Suzanne Affinati

About

Dr. Suzanne Craddock Affinati is an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where she joined the faculty in 2021. Her research focuses on metamorphic petrology, tectonics, and petrochronology, with particular emphasis on understanding orogenic processes in the U.S. Cordillera.

Research Interests

Metamorphic Petrology and Petrochronology

• Pressure-temperature-time path determination in metamorphic rocks
• Lu-Hf garnet geochronology
• Monazite and titanite geochronology
• Thermobarometry and geochronology integration
• Metamorphic core complex studies

Tectonics and Orogenesis

• Retroarc underthrusting processes and mechanisms
• Sevier Orogenesis and Cordilleran tectonics
• Arc magmatism and metamorphism relationships
• Regional tectonic evolution studies
• Structural geology and deformation analysis

U.S. Cordilleran Geology

• Southwestern North American geological evolution
• Funeral Mountains and Mojave Desert geology
• Regional metamorphic and tectonic studies
• Cordilleran orogenic belt analysis
• Metasomatism related to Laramide Flat-slab subduction

Education

• Ph.D. Northern Arizona University
• B.S. Lawrence University

Professional Experience

Academic Positions

• Research Professor, Northern Arizona University (2021-present)
• Previous Academic Appointments - Research and teaching positions
• Collaborative Research - Multi-institutional projects with University of Nevada, Las Vegas and University of Wisconsin, Madison

Research Impact

Dr. Affinati has made significant contributions to understanding metamorphic processes and tectonics in the North American Cordillera, with research published in top-tier geological journals including the GSA Bulletin.

Major Research Contributions

Funeral Mountains Research

Jurassic Retroarc Underthrusting Study

• “Pressure-Temperature-Time Paths from the Funeral Mountains, California, Reveal Jurassic Retroarc Underthrusting during Early Sevier Orogenesis” (2019)
• Published in GSA Bulletin - High-impact geological research journal
• Collaborative research with T.D. Hoisch, M.L. Wells, and J.D. Vervoort
• New metamorphic P-T paths and Lu-Hf garnet ages

Key Findings

• Temporal correlation between Middle to Late Jurassic retroarc underthrusting and arc magmatism
• 12 garnet porphyroblasts analyzed from six samples from Chloride Cliff area
• Southwestern North American tectonic evolution insights
• Sevier Orogenesis timing and process understanding

Methodological Contributions

Petrochronological Techniques

• Integration of P-T path determination with absolute age dating
• Lu-Hf garnet geochronology applications to metamorphic studies
• Multi-sample regional analysis for tectonic interpretation
• Advanced analytical techniques for metamorphic petrology

Teaching Excellence

Course Development and Instruction

• GLG 315 - Petrology - Undergraduate metamorphic and igneous petrology
• GLG 470 - Physics and Chemistry of Earth - Earth materials and processes
• GLG 485 - Undergraduate Research - Independent student research supervision
• GLG 112 - Geologic Disasters - Natural hazards and earth processes

Student Engagement

• Undergraduate research mentorship in petrology and tectonics
• Field experience in metamorphic terranes
• Laboratory training in analytical techniques
• Professional development support for geology students

Research Collaborations

Multi-Institutional Partnerships

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Collaborative research with M.L. Wells
• Washington State University - Geochronological work with J.D. Vervoort
• Northern Arizona University - Collaboration with T.D. Hoisch
• US Geological Survey
• AZ Geological Survey

Professional Service

Review and Editorial Activities

• Peer reviewer for metamorphic petrology and tectonics journals
• Conference abstract review for GSA and specialty meetings
• Grant proposal evaluation for funding agencies
• Student thesis examination and committee service

Professional Organizations

• Geological Society of America - Active member and contributor
• American Geophysical Union - Tectonophysics and petrology sections
• Mineralogical Society of America - Research contributions
• International Association of Metamorphic Geologists - Specialty research

Current Research Focus

Dr. Affinati’s ongoing research emphasizes:

• Regional metamorphic studies across the western United States
• Understanding Fluid interactions in the crust above shallow dipping convergent margins Using petrochrology, pseudosection modeling, and oxygen isotopes

Research Philosophy

Dr. Affinati’s approach combines detailed petrological analysis with regional tectonic synthesis to understand orogenic processes. Her work demonstrates the importance of integrating pressure-temperature-time information to unravel complex geological histories.