Research

Dr. Chan's research interests are in clastic sedimentary geology, and multidisciplinary studies using aspects of facies, basin analysis, fluid flow, and modeling (with applications toward environmental and predictive problems). Recent work includes studies of red rock diagenesis and its applications to understanding groundwater flow on Mars. The research group is focused on Clastic sedimentary geology, and multidisciplinary studies using aspects of facies, basin analysis, fluid flow, and modeling (with applications toward environmental and predictive problems). Recent work examines sandstone color, iron oxide concretions, and weathering patterns as terrestrial analogs for the red planet Mars.

Cybertechnology is changing the way we do science. One of Chan’s current projects is to help develop a mobile field application (for smart phone or tablet) that will be the ultimate “field assistant” to record all our field data into a database management system that will also plot up stratigraphic sections. This is a NSF EarthCube project 2016-2019.

Other projects include Concretion Characterization; detailed petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of iron oxide concretions (cemented nodules) to understand their formation. Recent project grants: Characterization and genesis of terrestrial analogs of Mars hematite - NASA Mars Fundamental Research 2006-2010, Mars for Earthlings - NASA EPOESS Mars for Earthlings 2011-2015, and Unlocking secrets of Jurassic Navajo Sandstone – NSF 2015-2018.

Sedimentary & Terrestrial Analog Research

Department of Geology & Geophysics

Additional Research Interests