Directory

Tom Chacko

picture
Position
Professor and Associate Chair (Graduate Studies)
Office
ESB 3-11A
Phone
492-5395
Email
Tom.Chacko@ualberta.ca
Web Site
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Publications
  • CHACKO, T. and DEINES, P. (2008): Theoretical calculation of oxygen isotope fractionation factors in carbonate systems. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72: 3642-3660
  • NAIR, R. and CHACKO, T. (2008): The role of oceanic plateaus in subduction initiation and origin of continental crust. Geology, 36: 583-586
  • SIMONETTI, A., HEAMAN, L.M. and CHACKO, T. (2008): Use of discrete-dynode secondary electron multipliers with Faradays - A 'reduced volume' approach for in situ U-Pb dating of accessory minerals within petrographic thin section by LA-MC-ICP-MS. Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course Series, 40: 241-264
  • FRENCH, J.E., HEAMAN, L.M., CHACKO, T. and SRIVASTIVA, R. (2008): 1891-1883 Ma Southern Bastar-Cuddapah mafic igneous events, India: A newly recognized large igneous province, Precambrian Research, 160: 308-322
  • SCHULTZ, M.E.J., CHACKO, T., HEAMAN, L.M., SANDEMAN, H.A., SIMONETTI, A. and CREASER, R.A. (2007): Queen Maud block: A newly recognized Paleoproterozoic (2.4-2.5 Ga) terrane in northwest Laurentia. Geology, 35: 707-710
  • HARTLAUB, R.P., HEAMAN, L.M., CHACKO, T  and ASHTON, K.E. (2007): Circa 2.3-Ga magmatism in the Arrowsmith Orogeny, Uranium City region, western Churchill Craton, Canada. Journal of Geology, 115: 181-195
  • SIMONETTI, A., HEAMAN, L.M., CHACKO, T. and BANERJEE, N.R. (2006): In-situ petrographic thin section U-Pb dating of zircon, monazite and titanite using laser-ablation-MC-ICP-MS. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 223: 87-97
  • HARTLAUB, R.P., CHACKO, T., HEAMAN, L.M., CREASER, R.A., ASHTON, K. and SIMONETTI, A. (2005): Ancient (Meso- to Paleoarchean) crust in the Rae Province, Canada: evidence from Sm-Nd and U-Pb constraints. Precambrian Research, 141: 137-153
  • HEAMAN, L.M., CREASER, R.A., COOKENBOO, H.O. and CHACKO, T. (2005): Multi-stage modification of the northernSlave mantle lithosphere: evidence from zircon- and diamond-bearing eclogite xenolilths entrained in the Jericho kimberlite, Canada. Journal of Petrology, 47: 821-858
  • HARTLAUB, R.P., HEAMAN, L.M., ASHTON, K.E. and CHACKO, T. (2004): The Archean Murmac Bay Group: evidence for a giant Archean rift in the Rae Province, Canada. Precambrian Research, 131: 345-372
  • PATTISON, D.R.M., CHACKO, T., FARQUHAR, J. and McFARLANE, C.R.M. (2003): Temperatures of granulite-facies metamorphism: constraints from experimental phase equilibria and thermobarometry corrected for retrograde exchange. Journal of Petrology, 43: 2121-2142
  • NAIR, R. and CHACKO, T. (2002): Fluid-absent melting of high-grade semi-pelites: P-T constraints on orthopyroxene formation and implications for granulite genesis. Journal of Petrology, 43: 2121-2142
  • FRENCH, J.E., HEAMAN, L.M., and CHACKO, T. (2002): Feasibility of chemical U-Th-total Pb baddeleyite dating by electron microprobe. Chemical Geology, 188: 85-104
  • CREASER, R.A., SANNIGRAHI, P., CHACKO, T. and SELBY, D. (2002): Further evaluation of the Re-Os geochronometer in organic-rich sedimentary rocks: a test of hydrocarbon maturation effects in the Exshaw Formation, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 66: 3441-3452
  • CHACKO, T., COLE, D.R., and HORITA, J. (2001): Equilibrium oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotope fractionation factors applicable to geological systems. In Valley, J.W. and Cole, D.R. eds., Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 43: 1-81.

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Research area

metamorphic petrology, stable isotope geochemistry, crustal evolution, Precambrian geology, granulites, granites

Research interest

I specialize in the study of metamorphic rocks, in particular the processes associated with high-temperature metamorphism and melting in the deep continental crust. I am also interested in how these small-scale processes relate to the larger-scale process of continental crust formation and continental assembly. Another thrust of my research is the experimental determination of oxygen and hydrogen isotope fractionation factors between minerals and fluids. In pursuit of these research goals, I use a variety of techniques including field and petrographic observations, electron microprobe and stable isotope analysis and high-pressure experimental studies using the piston cylinder apparatus. Field areas include the Taltson Magmatic Zone of northeast Alberta, the Slave Province in the Northwest Territories, and the southern Indian granulite terrane.

Research opportunity

Current Research Projects (in collaboration with graduate students & colleagues)

  • Secular variations in the metamorphic temperatures of collisional orogenic belts
  • Development of standards for chemical Th-U-Pb dating of monazite by electron microprobe
  • Petrological, geochemical and geochronological studies in the Cardamom Hills charnockite massif, southern Indian granulite terrane
  • Experimental determination of hydrogen diffusion rates in hydrous minerals
  • Fluid-absent melting of hydrated basalts, basaltic komatiite, and komatiite
School

University of North Carolina, 1987