Mark Barton, PhD

Dr. Mark Barton’s research interests span many aspects of energy and mass transfer in the Earth's lithosphere and their applications to mineral deposits. Ongoing collaborative studies involve many mining companies and the USGS and were supported by the US National Science Foundation, Science Foundation Arizona, and the Keck Foundation, among others. Ore deposit studies have focused on porphyry, IOCG, sediment-hosted Cu(-Co-Ag) and U(-V), and various precious metal systems, and their broader geologic context. His interests extend to the geochemistry, petrology and dynamics of broad range of other geologic systems, including arc-related magmatism and metamorphism, subduction zone processes, extensional tectonics, and fluid processes in sedimentary basins. After 15 years directing the geology-focused, research-oriented Center for Mineral Resources, he helped found the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources (IMR) which is a state-, industry-, and privately-funded interdisciplinary organization for research and education that spans science and engineering to public health and policy related to mineral resources.