Summary
I am a field-based structural geologist interested in understanding the evolution of the Earth's continents and quantifying continental deformation. I address these issues through the use of traditional field-based structural geology methods—such as geologic mapping, balanced cross section construction, seismic data analysis, and analytical modeling—as well as modern analytical techniques, including geochronology, thermochronology, thermobarometry, analog modeling, and analysis of satellite images and geodesy data.
Currently, my research group works broad issues related to continental dynamics, including orogenic plateau evolution during plate convergence, the thermal structure of the crust in modern and ancient settings and how this affects deformation rates and styles, intracontinental deformation in a variety of tectonic settings, craton evolution, and regional reconstructions of western North America and Central Asia.
Professional history
- July 2026-present: Professor, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
- July 2022–June 2026: Associate Professor, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
- August 2016–June 2022: Assistant Professor, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
- Summer 2016: Instructor, Black Hills Natural Science Field Station, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- August 2011–June 2016: Research/Teaching Assistant, University of California, Los Angeles
Research interests
- Structural geology and tectonics
- Continental tectonics, including intra-plate deformation
- Orogenic plateaus
- Cratons
- Geologic mapping Tectonics of the North American Cordillera and Himalayan-Tibetan orogen
Education
- Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles, 2016
- B.S. Cornell University, 2011
Selected publications
- Vlaha, D.R., Zuza, A.V., Chen, L., and Harlaux, M., 2024, Hot Cordilleran hinterland promoted lower crust mobility and decoupling of Laramide deformation: Nature Communications, v. 15, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48182-8.
- Xu, X., Zuza, A.V., Yin, A., Lin, X., Chen, H., and Yang, S., 2021, Permian plume-strengthened Tarim lithosphere controls the Cenozoic deformation pattern of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen: Geology, v. 49, no. 1, p. 96–100, https://doi.org/10.1130/G47961.1.
- Xu, X., Chen, H., Zuza, A.V., Yin, A., Yu, P., Lin, X., Zhao, C., Luo, J., Yang, S., and Wang, B., 2023, Phanerozoic cratonization by plume welding: Geology, v. 51, no. 2, p. 209–214, https://doi.org/10.1130/G50615.1.
- Xu, X., Zuza, A.V., Gerya, T., Chen, L., Kuang, X., Chen, H., Wang, B., Liu, J., Shi, X., Sun, Y., Wu, L., Han, S., Lin, X., Yang, S., and Yin, A., 2025, Mode of intracontinental mountain building controlled by lower crustal composition and mantle lithosphere depletion: Nature Communications, v. 16, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63468-1.
- Xu, X., Zuza, A.V., Liu, L., Zhu, W., Sun, Y., Wang, B., Kuang, X., Han, S., Zhang, X., Zhang, W., Fu, X., Pearson, D.G., and Liu, J., 2025, Protracted circum-continent subduction: A mechanism for craton destruction and a rationale for craton longevity: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, v. 122, no. 32, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2502618122.
- Zuza, A.V., and Cao, W., 2023, Metamorphic core complex dichotomy in the North American Cordillera explained by buoyant upwelling in variably thick crust: GSA Today, v. 33, no. 3–4, p. 4–11, https://doi.org/10.1130/GSATG548A.1.
- Zuza, A.V., Cheng, X., and Yin, A., 2016, Testing models of Tibetan Plateau formation with Cenozoic shortening estimates across the Qilian Shan–Nan Shan thrust belt: Geosphere, v. 12, no. 2, p. 501–532, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES01254.1.
- Zuza, A.V., Jepson, G., and Cao, W., 2025, Reassessing metamorphic core complexes in the North American Cordillera: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 260, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104987.
- Zuza, A.V., Levy, D.A., Dee, S., DesOrmeau, J.W., Cheng, F., and Li, X., 2022, Structural architecture and attenuation of the ductile lower plate of the Ruby Mountain–East Humboldt Range metamorphic core complex, northeast Nevada: Tectonics, v. 41, no. 8, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021TC007162.
- Zuza, A.V., Levy, D.A., and Mulligan, S.R., 2022, Geologic field evidence for non-lithostatic overpressure recorded in the North American Cordillera hinterland, northeast Nevada: Geoscience Frontiers, v. 13, no. 2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2020.10.006.
- Zuza, A.V., Wu, C., Reith, R.C., Yin, A., Li, J., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Wu, L., and Liu, W., 2018, Tectonic evolution of the Qilian Shan: An early Paleozoic orogen reactivated in the Cenozoic: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 130, no. 5–6, p. 881–925, https://doi.org/10.1130/B31721.1.
- Zuza, A.V., Yin, A., Lin, J., and Sun, M., 2017, Spacing and strength of active continental strike-slip faults: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 457, p. 49–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.09.041.