Department of Geology, University of Vermont	Laura E. Webb	Phone: 1-802-656-8136, Fax: 1-802-656-0045
180 Colchestester Ave, Burlington VT 05405	Assistant Professor	E-mail: Laura.Webb@uvm.edu

Research

I am a field-oriented geologist who applies analytical tools to investigate large scale tectonic processes. My general scientific approach integrates field geology, structural geology, petrology and thermochronology. Current collaborations include the study of the strike-slip history of the East Gobi Fault Zone in southeastern Mongolia, employing tools of structural geology, petrology, thermochronology, and sedimentary basin analysis to evaluate the timing and kinematics of intraplate deformation and basin formation in southeastern Mongolia. The results of this research are relevant to testing end-member models of continental block extrusion and continuum shortening during Asia’s history of collisions from Mesozoic–Recent. I am also active in a NSF Continental Dynamics project in eastern Papua New Guinea where we are evaluating the exhumation of world’s youngest known ultrahigh pressure (UHP) terrane in the context of the larger scale Australian–Pacific plate boundary evolution.

PROJECTS

Mesozoic–Cenozoic intraplate deformation in SE Mongolia	Exhumation of ultrahigh-pressure rocks in SE Papua New Guinea
2006–2009, EAR-0537165, NSF Tectonics: “Collaborative Research: Strike-Slip History of the East Gobi Fault Zone, Mongolia: Modes of Intraplate Deformation, Sedimentary Basin Evolution, and Regional Fault Linkages”. PI. Collaborative research with C. Johnson (University of Utah).	2007–2012, EAR-0709054, NSF Continental Dynamics: “Collaborative Research: How Is Rifting Exhuming the Youngest HP/UHP Rocks on Earth?” Co-PI with S. Baldwin and P. Fitzgerald. Collaborative research with G. Abers, T. Plank, W.R. Buck & J. Gaherty (Columbia University), B. Hacker (UCSB), and P. Mann & B. Horton (UT Austin).