Donna Shillington

About

Dr. Donna J. Shillington is a Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where she has been a faculty member since 2020. Her research focuses on deformation, magmatism and sedimentation at plate tectonic boundaries and in other interesting geological settings, which I study using active-source seismology together with other geophysical and geological approaches.

Research website: donnajshillington.com

Research Interests

Plate Tectonic Boundary Processes

• Continental rifting and rifted margin evolution
• Subduction zone structure and dynamics

Active-Source Seismology

• Marine seismic reflection and refraction studies
• Continental seismic imaging and crustal structure

Other Interests

• Hot spot volcanism
• Integration with other geophysical, geological and geochemical observations

Education

• Ph.D. Geophysics, University of Wyoming (2004)
• B.S. Geology, University of Georgia (1998)
• B.A. Journalism, University of Georgia (1998)

Professional Experience

Academic Positions

• Professor, Northern Arizona University (2022-present)
• Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University (2019-2021)
• Adjunct Senior Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University (2019-present)
• Lamont Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (2015-2019)
• Lamont Assistant Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (2010-2015)
• Doherty Associate Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (2007-2010)

Examples of Research Expeditions

• MalaWi Examination of Rifting and Active surface processes (MWERA)
• Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Seismic Experiment
• Alaska Langseth Experiment to Understand the megaThrust (ALEUT)
• Alaska Amphibious Community Seismic Experiment (AACSE)

Graduate Student Supervision

Dr. Shillington mentors graduate students in:

• Marine geophysics and seismology
• Active-source seismic methods
• Plate tectonic processes
• Geophysical data analysis and interpretation

Professional Service

Service and Leadership Activities

• Associate Editor for Journal of Geophysical Research
• Member National Academies Committee on Solid Earth Geophysics
• Member UNOLS Marine Seismic Research Operations Committee

Current Research Focus

Dr. Shillington’s current research emphasizes:

• Subduction zone earthquake hazards and megathrust characterization
• Continental rifting processes and margin evolution
• Integration of marine and terrestrial geophysical observations
• Climate change impacts on tectonic processes

Teaching and Curriculum Development

Courses

• GLG460/560 - Applied Geophysics
• GLG102 - Historical Geology
• GLG107 - Oceanography
• GLG698 - Graduate seminars