Erin Donaghy

Assistant Professor

Sedimentology, Basin Analysis, Tectonics

Email: erin.donaghy@unlv.edu

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Education:

PhD. Purdue University (2024)
MSc. Northern Arizona University (2015)
BSc. Bucknell University (2012)

Research Interests:

I am a sedimentologist and field geologist primarily interested in studying basins that formed along active convergent and strike-slip boundaries. My 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 my active research projects here.

I am currently looking for students to work with on both the PhD and MS level. Please email me at erin.donaghy@unlv.edu if you are interested.

Recent 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.