Research Interests:

Erin Donaghy is a sedimentologist and field geologist primarily interested in studying basins that formed along active convergent and strike-slip boundaries. Her research focuses on exploring the relationship of basin formation and evolution with respect to large-scale tectonic processes, such as spreading ridge subduction, oceanic plateau collision, and strike-slip systems.

Research projects integrate traditional field mapping techniques with analytical methods of U-Pb zircon geochronology to answer complex questions such as the timing and style of faulting, sedimentation rates & provenance, and interpreting depositional environments.

You can read more about Dr. Donaghy’s active research projects here.

Dr. Erin Donaghy is currently looking for students to work with on both the PhD and MS level. Please email erin.donaghy@unlv.edu if you are interested.

Selected Publications:

Donaghy, E.E., Eddy, M.P., Ridgway, K., and Ickert, R.B., Sedimentary Record of Oceanic Plateau Accretion: Re-visiting the Eocene to Miocene stratigraphy of the northern Olympic Peninsula, Washington: Geosphere, in review.

Donaghy, E.E., Eddy, M.P., Moreno, F., and Ibañez-Mejia, M., 2024, Minimizing the effects of Pb loss in detrital and igneous U-Pb zircon geochronology by CA-LA-ICP-MS: Geochronology, v. 6, p. 89-106, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-89-2024.

Donaghy, E.E., Umhoefer, P.J., Eddy, M.P., Miller, R.B., and LaCasse, T., 2021, Stratigraphy, age, and provenance of the Eocene Chumstick basin, Washington Cascades: implications for paleogeography, regional tectonics, and development of strike-slip basins: GSA Bulletin, Vol. 133, No. 11/12, p. 2418-2438, https://doi.org/10.1130/B35738.1.

Kortyna, C., Donaghy, E.E., Trop, J.M., and Idleman, B., 2014, Integrated provenance record of a forearc basin modified by slab-window magmatism: Detrital-zircon geochronology and sandstone compositions of the Paleogene Arkose Ridge Formation, south-central Alaska: Basin Research, Vol. 26, Issue 3, pgs. 436-460,  https://doi.org/10.1111/bre.12033.