TECTONIC PROCESSES IN THE CIRCUM-ATLANTIC OROGENS: A CELEBRATION OF THE CAREER OF ROB STRACHAN

For more than 40 years, Rob Strachan has made immense contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the circum-Atlantic orogens. His research is multidisciplinary, rooted in field mapping at various scales aimed at understanding the structural, metamorphic and tectonic evolution of orogenic belts, especially (but not exclusively) those in the circum-Atlantic region. From the Caledonides of Shetlands, Greenland and the Scottish Highlands, to the intraplate reworking of Mesoarchean crust in eastern Brazil, Rob’s research has provided fundamental insights into orogenic processes and how they have changed over time. Even as his knobby knees begin to creak, his passion for field-based geology remains unabated, with recent publications focusing on the nature of orogenic processes within the middle to lower continental crust, mechanisms of granite emplacement in different structural settings and the application of geochronological techniques to date deformation and metamorphism, and to identify source terrains and sediment dispersal patterns.

As hundreds of us from all around the world will attest, Rob is also the most congenial, efficient and generous of collaborators. His more than 250 publications include several important books that provide the foundational knowledge for research into the geology of Britain and Ireland. Rob is also an outstanding geocitizen, contributing in many capacities, including as department head, science editor for several high-profile international journals, as a field trip leader, as conference organizer, and as an outstanding mentor to generations of students. It is a pleasure to celebrate with you his immense legacy and future contributions.