defense at MIT; served as member of the thesis committee.
  • Miller, R.B., September 2012, Co-leader of Geological Society of America Field Forum, Oakhurst, Yosemite, Mammoth, California.
  • Miller, R.B., 2012, Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Vice-Chair Nominating Committee.
    Miller, R.B., 2012, External evaluator of promotion application, Texas Tech University.
  • Miller, R.B., External thesis committee member: MIT (Ph.D., 2005-Present), 2 current students; Oregon State University (M.S., 2010-2012); Western Washington University (M.S., 2011-Present).