Dr. Desmond Moser

Zircon & Accessory Phase Laboratory

Associate Professor
Ph.D. Queen's University, 1993
Office: BGS 1070
Phone: (519) 661-2111 x.84214
Fax: (519) 661-3198
Email: desmond.moser@uwo.ca

Research Interests

Dr. Desmond Moser conducts solid Earth and planetary science research using Western’s nationally unique Zircon and Accessory Phase Laboratory (ZAPLab). Micromineral crystal growth and deformation analysis (e.g. CL, EBSD) is integrated with field mapping, microchemical (EDS, WDS), petrologic and mass spectrometry measurements (radiogenic and stable isotopes) at Western and partner institutes. His active projects investigate meteorites, crustal cross-sections, kimberlite xenoliths, sedimentary basins and impact structures in the Americas, Africa and Europe. His ZAPLab team is advancing our knowledge of the timing and nature of processes that form and modify planetary crusts and ore deposits while advancing the growing sub-discipline of accessory mineral science.

Selected Publications

Moser, D.E., Cupelli, C. L., Barker, I., Flowers, R.M., Bowman, J.R., Wooden, J., Hart, R., 2011, New zircon shock phenomena and their use for dating and reconstruction of large impact structures revealed by electron nanobeam (EBSD, CL, EDS) and isotopic U-Pb and (U-Th)/He analysis of the Vredefort dome. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences (Tom Krogh special volume); 48: 117-139

Moser, D.E., Davis, W.J., Reddy, S.R., Flemming, R.L., and Hart, R.J., 2009, Zircon U-Pb strain chronometry reveals deep impact-triggered flow, Earth and Planetary Science Letters 277, 73-79.

Moser, D.E., Bowman, J.R., Wooden, J., Valley, J.W., Mazdab, F., Kita, N., 2008, Creation of a continent recorded in zircon zoning, Geology, 36; no. 3; p. 239–242; doi: 10.1130/G24416A.1; 3 figures; Data Repository item 2008059.

Moser, D.E., Flowers, R., and Hart, R.J., 2001, Birth of the Kaapvaal tectosphere 3.08 billion years ago. Science, 291: 465-468.

Moser, D.E. 1997. Dating the shock wave and thermal imprint of the giant Vredefort impact, South Africa. Geology, 25:7-10.

Courses Taught

Earth Sciences 2130Y: Geography & Geology of Southwestern Ontario
Geology 9559: Isotopic Dating of Planetary and Resource Evolution

Students

Lisa Cupelli, Ph.D.
Nik Ganderton, M.Sc.
Sean Fulcher, M.Sc.

Current Projects Available:

1. Zircon microstructure and Oxygen-U-Pb isotope behaviour in large meteorite impacts (e.g. Vredefort, Sudbury)
2. EBSD and U-Pb dating of meteorites, particularly planetary achondrites (e.g. martian, lunar)
3. Direct dating of ductile deformation using U-Pb geochronology
4. The evolution of early to late Archean cratons and their diamond deposits (e.g. Eoarchean Nuvvuagittuq assemblage, Quebec, Superior province kimberlite xenoliths)
5. EBSD, Colour+UV SEM- Cathodoluminescence, and trace element analysis of accessory minerals

1.  

• Faculty
• Administrative Staff
• Research Staff & Postdoctoral Fellows
• Graduate Students